Holmgren v. United States/Opinion of the Court

by William R. Day

United States Supreme Court

217 U.S. 509

Holmgren  v.  United States

 Argued: and submitted March 9, 1910. --- Decided: May 16, 1910

The petitioner, Gustav Holmgren, was convicted and sentenced in the district court of the United States for the northern district of California of the crime of false swearing in naturalization proceedings, in violation of § 5395 of the Revised Statutes of the United States (U.S.C.omp. Stat. 1901, p. 3654). The judgment was affirmed by the circuit court of appeals. 84 C. C. A. 301, 156 Fed. 439. The conviction was upon the third count of the indictment, which charged that in a naturalization proceeding, upon the application of one Frank Werta for admission to citizenship in the United States, pending September 21, 1903, in the superior court of the city and county of San Francisco. California, a court of record of the state of California, with common-law jurisdiction, a seal, and a clerk, the petitioner swore falsely in making the material statement, under oath, that he, the said Gustav Holmgren, had been acquainted with the said Frank Werta in the United States during the five years immediately preceding the application for naturalization, whereas, in truth and in fact, as he then well knew, the said Werta had not resided continuously in the United States for a period of five years, and the said Holmgren had not known the said Werta for more than four years prior to said application.

The principal question in the case is whether, under § 5395, United States Revised Statutes, a conviction can be had in a Federal court for a false oath in naturalization proceedings had in a state court.

Preliminarily to a consideration of the proper construction of this section, we may notice the contention of the petitioner that there is no constitutional power in Congress to confer jurisdiction upon the courts of a state in naturalization proceedings, involving admission to citizenship in the United States.

Article 1, § 8, clause 4, of the Constitution of the United States, vests in Congress the power to establish an uniform rule of naturalization. Acting under this constitutional authority, from the earliest history of the government, Congress has passed acts regulating the naturalization of aliens, admitting them to citizenship in the United States, and has authorized such proceedings in the state as well as Federal courts. The validity of such proceedings by virtue of the power conferred by acts of Congress has been recognized from an early day. Campbell v. Gordon, 6 Cranch, 176, 182, 3 L. ed. 190, 192; Stark v. Chesapeake Ins. Co. 7 Cranch, 420, 3 L. ed. 391. The naturalization acts of the United States, from the first one, in 1790 [1 Stat. at L. 103, chap. 3], have conferred authority upon state courts to admit aliens to citizenship. Van Dyne, Naturalization, p. 11, and the following.

It is undoubtedly true that the right to create courts for the states does not exist in Congress. The Constitution provides (art. 3, § 1) that the judicial power of the United States shall be vested in one Supreme Court and in such inferior courts as the Congress may, from time to time, ordain and establish. But it does not follow that Congress may not constitutionally authorize the magistrates or courts of a state to enforce a statute providing for a uniform system of naturalization, and defining certain proceedings which, when complied with, shall make the applicant a citizen of the United States. This Congress had undertaken to do in making provision for the naturalization of aliens to become citizens of the United States in a certain class of state courts, those of record having common-law jurisdiction, a clerk and a seal. U.S. Rev. Stat. § 2165, U.S.C.omp. Stat. 1901, p. 1329, since superseded by the act of June 29, 1906 (34 Stat. at L. 596, chap. 3592, U.S.C.omp. Stat. Supp. 1909, p. 97).

The question is not here presented whether the states can be required to enforce such naturalization laws against their consent, for it appears that the Constitution of the state of California, in § 5, article 6, and the statutes in § 76 of the Code of Civil Procedure of that state, grant to the courts the power of naturalization, and the right to issue papers therefor. Unless prohibited by state legislation, state courts and magistrates may exercise the powers conferred by Congress under such laws. Re Stephens, 4 Gray, 559. The indictment charges that Werta made application as an alien to be admitted to citizenship in the United States, the proceeding was had, and false oath charged was taken, under authority of the statutes of the United States. The present proceeding was to prosecute the petitioner for alleged false swearing under an oath administered under authority of a law of the United States. Where such is the case, we think the Congress of the United States may constitutionally provide for the punishment of such offenses, whether the oath is taken before a Federal court or officer, or before a state court or officer, acting under authority derived from the act of Congress. See Re Loney, 134 U.S. 372, 374, 33 L . ed. 949, 950, 10 Sup. Ct. Rep. 584.

We come, then, to the question whether the section under which the proceeding was had authorizes a prosecution for perjury when committed in naturalization proceedings in other than Federal courts. As we have seen, the statutes of the United States confer jurisdiction to admit aliens to citizenship in the United States, not only on Federal courts, but also upon certain state courts, and § 5395 of the Revised Statutes provides:

'In all cases where any oath or affidavit is made or taken under or by virtue of any law relating to the naturalization of aliens, or in any proceedings under such laws, any person taking or making such oath or affidavit, who knowingly swears falsely, shall be punished by imprisonment not more than five years nor less than one year, and by a fine of not more than one thousand dollars.'

