Newspapers / Daily Tar Heel (Chapel … / Oct. 11, 1973, edition 1 / Page 1
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T- Liets vjin ML pennant Orioles down A's, 5-4 I J "1 A r v y 5 Yd. 2, flo. 35 81 Years Of Editorial Freedom Chcpel HIM, North Cerollna, Thursday, October 11, 1973 Founded February 23, 1833 I ' 1 0 h I i V L. J I- I X. V 0 I u N(D) nntestt O hi i Jl Spiro T. Agnevv in happier days United Press International WASHINGTON Vice President Spiro T. Agnew resigned Wednesday. He pleaded no contest to a charge of evading federal income taxes in 1967 in an appearance before U.S. District Judge Walter E. Hoffman in Baltimore. Hoffman placed him on probation for three years and fined him $10,000. President Nixon is empowered by the 25th Amendment to the Constitution to nominate a successor. If both houses of Congress confirm him by majority vote, the nominee will fill out the rest of Agnew's term, to Jan. 20, 1977. White House Press Secretary Ronald L. Ziegler was expected to make an announcement on the Agnew case midafternoon, Wednesday. In a statement to Hoffman, Agnew admitted "that I did receive payments during the year 1967 which were not expended for political purposes and that, therefore, these payments were income taxable to me in that year and that I so knew. He also said: "My decision to resign and enter a plea of nolo contendre rests on my firm belief that the public interest requires swift disposition of the problems which are facing me. "I am advised that a full legal defense of the probable charge against me could consume several years. I am concerned that intense media interest in the case would distract public attention from important national problems to the country's detriment. Agnew sent Senate Democratic Leader Mike Mansfield his letter of resignation: "Today I have resigned as vice president of the United States. Majority expresses surprise Thank you for the many kindnesses you have extended to me. I will always treasure my days of service with you and with the U.S. Senate. A vice president's only constitutional responsibility is to preside over the Senate. On Aug. l,ina hand-delivered letter from U.S. Attorney George Beall, he formally was notifed that he was under investigation for possible violation of bribery, conspiracy, extortion and tax evasion laws. He proclaimed his innocence and said he would fight the charges. Over the last few weeks, he has mounted an aggressive battle. Agnew is the second vice president in history to resign from office. The first was John C. Calhoun, who resigned on Dec. 28, 1832, in the closing months of the Andrew Jackson administration to claim a Senate seat he had won in South Carolina. The court proceeding on the fifth floor of the U.S. Post Office building in Baltimore consumed 36 minutes. At 2 p.m., Attorney General Elliott Richardson accompanied by Henry E. Petersen, head of the criminal division, walked in. Four minutes later, Agnew, escorted by a Secret Service agent on each arm, appeared. He signed a waiver of indictment a first sign that an important matter wasjit , Jiand. Then Richardson informed the court of Agnew's decision. Hoffman called the situation "tragic." Beall said Agnew and his wife paid taxes of $6,416 in 1967 on income of $26,099 w hen in fact that taxes should have been $ 19,967 on income of $55,599. Since the news of the investigation first broke, Agnew has declared his innocence then and his willingness to cooperate with and rely upon the judicial system. He voluntarily furnished some of his financial records to Beall. But he soon went on the attack. He charged that news leaks from the Justice Department w ere calculated to destroy him politically and to make a fair trial impossible. His lawyers sought to raise two impediments to the grand jury investigation looking into the allegations that he sought and accepted bribes and kickbacks while the top elected officer of Baltimore County, Md., which surrounds Baltimore city, while Maryland governor and even while in the vice presidency. The 25th amendment to the Constitution was ratified in 1967 after the vice presidency remained vacant for 14 months follow ing the assassination of John F. Kennedy. Reports had circulated that the White House had drawn up a contingency list of possible successors. One published report listed some of the possibilities as Richardson, Gov. Nelson A. Rockefeller of New York, Former Gov. John B. Connally of Texas, Assistant Attorney General William D. Ruckelshaus and Sen. Barry M. Gold water, R-Ariz. The White House had steadfastly denied the existence of any such list. Any nomination made by Nixon would be subject to severe scrutiny in Congress because, among other things, the nominee might prove to be a successor to Nixon as the Republican nominee three years from now. L,--nnr rTT7r.