Legal Document

379 U.S. 621 85 Supreme Court Reporter 598 13 United States Reports Lawyer’s Edition 2d Series KF101.8 U54 527 Ben W. FORTSON, Jr., as Secretary of the State Georgia, et al., Appellants,v.Henry Judge TOOMBS al. Number 300. Argued Nov. 18, 19, 1964. January 1965 E. Freeman Leverett, Atlanta, Ga., for appellants. Francis Shackelford, appellees. PER CURIAM. 1 The District Court, having held that Georgia Legislature was malapportioned (Toombs versus Fortson, 205 F.Supp. 248), enjoined appellants, election officials, 'from placing on ballot to be used in General Election November 3, 1964, or at any subsequent until Assembly is reapportioned accordance with constitutional standards, question whether a amendment purporting amend present state constitution by substituting an entirely new therefor shall adopted.'* Appellants challenge provision merits. Appellees, while defending it merits, suggest alternatively issue has become moot. 2 situation changed somewhat since 1964 election, both Senate and House have members, appellees, whose benefit challenged added, say now highly speculative what legislature will do paragraph vacated 3 We vacate this part decree remand whom we give wide range moulding (United Crescent Amusement Co., 323 173, 185, 65 254, 260, 89 L.Ed. 160; International Boxing Club New York States, 358 242, 253, 79 245, 251, 270), reconsideration desirability need on-going injunction light results representations It so ordered. 4 Decree case remanded. 5 Mr. Justice CLARK, concurring. 6 Although & N Dec. Immigration Nationality Decisions would prefer declare litigation moot judgment below, am joining opinion solely basis not reaching merits regarding propriety order fashioned three-judge Court. In my view, simply vacating remanding opportunity reconsider its change circumstances which occurred entered. 7 HARLAN, STEWART joins, concurring dissenting part. 8 This first time after plenary briefing argument, been called consider interim arrangements prescribed district court pending effectuation decision requiring reapportionment branch legislature. 9 After holding Representatives unconstitutionally composed, into appeal, ordered: (1) serve (the legislature) might proceed under State's existing methods apportionment; (2) properly apportioned took office no other could propose electorate, except through calling convention popularly elected delegates, adoption constitution; (3) (except legislation) should 'limited,' notwithstanding law, 'to enactment such legislation come before said during regular 45-day session' provided law. appeal filed last effect abrogated approval parties.1 10 draws validity items above, similarly numbered Court's order. contended however, these issues I. 11 disposition case, course, involves least item For, contrary Brother GOLDBERG says his (post, Pages 636—638) CLARK seems recognize (ante), does determination mootness, but only decide injunctive relief appropriate transpired granted. 12 While may implicit mootness reach beyond portion goes submission proposed (par. decree), also hold pronouncement limitations functioning (original par. decree). As (2), sufficient continuing effect, respect legislature, successor if found 'mal-apportioned.' Any alleged 'speculativeness' electorate 'constitutional' comes being, (assuming power premises, see below) granted score.2 So far original concerned (limiting activities rendered modification had taken review Analytically, tantamount confession error level, most relieving necessity making definitive exposition views subject (compare suggestion GOLDBERG, post, 638—639), depriving attribute justiciability. Cf. Young 315 257, 258—259, 62 510, 511—512, 86 832. 14 position adopted although moot, 'constitution-submission' issue, avoided chose circumstance made speculative; therefore remands afford opportunity. think avoidance either case. decisions pressed courts onto uncharted sensitive field federal-state relations little more guide them than elusive 'one-person-one-vote' aphorism. courts, instance, must necessarily fashion remedies themselves, passage variety chosen ultimately help wend way treacherous terrain. But essential lower launched right general direction allowed afield hamstring legislatures deprive effective legislative government. Paragraphs involved afield. Absent disapproval distinguished panel, cannot fail furnish strong practical, legal, precedent courts. happen. II. 15 below improvident aspects us. 16 forbidding legislatively constitution, can find nothing Fourteenth Amendment, elsewhere Constitution, requires initiate complete partial some method every voice voting population given express itself. Can there slightest doubt lodge changes select body pleases, committee group lawyers, even 'malapportioned' legislature—particularly one composition considered, prior pronouncements June 15, matter concern?3 17 Similarly court's limiting functions scarcely open serious long federal allow sit, regarded de facto State, possessing full panoply powers accorded 18 entitled clear-cut from contemplated unheard-of intrusion political affairs us evidence. Beyond that, temporize important interstitial matters kind, deeply affecting course relations, aggravate confusion June's cases left their wake.4 19 modify striking therefrom approving substitute framed 20 dissenting. 