Legal Document

364 U.S. 479 81 Supreme Court Reporter 247 5 United States Reports Lawyer’s Edition 2d Series KF101.8 U54 231 baron T. SHELTON et al., Appellants,v.Everett TUCKER, Jr., etc., al. Max CARR Petitioners, versus R. Atlantic YOUNG Nos. 14, 83. Argued Nov. 7, 1960. Decided Dec. 12, Mr. Robert L. Carter, for appellants. Messrs. Herschel or Haw. Hawai‘i KFH45 A2 Friday, Little Rock, Ark., and Louis Ramsay, Pine Bluff, appellees. Edwin E. Dunaway, petitioners. V. Light respondents. Justice STEWART delivered the opinion of Court. 1 An Arkansas statute compels every teacher, as a condition employment in state-supported school college, to file annually an affidavit listing without limitation organization which he has belonged regularly contributed within preceding five years. At issue these two cases is validity that under Fourteenth Amendment Constitution. Number 14 appeal from judgment three-judge Federal District upholding statute's validity, 174 F.Supp. 351. 83 here on writ certiorari Arkansas, also held constitutionally valid. Ark. 641, 331 South Western Reporter, 2nd 701. 2 The question Act 10 Second Extraordinary Session General Assembly 1958. provisions are summarized follows (174 353): 3 'Act provides substance no person shall be employed elected superintendent, principal teacher any public instructor, professor institution higher learning State until such have submitted appropriate hiring authority all organizations at time belongs during past years, paying regular dues making contributions, years paid made contributions. further provides, among other things, contract entered into with who not filed prescribed void; moneys compensation his services; funds so may recovered back either receiving board trustees governing body payment. filing false denounced perjury, punishable by fine less than hundred nor more one thousand dollars, and, addition, lose teaching license.' 353—354.1 4 These must considered against existing system required law. Teachers there hired year-to-year basis. They covered civil service system, they job security beyond end each year. closest approach tenure statutory provision automatic renewal teacher's if notified ten days after year been renewed. Ark.1947 Stat.Ann. § 80 1304(b) (1960); Wabbaseka School 7 Jefferson County Johnson, 225 982, 286 841. plaintiffs (appellants here) were Shelton, Rock Public System, suing himself others similarly situated, together Association its Executive Secretary, benefit members Association. Shelton had Special twenty-five In spring 1959 was that, before could 1959—1960 year, 10, organizational connections over previous He declined affidavit, ensuing trial evidence showed member Communist Party advocating overthrow Government force, National Advancement Colored People. court upheld finding information it 'relevant,' relying several decisions this Court, particularly Garner Board Works Los Angeles, 341 716, 71 909, 95 L.Ed. 1317; Adler Education, 342 485, 72 380, 96 517; Beilan Higher 357 399, 78 1317, 1414; Lerner Casey, 468, 1311, 1423.2 6 state proceedings (petitioners Carr, associate University Ernest Gephardt, Central High situated. Each refused execute 10. Carr executed affirmation3 listed membership professional organizations, denied ever having subversive organization, offered answer questions authorities might ask touching upon qualifications teacher. Gephardt stating never disclosing Education American Legion, offering Both advised their failure comply requirements would make impossible re-employment teachers following constitutionality face applied I. It urged here, unsuccessfully throughout both federal courts, deprives rights personal, associational, academic liberty, protected Due Process Clause invasion action. considering contention, we deal basic postulates. 8 First. There can doubt right investigate competence fitness those whom hires teach schools, now occasion recognize. 'A works sensitive area schoolroom. shapes attitude young minds towards society live. this, vital concern.' 493, 385, 517. 'no requirement Constitution classroom conduct sole basis determining fitness. Fitness depends broad range factors.' 