Page:Robinson v. Holman.pdf/6

 executive committee or the judges at the election in question were not officers of the State of Texas, nor were they officials or agents of the State of Texas. It was further said : "The court also holds that the members of a voluntary association, such as a political organization, members .of the Democratic Party in Texas, possessed inherent power to prescribe qualifications regulating membership of such organization, or political party." See also United States v. Gradwell, 243 U.S. 476, 37 S. Ct. 407; Karon v. U.S., 121 Fed. 250; R.C.L., p. 1075; Newberry v. U.S., 256 U.S. 232, 41 S. Ct. 469.

Being a voluntary political organization and not an agency of the State, the Democratic Party had the right to prescribe the rules and regulations defining the qualifications of membership, and to provide that only white people could becoine members, without coming within the prohibition of either the Fourteenth or Fifteenth. Amendment. The fact that nominees - of the Democratic Party in Arkansas are always elected at the general electiOn does not alter the situation. Neither does the fact that appellants are Democrats, that they believe in the principles of the Democratic party, and that they Supported the nominees in previous general elections. There is no more reason to say that the Democratic party in Arkansas cannot make the rule in question, than there is to say that the Masonic bodies in Arkansas may not exclude them on account of color.

It necessarily follows that the chancery court Correctly dismissed the complaint for want of equity. Decree affirmed.