-T 7rn tnn rtTm tpttt! m7Trr rpilrn rrT?Ti Jl A by Linda Livengood, Gail Bronson and Chuck Babington Staff Writers The resignation of Vice-President Spiro Agriew ignited immediate but differing responses from residents of Chapel Hill. Of the approximately 70 persons questioned by The Daily Tar Heel, most expressed surprise at Agnew's decision. Bob McDonald, a sophomore said, "I'm stunned. It's a monumental o ecu ranee. Larry Britt of Chapel Hill said, "I'm surprised because he said he wouldn't resign even if indicted." "rm kind of surprised. He was so vehement in his statement that he would not resign," Louvey Russell of Denver, Colorado, said. Other persons questioned said they expected the announcement. ii Ron Gragg a senior accounting major said, "I heard the announcement at work. We were discussing corruption in government. I'm really not surprised. I believed it. UNC senior Bob Chapin exclaimed, "I wasn't surprised at all. Jimmy Kuppers, a senior journalism major, said, "It s about time. Chapel Hill teacher Nancy Willis said, "If he wanted to do it, good thing. He's been in a precarious position, obviously he can't handle responsibility.' Others questioned were also critical of the former vice-president. Lane Golden of the Record Bar said, "I'm pleased, 'i thought he is guilty. It was a wise decisions. Lane Golden of the Record Bar said, "I'm pleased. I thought he is guilty. It was a wise decision. GOPs express ii y. "If he resigned, they must have more evidence than he was found guilty of, said UNC employe David Cook. John Landreth a UNC junior said, "It's the only decent thing he's done yet." Others defended Agnew and expressed sympathy for him. Joe Collins of Chapel Hill said, "It's a republican plot to get Conally or Baker in the vice presidency in order to have a stronger candidate in 76. "I feel sorry for him," admitted UNC sophomore Larry Gang. Howard Williams a Ph.D. candidate in Chemistry said, "I feel a little sorry for the old boy." James Bell a draftee from Fort Bragg said, "I don't think any evidence was conclusive. Agnew will probably say the press ruined his career." Susan Melton a graduate student said, "He was left holding the bag." Agnew's resignation caused some students to suggest the same action on President Nixon's part. Lucy Shropshire a freshman music major said, "It's the best damn thing he could ever do. Now it's time for Nixon to do the same." A UNC employe Beth Gardner said,. "Agnew's resignation suits me fine. I wish Tricky Dick would resign." Some students were critical of Agnew yet they felt his actions were not unique among politicians. Sy Safransky a Chapel Hill writer said, "Like all of us the V.P. is a cross between a swine and an angel, but the angel seems to have left him, like most men in American politics." C.B. Gaines a junior journalism major said, "I'm very pleased. They'll probably get some criminal to take his place since they're all criminals." I shock sadleess Stole suiiccessoirs to Asiniew ss.-sss.-s.-s,: J t ' 1 s" : V ' ' ' I 'ZX :,yMi 1 w William Ruckclchzm John D. Connelly Elliot L. RIchsrdson Howard H. Dcker United Press International RALEIGH North Carolina Republican leaders were hard to find for comment Wednesday after the announcement of Vice President Spiro Agnew's resignation. Gov. James E. Holshouser, pressed for Nixon advised on VP choice COLUMBIA. S.C. (UPI) Harry S. Dent, general counsel to the Republican National Committee, said Wednesday he hoped President Nixon would resist any pressure to nominate a caretaker vice president. Dent, a former White House aide now in private law practice here, said he was aware of speculation about possible nominees but had no idea who the President was considering. 1 hope he will not feel inhibited by Democrat leadership threats that he should just nominate a caretaker," Dent told UPI. Under the 25th amendment to the Constitution, the President nominates a vice president and his choice is subject to approval of both houses of Congress. "I think we need man who is capable of being President by succession or future election, and I feel that would be the course that he would take rather than try ing to appease Democrats who are scared that he may be nominating the next President of the United States, Dent said. Weather TODAY: Partly cloudy with near zero chance of precipitation. The jl;h Is expected In the upper 70'a to lew C3s end the low tonljht Is expected In the low to mid 50"s. Outlook: clatr end warmer. comment, issued a statement of two sentences. "Of course, the Vice President's resignation was very unexpected. 1 am sure that it will be met with deep regret by many people in North Carolina who had a high regard for Mr. Agnew." State GOP Chairman Frank Rouse was not available for comment. Aides to Sen. Jesse Helms. R-N.C. said Helms was speaking on the floor of the Senate when word came of Agnew's resignation. They said they did not know whether he would have a statement. Agnew had been scheduled to address the North Carolina Republican Convention in Raleigh on Nov. 3, a visit now expected to be cancelled. Rep. Ike Andrews. D-N.C, said he was "shocked and saddened" by Agnew's resignation. "Shocked because his action is apparently without precedent in our nation's history, and saddened that our institution of government is undergoing yet another assault," said Andrews. He said, "Let us hope that the President will name someone who can command the strong support of Congress and the people." Republican Rep. Wilmer Mizell issued a statement in Washington saying he was -shocked." He said, "I hope the circumstances surrounding his resignation will not be allowed to obscure the Vice President's positive achievements for the nation during the past five years." Charles Jonas of Charlotte, who headed up the Nixon re-election campaign in the state, said, "I'm very shocked at this. I don't mean just shocked you need time to react to something like this." Man-on-the-street reaction was varied in Raleigh. "It saddens me because of someone in that high office placed in that position," said A J. Bare, 48, a Raleigh accountant. "I hate to hear it," said Swain Irwin, 64, an auditor from Louisville, Ky. "It's a shame. He's about the only man you could believe."
Daily Tar Heel (Chapel Hill, N.C.)
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Oct. 11, 1973, edition 1
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