Legal Document

334 U.S. 385 68 Supreme Court Reporter 1156 92 L.Ed. 1460 TOOMER et al.v.WITSELL al., Number 415. Argued Jan. 13, 14, 1948. Decided June 7, Rehearing Denied Oct. 11, See 69 12. Appeal from the United States District for Eastern of South Carolina. [Syllabus pages 385-387 intentionally omitted] Messrs. Robert E. Falligant and Aaron Kravitch, both Savannah, Ga., appellants. David W. Robinson, Washington, D.C., Judge Monroe Fulmer, Columbia, S.C., appellees. Mr. Chief Justice VINSON delivered opinion Court. 1 This is a suit to enjoin as unconstitutional enforcement several Carolina statutes governing commercial shrimp fishing in three-mile maritime belt off coast that State. Appellants, who initiated action, are five individual fishermen, all citizens residents Georgia, non-profit fish dealers' organization incorporated Florida. Appellees officials charged with statutes. 2 The three-judge Federal which was convened hear case1 upheld statutes, denied an injunction dismissed suit.2 On direct appeal judgment3 we noted probable jurisdiction. 3 fishery attempts regulate by question part larger extending North Florida.4 Most this area migratory type, swimming south late summer fall returning northward spring. Since there no federal regulation fishery, four most intimately concerned have gone their separate ways devising conservation other regulatory measures. While action has followed somewhat parallel lins , efforts secure uniformity throughout large been fruitless.5 Because integral nature many shrimpers, including appellants, would like start trawling Carolinas then follow down Each State desirous securing its opportunity way, but some apparently more channeling own business derived local waters. Restrictions on non-resident marginal sea, even prohibitions against it, now invited retaliation point effectively partitioned at state lines; bilateral bargaining official level come be only method whereby any one can obtain right waters adjacent States.6 4 forbids State's inland waters,7 habitat young first few months life. It also provides closed season during spawning season, March July 1.8 validity these regulations not questioned. 5 appellants challenge relate shrimping open belt: Section 3300 Code shall 'a common people taking fish.'9 3374 imposes tax 1/8¢ pound green, or raw, taken those waters.10 3379, amended 1947, requires payment license fee $25 each boat owned resident, $2,500 non-resident.11 Another statute, integrated Code, conditions issuance licenses 1948 years thereafter submission proof applicants paid income taxes profits operations preceding year.12 And § 3414 boats licensed trawl dock port unload, pack, stamp catch 'before shipping transporting it another thereof.'13 Violation laws enti ls suspension violator's well maximum $1,000 fine, imprisonment year, combination $500 fine year's imprisonment.14 6 First. We confronted outset appellees' contention, rejected Court, injunctive relief inappropriate case, regardless challenged since failed show imminence irreparable injury did into court clean hands. 7 As corporate appellant, agree appellees showing statute work injury. record shows corporation association dealers operates boats. Indeed, neither nor appellants' brief sheds light how affect corporation, let alone will cause Under such circumstances, standing ask take extraordinary step restraining remainder therefore addressed case. 8 them, agreed were attempting enforce clear compliance required sums money means recovery, defiance carried risk heavy fines long imprisonment, withdrawal further until test case had through courts perhaps resulted substantial loss compensation could obtained. Except conclude sufficiently showed plain, adequate complete remedy law.15 9 Appellants' position statute16 require Georgia pay made however, permits taxpayer believes 'illegal cause' under protest sue recover amounts so paid.17 In absence they advantage procedure raise constitutional objections tax, cannot say do law. 10 Some previously convicted out held previous misconduct, having relation constitutionality call application hands maxim. agree. 11 Second. too press contention which, if correct, dispose They urge jurisdiction over coastal beyond low-water mark. below versus California, 332 19, 67 1658, 91 1889, relied upon proposition. Here seem concede, correctly so, holding implication case; deciding States, where asserted claim, paramount rights belt, pointedly quoted supplied emphasis statement Skiriotes Florida, 1941, 313 69, 75, 61 924, 928, 85 1193, 'It Florida interest proper maintenance sponge (state) stt ute far applied conduct within territorial conflicting legislation, police power State.'18 12 present evinces conflict between Carolina's scheme assertion power, properly concluded sufficient interests three miles may exercise protect fishery.19 13 does existence regulate, need exercised confines generally applicable Constitutional limitations. view take, heart whether admitted exercised. proceed various aspects problem. 14 Third. Appellants contend 3374,20 green imports unduly burdens interstate commerce violation §§ Article & N Dec. Immigration Nationality Decisions Constitution. merit position. 15 least government caught considered 'imports' realistic sense word. urge, imposed outside, limit. face effect, our attention decision interpreting it. benefit interpretation concrete factual situation involving imaginary line, us rule abstract extent regard.21 16 Nor violate clause. discriminate shrimp, taxable event, occurs before said entered flow commerce.22 17 Fourth. vigorous attack directed 337923 non-residents fees hundred times great must pay. purpose effect contend, conserve exclude thereby create monopoly residents. such, privileges immunities clause IV, 2, Constitution equal protection Fourteenth Amendment. 18 relevant reads follows: 19 'The Citizens entitled Privileges Immunities States.' 20 primary clause, clauses located—those relating full faith credit extradition fugitives justice—was help fuse Nation collection independent, sovereign States. designed insure citizen A ventures B same enjoy.24 For equality restricted uncertain remedies afforded diplomatic processes retaliation.25 'Indeed, without provision kind removing disabilities alienage giving them privilege Republic constituted little than league States; Union exists. Paul Virginia, 1868, Wall. 168, 180, 357. 21 line underlying purpose, ago decided guarantees doing terms State.26 22 Like provisions, absolute. bar discrimination reason mere fact But preclude disparity treatment situations perfectly valid independent reasons Thus inquiry exist degree bears close them.27 also, course, conducted due regard principal should considerable leeway analyzing evils prescribing appropriate cures. 23 With factors mind, turn consideration 3379. 24 By plainly frankly discriminates non-residents, leaves doubt what practical virtually exclusionary.28 seriously dispute. argue couched residence outside scope speaks citizens. Such argument, agree, force case.29 25 justification obvious supply, suggest head impending threat excessive trawling. casts statements.30 argument assumes adopted attain objectives necessarily squares overlooks indicated above, outlaw classifications based non-citizenship unless something indicate non-citizens constitute peculiar source evil aimed. 26 connection mention, elucidation, methods used size boats, allegedly greater cost enforcing them. One might construed mean program expenditure funds collected fees—funds contribute. Nothing indicates use different residents, appreciably greater, amount general devoted conservation. assuming facts, support drastic near equivalent total exclusion. example, restrict type equipment fisheries,31 graduate according boats,32 charge differential merely compensate added burden impose expenditures closing eyes reality, believe, reasonable relationship danger represented non-citizens, class, severe practiced 27 Thus, 3379 falls unexpressed exception 28 strenously exception. Their runs Ever Roman times, animals ferae naturae, reduced possession ownership, res nullius 'negative community interests' hence subject control governmental authority. More recently thought expressed saying game property unit government, sort trustee, exercises 'ownership' fish, 'owned' beds lakes, streams, tidewaters themselves; 'own' may, continues, corpus trust way best suited beneficial owners, citizens, sees fit persons lacking interest. Finally, special interest, nations similar bodies traditionally had, country vested colonial governments passed 29 Language frequently repeated appears lend analysis.33 McCready 1876, 94 391, 248, actually discriminating hunting advanced persuasive justifying discrimination.34 sanctioned Virginia prohibit planting oysters tidal Ware River. Virginians waters, said, right, immunity citizenship.' analogy drawn river bed corn state-owned land. 30 h two distinctions First, related remain removed man. hand, deals free-swimming migrate temporarily. Secondly, involved whereas questioned sea. 31 have, single precedent reading and, other, directly Viewed light, comes evoked extension here presented. 