The terms of this section are certainly broad enough to include an oath or affidavit, whether taken in a Federal court or a state court, for the requirement of the statute is that such oath or affidavit be made or taken under or by virtue of any law relating to naturalization of aliens, or in any proceedings under any such laws. The false oath in question was taken under and by virtue of the Federal statutes regulating naturalization, and in a proceeding authorized under such laws, although in a state court.

It is contended, however, that the history of this section (5395), and the effect of the revision of the laws embodied in the Revised Statutes of 1873, makes it applicable only to false swearing in the courts of the United States in such a naturalization proceedings as may be therein instituted. As carmried into the Revised Statutes, this section was taken from § 1 of the act of July 14, 1870, being an act to amend the naturalization laws and to punish crimes against the same, etc. 16 Stat. at L. 254, chap. 254. Section 4 of that act was as follows:

'And be it further enacted, that the provisions of this act shall apply to all proceedings had or taken, or attempted to be had or taken, before any court in which any proceeding for naturalization shall be commenced, had, or taken, or attempted to be commenced; and the courts of the United States shall have jurisdiction of all offenses under the provisions of this act, in or before whatsoever court or tribunal the same shall have been committed.'

In codifying the statutes, the 1st section of the act of July 14, 1870, was made § 5395 of the Revised Statutes, and is part of title 70, chapter 4, 'Crimes against Justice.' Sections 2 and 3 of the act were made §§ 5424 to 5428 of the Revised Statutes, and part of chapter 5, U.S.C.omp. Stat. 1901, pp. 3668-3670, entitled 'Crimes against the Operations of the Government.' Section 4 of the act of July 14, 1870, was made § 5429 of the Revised Statutes, and reads as follows:

'The provisions of the five preceding sections shall apply to all proceedings had or taken, or attempted to be had or taken, before any court in which any proceeding for naturalization may be commenced or attempted to be commenced.'

The argument is that, inasmuch as § 5395 is not one of the 'five preceding sections,' it is to be inferred that Congress intended to give jurisdiction to the Federal courts for violation of that section only in naturalization proceedings in the Federal courts, and not to include false swearing in naturalization proceedings before any court, which would include a state court. But we cannot agree to this contention. The Revised Statutes are the result of the revision and codification of the laws under authority of an act of Congress, whose purpose it was not to create a new system of laws, but to codify and arrange former laws, omitting redundant or obsolete enactments, and making such amendments and changes as were necessary to correct contradictions, supply omissions, and amend imperfections in the original text. 14 Stat. at L. 75, chap. 140.

The courts will not infer that Congress, in revising and consolidating the laws, intended to change their policy, in the absence of a clear expression of such purpose. United States v. Ryder, 110 U.S. 729, 740, 28 L. ed. 308, 31 2, 4 Sup. Ct. Rep. 196. No reason is suggested for a change of the purposes of the law in the separation of the sections according to the codification in the manner we have stated. The purpose of the laws was still the same, and when we interpret this section of the statutes, in view of its origin, we think there can be no doubt of its meaning. The act of July 14, 1870, made its provision applicable to all proceedings had before any court in which naturalization proceedings might be commenced, and gave to the courts of the United States jurisdiction of all such offenses committed before any tribunal, state or Federal. The language of § 5395 is broad enough to include proceedings in any court, and, considered in the light of its adoption from laws of the same purport, we have no doubt of the intention of Congress to continue to include all such proceedings.

It is next contended that the court erred in permitting the indictment to go to the jury, and be taken with them into the jury room, which indictment contained an indorsement thereon, showing the conviction of the accused on the third count thereof at a former trial. The proceedings in this respect are thus set out in the record:

'Thereupon, and before the jury retired to deliberate upon their verdict, the clerk of the court handed to the jury the forms of verdict with the indictment in the case. That said indictment was taken by them to the jury room, and retained by them during their entire deliberations in the cause. That the jury retired at 12:30 o'clock, and later returned to the court with a verdict of guilty on the third count of said indictment. That at the time said indictment was handed to the jury by the officials of the court, and was taken by said jury to the jury room, there were the following indorsements upon said indictment: 'Form No. 168. Back of cover of indictment, with plea and judgment. Arraigned Nov . 2, 1905. Mch. 14, 1906. Pleaded not guilty. Tried April 5, 6, 7, 1906. Verdict not guilty on the 1st and 2d counts of the indictment, and guilty on the 3d count of the indictment. April 13, 1906. New trial is granted."

It would be sufficient to say of this objection that it was not taken until a motion was made for a new trial, which motion, with the accompanying affidavits to the effect that the jury had read and considered the indorsements upon the indictment, was considered, and the motion overruled by the trial court. It has been frequently decided that the allowance or refusal of a new trial rests in the sound discretion of the trial court, and its action in that respect cannot be made the basis of review by writ of error from this court. Indianapolis, & St. L. R. Co. v. Horst, 93 U.S. 291, 301, 23 L. ed. 898, 901; Kerr v. Clampitt, 95 U.S. 188, 24 L. ed. 493; Newcomb v. Wood, 97 U.S. 581, 583, 24 L. ed. 1085, 1086.

