Newspapers / University of North Carolina … / April 12, 1967, edition 1 / Page 6
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CAROLINA JOURNAL April 12, 1967 Page 6 A History-Making Election Tremendous! That’s the only word which comes even close to describing the student turnout at the polls last week. April 5,6, and 7 will go down in the his tory of this campus as the three-day period in which students finally realized the serious ness of their own affairs at this school. Not only did they realize, they acted. They actually did something. Nearly half the student body, 746 of 1500- odd, cast a ballot in the election for student body officers. Why this sudden swell of voters when the normal turnout here is just a tad over 300? There are several reasons, we believe. For one thing, the Garner versus Gaither battle for the presidency of the student body was the best since the spring of 1964. Both candidates, for the first time in at least three years, were campus leaders of proven capa bility and each commanded a large following. What’s more, both Garner and Gaither wanted to win the election so badly they could think of nothing else. Neither mentioned the possibility of defeat in any conversation with us. This type of attitude on the part of two candidates for the highest student position on campus is very good. It is just the elixer needed here. In this case, it is truly too bad that one of the two had to lose. Finally, probably the most important factor in producing the fabulous turnout is that the candidates made their speeches in the Union cafeteria. This site for the speeches was picked in desperation due to the speech by Dr. Rhine scheduled for the same time in the Parquet room. However, we feel this year should set a precedent and that from now on the candidates will continue to make their pitches in the cafeteria. Why? Because many people who would not ordinarily have attended a session of this type happened to stumble into involvement when they looked up from their lunches to see and hear potential leaders present and sell themselves. Most of these people would not have bothered to vote had it not been for this. In other words, if the students aren’t going to come to their leaders, their leaders must come to them. This is what happened this year. But irregardless of why the students turned out in such tremendous numbers, it was great just to have them exercise their voice in campus politics. We hope this election wasn’t a fluke. THE CAROLINA JOURNAL Published weekly on Wednesday excent during holidays. ELLISON CLARY, JR„ Editor Frank Crooks Business Manager Libby Holshouser Feature Editor Donna Hughes Sports Editor Geraldine Ledford Cartoonist Fred Jordan. . . . . . Photo Editor Nancy Kohler, Frank Coley Photographers Staff: Sally Hagood, Paul Boswell, Earleen Mabry, Corny Stilwell, Frank Caton, Jan Ballard, Patrick McNeely, Bobbe Berry, Carol Haywood, John Lafferty, Gayle Watts, Kay Watson, Carol Durham, Louise Napolitano, Larry Keith, and Darlene Helms. Sure, campaigning will kill you, but Gee. Little Knowledge Employed^ Editor Appears Idealistic Mr. Editor: So human nature prevails again. It’s so easy to comment on a sub ject of which we have little know ledge. In this case we find cam pus politics as the target, the Student Party the bull’s-eye. You express dissatisfaction at the lack of candidates tor student body offices, but what may I ask did you do to encourage students to run? As the sounding board of the students, the voice of the campus, a vital link in student communication, you have some responsibility. If you were so terribly concerned about student government, why not a word before now? You appear to be very ideal istic, Mr. Editor. You would like to see two parties hotly di vided over hot issues with a full slate of hot candidates for every office from president to bath room monitor. Well, brother, it just isn’t there. And as far as your attack on SP leaders goes, you tread a little hard. Your lack of knowledge of the situation is again evident. A handful of hardworking students did what they could against in surmountable odds, namely the lack of academic qualifications of potential candidates. Had it not been for this, you would have had your full slate of candidates. Maybe I have failed and probably so, but I did what I could with the remains that were handed me, and as I was the only one willing to assume leadership, there should not be too much criticism. If you would just refer to your miserable publication of March 22nd, you will find my last letter to the editor, which thoroughly explains why the situation is as it is. I wrote it making no apologies and asking no judgment. So I would ask in closing, Mr. Editor, that you stick to your ads, track pictures, and “Little Man on Campus” cartoons, and let the politicians handle the po litics. Bill Shuford Editor’s note; This is the type of response we hoped to receive in regard to our last editorial. Although we question many of the points Mr. Shuford tries to make in the above letter, we are happy to see there is, indeed, a spark of life left in the Student Party. In regard to Mr. Shuford’s ques tion in the first paragraph of his letter as to why we hadn’t said “a word before now”, if he will check the October 26 and Novem ber 9, 1966 editions of the Journal he will see that we have tried to fulfill our re^onsibility in connection with the Student Party. Student Is Concerned Over The Lack Of Campus Leaders Mr. Editor; I’m shocked — even stunned. Maybe this sense oi alarm just naturally arises near the end of one’s sophomore year, but I doubt it. Will the real leaders of this school please stand up? Yes, stand and be counted. Where did this sudden lack of concern come from? When did this aparthy arise? Would you believe that there were nine posts to be filled in last week’s elections and only nine candidates running? Only two officers were contested. Students, arise. These officers are going to determine what, how, when, and why for your school for the next twelve months. Don’t you even care? The Student Party had died, the bold indepen dents are few, and even the Uni versity Party is having trouble finding candidates for the upcoming class elections. The incum bents refuse to run again and othfers are afraid to try some thing new. To me, the whole sit uation hints of R-I-N-K-Y D-I- N-K! Bravo for those of you who have dared to be nonconformists and care. If all the load is placed on the shoulders of the interested few, then the competent will be spread too thin to be difficient, e.xpedient, and energetic. Wliere wiU it aU lead? I dare not theor ize. UNC-C “ejq>ects everymanto do his duty.” How about it, folks? Rod Smith Gaither Takes Opportunity To Express Appreciation Mr. Editor; I would like to take this op portunity to express, in print, my appreciation to the student body for their interest shown by the record voter turn-out in the past Executive Council election. I hope that this interest is continued, if not increased, during the upcoming class elections. The people you choose to fill these positions on Joe McCorkle Misquoted In Last Edition Letters To Editor your Student Legislature wiU be charged with the responsibility of allocating approximately $30,000 of your activity fees. These peo ple will be your representatives, your voice in Student Government and should be chosen with care. Again I urge you not to let this opportunity pass without casting your vote. John Gaither Due to a printer’s error in the story whichappearedin last week’s Journal cxi attitudes toward the projposed draft laws, Joe McCorisle was quoted as saying, “Doesn’t make a damn to me as long as they continue the college defer ment system.” Mr. McCorkle did not say this. The quote belongs to Fred Jordan. The Journal apologizes to Joe McCorkle.
University of North Carolina at Charlotte Student Newspaper
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April 12, 1967, edition 1
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