ASSOCIATE JUSTICE HAROLD H. BURTON - TYPED LETTER SIGNED 04/12/1954 - HFSID 41759

HAROLD H. BURTON
Harold H. Burton sends a typed letter of regret that he will not be able to contribute any money.
Typed Letter Signed: "Harold H. Burton" as Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, 1p, 8x10. Washington, D.C., 1954 April 12. To George Cieply, Executive Secretary, Monessen Chamber of Commerce, Monessen, Pennsylvania. In full: "This will acknowledge with thanks your letter of April 8 and I appreciate your thinking of me in connection with your drive for a $100,000 building for The Salvation Army. Both Mrs. Burton and I have long been associated in advisory capacities with The Salvation Army in Cleveland and here. In fact, Mrs. Burton is serving this year as President of the Women's Auxiliary of The Salvation Army in Washington. I regret, however, that I am not available for the assignment which you suggest in your letter. First of all, it is my practice, as a member of this Court, not to take part in requests for funds of any kind and also, during a Term of Court, to make no public addresses. I used to do a good deal of the kind of work which you suggest while I was a member of the United States Senate or serving as Mayor of Cleveland but my present assignment presents quite a different situation. Even outside of a Term of Court I make but few addresses and then only to purely professional bodies. I hope you will understand the position which I have found it necessary to take and form which I have not deviated since joining this Court. With personal and cordial regards and best wishes for the success of your enterprise, Yours sincerely," Written during the Court's deliberation in the case of Brown v Board of Education of Topeka, Kansas, in which racial segregation in public schools was declared unconstitutional (decision handed down on May 17, 1954). Harold H. Burton (1888-1964) was Mayor of Cleveland (1931-1932, 1935-1940) and Republican Senator from Ohio (1941-1945).Appointed by President Harry Truman, Burton served as Associate Justice of the Supreme Court from 1945 to 1958. A liberal on civil rights issues, Burton joined several decisions against racial segregation. He was more conservative on civil liberties questions, voting to uphold loyalty oaths and to deny First Amendment claims by Communist Party members. Brown was wounded in combat during World War I. Fold creases not near signature. Fine condition.