32 However satisfactory ownership theory explains very make distinguishable render weak prop statute. That makes apposite Holmes' Missouri Holland, 1920, 252 416, 434, 40 382, 384, 64 641, American Law Reports 984, 'To put claim title lean slender reed. Wild birds anyone; beginning ownership.' fifteen after decision, unanimous apply fish.35 activity regulates relevance considering applicability ownship doctrine. hold thirteen original colonies successor separately acquired belt.36 33 whole theory, fact, regarded fiction expressive legal shorthand importance preserve exploitation important resource.37 necessary vital policy command powers, 34 These considerations lead conclusion be, expanded cover 35 callings, purview bear high follows violates te 36 maintain parity reasoning contravenes true, pass unnecessary disposition 37 Fifth. 3414,38 owners (with stamp) 'shipping state,' I, 8, 38 proportion along coast, others, shipped commerce. There uncontradicted evidence costs materially increased necessity unloaded packed ports rather home bases docking, warehousing, refrigeration packing facilities. addition, inevitable concomitant requiring done Carolina, though economically disadvantageous divert employment unight otherwise go Georgia; tendency artificial rigidity economic pattern industry. 39 contest burdens, coast. Again, rely affected commodity. because constitutionally shipments follows, imply, lesser restrictions, issue, out-of-state shipments. authority, starting Geer Connecticut, 1896, 161 519, 600, 793, confine consumption wholly limits. pause consider extends contrary permitted time condition Foster-Fountain Packing company Haydel, 1928, 278 1, 49 73 147, abuse discretion district enter order temporarily enjoining, commerce, Louisiana shipment heads hulls removed. distinguishing following comment made: 41 'As representative people, retained therein. * permitting products thereof sold releases taken, definitely terminates control. Clearly authorization pursuance end deemed people. authority act become private clause.'39 42 Johnson 16, 6, 155, reache, basis oysters. 43 Similarly attempted retain eager stimulate sales increasing industry.40 assume 3414. 44 upholding adduced appellees, requirements unloading, packing, affixing insuring tax.41 forty-eight unimpeded barriers persuades restrictions inimical approved simply facilitate measure tax. 45 46 To sum up, entertain attacks pressed save taxes; sea; 3414, manner consistent restraints Court's judgment refusing equitable affirmed respect reversed 47 Affirmed part. 48 BLACK concurs except FRANKFURTER, whom JACKSON, joins, concurring. 50 Barring portion Fourth join opinion. exceeded her fisheries rest invalidity attempt Commerce Clause. reaches result deem misapplication Privileges-and-Immunities Clause Art.I V, 51 limitation 'some exception' give clue 'exception' implied leave matter much large. discrete coherent government. Specifically, Clause, Contract 'in perspective framework.' East New York Savings Bank Hahn, 326 230, 232, 66 70, 90 34, 160 1279. 52 provisions Constitution, States' read conjunction Tenth Amendment presupposes continued retention powers historically belonged explicitly given central withdrawn think fair summarize decisions penalizing subjecting heavier taxation pursuit ordinary livelihoods competition conceivable framers meant obliterate relations touch utilize resources behalf provided uses care utilizing bounties borders technical or, when one, good ordinarily confers. 53 When adopted, doubt, understanding regarding fisheries, reflected 248. isolated looked askance. symbol weightiest doctrines momentum history preceded around clustered voluminous body rulings. Not host cases doctrine day formulated amplitude referring 'the distribution public domain, state, enjoyment limited aliens states.' Truax Raich, 239 33, 39, 40, 10, 60 131, L.R.A.1916D, 545, Ann.Cas.1917B, 283. 