Newspapers / The Guilfordian (Greensboro, N.C.) / April 20, 1961, edition 1 / Page 3
Part of The Guilfordian (Greensboro, N.C.) / About this page
This page has errors
The date, title, or page description is wrong
This page has harmful content
This page contains sensitive or offensive material
APRIL 20, 1961 CRIMINALS IN POLITICS The following article is excerpt ed from a Sophomore Speech re cently given by Judy Day in her Political Science class—Ed. All through the history of politi cal parties there has been an un savory element in politics. Today the situation is worse than ever. The major role that criminals play in politics is frightening. But the only time the general public seems to become alarmed is when one of the gangsters makes a mis take, is caught, and is put before the public eye. Otherwise, the pub lic likes to believe that criminals are found only on television and in the movies. They seem not to be lieve that racketeers can exist in a real world. There are several writers who are trying to bring the issue of crime in politics before the people, but they find it almost impossible to get sufficient evidence. When politicians are questioned, they quickly change the subject. Both 1960 Presidential candidates evaded the issue of known crimi nals in politics. Justice Department Most of the work done in trying to expose these criminals has been to no avail. For example, early in 1960 a convention of nationally known criminals was held at Apa lachin, N. Y. It was interrupted by the New York State Police, but the matter was beyond state or local jurisdiction. The public was so aroused, however, that the De partment of Justice appointed a special group on Organized Crime. This group did an excellent job of ferreting out international gam bling, narcotics and illegal liquor rings. But when investigations came too close to state and local politics, pressure was put on the Justice Department through Con gressional channels and the special group was dissolved. The Department of Justice de nied all accusations, but many jurists testified to the power of the syndicates over local and national politics. Unsavory Characters There are many cases of unsav ory characters becoming top men in national politics. One of the most influential men in California is Paul Ziffren, a man known to many gangsters and gam blers as both attorney and friend. Civil War Centennial Stirs Memories; Underground Railroad Had 'Depot' Here By Shirley Jones When the first shot of the Civil War was fired at Fort Sumter, on April 12, 1861, Guilford College (then New G&rden Boarding School) was already established as a special station on a unique rail way system a system known throughout the south as the "Un derground Railroad." The self-styled president of this system was a former Guilford Col lege teacher, Levi Coffin, who de voted his life to the emancipation of Negro slaves. As early as 1818 Coffin had open ly revealed his sympathy for the slaves by establishing a Sunday school for them at nearby Deep River, N. C. Long before the Civil War be gan, Coffin married and moved to Newport, Indiana. A past master in the art of evasion, Coffin had little difficulty in hiding and dis guising slaves—with the help of numerous secret passages in his home. All told, several hundred fugi tive slaves were liberated through his actions, none of which were ever recaptured. Run by both members and non members of the Society of Friends, the 'Underground Railroad' was in operation for several years. Those active in transporting the slaves developed secret signals and were most careful in their selection of Yet Ziffren is the most powerful Democrat in the West. It was he who arranged for the Democratic Convention to be held in Los An geles in 1960, and he has managed to extend his power as a result of his being appointed a National Committeeman. Such criminal influence is not confined to the Democratic party. Many influential Republicans have gone to considerable lengths to cover up former Vice-President Richard Nixon's close association with Murray Chotiner. Chotiner is the Republican party's California equivalent of Paul Ziffren. Senate investigations in California reveal ed that many racketeers, tax delin quents, and other criminals have been beating a path to Chotiner's door. Prisoners of Corruption Despite the fact that the Presi- routes, changing them often to avoid detection by authorities. At times the slaves en route to free dom were hidden in caves such as the one near the home of Dr. and Mrs. J ? eagins, teachers of Philoso phy and Languages here at Guil ford College. In addition to being agents on the Underground Railroad, Quak ers used their own funds to buy slaves. Thus, even though the So ciety of Friends made a practice of disowning members who practiced slavery, the North Carolina Yearly Meeting of Friends at one time owned as many as 727 slaves. The explanation is simple—the Quak ers had to buy the slaves before they could be freed. Military Visits During the Civil War, Guilford College became a popular rendez vous for Quakers weary of war talk. And though within six miles of Greensboro and its Confederate recruiting station, the stalwart pacifists could not be pushed into taking part in the fratricidal blood bath that was the Civil War. According to one source, mili tary men came only twice to the school—once to take away a stu dent who had enlisted before en rolling at Guilford, and once again to order one of Guilford's former presidents to muster. Needless to say, the order went unheeded. THE GUILFORDIAN dential candidates in the last elec tion refused to speak out on the matter of criminal elements in poli tics, it should be realized that they were not the precipitators of these corrupt forces. They were simply prisoners of corruption. And as prisoners, they are help less to act until an awakened citi zenry decides to provide the lead ership and courage needed at local levels to combat the influence of criminals in politics. New Tests For Law School Candidates According to an announcement made April 14 by the executive committee of the Law School Ad mission Test Policy Committee, prospective law students in the future will have to pay more at tention to the development of their writing skill and their knowledge of America's cultural background. Beginning next November the Law School Admission