Legal Document

363 U.S. 555 80 Supreme Court Reporter 1321 4 United States Reports Lawyer’s Edition 2d Series KF101.8 U54 1397 METLAKATLA INDIAN COMMUNITY ANNETTE ISLAND RESERVE, Appellant,v.EGAN, Governor of Alaska, et al. ORGANIZED VILLAGE OF KAKE al., AppellantsV versus EGAN, Alaska. Nos. 326, 327. Argued May 18, 1960. Decided June 20, Mr. Richard Schifter, Washington, D.C., for appellant in Number 326. John W. Cragun, appellants D. Calhoun, New York City, the States, as amicus curiae, by special leave Court, both cases. L. Rader, Anchorage, appellees Justice FRANKFURTER delivered opinion Court. 1 These consolidated cases were commenced on 22 and 24, 1959, interim District complaints seeking permanent injunctions against threatened enforcement new State its Governor, other agents, an Alaska statute (Alaska Laws chapter 17, amended, 95) making it a criminal offense to fish with traps. The was assailed ground that conflict applicable federal law. On July 2, orders entered denying injunctions, dismissing prejudice, injunction pending appeal this 174 F.Supp. 500. 11, Brennan, acting his capacity circuit justice, granted appellants' application final disposition their future appeals His noted existence substantial questions, our jurisdiction merits. 33, 34. notices filed August 6, 1959; December 7, we postponed further consideration question hearing 361 911, 254, 181. 2 If rendered those 'highest court which decision could be had,' are within under 28 Code KF62 § 1257(2), Annotated KF65 U5 since below sustained claim unconstitutionality Constitution. jurisdictional problem arises out enactments governing Alaska's accession statehood, specifically, relation Constitution state laws termination former territorial courts displacement judicial system Federal Constitution, took effect 'immediately upon admission into Union state' (Art. XV, 25) January 3, provided 'be highest State, appellate jurisdiction,' superior court, such legislature may provide. Article IV, §§ 1, 2. provides transitional period until organized, 'the shall remain constituted date * *' '(w)hen actions therein, all causes, than existing admission, transferred proper though commenced, filed, or lodged first instance, except otherwise law.' 3 Statehood Act, 72 Statutes-at-Large 339, also became fully effective 13—17, 48 preceding section 23, makes similar provision eventual business district organization However, too provides, Territory continue function heretofore' three years, President proclaims 'is prepared assume functions imposed it.' In June, when these rendered, neither nor operation. presented is whether Alaskan 'court State' deciding Sections 12 18 make plain not intended newly created 81A, 81A; nature federal, explicitly set forth. It apparent, however, significant degree creature two sovereigns cooperatively accomplish joint purpose avoiding interregnum administration period. governed law, Act 18; but general over law matters, insofar dependent consent, 50, 31(2), accelerated separate should terminated before they ready. 32(4), amended 151, 1. 5 To determine need engage abstract speculation us. Whether can serve permissible scope powers if so serve, cf. National Mutual insurance company Tidewater Transfer Co., 337 582, 69 1173, 93 L.Ed. 1556; Benner Porter, 9 How. 235, 13 119, perplexing avoidably made. apparent vested power time being, judge case deemed himself exercising power, that, light express consent he properly did so. supra. follows sat decide 6 remains court' meaning 1257, 1257. At filing notice latest at determined, no actual operation, although 29 Justices designated Governor. contention rests latter fact, terms amending 32, amendment event 'a competent jurisdiction, judgment, declares Appeals Ninth Circuit lacks hear from Judicial Council forthwith meet submit names persons nominated justices supreme made Court.' 7 Because had ruled 16, six days action Parker McCarrey, 268 Reporter, 2nd 907, urged provision, preserving creation requires conclusion least after 29, appointed, review sufficiently guaranteed instant rendered. 8 thus raised free doubt. Viewing fairly arguable preservation effected right lower intent await completion State's adjudicatory process prerequisite adjudication here. Yet, promise appeal, however indefinitely postponed, taken sufficient bar equally obvious allow constitutional questions timely brought here would frustrated. Although decided full 1962, ss31 32(4). fact present, potential delay one-half years preserved itself counsel construction denial jurisdiction. Here, additional facts must weighed: (1) actually appointed pursuance direction accelerate court; (2) promulgation rules (accomplished October 5, 1959) appointment clerk hands. 32(3). While exceedingly nice, do think assurance yet functioning definite constitute 1257(2). validity banning fishing traps, 95, overriding Supremacy Clause, Const. art. cl. based asserted between regulations Secretary Interior, 24 Fed.Reg. 2053—71, prohibiting trap waters generally, excepting appellants, thereby granting them license authority purported act 1924, 43 464, 221, 222, 222. 10 A doubt, put lowest, entangled statutes well Also issue provisions compact which, urged, reserved exclusive regulatory Indian rights construed, assertedly unconstitutional because failure accord participation 'equal footing' States. raises related Commerce I, 8. have us concern implicates antecedent local turning part appreciation economic social considerations pertinent so-called police patently desirable enlightenment now formed presumably furnish. 11 original traps provide construed inconsistently compact, determines matter statutory designed fishing, exercises White appearing horizon might disappear. Moreover, regarding status communities drawn spot material any ultimate determination Finally, challenge legislation yield authority, authoritative pronouncement regard justifications important bearing State. Accordingly, consistently policies embodied view peculiar cases, refrain stage issues merits afford opportunity rule open decision. We has alone authoritatively question, hold docket. After Court's decision, there proceedings appeals; assumes judgments. Cf. Lassiter Northampton County Board Elections, 360 45, 79 985, 1072. irreparable injury flow prior merits, stays Brennan 14 Having been advised direct pursue inconsistent opinion. 15 ordered. 16 Cases held docket directions. 17 THE CHIEF JUSTICE, BLACK DOUGLAS dissent remitting parties controlling ones whose resolution

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