Minneapolis spokesman. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1934-2000, 1951-12-21
The Forrest Virgins Case


II is not enough this particular for President Nor
r hide behind his discretionary powers" and the rule that
explanation necessary terminate an instructor who I'M"
gained tenure rights.
In the Virgins there present the disturbing
spectacle Of complete disagreement between the head and starr
philosophy department IN which the discharged man
teaches and the schools administrative officials who termn
acd the instructor because dean questioned his fitness
a teacher.
people Of the state 10 the reasons why the instructor
being lot 60 Any disposition not TO make such an Sa
that his motives will stand the light Of logical and Just
public opinion.
The question naturally arises to whether the entire
philosophy department Of which Virgins has been member
for six years competent TO Judge his scholarship and ability
teacher II the administration he E not scholarly and
that he lacks ability and his department head aud fellows says
he h. inclined 10 believe the philosophy department and
under ordinary eircumsthnceS believe Mr. Morrill, would
take the position but apparently the Virgins case not
ordinary and the opinion OF the department ignored
After reading the various statements which have been sub
mtted by both sides Of the controversy this newspaper has
reached the inevitable conclusion that Virgins dismissed
for three definite reasons
l. For his political views and affiliations
Pressure of reactionary members of the Legislature
The uncomfortable factor of which affects the
titudeu and life of many Americans
On point one. Virgins admits he's socialist says he :
not Communist which in too many minds !" PrmA fSoC ev
tive In the dscreded Progressive party In his political state
rights Of an American to freedom Of choice speech and expires
sion No matter how much disagree with his political phil
views still believe he has right to his own freedom Of
PRECISION and AiAon. Before the nationwide campus witch
hunts began the halls Of the universities Of country
the place where freedom of speech found in It's pures
form.
President morrill, may deny u all no win but Wig
gins goose cooked a the last session Of the legA
iurS President Motifs charm and porSuasiOn didn't
work 20 well with the 1901 Legislature ~ u did with the
l0A9 session He disappointed all friends Of the
University that his budget requests were cut much
of the caconary influences in the legislature fought
and the battle reduce budget These influences
used variety Of methods cut down the OF money the
University felt needed One Of the vicious methods utilized
was the distribution OF Of Forrest Virgins Sociaistic
speeches TO each member OF the Legislature example
what ~" instructors about
knowing the Legislature AZ we do we can readily see the
effect Of left speech by University staff member
especially when that instructor member of minority
Mr. Morrill, has denied that the pressure from the csiSla
tire had anything to do with the dismissal Of Virgins but
day after the of the dismissal admit
hcy used Their influence TO get rd OF Virgins We will leave
instance.
It's too bad that under our preucn, system that legislators
position to play politics with great universitys
academic freedom II they claim that they doing just
that their words and actions belle their protesAons
On the third reason, which Is that Of the factor of
race this newspaper does not believe that Morrill, al
Negro We do believe that this was an important element in
the thinking Of the outside individuals whose pressure finally
caused the administration TO take the step II did.
Those responsible for his discharge going howl to
high heavens that Wiggns race had nothing to do with his
to that the factor Of race intangible as may TO
be. definitely had something to do with the case
This paper has policy Of not ascrbng prejudice
everything that happens the individual Negro but
ignore the fact that had not been for prejudice Wig
gins would not In all probability been the first citizen Of
Negro ancestry to be appointed to academic post the
~ faculty Others would have preceded him II might also
have something do with the failure Of the school promote
him when admitted his worth by raising his salary
Because enters most Of the facets Of American life
Mr. Virgins himself had duty the first Negro member OF
the faculty temper his academic life and his
in such that enemies Of his groups progress would
have ammunition against Negro instructor There
will be considerable disagreement with that point
Of IL will have validity the premise that Virgins is
duAl aud should be expected to bear the burdens his
shoulders of his racial group and that all he should be
TO do is make good a teacher.
This paper Subscribes the school Of thought that
every Negro In responsible position owes 70 himself
and the coming generations 70 conduct himself that
antLNegrO segment may what he says or does
instrument 70 halt Negro progress within the framework
In American life
This newspaper did except Virgins TO walk around
with hat In hand because he Negro to do anything that
lbrOgated his rights individual entitled to respect How
ver because he the spot and the racial group with
which he identified extent trialwe could