It is contended by the petitioner that a contrary view to that taken by the circuit court of appeals in this case was taken in Ogden v. United States, 50 C. C. A. 380, 112 Fed. 523, circuit court of appeals of the third circuit. In that case, however, it appeared that the court below refused to consider the motion and affidavit showing that the indictment, with an indorsement of a former conviction thereon, had been taken to and kept in the jury room during their deliberations. The court recognized the rule that the overruling of a motion for a new trial is not a subject of review in an appellate court, but found that the court below had refused to consider the motion and affidavits, and declined to exercise its discretion, as it was its duty to do. It is true the court, after finding that reversible error had been committed by the failure to entertain the motion for a new trial, deemed it was its duty not merely to remand, so that the motion might be considered by the court below, but itself passed upon the motion for a new trial. The primary basis, however, upon which the court acted, was the failure of the court below to consider the motion for a new trial,-a circumstance which does not exist here. To the like effect is Mattox v. United States, 146 U.S. 140, 36 L. ed. 917, 13 Sup. Ct. Rep. 50, where the court below refused to entertain affidavits showing the reading of a newspaper, containing an unfavorable article, during the deliberations of the jury, and also damaging remarks of an officer in charge of the jury during the progress of the trial. In both cases the basis of the action of the reviewing court was the refusal of the courts below to exercise the discretion vested in them by law.

But it is urged that, notwithstanding the objection was first taken in this case upon the motion for a new trial, this court may notice a plain error not properly reserved in the record. Undoubtedly the court has this authority and does sometimes exercise it.

But an examination of the record in this case does not satisfy us that we should exercise this right to review an error not properly reserved, and require the granting of a new trial because of the indorsements upon the indictment sent to the jury, together with the forms of verdict. The record contains all the testimony, and is ample to sustain the conviction of the defendant without giving weight to the effect of this indorsement. The indorsement itself shows that a new trial was granted upon the former conviction on the third count. This action of the court in setting aside what the jury had formerly done is quite as likely to influence the jury favorably to the accused, as was the fact of former conviction by the jury to work to his prejudice.

We do not mean to indicate that such indorsements should be permitted to go to a jury, or that the fact of former conviction should be urged or referred to in the progress of the trial. It is undoubtedly the correct rule that the jury should be kept free from all such extraneous and improper influences. But in this case we do not find in the record any reason for the exercise of the authority granted to us under the 35th rule, to notice a plain error not properly reserved.

It is further urged that the indictment, in the third count thereof, does not properly charge an offense against Holmgren. It is true that in the third count it appears that the name of Frank Werta, the alien, was written by mistake for that of Gustav Holmgren, in averring that the witness was duly and properly sworn, but this count also contains the averment that 'the said Gustav Holmgrem, having taken such oath to testify, as aforesaid, did then and there wilfully,' etc, and 'contrary to the said oath, testify in substance and to the effect,' etc. This objection does not appear to have been specifically pointed out in the demurrer or otherwise taken advantage of upon the trial. In this proceeding it is too late to urge such objections to a matter of form unless it is apparent that it affected the substantial rights of the accused. Rev. Stat. § 1025, U.S.C.omp. Stat. 1901, p. 720; Connors v. United States, 158 U.S. 408, 411, 39 L. ed. 1033, 1034, 15 Sup. Ct. Rep. 951; Armour Packing Co. v. United States, 209 U.S. 56, 84, 52 L . ed. 681, 695, 28 Sup. Ct. Rep. 428.

It is further alleged that the court erred in refusing to give the following request to charge concerning the testimony of Frank Werta, the alien seeking to be naturalized in the proceeding:

'I charge you that if you believe the testimony of the witness Frank Werta, then that said witness was an accomplice in crime with the defendant; and I instruct you that before you can convict said defendant, the testimony of the witness Frank Werta should be corroborated by the testimony of at least one witness, or strong corroborating circumstances.'

It may be doubtful whether Werta can be regarded as an accomplice, as the record tends to show that he had no part in procuring the testimony of Holmgren, and in nowise induced him to make the oath which was the basis for the proceedings. Be that as it may, the request did not properly state the law, as it assumed that Werta was an accomplice,-a conclusion which was controverted, and against which the jury might have found in the light of the testimony. It is undoubtedly the better practice for courts to caution juries against too much reliance upon the testimony of accomplices, and to require corroborating testimony before giving credence to them. But no such charge was asked to be presented to the jury by any proper request in the case, and the refusal to grant the one asked for was not error.

Other questions are raised in the case as to the admissibility of certain testimony; we have examined them and find nothing prejudicial to the rights of the petitioner.

The judgment of the Circuit Court of Appeals is therefore affirmed.

Affirmed.

Notes