406, 1322, 1414.4 9 This controversy thus pattern N.A.A.C.P. Alabama, 449, 1163, 1488, Bates 361 516, 412, 480. substantially relevant correlation between governmental interest asserted State's effort compel disclosure lists involved. Here, contrast, relevance inquiry teachers.5 Second. disputed disclose associational tie impair free association, closely allied freedom speech which, like speech, lies foundation society. De Jonge Oregon, 299 353, 364, 57 255, 260, 278; supra, pages 522—523, 416—417. Such interference personal conspicuously accented when serves absolute will made—those terminate bringing charges, notice, hearing, affording opportunity explain. 11 does provide requires kept confidential. left wishes.6 record contains indicate fear neither theoretical groundless.7 Even general public, pressure avoid ties displease control destiny constant heavy. exposure, possibility pressures boards discharge belong unpopular minority simply operate widen aggravate impairment constitutional liberty. 12 vigilant protection freedoms nowhere community schools. 'By limiting power interfere protects persons, matter what calling. But, view nature relation effective exercise safeguarded Bill Rights Amendment, inhibition thought, action case brings safeguards amendments vividly operation. unwarranted spirit * unmistakable tendency chill play ought especially cultivate practice; makes caution timidity associations potential teachers.' Wieman Updegraff, 344 183, 195, 73 215, 221, 97 216 (concurring opinion). 'Scholarship cannot flourish atmosphere suspicion distrust. students always remain inquire, study evaluate *.' Sweezy New Hampshire, 354 234, 250, 77 1203, 1212, 1311. II. 13 decided whether certain about relationships. ties. asked how many to, much spend activity. single associated five-year period. scope completely unlimited. reveal church belongs, given financial support. him political party, list, number, conceivable kind social, professional, political, avocational, religious. Many relationships possible bearing occupational series even though purpose legitimate substantial, pursued means broadly stifle fundamental liberties narrowly achieved.8 breadth legislative abridgment viewed light drastic achieving same purpose.9 15 Lovell Griffin, 303 444, 58 666, 82 949, invalidated ordinance prohibiting distribution literature place Georgia, license, pointing out unnecessary accomplish municipal aims. Schneider State, 308 147, 60 146, 150, 84 155, dealt ordinances four different municipalities banned imposed prior restraints handbills. holding invalid, noted where 'fundamental liberties' asserted, 'the courts should astute examine effect challenged legislation. Mere preferences beliefs respecting matters convenience well support regulation directed activities, but insufficient justify diminishes maintenance democratic institutions.' page 161, 151. Cantwell Connecticut, 310 296, 900, 1213, said '(c)onduct remains subject society,' pointed regulate exercised not, attaining permissible end, unduly infringe freedom.' 304, 903. Illustrations principle found them, Martin Struthers, 319 141, 63 862, 87 1313; Saia York, 334 558, 68 1148, 92 1574; Kunz 340 290, 312, 280. 16 As recently last Term invalid handbills because application went far necessary achieve purpose. Talley California, 362 60, 536, 559. 'urged aimed providing way identify responsible fraud, advertising libel. Yet manner limited *. Therefore do pass prevent supposed evils. bars circumstances anywhere names addresses printed them requires.' 64, 538. 17 unlimited indiscriminate sweep us ban our cases. comprehensive goes justified competency teachers. judgments reversed. 18 ordered. 19 Judgments 20 FRANKFURTER, dissenting. 21 strong views crude intrusions creative alone mind fruitfully function, & N Immigration Nationality Decisions find displeasure legislation review. But maintaining distinction private restrictions, am constrained exceed Amendment. By emphasis therefore add few words dissent HARLAN, concur. 22 essential, outset, establish involved litigation: 23 (1) recognizes, where, 480, asserting affiliations, show rational justifying it. Those only recognition privacy, nondisclosure, claim protection. overborne countervailing interest. To concrete, question—whether knowing activities institutions supports, appraising positions hold, outweighs recognized Bates—those earlier themselves give answer. 