11 Mich. 298 | Mich. | 1863
Lead Opinion
Were it- not for the importance of the jurisdictional question presented in this case, and the imperative necessity for its settlement at this time, I should content myself with deciding that, upon the undisputed facts of this case, there is no error in the proceedings of the Draft Commissioner, and that Spangler must be re-delivered to his custody. His name was fully given and properly spelled upon the enrollment, and the trifling mistake of dropping out a letter from his name upon the ballot, when the person was clearly designated, could not render the draft invalid.
But I am not willing to turn the case oif upon this point. The main and all important question is one of jurisdiction, and it is this which I shall consider. The solution of this question depends, in my view, entirely upon that of whether Spangler is held by the Draft Commissioner under Federal or state authority; for, if under the former, we have no jurisdiction, while if under the latter, we have.
I do not concede that the return of the Commissioner that he holds Spangler under or by virtue of the authority of the United States, is of itself sufficient to deprive us of jurisdiction to inquire into the cause of his detention— for this is a traversable fact — but I do concede, that if so held, we have no jurisdiction to inquire further as to the legality of such detention, but that the whole subject is exclusively within that of the courts of the United States.
The Constitution of the United States, Art. 1, sec. 8, empowers Congress to raise and support armies, to provide for calling forth the militia to execute the laws of the' Union, to suppress insurrection, and to repel invasion, and to provide for organizing, arming, and disciplining the same, and for governing such part of them as may be employed in the service of the United States, reserving to the States respectively the appointment of the officers,1 and the authority of training the militia according to the discipline prescribed by Congress, and to make all laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying such powers into execution.
The Constitution itself was framed and adopted for the purposes, among others, of ensuring domestic tranquillity, and promoting the general welfare of the people of the United States; and the power of regulating the militia, and of commanding its services in times of insurrection, are natural incidents to the duty of watching over the internal peace of the Union. (See Federalist, No. 29). This whole power was conferred upon Congress, reserving only to the states the appointment of the officers, and the training of the militia according to the discipline prescribed by Congress. In the exercise of this power, Congress, by the act of July 17th, 1862 (Ch. 201), enacted that the President should call forth the militia, and if by reason of defects in existing laws, or in the execution of them, in the several states, or in any of them, it should be found necessary to provide for enrolling the militia and otherwise putting the act into execution, he was authorized in such case to make all necessary rules and regulations for such purpose — the power of calling forth the militia already being reposed in him by existing laws. By virtue of this authority, upon the 4th of August, 1862, the President ordered a draft of. 300,000 militia, to be immediately
Such assignments were accordingly made, and upon the 9th of August orders were iss’ued from the War Department, requiring the Governors of the respective states to proceed forthwith to furnish their respective quotas, directing an enrollment to be made of all able-bodied citizens between the ages of 18 and 45, and providing and ordering that where no provision was made by law in any state for carrying into effect the draft thereby ordered, or when such provisions were in any manner defective, the draft should be conducted in a manner specified in such order. One provision of which requires the Governor to appoint a Draft Commissioner for each county, fixing his compensation, and giving minute directions to him as to the discharge of his duties. The Governor of this State, finding that an imperfect military census had been taken, and that there were defects in our state laws, that inequality would occur in their execution, observed, in ordering the draft in question, - the law of Congress and the orders of the War Department, and did not proceed under the state law. In this he exercised an executive discretion, with which we cannot interfere, and which, I think, was wise and proper. As he was not executing the laws of Michigan, he was, of necessity, obeying the laws of Congress and the orders of the President. The Draft Commissioner appointed by him, was consequently a federal; and not a state officer, and the draft was made and the relator is now held under federal authority. The only remaining question is that of the jurisdiction of this Court, and of state officers, to inquire into the regularity of the draft, and the legality of Spangler’s detention. Upon this question I think there can be no doubt that we have none. The Federal Government and the state governments exist as independently as the governments of the several
The writ must be dismissed for want of jurisdiction.
The first question that meets us in this case is one of jurisdiction — a question, it must be admitted, of more than
We have two governments — a state government and a federal government. Each of these governments is supreme within its appropriate sphere. The line that separates the powers of the two is not at all times easy to trace. Some parts of it are well defined, while other parts of it are more obscure, and difficult to follow. This is owing, in part, at least, to the double relation we sustain as citizens of both governments, subject to the laws and regulations of both, and owing allegiance to both.
According to the theory of our government, the sovereign power is in the people. And viewing that part of it delegated by them for governmental purposes as a whole, the two governments together make that whole. In this sense neither is a whole in itself, any more than the legislative, executive or judicial part of the government is the whole government. Each of these departments is but a part of the government, acting independently of the others, and at the same time correlatively with them; and so closely are they bound together as a whole, that it is not at all times an easy task to find where the independent action of one of them ceases and that of another begins. It is not, therefore, at all surprising that a like difficulty should sometimes be experienced in determining between the powers of the federal and state governments, as a whole; — in fixing the precise point where the functions of one cease to act, and those of the other begin to act. The power to act in a given case we may know exists in one of the two, but in which, may not be so easy of solution; and yet it may be necessary to the harmonious action of the 'sovereign power delegated to them that it should be solved. For, without the independent, harmonious and correlative action
The two governments, in the sense already stated, are only one whole. Without either we should have but half a government; a fact too frequently overlooked, and we fear too little regarded by us, when we permit ourselves to become- the partizans of either, in opposition to the other. We should think a man very unreasonable who should attempt to increase his powers of locomotion by strengthening one of his limbs at. the expense of the other. This shows us the great care that should always be kept in view by each government, while determining its own powers, not to encroach on the powers of the other.
Neither is supreme, in the sense that it has power to dictate to or control the other, when acting in its appropriate sphere. Each is supreme within its own sphere. Neither is supreme within the sphere of the other. A common constituency supports, upholds, and gives vitality to both. To the Federal Government belong all questions outside of the states that pertain to us as a nation, and such powers within the states as are given to it by the Federal Constitution, in express terms or by clear implication; while all local and municipal powers not ceded to the Federal Government, belong to the states. Each has its writ of habeas corpus. Each has power under its constitution to suspend the writ on the happening of a certain contingency. The object of the writ is the same in both governments. It is to release from imprisonment, within its judicial limits, persons entitled to its protection who are deprived of their liberty without warrant of law.
The territory of a state is common to both governments-The territorial jurisdiction of both governments, therefore, so far as it respects the State, is the same. But is the judicial jurisdiction incident to the writ of habeas corpus the same ? We think not. Otherwise the powers of the
Any construction of the Federal Constitution that leads to such results, must necessarily be erroneous. We can not suppose the people, in adopting the Federal Constitution, intended to make such a distribution of the sovereign power delegated by them as to place one part of it in antagonism to another.
There must, therefore, from the very nature of our institutions, be a line separating the powers of the two governments, on this, as Well as .on every other subject.
The question then arises, where is that line, and what constitutes it? There can be but one. And that apjmars so clear to my mind (it may appear differently to others) that I almost wonder how any other should ever have been thought of. It is this: that the state courts have the right, and it is their duty, in all cases authorized by the laws of the State, to issue the writ of habeas corpus to inquire into the legality of the imprisonment of any person deprived of his liberty within the State, and to discharge him therefrom if wrongfully imprisoned, unless he is imprisoned or restrained of his liberty by the Federal Government.
The state courts have a right to inquire whether the person imprisoned is within the state jurisdiction, which he must be if in the State, unless he is deprived of his liberty by authority of the Federal Government; in which case he is not, so far as it regards his imprisonment and the state writ of habeas corpus. In the language of Chief Justice Taney, in the cases of Ableman v. Booth, and the United States v. Booth, 21 How. 523, “He is then within the dominion and exclusive jurisdiction of the United States.” He is, as it regards the state habeas corpus, as completely beyond its reach for the purpose of releasing him, as he would be were he not within the State. Up to the point of imprisonment by the Federal Government the state habeas corpus has jurisdiction. It then ceases and the jurisdiction of the federal habeas corpus begins. In all cases of imprisonment, other than by the Federal Government, the State writ of habeas corpus has exclusive jurisdiction. In all cases of imprisonment by or under authority of the Federal Government, the federal writ of habeas corpus has exclusive jurisdiction.
