Legal Document

373 U.S. 668 83 Supreme Court Reporter 1433 10 United States Reports Lawyer’s Edition 2d Series KF101.8 U54 622 Louis McNEESE, Jr., a Minor, by Mabel McNeese, His Mother and Next Friend, et al., Petitioners,v.BOARD OF EDUCATION FOR COMMUNITY UNIT SCHOOL DISTRICT 187, CAHOKIA, ILLINOIS, al. Number 480. Argued April 23, 1963. Decided June 3, Raymond E. Harth, Chicago, Ill., for petitioners. Howard Boman, East St. Louis, Robert or Haw. Hawai‘i KFH45 A2 Reiter, Washington, D.C., respondents. Mr. Justice DOUGLAS delivered the opinion of Court. 1 This suit, which invokes jurisdiction District under Civil Rights Act, is brought to vindicate rights plaintiffs who are Negro students in Illinois public school system. The complaint alleges that Chenot School, Clair County, was built its attendance area boundaries drawn 1957 so as make it exclusively school. It due overcrowded conditions an adjacent school, Centreville, same district, all fifth sixth grade classes (containing 97% white students) were transferred kept segregated there. enrollment at consists 251 Negroes 254 whites, whites being group from Centreville. students, with exception eight attend one part separate apart compelled use entrances exits whites'. conflict Constitution States; prays equitable relief, including registration racially integrated schools pursuant plan approved 2 Respondents moved dismiss on ground, inter alia, had not exhausted administrative remedies provided law. granted motion. 199 F.Supp. 403. Appeals affirmed. 7 Cir., 305 Federal Reporter, 2nd 783. case here petition writ certiorari we granted. 371 933, 307, 9 269. 3 remedy, lower courts held must first exhaust, contained School Code. IllRev.Stat.1961, chapter 122, § 22—19. By Code, 50 residents district 10%, whichever lesser, can file Superintendent Public Instruction alleging pupil has been account race. Superintendent, notice board, puts down hearing within prescribed time. After hearing, notifies parties his decision and, if he decides allegations 'substantially correct,' requests Attorney General bring suit rectify practice. Any final may be reviewed courts. Moreover, Code claim state aid unless files sworn statement complied constitutional statutory provisions outlawing segregation schools. See Ill.Const., Article VIII, 1; §§ 10—22:5, 22—11, 22—12. 4 Respondents, while saying law does require refuse certify claims finds particular board practices segregation, contends would have power withhold certificate practical matter do so. 5 We previously indicated relief Act defeated because sought remedy. stated Monroe versus Pape, 365 167, 183, 81 473, 482, 492: SU 'It no answer State enforced give relief. federal remedy supplementary latter need refused before invoked.' 6 cause action alleged here1 pleaded terms R.S. 1979, 42 KF62 1983, reads: 'Every person who, color any statute, ordinance, regulation, custom, usage, Territory, subjects, causes subjected, citizen other thereof deprivation rights, privileges, immunities secured laws, shall liable party injured law, equity, proper proceeding redress.' 8 That statute involved supra; history length case. U.S., 171 seq., S.Ct., 475 seq. purposes severalfold—to override certain kinds provide where inadequate, 'to though adequate theory, available practice' (id., 174, 477), might have. Id., 180—183, 480—482. defeat those assertion court await attempt court. First Congress created chief—though always exclusive—tribunals enforcement rights. heads Court, start limited,2 now numerous. In beginning main concern security commercial intercourse, 'parochial prejudice' endanger.3 'Maritime commerce then jugular vein Thirteen States. body applicable throughout nation recognized every shade Constitutional Convention. From this recognition easy step entrust development such distinctive system courts, administering doctrines, following procedure, subject nationalist influences.'4 11 As beneficiaries Fourteenth Fifteenth Amendments became articulate needs multiplied, Courts increased, increase measure broadening domain individual 12 Where strands local woven into court, directed refrain temporarily exercising until could Railroad commission Texas Pullman Co., 312 496, 61 643, 85 L.Ed. 971; Thompson Magnolia Petroleum 309 478, 60 628, 84 876; Harrison N.A.A.C.P., 360 79 1025, 1152. Thus stayed hands when enjoin order enforcing since question cases came through hierarchy Burford Sun Oil 319 315, 63 1098, 87 1424. variations theme numerous.5 13 have, however, present underlying issue controlling litigation. right plainly origin nature vindicated Brown Board Education, 347 483, 74 686, 98 873. Nor way entangled skein untangled proceed. For petitioners assert respondents depriving them protected Amendment. immaterial whether respondents' conduct legal illegal supra, 475—484. Such entitled adjudicated courts.6 481; Gayle Browder, 352 903, 77 145, 114, affirming 142 707; Borders Rippy, 247 268, 271. Cf., e.g., Lane Wilson, 307 59 872, 1281; Smith Allwright, 321 649, 64 757, 88 987; Schnell Davis, 336 69 749, 93 1093, 872; Turner Memphis, 369 350, 82 805, 762. 14 means clear provides sufficiently preclude prior resort protection their Under 22—19 discrimination they obtain subscription lesser 10% district. required hold matter. And, 15 'If determines (that substantially correct), request apply appropriate circuit injunctive necessary practice complained of.' (Emphasis added.) 16 himself apparently corrective action. words, 'only function * investigate, recommend report. (He) made finding fact. (His) recommendation followed executive officer.' Alkali Export Association States, 325 196, 210, 65 1120, 1128, 89 1554. anomalous conclude forecloses most produce effect. 274—275, 875—876; supra. 17 urge, 2—3.25 revoke guilty violating pupils' Amendment condition financial aid. Furthermore, cannot received submits discriminate between 'on color, creed, race nationality.' 