24 (2) Court's unconstitutional apparently, rest threat revealed public. decision believe, turn teachers' affidavits That expressly 'Inasmuch act being construed bona fide needed information, necessarily need opened inspection, enlighten alone.' 646, 701, 704. If depended matter, pronouncement highest judicial organ read establishing—the Attorney notwithstanding—that authorize affidavits. court's language ambiguous is, duty understand opinion, accordance 'So statutes fairly doubtful construed.' Fox Washington, 236 273, 277, 35 383, 384, 59 573. 25 (3) 949; 1213; 280, call condemnation 'breadth' statute. struck down licensing laws vested administrative officials censorship communications confined standards designed curb dangers arbitrary discriminatory official concerned unrestricted discretion censor, permitted own subjective opinions practically unreviewable measure speech.1 Nor Thornhill 88, 736, 1093, Herndon Lowry, 301 242, 732, 1066,2 involving penal impermissibly 'broad' quite another sense. Prohibiting, indiscriminately, activity sphere Amendment's expression, double vice deterring uncertain line determinative criminality prescribing indefinite guilt, thereby allowing vagaries prejudices juries, effectively insulated reviewing intrude sphere. present involves censor vague, overreaching tests criminal responsibility. 26 Where assertions attacked restrictive existence vel non object seeks course, consideration. some novel, particular rule law obtains kind. Whenever reasonableness fairness issue—as apply reason fairness, concepts, enforcing action—the availability unavailability alternative methods proceeding germane. Thus, prohibit cities' streets preventing littering, achieved slightly greater inconvenience applying sanctions pamphleteer distributes paper recipient crumples throws away. Hague C.I.O., 307 496, 954, 1423; 155; Jamison Texas, 318 413, 669, 869. protect population incitements salacious books restricting reading adults harmless susceptible child. Butler Michigan, 352 524, 412. And see 559.3 consideration feasible modes did imply substitute choice alternatives legislature, restricted 'narrowest' workable accomplishing end. See Prince Massachusetts, 321 158, 169—170, 64 438, 443—444, 88 645. Consideration focus precise tested standard reasonableness, alter displace standard. whether, restriction individual liberty entails, reasonable legislature choose form rather restrictive. determination, easily open relative degrees efficiency pertinent. 27 strikes requiring relationships, ground 'Many fitness.' Granted First Street Congregation standing alone, little rightly expected equally irrelevant discovered fact Third 4—H Club 3—H half dozen groups? Presumably, divers associations, commitments, consume energy expense work dedication. Unlike wholly interests, connections—because involve obligations undertaken persons—may become inescapably demanding distracting. Surely, entitled inquire placed himself, placing suffer. Of ask: 'To you belong?' 'How expend activity?' reasonably regarded insufficient, veracity difficult test, doubts arise, answers statute, estimate presently spent reveals nothing quality activity, necessarily, prophesy extent future involvement based. A asks, moreover, serve known persons come contact phases community, questioned, be, concerning certainly say lacking pertinence ends asking 'certain (the State's) relationships,' 'all ties,' currently hours; difficult, therefore, appreciate why deems unreasonable forbids ask. 28 disposition cases, put low value freedom. 194, 220, opinion); 1214, 1311 very most reaches, dependent small part careful discriminating selection process intricate affair, judgment, informed, based information. unable say, requires—and otherwise acquired asks—is germane selection. Nor, record, attribute employ enactment device accomplishment forbidden. gathered used scheme terminating solely use run afoul enough, made, hold unconstitutional. Yick Wo Hopkins, 118 356, 1064, 30 220. Because more, overbalance question, affirm below. 29 authorized CLARK, HARLAN WHITTAKER agree opinion. CLARK join, 31 course natural enlist support, unusual touches whose context racial situation various parts country demands unremitting vigilance courts. circumstance remind attend adjudication. emphasized actually presents discrimination. applies irrespective race, showing discriminatorily administered. 