21 dissent By remanding, is, asking noted probable jurisdiction heard dismissed due events occurring perfected Mootness, which, circumstances, responsibility decide. facts relevant are undisputed. better resolve we. No legitimate purpose served determine line unbroken precedents decide.1 Moreover, believe, further time-consuming hearing possible future second Surely enough without creating unnecessary work both. dismiss 22 That fact becomes apparent consideration history litigation. 23 calls portions issued involving Representatives. entered 30, Federal Constitution declaring invalid statutory apportionment provisions. elections take place then-existing provisions, required later 'the Monday January, 1966.' Paragraph officials wholly voters 'at (legislature) * standards.' limited enacting 'such (it) session.' Appellants' motion stay denied MR. JUSTICE BLACK July 6, 1964.2 24 appealed jurisdictional statement they did contest basic apportioned. They paragraphs order.3 Appellees moved affirm ground all respects valid. jurisdiction, 809, 76 appellants' advance cause oral argument. 25 Shortly appellees because supervening entry opposed motion. Consideration appellees' postponed hearing. 26 Upon argument appeared dispute parties agreed upon modifications eliminated objections embodying agreed-upon modifications.4 likewise submitted law lapsed resubmitted. Thus remaining prevents newly proposing submitting constitution. 27 stated originally sought affirmance consideration, longer because, events, 'highly speculative' legislature5 ever submit another voters. consequently protection prohibition submission, 'this presents abstract, hypothetical controversy 'lively conflict between antagonistic demands, actively pressed, make resolution controverted practical necessity' lacking.'6 reasons over urge vacated. resist grounds mootness. contend reverse voters.7 argue issuance granting precedential deterrent vacation 28 shows, posture, plainly long-established principles precedents. appellants grave import popular vote—a varying systems different amendments. doctrine 'mootness,' like related 'ripeness,' evolved pass type urging who harmed currently threatened harm caused allegedly unconstitutional action. See Stearns Wood, 236 75, 35 229, 59 475. avoid arising when justiciable problems presented litigants claiming abridgment rights,8 not, cases, areas, issues, volunteer judgments seek out questions ceased ripe adjudication9 context actual controversy.10 strongly, albeit respectfully, disagree HARLAN'S intimation, grounded view never all, decided justiciable, willing 'sensitive' area opinions advisory nature, (will) afield.' Opinion ante, Page 625. already demonstrated, easily predictable ample within traditional bounds concrete, live controversies, real adverse parties. Fortson Dorsey, 433, 498; Scranton Drew, 40, 207. 29 unless necessary preserve rights Liverpool, N.Y. P.S.S. company Commissioners Emigration, 113 33, 39, 352, 355, 899; Ashwander Tennessee Valley Authority, 297 288, 341, 345—348, 56 466, 482—484, 80 688 (concurring Brandeis); Coffman Breeze Corps., 316, 325, 298, 303, 264. Nor abstract merely actions similar circumstances. Little Bowers, 134 547, 558, 620, 623, 33 1016; California San Pablo T.R. 149 308, 314, 876, 878, 37 747; Kimball Kimball, 174 158, 639, 43 932. told proponents exists remote possibility Division 1287 Amalgamated Association Street, Electric Railway Motor Coach employees America Missouri, 374 74, 78, 83 1657, 1660, 763. If legislature's were being initial matter, speculativeness conduct undoubtedly render unripe adjudication. Jersey Sargent, 269 328, 46 122, 70 289; Arizona California, 283 423, 51 522, 75 1154; Bond Share SEC, 303 419, 443, 58 678, 687, 82 936; Alabama Federation Labor McAdory, 325 450, 471, 1384, 1394, 1725; Harriss, 347 612, 74 808, 98 989. speculativeness, arisen entered, makes unsuitable Alaska S.S. 253 113, 40 448, 64 808. 30 favor run, assert against deem too remote. agreeable obtained. obviously relieve burden imposes them. remove issue. Munsingwear, 340 36, 39 41, 71 104, 106—107, 95 36; Note, 103 U.Pa.L.Rev. 772, 794. reversed improperly rather desire. difference proper net result party wishes remain effect. posture conclusion emerges differ legal order, here 'real, earnest vital individuals' assures 'real sense adversary.'11 Chicago Grand Trunk R. Wellman, 143 339, 345, 400, 402, 36 176; Johnson, 319 302, 305, 63 1075, 1076, 87 1413. though vacated, inhibitory activity saying desire know own purposes, conduct, remained embedded substantial controversy. Without those appear parties, 'which desires purposes.'12 Cleveland Chamberlain, Black 426, 93; American Woodpaper Heft, Wall. 333, 379; South Spring Hill Gold Mining Amador Medean 145 300, 921, 712. 