Tests—now required by 86 of the nation's law schools—will include separate tests of writing ability and general back ground, in addition to the present aptitude tests. The writing ability test is design ed to measure the student's com mand of grammar and diction as well as his ability to recognize verbose or unclear writing. It will test his skill in organizing ideas and require him to demonstrate his competence by re-writing and edit ing prose passages. The test of general background is designed to indicate the candi date's understanding of important ideas, events and cultural develop ments of the past and present. It will include 90 questions—3o in each of the three fields of humani ties, science and social science. Literary Magazine Soon To Appear This year's edition of The Piper, formerly known as The Tad and The Prism, is now in the process of being printed and should be avail able in the immediate future, ac cording to Jamie Matthews, presi dent of the Literary Society and editor of the publication. An illustrated quiz on poets will be a special feature, marking the first time that illustrations have been used in the publication. Admin Notes By Brenda Alexander According to the 1961-1962 col lege calendar, Guilfordians will re ceive an Easter vacation next year. Classes will end Friday, April 20, and will resume Tuesday, April 24, at 8:30 a.m. Faculty Talent Show Tuesday evening, April 18, the Faculty Talent Show, sponsored by the Student Library Commit tee, was presented in Memorial Hall. Acts included a Dobie Gillis skit, starring Dr. Feagins, Dr. Bur rows and Mrs. Deagon. The physi cal education department was well-represented with each of its members taking a part. The last number was a take-off on Gilbert and Sullivan's opera, H.M.S. Pina fore. It was written by Mrs. Crownfield, and utilized the talents of Dr. Kent, Dr. Purdom. Mr. Hilty, Mrs. Feagins, Mrs. Mathis, and others. Freshman Week Next fall Freshman Week will be held September 18-21. All classes will begin September 22. The first holiday of the year will be Thanks giving Day, November 23. Christ mas vacation will begin again on January 3, 1962. Spring holidays will take place from March 24 un til April 2. Graduation will be June 4. Mr. Dana Visits Charles A. Dana, New York City, was the house guest of Presi dent and Mrs. Milner Thurs day and Friday, April 13 and 14. On Fridav Howard H. Holderness, president of the Jeffer son Standard Life Insurance Com pany gave a luncheon in Mr. Dana's honor. Friday, Mr. Dana also attended a meeting of Guil ford's trustees. Reading Day Changed Reading Day scheduled for May 15, 1961, has been changed to Thursday, May 18. Examinations will begin on Monday, May 15. Dean Ljung reports that this change has been made for the benefit of students. As the week end immediately precedes the first day of exams, the administration feels that Reading Day will be more helpful if placed in the midst of finals. 61-62 Enrollment A report from the admission's office, date April 1, 1961, indicates an increase in enrollment com pared with last year. This year the total number of accepted ap plicants is 221 contrasted with 113 at this time last year; 411 students have been readmitted whereas 277 had been reaccepted at this same time last year. The totals are 632 for this year and 350 for approxi mately the same time last year. Some applicants are expected to withdraw before the July deadline. Some fifty students and their par ents have visited the campus dur ing the past few weeks. On the Go Director of Admissions Charles Hendricks, recently attended a meeting of the Education Com mittee of the Five Years Friends £^U^>toue. NOW! In Our Men's Shop Arnold Palmer slacks and bermudas bermudas, $8.95 slacks, $12.95 Quips 'n Slips with Lane Did you hear? Hear what? They're turning the Union Soda Shop into a drive-in. Really? Yep. Dr. Burrows told me. Inmates of Founders Hall have a new theme song: "Don't Fence Me In—even if you do plant rose bushes around the bottom rail." Note to Mr. Dana: Guilford no longer boasts (?) 143 trees. One was recently chopped down. Dean Kent's office has been dub bed the "confessional booth." Dean Marlette should not feel slighted, however; hers is fondly known as the "warden's office." Attention all bird (?) watchers! Hairy-legged male Homo sapiens can usually be seen perched on the steps or flying through the corri dors of King Hall. They are easily recognizable by their plumage of brightly colored Bermuda shorts. A new driving slogan: Drive carefully! Don't hit a child. Wait for a professor. Spring practice for all Stoop-ball Stanleys is now underway all day, every day, in front of New North, Yankee Stadium, Center Section, and Archdale. We understand that next year Guilford will feature a course in Driver Education, with special in struction available on the art of operating bulldozers. It will be taught by one of our own students, who has shown great skill in the handling of such equipment and has demonstrated the art of rapid braking with a college president substituting for a stop sign. Definition of chapel: The only pajama party at which you get any sleep. Could it be that the Coke ma chines in the women's dorms will eventually be replaced by Metrecal dispensers? Awards Announced Three Guilford Seniors have been awarded assistantships to take effect this fall: Mai Liis Luide, math major, an assistant ship of $2,0()0 in Psychometrics at the University of North Carolina; Maurice Raiford, physics major, an assistantship of $2,250 in Physics at William and Mary Col lege; Ira Ross, economics major, $1,600 in Rusiness Administration at the University of Nebraska. Meeting in Richmond, Indiana. This is the first time Mr. Hendricks has served on the committee; and is the only representative from North Carolina. He replaced President Milner, who has served as chairman of the committee since 1945. On Sunday, April 16, Mr. Hend ricks started on his way to Miami, Florida, to attend the National As sociation of Intercollegiate Regis trars and Admissions Officers. The meeting convened at noon, Tues day, April 18, and will end Friday, April 21. Page Three
The Guilfordian (Greensboro, N.C.)
Standardized title groups preceding, succeeding, and alternate titles together.
April 20, 1961, edition 1
3
Click "Submit" to request a review of this page. NCDHC staff will check .
0 / 75