Instances have occurred in which the writ of each government has been sent across this line into the dominions of the other. Such irregularities are calculated to produce irritation, and bring on an unseemly conflict between the state and federal courts, and thereby disturb the bar
From the return to the writ, and the papers attached to and .forming a part of the return, it appears that Spangler is held by virtue of a draft made under the laws of Congress and orders of the War Department of the United States. The fact that the Governor, as appears by his proclamation, thought proper to act in ordering the draft (and we do not question his right) under the laws of Congress and orders of the War Department, instead of the laws of the State, does not change the power under which the draft was made, and Spangler is held by the Draft Commissioner. The State Executive is the conduit through which the power passes that holds the prisoner; and for the true character of that power we must look to its source, and not to the channel through which it flows. If one of our Sheriffs should be deputed by the United States Marshal to serve a writ from the federal court, this Court would have no authority to entertain a motion to set aside the service, because it was made by the Sheriff. And it would not alter the case if the State should be interested in the prosecution of the suit in which the service was made.
The writ and all further proceedings under it, I think, should be dismissed for want of jurisdiction.
Concurrence Opinion
I concur with my brethren in the result at which they have arrived in this case; but as there is a difference in the mode of arriving at that result, it is proper that I should briefly indicate the grounds of my opinion.
Had the Commissioner sought to hold the prisoner under the state law, authorizing a draft, there could be no doubt of the jurisdiction of, this Court to issue this writ of habeas corpus, and to discharge the prisoner, at any time
But the Draft Commissioner does not claim to detain the prisoner under the state law; and it is evident from the face of the papers set out in the return, that no attempt was made to effect the draft under the state law.
The draft here in question was made solely under the authority of the act of Congress of July 11, 1862, and the order of the President made for the purpose of carrying this law into effect — the order of the Secretary of War being the order of the President, as clearly as if issued and signed by the President himself.
But it is objected that, in pursuance of the act of Congress, the draft should have been had under the state law, which, for this purpose, had been recognized by the act, except in cases where the President should first decide, with special reference to this State, that the state laws were defective, or defectively executed, and should, therefore, issue his orders, specially applicable to this State, prescribing the manner in which the enlistments should be made and the act carried into effect: that he had no right to issue the general order stated in his return, leaving it to the Executive of the respective States to determine the question.
The act of Congress of July 11, 1862 (seo. 1), does not declare by whom this question is to be determined, but merely that “If, by reason of defects in existing laws, or in the execution of them, in the several States, or any of them, it shall be found necessary,” &o., the President is authorized to make such rules and regulations. The power is made contingent only upon the fact of such a condition of the State laws, or of their execution: not upon the determination of the question by any particular person or officer. And I can see no reason why the President may not act, when this fact is found by the Governor of a State, upon whom the call is made for men, as well
Hence I am satisfied that though the President may decide upon this question of the defective condition or execution of the state laws, in States which are in insurrection, or more or less affected by the rebellion, or where there is good reason to apprehend disloyalty on the p3art of the State Executive, yet he may, if he see fit, and should, in other cases, leave this question to be decided by the State Executive. Hence, I think the President was fully justified in issuing the general order, attached to the return, regulating the enrollment and draft in all cases where laws of the State are defective or defectively executed, leaving it to the State Executive to determine the
The Draft Commissioner appointed by the Governor, must, I think, be considered as acting for, and exercising the authority of the Federal Government, and as a federal officer for the performance of these duties, as much as if he had been directly appointed by the President. The men to be raised by the draft were to be raised for the federal and not the state service. The whole proceeding was an exertion of federal and not state authority, for the purpose of selecting the men who were to be called into service, and, so, far as the relator is concerned, for the purpose of bringing him into the service* of the United States. The error in copying the name did not, I think, affect the validity of the proceedings, as the identity of the person intended was clearly ascertained. The proceedings were, I think, valid, and imposed upon the relator the duty of entering the service, and authorized the Commissioner to hold him for that purpose. If, therefore, the state judiciary have jurisdiction to determine the questions arising under the present writ, the relator should, I think, be remanded to the custody of the Commissioner.