31 cry Bus Employees supra, where 'existing unresolved dispute' likelihood repetition much greater mere 'speculative' here. Id., 1657. decisions13 support position. none assertion, here, issued, problematical underlay repeated. Trade commission Goodyear Tire Rubber 304 863, 1326; Case National Relations Board, 321 332, 576, 88 762, relied supporting reviewed. instant still malapportioned, problematical, correctness themselves feel threat repeat illegal. therefore, closely analogous refused Interstate Commerce Commission require carriers comply ICC prescribing certain bills lading. A issuing Before became clear provisions lading conflicted contained passed Congress decision. Since particular withdrawn legislation, uncertainty prescribe form take, stated, 'However convenient lading, 'is empowered propositions, declare, government rules affect thing it." U.S., 116, 449. remanded 'with directions petition prejudice complainants assail legislation.' 116—117, Unless %.s.s. c/o., overruled ignored, act 32 Finally, mystifying, understand remand. Presumably two groups resubmitting inconceivable me warranted reinstating facts. Of changed, real, tenuous action complained of, retained entertain application relief. However, logic rightfully our responsibility. My HARLAN suggests granted.' Ante, 624. respect, interpretation justified does. explicitly sets forth contention '(t)he election,' 'it do' (ante, 622), then terms contentions raised i.e., 'in appellees.' Ibid. surely mean Further, HARLAN's distinction determining injunction. validly injunction; thus whether, parties' desires, continuance identical Determining deciding 'whether granted,' down same thing—the juncture, contend, lacking.' 34 believe sustain enter prohibiting slate wiped clean, proceedings try stipulations accept correct passing 1964—that doubts expressed modified Schempp School District, 184 381 (D.C.E.D.Pa.), ought assumption re-enter agreement stale ones. APPENDIX TO OPINION OF DISSENTING. FINAL ORDER THE COURT JUNE 38 Revised Order. All consented thereto, dated 24, hereby revised read follows: Ordered, Adjudged Decreed 41 Article III, Section (Code 1501) 1945, declared null, void inoperative, Amendment States. 42 47—101 Code amended, prospectively defendants adopted; provided, prevent amendments separate XIII, I, 1, 1945. (See Hammond Clarke, 136 Ga. 313, Southeastern KF135 S6 479, L.R.A., N.S., 77, discussion constitutes amendments). anything 'convention people revise, constitution' representation based near practicable' members (see 2). 44 plaintiffs primaries conventions time, IV, 2—1601) 1945 contrary, service November, session, including requirements permit constituted Assembly, times Members soon practicable, event 1966. 45 B DISTRICT NOVEMBER 47 Both agree alternative Therefore, stricken following substituted lieu thereof: 48 '(3) term year'd duration reapply convenes 1965, enact, Constitutional calendar year To extent otherwise reapportionment, effect.' 49 3rd day entire reads 'The 313 (71 77) 1945.' text printed Appendices B, respectively. Post, 641. Board Pennsylvania Greyhound Lines, Inc., 261, 271, 571, 821; Southern Pac. Terminal Comm., 219 498, 514—515, 279, 283, 55 310. If, federally restricted choice means initiating change, initiated instead cognizance. impair courts' ability frustration decrees. See, e.g., Mateo County 116 138, 317, 589; 808; Employees, etc. Wisconsin Employment 416, 373, 389; Local 8—6, Oil, Chemical Atomic Workers, Unions 361 363, 391, 394, numerous cited 368, n. therein. Appendix Atlantic interpreted deal legally considered 'legislation.'. feared unable investigations, vote pardons, perform duties. meet special session proved necessary. baron pointed 54 Senators 67 election. Motion Dismiss 5, state: 'Before placed ratification again affirmative two-thirds houses. repeatedly admonished 'constitutional dealt abstractly.' proposal insufficient invoking awesome adjudication action, (Citations omitted.) rested Questions it. Louisiana Power Light City Thibodaux, 360 25, 1070, 1058. questions. Baker Carr, 369 186, 691, 663; Reynolds Sims, 377 533, 84 1362, 506, companion cases. Mills Green, 159 651, 132, 293; Jones Montague, 194 147, 611, 913; Harris Battle, 348 803, 34, 99 634. reserved hearing, conscientiously argued ignore pressing show demonstrated produced Yet concede, must, supra. Pacific ICC, 310; 762.

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