Giles v. Harris

189 U.S. 475 (1903)

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Nature of the Case

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Facts

P brought a bill in equity on behalf of himself 'and on behalf of more than five thousand negroes, citizens of the county of Montgomery, Alabama, similarly situated and circumstanced as himself,' against D. P sought an order that would require D to enroll upon the voting lists the name of the P and of all other qualified members of his race who applied for registration before August 1, 1902, and were refused, P applied in March, 1902, for registration as a voter, and was refused arbitrarily on the ground of his color, together with large numbers of other duly qualified negroes, while all white men were registered. Under section 187 of article 8 of the Alabama constitution persons registered before January 1, 1903, remain electors for life unless they become disqualified by certain crimes, etc., while after that date severer tests come into play which would exclude, perhaps, a large part of the black race. P alleged violation of the Fifteenth Amendment and sought injunctive relief. The bill, in this case, was dismissed for want of jurisdiction to entertain it and for want of equity, and from that judgment, Ps prayed and were allowed an appeal. The Supreme Court granted certiorari.