10—22.5, 18—12. say determined false Apparently authority funds once affidavit even false. event, withholding best only indirect sanction When tenuous protection, necessary. Hillsborough Cromwell, 326 620, 625—626, 66 445, 90 358. 18 Reversed. 19 HARLAN, dissenting. 20 317—318, 1099, said: 21 'Although equity proceeding, may, sound discretion, invoked ground diversity citizenship otherwise, 'refuse enforce protect exercise prejudicial interest'; (citing Dern, 289 352, 360, 53 614, 617, 1250) 'is interest should discretionary regard rightful independence governments carrying out domestic policy.' (Citing Pennsylvania Williams, 294 176, 185, 55 380, 841.) Assuming jurisdiction, it, declined here?' 22 wise approach 'school segregation' (see, Carson Education McDowell 227 789; Warlick, 238 724; Covington Edwards, 264 780; Holt Raleigh City 265 95; Parham Dove, 271 132; Shepard Englewood, 207 341), more than interfere (see cert. denied, 353 910, 665, 664; 361 818, 80 59, 63).1 several reasons & N Dec. Immigration Nationality Decisions think peculiarly where, said (at Page 334, 1107), 'a respect requires stay hand.' 23 1. apparent face quite atypical others come School's student includes both students—in almost equal numbers—and none (or whom purport represent) discriminatory relate, rather, manner formed internal affairs administered. These matters initially become embroiled. Their exploration correction, be, much better left instance. 24 2. There nothing leaves room serious doubt efficacy provided. (The text set forth Appendix opinion.) fact possesses 'request' findings proceedings not, my opinion, leave sanctionless (compare Assn. 1554), or, 1281, serve remove 'exhaustion' requirements Burford. If refuses activate General, (as contrary one) judicial review. suggested also act improperly And course assumed these two responsible officials will fully perform duty. itself which, among things, compulsory process, strongly attest intended business abort fulfillment. 25 otherwise regarded deficient. takes minimal number initiate hardly deemed untoward unduly burdensome requirement. surely strong 'indirect sanction' (ante, 676) least difficult racial discrimination, aid—either revoking 'recognition' 675) us attorneys, refusing aid.2 26 3. Finally, slow unavailing afforded long 873, outlawed constitution statutes schools,3 passed further implementing legislation litigation (Appendix). myself am unwilling assume solemn legislative pronouncements mean anything less what assured promptly good grievances. 27 affirm. 28 APPENDIX TO OPINION MR. JUSTICE HARLAN. 29 Section provides: 30 'Upon filing Instruction, executed duplicate subscribed names addresses excluded race, nationality, religion religious affiliation, employee applicant employment assignment questioned concerning affiliation subjected reason thereof, behalf mail copy secretary clerk board. 31 'The fix date, nor days date complaint, upon therein. He whenever believe exist Reasonable time place mailed subscriber complaint. 32 designate assistant receive testimony situation of. complainants represented counsel. Each privilege cross examining witnesses. officer appointed him subpoena witnesses, compel attendance, production evidence relating relevant Act. Circuit Superior State, judge either term vacation, application him, books, papers, records memoranda giving befor conducting investigation holding authorized attachment contempt, depositions witnesses taken like civil actions end memoranda. All oath administered officer, but formal rules pertaining apply. competent reporter take notes testimony. Either desiring transcript pay cost transcript. report summary determine correct. notify decision. determines, 33 'Administrative Review Act', May 8, 1945, amendments modifications adopted thereto govern review rendered Section.' asserted 1343, material reads follows: original commenced person: '(3) To redress deprivation, custom right, immunity providing citizens persons States.' 'arising under' conferred instance passage Judiciary 1875, Statutes-at-Large 470. Hart Wechsler, System, 727—733. Frankfurter Landis, Business (1928), Pages 8—9. 7. Note, Col.L.Rev. 749. Yet creates head entails responsibility adjudicate basis viz., citizenship, true Meredith Winter Haven, 320 228, 7, 9, difficulties perplexities referral problem court: 'We pointed policy served benefit purpose availed exercised limitations traditionally justify declining possess. remit delay disposition pending years ready penalize resorting invoke, absence special circumstances warrant refusal it.' 237, 12. Kline Burke Construction 260 226, 43 79, 67 that, contests over res (Pennsylvania 841), personam based continue started 'Each free proceed own time, without reference Whenever judgment other, effect principles adjudicata still orderly arising progress rule, therefore, generally established seeks personal judgment, another precluded.' 230, 81. well Judge Murrah Stapleton Mitchell, 51, 55, appeal dismissed stipulation, 690, 172, 406: yet wherever sit, human adjudication, decline simply some forum.' Cases Mannings 277 370, 268 (where boards affirmative steps whatever desegregate schools), Orleans Parish Bush, 242 156, Gibson Instrucdtion Dade 246 913 (arising having books), wide mark 18—12 part: 'No filed executes forms 10—22.5 non-segregation pupils early 1901 People ex rel. Bibb Mayor etc., Alton, 193 Ill. 309, 312, Northeastern KF135 N59 1077, 1078, 56 L.R.A. 95, construing 1, Constitution, held: relator children excluded, city located near residence, mile half distant colored children. met showing surpass educational facilities common council establish different city, exclude children, furnished superior children.' 1945 that: '* Sections 22—11 22—12 enacted 1909, provide: 'Any excludes aids excluding schools, child benefits fined $5 $100.' 'Whoever threat, menace intimidation prevents attending exceeding $25.'

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