54 project seeking channels among thing food supply feeding locally consumed. restriction exercise. provide engaged available supply. basic feed sending across lines intev ention subordinate nub 147. she 55 RUTLEDGE, 56 opinion, qualification opinion's Fifth 57 requirement port, (for purposes), burdening shipper's costs. Many this. goes farther. aimed alone, thus discriminatory intent Moreover, my character that, applied, purposes block 58 exactly strike down, stand. nullify levied nonresidents, transportation catches exclusively practically so. pursuant 266 Judicial KF62 380, Annotated KF65 U5 380. F.Supp. 371. authorized Lindner, Shrimp Industry Atlantic Gulf (U.S. Dept. Commerce, Bureau Fisheries Investigational Rep. 21, 1934); Annual S.C. Board (1946). At (Florida, Carolina) belong Marine Commission, aims enactment uniform laws. Commission established compact ratified eastern Its duties, largely consultive advisory, date produced results insofar Altantic concerned. Statutes-at-Large 267 (1942); Fla.Stat.Ann. 374.43; Ga.Code Ann. 45-1001 seq. (Supp.1947); S.C.Code (1944 Supp.) 1776-1; (1943); id. (1944); (1945); 374.14(3), 1947 Gen.Laws Fla., Act 163, chapter 23777; 45-216, 45-217 (1937); N.C.Gen.Stat.Ann. 113-238, Session Laws N.C., 256; Acts 281, 5. statements Planning 'In revising (shrimp) nonresident (should be) placed par reciprocal states group' 'Under existing fishermen discriminated against.' Bull Page 59 (1944). 3410 (Supp. 1944). 3408. bottoms bays, rivers, creeks marshes low water mark thereof, heretofore conveyed grant Legislature lawful State, continue *.' fisheries' hereby canned, shucked market, to-wit one-eighth cent. *' Prior resident shrimpers alike $1.50 per ton; personal $5; $5 net. 3375, 3376, taxes, possible 3375 imposing graduated tonnage, '* All him, Twenty-five ($25.00) dollars past years, him fifty ($150,00) nonresidents Two thousand ($2,500.00) year.' 1. qualify $150 provision. introduced legislature House Representatives, bill amend contain inserted amendment Senate instance senator Beaufort County, county adjoining Georgia. Bill 555; 576; Journal May 9, Pages 53-5; Charleston News Courier, 17, cols. 2-3. Other parts attacked limit 100 number forbid altogether licenses, fee, lower fee. Fisheries, issuing year thereafter, owner 3. 'All land unload pack thereof. stamping refers stamps. 4; 3407, stress Federation Labor Watson, 1946, 327 582, 761, 873. arguments 3374, supra note 10. third division infra, U.s. page 394, 1161. circumstance stay pending proceedings courts. supra. 2469. section institute thirty days protest. Argent Lumber Query, 1935, 178 5, 182 Southeastern KF135 S6 93, 94. 38, 1668, 1889. (7) 1924 itself boundaries belt. But, held, cited attribute construed, future legislatures. 873; cf. Rescue Army Municipal 331 549, 1409, 1666. Hope Natural Gas Hall, 1927, 274 284, 639, 71 1049; Lacoste Conservation, 1924, 263 186, 437; Oliver Iron Mining Lord, 1923, 262 172, 526, 929; Heisler Thomas Colliery Co., 1922, 260 245, 83, 237; Coe Errol, 1886, 116 517, 475, 715. 181, 357; Travis Yale Towne Mfg. 60, 78, 228, 231, 460. 24, 82, Ward Maryland, 1870, 418, 449; see Chalker Birmingham N.W.R. 1919, 249 522, 366, 63 748; Shaffer Carter, 37, 52, 53, 221, 225, 445. 79, parties stipulated higher licensed. Even presumably fished eligible conceded oral out. Blake McClung, 1898, 172 239, 247, 165, 432; . licensed, while fell 1946 254 271. reports back, expressing solicitude measures, reveal concern market shrimp—by advertising, air shipments, etc.—and frequent references industry 1945 report, quite industry, employs numbers men crews spend repairs, gasoline, oil besides spent individuals personally.' possibility consuming centers York, report 'should increase (i.e., seafoods) quantities; demand seafoods universe, place sections seldom consumed get idea eating same.' report's able certainly pleasure nearly twice Fla. 374.14(5) 1946); 654, F.S.A. 374.15—12 374.15—15; 45-109 Ata ntic 1934) 62—63. past. (1942). 45-210 N.C. Gen. 113-165 1945). extended exposition majority 793. Patsone Pennsylvania, 1914, 232 138, 539, Haavik Alaska Packers' Ass'n. 510, 177, 414. 1909 Pennsylvania Public (in Statutes-at-Large) 466, forbidding kill possess firearms useful purpose. warranted desired prevent.' (232 282.) alienage. validity, Congress, Alaskan pointed 'We state.' (263 178) Congress authorize contribution toward non-residents. Manchester Massachusetts, 1891, 139 240, 265, 559, 565, 159. Rhode Island, violating Massachusetts regulated Buzzard's Bay. Massachusetts' enact regulation, 'makes favor Ibid. 31, 1664, See, e.g., Pound, An Introduction Philosophy Law, 197—202. gained currency partly confusion term imperium dominium, ownership. Power was, origin, imperium. 4, rendered inapplicable Bayside Fish Flour Gentry, 1936, 297 422, 513, 80 772. California dealing. flour apart processed forms. rejecting appellant's unconstitutionally burdened limits movement sardines manufactured product outside. manufacture state. operation, intended actual, local.' 425, 426, 515, maintaining reputation originating pretend better preservation healthful form. shores indistinguishable neighboring purchasers suppose inferior,

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