But should these views be erroneous, still, I think, beyond all controversy, there is enough appearing in the case to show that the Commissioner in good faith claims to hold the relator under federal authority — that this authority is not set up as a mere pretext; but that the Commissioner and the authorities under whom he acts are honestly endeavoring to carry into effect the require
In either view of the case, therefore, the prisoner cannot be discharged by this Court.
Under the act of Congress of July 17th, 1862, the Governor of Michigan was called upon, through the War Department, to furnish troops for the service of the United States, to a specified number. The requisition from the Secretary of War set forth certain measures, which he was recommended to adopt, in case the state laws had not adequately provided for the emergency. The principal one of these suggestions, which becomes important in this case, is that commissioners should be appointed by him, to take charge of the drafting when that should be resorted to, and see that it was properly carried out. The relator was enrolled, and, not having made out any claim to exemption or disability, his name was attempted to be copied from the list on a slip of paper, with the Other names, and the slip placed in the box and drawn out. Upon this slip the name was written “Spangle,” instead of “ Spangler.” No other person of the same or any similar name resided in the drafting district, and his name was properly spelled on the list from which the slip was copied. He failed to appear when warned, and was arrested, and now claims to be discharged, on the ground that the proceedings to draft him have been had by the state authorities, in disregard of state laws, and that they cannot be justified under any other.
The question, then, which it becomes necessary to determine, is whether he is lawfully held by the authorities of the State of Michigan. And as the course of the argument has necessarily involved an inquiry into the source and extent of the authority of the various public officials who have had charge of the raising of troops, and questions of jurisdiction have become involved, among others, it seems unavoidable that the subject, from its present importance, should receive more extended notice than might suffice in ordinary cases.
No question arises here concerning any forces except those which are technically and legally called the militia, as in no other cases is the drafting system applied through the state authorities.
Congress has power, under Article 1 section 8 of the Constitution, “to provide for calling forth the militia to execute the laws of the Union, suppress insurrections and repel invasions;” and also “to provide for organizing,
By section 2 of Article 2 it is provided that “ The President shall be Commander in Chief of the army and navy of the United States, and of the militia of the several states, when called into the active service of the United States.”
Even without the aid of the uniform practical construction Avhich is to be found in the legislation of Congress, from the organization of the Government, there could be no difficulty in coming to a conclusion on some, at least, of the most important questions attending the establishment and use of the militia force, which we are now called upon to consider.
In the first place, it has been understood that Congress may and should determine the classes of persons from whom the militia should be filled up, either entirely, or so far as it can be done without injuring the necessary organizations of the General and State governments. This it has done by declaring, in general terms, that it shall be composed of all the free, able bodied white male citizens of the respective States, resident therein, of the age of eighteen years and under the age of forty - five years, except such persons as are by the acts of Congress, or by the state laws, expressly exempted: — 1 U S. Stat. 271. Congress having declared of whom the militia shall consist, may provide and has in a general way provided, for organizing, arming and disciplining them. But Congress, as we have seen, can not govern them, except when employed in the service of the United States; and they can only be called into the service of the United States when they are wanted for active duty, in protecting or
This doctrine has always been recognized as applicable to the militia system, by the acts of Congress, which refer the whole work of organization to the State laws and authorities. And no one, in time of peace, or in time of war, would hesitate in declaring that, when not in government service, the militia are under State authority. Assuming that the courts of the Union will not interfere with parties in state custody or control, nor the state courts with those under the control or custody of the United States, we are to inquire whether, in the present instance,
