Bunton v. Patterson, 281 F. Supp. 918 (S.D. Miss. 1967)

L. Lackey Rowe, Jr., Jackson, Miss., for plaintiffs.

Will S. Wells, Asst. State Atty. Gen., Jackson, Miss., J. T. Drake, Jr., Port Gibson, Miss., for defendants.

WILLIAM HAROLD COX, Chief Judge.

This cause came on for hearing on the Complaint, the Answer and argument of counsel it being stipulated in open court that this hearing would be considered as a final hearing on the merits, and all parties having announced that no factual issues are involved and no testimony or evidence was to be offered, the sole question for determination being whether or not Section 6271-08 of the Mississippi Code of 1942, as amended by the legislature at the regular session of 1966, comes within the purview of or is covered by Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, being now Section 1973c of Title 42, U.S.C. 1958 ed.

It is the opinion of the Court that said Section 6271-08 as amended by the legislature of Mississippi at its regular session of 1966 does not come within the purview of and is not covered by Title 42 U.S.C., 1958 ed. Section 1973c, and that plaintiffs are entitled to no relief in this action.

It is, therefore, ordered and adjudged that the injunction prayed for in this action be, and the same is, hereby, denied and the Complaint is dismissed at the cost of plaintiffs.