32 consistently require schools colleges disclose, precedent initial continued employment, belonged, dues, Since believe transgress limits conceded determine serving teachers, bound consider conceive my dissent. 33 legal framework judged clear. association embodied 'liberty' assured (see Gitlow 268 652, 672, 45 625, 632, 69 1138, dissenting Holmes, J.) absolute. Near Minnesota, 283 697, 708, 51 628, 75 1357; Whitney 274 357, 373, 47 647, 1095 Brandeis, J.). claimed invade rights, controlling justifiable superior yield. When complained pertains realm investigation, aspect: first, investigation relates purpose; second, purpose, questioned substantial thereto. Barenblatt States, 360 109, 79 1081, 1115; Uphaus Wyman, 72, 1040, 1090. 34 hand, think factors satisfied. surely indisputable clear, appears recognize, useful moral, social type best suited educational system. Slochower 350 551, 76 637, 100 692. Furthermore, take acknowledge agreeably decisions, enquire resulting aid bears Despite considerations stricken because, view, too broad, asks effectuate said, blanket entail. Cf. supra; supra. 36 subscribe priori drawn this. Certainly point out. called whatever authorities, fix advance terms enquiry yield 37 mean character aware, class defined purposes, consonant decent respect privacy utterly unworkable. see, however, suffer deficiencies obvious bent discovering everything proper must, compulsion, adopt instead chosen here. 38 Finally, hardly turns abused, publicizing disclosures otherwise, us. Lassiter Northampton Elections Board, 45, 53—54, 985, 991, 1072. All face, posture things 39 seven sections. Section provides: 'It hereby declared assistance administration financing supported funds, determined beneficial hereinafter provided.' 'No principal, elementary secondary district operating school, professor, learning, thereof, until, instructor incorporated and/or unincorporated of, paying, contributions.' sets used. 'Any district, instructional per- sonnel, hereof election contracts, null void personnel; personnel, suit circuit county cause defendant therein bonds defendants, existence.' guilty fine, forfeit license funds. separability provision. emergency clause, follows: segregation solution great variety local problems considerable complexity immediately health, safety welfare people assist efficient education.' th (Acts 1959, 115) unlawful People subdivisions. affirmation recited 'conscientiously opposed taking oath swearing actual holdings Beilan, discharges, case. 'to justification clause solution' raised cases.' note 1. generality irrelevance detracts inquiry. 'it respective Boards, contained affidavits.' inspection (Emphasis added.) witness Capital Citizens Council testified group intended gain access eliminating group. Among named Civil Liberties Union, Urban League, Professors, Women's Emergency Committee Open Our Schools. areas, issues, leeway thought allowable increased clearly central Purity Extract Tonic company Lynch, 226 192, 44, 184; Jacob Ruppert, Incorporated Caffey, 251 264, 40 260; Schlesinger Wisconsin, 270 230, 241, 46 262, 70 557 (dissenting Queenside Hills Realty Saxl, 328 80, 83, 66 850, 851, 90 1096. cf. Dean Milk Madison, 349, 295, 329. Freund, Competing Freedoms Constitutional Law, U. Chicago Conference 26, 32—33; Richardson, Freedom Expression Function Courts, 65 Harv.L.Rev. 1, 6, 23—24; Comment, Legislative Inquiry Political Activity: Immunity From Interrogation, Yale L.J. 1159, 1173—1175. 155 Irvington ordinance); Largent 418, 667, 873; Jones Opelika, 103, 890, 1290, vacating 316 584, 62 1231, 86 1691 Opelika Niemotko Maryland, 268, 325, 328, 267, 280; Joseph Burstyn, Inc., Wilson, 343 495, 777, 1098; Gelling 960, 1002, 1359; Superior Films, Department 346 587, 74 286, 98 329; Staub Baxley, 355 313, 302; Marsh 326 501, 276, 265; Tucker 517, 274, 274. common-law count similar cited text note, 2, infra. Stromberg 359, 532, 1117; Winters 333 507, 665, 840. Language characterizing overly sometimes result, merely meant express idea underlying regulation's Compare Thomas Collins, 323 315, 89 430, Fiske Kansas, 655, 1108. 1313, Breard Alexandria, 622, 920, 1233.

Classification Label: 2