The Constitution contemplates that every available man in the country may be required by Congress to be included in the militia — subject to such exceptions as they may allow, or as the nature of our institutions may require. We must also assume that it contemplates that, whenever required, some means must exist by which their services may be obtained. Congress may provide for calling out the troops, but the orders must necessarily emanate from the Commander in Chief, under whose control the troops in service must bo held. The act of 1862 (in substantial conformity in this regard with former laws) authorizes the President of the United States to call forth the militia, for such period not exceeding nine months as he may appoint, and declares that the militia so called shall be mustered in, and continue to serve for the term sj>ecified, unless discharged by the order of the President. This law, like all the other statutes, distinguishes between the calling forth and the mustering in, and makes the mustering in the commencement of service. This is in strict accordance with the
It was claimed on the argument that any regulations in aid of the defects of existing laws, or their execution, must be made by the President; and that these regulations emanate not from him but from the Secretary of War, and
Uniformity of action, therefore, could Jnot be expected, and the matter was properly left to the discretion of the President, which, when exercised in such matters, must be respected. U. S. v. Eliason, 16 Pet. 291; Martin v. Mott, 12 Wheat. 19; Luther v. Borden, 7 How. 1; People v. Lewis, 1 Johns. 73; Lockington v. Smith, Pet. C. C. 466 ; Vanderheyden v. Young, 11 Johns. 150. It is one of the fundamental rules of construction, that when duties are imposed upon an executive officer of the Government, and he is confined to no specified method of carrying them out, he may select such means as are reasonable and proper, at his option.
So far as the State of Michigan is concerned, the President has not found it necessary to do anything more than to make the proper requisition on the Governor; leaving* him to carry it into effect by the state laws, if under them provision had already been adequately made to furnish the troops; and if not, by other means — suggesting, as appropriate in such case, the steps actually taken. That these suggestions or requests are equally valid with a positive order, there can be no question. The requisition for troops is such an order, whether made in one shape or another. Martin v. Mott, 12 Wheat. 19. Although, as an executive head of a State, there may be no process of compulsion directly against a Governor (as decided in Commonwealth of Kentucky v. Denison, Governor of Ohio, 24 How. 66), yet he would be guilty of
To determine this, we must first look to see precisely the nature of the discretion so remitted to him. It does not involve merely the question whether the state laws have made adequate provision for answering the call of the President. The act of Congress contemplates that there may be adequate laws inadequately carried out. The first question is, to some extent, one of law; and yet not entirely, because the adequacy of the laws may depend somewhat upon the nature of the emergency. The second question is one involving considerations of mixed law and fact, peculiarly proper for executive consideration, and as plainly proper to be determined by the local Executive, who alone can have complete access to the necessary information. When he, as the organ of the State, is called upon to furnish troops, he is necessarily required to come to a conclusion whether those troops are attainable by ordinary means, and at once. If not, the call of the Government must be disregarded, or resort must be had to other necessary and proper means. But to disregard the call would be to violate the Constitution of the United States, which gives Congress an absolute right to authorize the President to make the call. In • Michigan the Governor is made, by the Constitution itself, “ Commander in Chief of the military and naval forces, and may call out such forces
The law provides how an enrollment shall be made, but expressly authorizes the Governor to cause the lists to be made by any other person when deemed necessary for the public safety. Laws 1862, p. 22. Of this necessity the Governor is sole judge. In obtaining from each county the necessary number, the Governor is directed to notify the Sheriff of the number required, and thereupon the Sheriff is required to notify the County Clerk or his deputy; and, together, they are to copy from the lists and put in the box all the names on these lists, and draw them as jurors are drawn; and the persons so drawn, and liable to do military duty, shall be determined to be legally held to serve. In drawing jurors, if a person drawn is known to one of the attendant officers to be dead, or insane, or to have permanently removed from the county, another may be drawn in his stead. Comp. L., § 4363. If the Sheriff and Clerk have a similar
I am of opinion that the relator is lawfully detained by the Draft Commissioner, under the military authority of the State of Michigan; and that he should remain at the disposal of that officer, as lawfully drafted for service.
Ordered that the relator be remanded to the custody of the Draft Commissioner.