McGrain v. Daugherty, 273 U.S. 135 (1927), was a case heard before the Supreme Court, decided January 17, 1927. It was a challenge to Mally Daugherty's contempt conviction, which he received when he failed to appear before a Senate committee investigating Attorney General Harry Daugherty's failure to investigate the perpetrators of the Teapot Dome Scandal. The Court upheld his conviction.[1]
| McGrain v. Daugherty | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Argued December 5, 1924 Decided January 17, 1927 | |
| Full case name | McGrain v. Daugherty |
| Citations | 273 U.S. 135 (more) 47 S. Ct. 319; 71 L. Ed. 580; 1927 U.S. LEXIS 985 |
| Holding | |
| The Constitution grants Congress auxiliary powers to carry out its duties. As congressional investigations have a legislative purpose, Congress has the power to make inquiries and to compel information when it is necessary and proper to execute Congress' authority under the Constitution. | |
| Court membership | |
| |
| Case opinion | |
| Majority | Van Devanter, joined by Brandeis, Butler, Holmes, McReynolds, Sanford, Sutherland, Taft |
| Stone took no part in the consideration or decision of the case. | |
| Laws applied | |
| U.S. Const. art. I | |
In the case, the Supreme Court held for the first time that under the Constitution, Congress has the power to compel witness and testimony.[1]
Background
Investigations in 1922 for the Teapot Dome scandal began in the Department of the Interior, but when questions regarding the Justice Department were raised Congress took control and led further investigation. Implications that Harry M. Daugherty was involved were raised due to his lack of involvement in investigation. Mally S. Daugherty, brother to Harry, was called into question and asked to produce related documents by a Senate committee. Upon Harry's resignation and increased suspicion resulting, Mally was arrested. At this point Mally challenged the committee's authority to act and arrest a civilian in order to acquire evidence.[2]
References
- ^ a b "McGrain v. Daugherty". Oyez.org. Retrieved 5 January 2018.
- ^ Walker and Epstein, Lee and Thomas G. (2011). Institutional Powers and Constraints. Washington DC: CQ Press. p. 153. ISBN 9781604265163.
External links
Works related to McGrain v. Daugherty at Wikisource
- Text of McGrain v. Daugherty, 273 U.S. 135 (1927) is available from: CourtListener Findlaw Google Scholar Justia Library of Congress OpenJurist Oyez (oral argument audio)
This article related to the Supreme Court of the United States is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |