Court Opinion

ID: 8048224
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-09-09 04:06:57.601463+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T16:37:36.186120
License: Public Domain

Per curiam.
The resolution of the questions in this appeal has been held in abeyance following the oral argument awaiting receipt of certain opinions pending in the Supreme Court of the United States. Two of such opinions recently decided on February 27, 1961 are No. 37 Wilkinson v. United States and No. 54 Braden v. United States.
The defendant’s committal for civil contempt for failure to answer the question “Are you presently a member of the Communist Party?” originates under the provisions of RSA 588:8-a (supp) (Laws 1957, c. 178, s. 2). The pertinent part of that statute reads as follows: “588:8-a. Attorney General. At any time when the attorney general has information which he deems reasonable or reliable relating to violations of the provisions of this chapter he shall make full and complete investigation thereof and shall report to the general court the results of this investigation, together with his recommendations, if any, for legislation. In any investigation hereunder the attorney general or any duly authorized member of his staff is authorized to require by subpoena or otherwise the attendance of such witnesses and the production of such correspondence, books, papers and documents and to administer such oaths, and to take such testimony and to make such expenditures within the funds provided as he deems advisable . . . . ” (Emphasis supplied).
It is the defendant’s contention that the present statute no longer permits the Attorney General “to determine whether subversive persons . . . are presently located within this state” since that language which appeared in the previous legislation (Laws 1953, c. 307 and Laws 1955, cc. 197 and 340) does not appear in these words in RSA 588:8-a (supp) as enacted in 1957. It is argued that the Attorney General is now confined to investigating only “violations” of RSA ch. 588 and therefore there is no basis for investigating subversive persons or for the investigation of the defendant.
We think it is clear from the history of the legislation in this field in this state that that was not the intent of the Legislature and that it was not what the Legislature said. RSA 588:8-a (supp). This statute does not require that there must be a violation of law before the legislative investigation can be set in motion. It only requires that there be reasonable and reliable information “relating” *217to violations of the provisions of RSA ch. 588. The statute specifically provides that the results of the investigation shall be reported to the Legislature together with the Attorney General’s “recommendations, if any, for legislation.” This clearly indicates that the Legislature has demanded a report as to whether further legislation in the field of subversive activities is required.
The definitions of a “subversive person” and a “subversive organization” in RSA 588:1 as supplemented by specific tests for determining what constitutes participation in a subversive organization by RSA 588:3-a (supp), Laws 1955, c. 181, indicate no purpose to discontinue the legislative investigation. Wyman v. Uphaus, 102 N. H. 461, 463. While it is true that the emphasis has been changed from an investigation of the location of subversive persons to those who have taken some active part as members or by participation in an alleged subversive organization (RSA 588:3-a (supp)), the purpose to continue the investigation is not in doubt. Wyman v. Uphaus, 102 N. H. 461, 463. See Sixth Report of N. H. Judicial Council, 43, 47 (1956) and particularly recommendation 5. Our decision in Uphaus v. Wyman, 102 N. H. 517, 518, did not say that legislation was limited to investigations of violations of law.
There are those who think that such a legislative investigation may be pointless, dangerous and ineffective (particularly on a state basis) and there are others who think it desirable and necessary. But the wisdom or lack of wisdom in authorizing and financing such an investigation still remains a matter for legislative rather than judicial determination. Uphaus v. Wyman, 81 S. Ct. 153 (1960); No. 54 Braden v. United States, and No. 37 Wilkinson v. United, States, both decided February 27, 1961.
The evidence and the exhibits convinced the Trial Court, as they do this court, that the Attorney General had reasonable and reliable information relating to violations of RSA ch. 588, which provided a valid and relevant basis for the investigation of the defendant. The question that he was asked “Are you presently a member of the Communist Party?” is a pertinent one (Barenblatt v. United States, 360 U. S. 109, 125); there is no doubt that the defendant and his counsel understood it and that, in spite of divided opinions, it does not violate First Amendment rights. No. 54 Braden v. United States, No. 37 Wilkinson v. United States, supra.
The contention that such investigation violates the separation of powers of our Constitution (Const. Pt. I, Art. 37th) has already been decided adversely to the defendant in Wyman v. Uphaus, 102 *218N. H. 461. See Nelson v. Wyman, 99 N. H. 33. The proposition that the Superior Court had no authority under E.SA 491:19, 20 to find the defendant in civil contempt because the legislative committee is not an “official or board” within the meaning of that statute is without merit. State v. Matthews, 37 N. H. 450, 453. See Wyman v. Uphaus, 102 N. H. 461.
Under the majority opinions of the Supreme Court of the United States and under the decisions of this court we can find no constitutional infirmity in the order of civil contempt issued by the Trial Court.

Exceptions overruled.

Wheeler, J., did not sit; Duncan, J., dissented.