Legal Document

403 U.S. 207 91 Supreme Court Reporter 1772 29 United States Reports Lawyer’s Edition 2d Series KF101.8 U54 418 Stella CONNELL, Appellant,v.James M. HIGGINBOTHAM et al. Number 79. Argued Nov. 19, 1970. Decided June 7, 1971. Sanford Jay Rosen, Austin, Tex., for appellant. Stephen Marc Slepin, Tallahassee, Fla., appellees. PER CURIAM. 1 This is an appeal from action commenced in the District Middle of Florida challenging constitutionality §§ 876.05—879.10 Fla.Stat. (1965), and various loyalty oaths upon which appellant's employment as a school teacher was conditioned. The three-judge declared three five clauses contained to be unconstitutional,* enjoined State conditioning on taking oath including language unconstitutional. that portion decision, 305 F.Supp. 445, upheld remaining two oath: & N Dec. Immigration Nationality Decisions do hereby solemnly swear or affirm (1) 'that will support Constitution Florida'; (2) not believe overthrow Government force violence.' 2 On January 16, 1969, appellant made application teaching position with Orange County system. She interviewed by principal Callahan Elementary School, 27, employed substitute classroom fourth grade school. Appellant dismissed her March 18, refusing sign required all public employees, § 876.05. 3 first section Court, requiring applicants pledge Florida, demands no more employees than state federal officers. Const., Article VI, cl. 3. validity this would appear settled. See Knight versus Board Regents, D.C., 269 339 (1967), aff'd per curiam, 390 36, 88 816, 19 812 (1968); Hosack Smiley, 276 876 744, 1442, 20 275 Ohlson Phillips, 304 1152 (1969), 397 317, 90 1124, 25 337 (1970). 4 second oath, approved falls within ambit decisions proscribing summary dismissal without hearing inquiry due process. Slochower Education, 350 551, 76 637, 100 L.Ed. 692 (1956). Cf. Nostrand Little, 362 474, 80 840, 892 (1960); Speiser Randall, 357 513, 78 1332, 1460 (1958). That therefore, cannot stand. 5 Affirmed part, reversed part. 6 Mr. Justice MARSHALL, whom DOUGLAS BRENNAN join, concurring result. 7 agree may require they 'will Florida.' Such forward-looking, promissory constitutional does my view offend First Amendment's command grant denial governmental benefits turn political viewpoints affiliations would-be beneficiary. also base its decisions, teachers any other hiring category, applicant's willingness vel non 8 However, striking down latter has left clear implication objection runs, against Florida's determination exclude those who 'believe overthrow,' but only State's decision regard unwillingness take conclusive, irrebuttable proof proscribed belief. Due process rightly invoked condemn mechanistic approach question proof. But it simply matter what kind evidence can muster show job applicant 'believe(s) overthrow.' For injurious individual justified account nature individual's beliefs, whether he overthrow' sort 'If there fixed star our constellation, official, high petty, prescribe shall orthodox politics, nationalism, religion, matters opinion * *.' West Virginia Education Barnette, 319 624, 642, 63 1178, 1187, 87 1628 (1943). 9 strike 'overthrow' plainly ground belief such predicate action. 10 STEWART, part dissenting 11 upholds clearly clause comes us Court: 'I With ruling fully agree. 12 As contested violence,' remand give parties opportunity get courts authoritative construction meaning clause. If embraces teacher's philosophical think constitutionally infirm. Baird Bar Arizona, 401 1, 9—10, 702, 707—708, 27 639 (concurring opinion); 1628; Cantwell Connecticut, 310 29, 303—304, 60 900, 903, 84 1213. If, hand, test taken 'without mental reservation purpose evasion,' valid. Law Students Civil Rights Research Council, Incorporated Wadmond, 154, 163—164, 720, 727, 749. should, given construe before pass constitutionality. Fornaris Ridge Tool Co., 400 41, 43—44, 156, 157—158, 174; Reetz Bozanich, 82, 85—87, 788, 789—790, 68; Railroad commission Pullman 312 496, 498—501, 61 643, 644—645, 85 971. 13 explicitly held are severable. Cramp Public Instruction, 137 So.2d 828, 830—831. unconstitutional court below employee swear: (a) am member Communist Party'; (b) have lend aid, support, advice, counsel influence (c) organization party believes teaches, directly indirectly,

Classification Label: 2