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Show Page 2 A Way of Thinking MEPHISTOPHELES Well, the elections for the student-body officers are over, and if our memory does not betray us, the 1147 students who were neither too busy nor too benighted to cast ballots set some kind of record for student participation: with 1000 MORE students than last year, there were 400 FEWER votes cast. May we say, "Hurrah!" Apathy is not dead at dear old Weber; hell, no -- it flourishes in the rich loam of dear old Harrison High!! However, a pair of other aspects are even more disquieting to contemplate in their relation to our elections: both are relevant not only to the elections just held, but also to the class elections which have suffered so greatly on their way to next week's reality. Firstly: If only 1147 voted in the last election, not more than 800 may legitimately be expected to spare five minutes from their busy schedules to vote in the forthcoming elections. Our wager is simply stated: we feel that the students have been whipped up to the frenzy of excitement exemplified by that fantastic 1147 turnout, and will give odds of 5-3 that not more than 500 turn out for the primaries, and not more than 800 for the runoffs. Secondly: we find ourselves appalled and more than a little frightened that the Elections Committee should have been so lax as to allow active, flagrant campaigning adjacent to the polling booths. Members of the campaign staffs for both Art Jones and Jerry Nebeker were observed in the line of people waiting to vote and actively campaigning. Not just once, but repeatedly, did we watch this interesting display of irresponsibility and lack of ethics on the part of these campaigners. Just to set the facts straight: WSC election laws state clearly that there is to no electioneering within fifty feet of the polls. Some of you may have noticed the marker on the floor delineating the boundary of the sanctuary. Such an abuse of confidence on the part of campaign staffs, and the corollary lack of responsibility and action on the part of the Elections Committee, is ridiculous. W e can only hope it will not be repeated next week. But then, why worry about it? Given the interest displayed by the student body, we might well be better advised to appoint student-body officers very few students would know the difference. Jack Cannon Landscape Planting Three Weeks Away Fred Johnson, Weber State College architect said Thursday that the landscaping planned for In the latest budget will begin within three weeks. Johnson said the new greenery will be planted between the UB and Library in about three weeks. Landscaping between the UB and the Fine Arts Center should start a week after that and the dormitories will receive lawns and shrubs by the end of May, he said. Johnson said the lawns should be satisfactory by next fall when school starts. No doubt the greenery will improve the campus facade, but it will also pose a problem to those who have worn paths between these areas. Apparently the founding fathers did not realize that the shortest distance between two points was a straight line. However, the paths that have been worn are not in the most appealing directions between buildings. If a cement walk is built between the UB and the Library, it would be used extensively and it would eliminate the useless paths across the planned lawns. The new lawns will just be getting a good start in life and according to the master plan recently approved, they will be torn up because an addition to the Library is planned. Such are the woes of a growingcampus. Editor-in-Chief Associate Editor Jack B. Suttlemyre Rick Hassett Managing Editor Carol Deegan Business Manager Ken Burton Editorial Assistant . John J. Torpey Theatre Editor '. Bert Muth Sports Editor John Pennington Society Editor Sue Snowball Theatre Correspondent Ann Anderson represented for national advertising by NATIONAL ADVERTISING SERVICE, INC. 18 East 50th St., New York 22, N. Y. Chicago, Boston, Los Angeles, San Francisco SIGNPOST Letters to the Editor Dear Associated Students: We would like to express to you our gratitude for all you have done for us. It was wonderful to receive your telegram expressing your sympathy shortly after the accident in Lovelock. The planters that were sent later are beautiful and much appreciated. Some of you have been kind enough to visit, send cards or flowers or gifts. We can't thank you enough. It is wonderful at times like these to know one has friends who are concerned. Your friendship had indeed helped make a horrible experience not quite so horrible for us. Our deepest sympathy to those of you who knew and loved Mary, Cliff, and Mr. Mukai as we did. We will remember them always. Again, thank you all. We hope to see you soon. Kathy Bitner, Peggy Heffernan. Dear Tex: On behalf of the Associated Students of the University of Nevada, I wish to express my condolences at the recent tragic death of your debate coach and two of your talented students. Having met your coach and students at the Delta Sigma Rho-Tau Kappa Alpha National Debate Tournament held recently at the University of Nevada, I cannot help but feel your loss. I sincerely hope that those who were injured will return to good health and will endeavor to work in memory of your coach and students.Sincerely, Associated Students of the University of Nevada Dave Russell ASUN President As all informed Americans know, one of the major problems facing the Johnson administration at the present time is the conflict in Southeast Asia. We have made our stand in Vietnam. We " are not a weak nation, we are the most powerful nation in all the world. It is time to quit our bickering in congress, it is time for the American people to wake up and unite as to foreign policy, it is time for each citizen of this free land to get on his knees and ask God for strength and inspiration to help preserve our inspired con-stituion, and it is time to remember our fathers that bled and died so that we might be free today. Are we going to let them down? Are we going to give up our freedom? Are we going to give up the freedom of those whom we have sworn and committed ourselves to defend, or are we going to fight the war in Vietnam to win, win against Communism and every form of repression over the mind of man. If we continue our present rate in the war with Communistic supported North Vietnam, it will be 10 years before we clean up, if then. What are we waiting for? What must we suffer before we permanently put a stop to communist aggression. McArther knew what to do about it when he wanted to cross the 37th parallel and crush the Communist movement. Are we to continue our present pussyfoot action in Vietnam and wait for Red China to become so powerful that not even the entire world can stop her. There is going to come a day when our strength will be challenged with that of Red China, and if that be so, why not now, and why not in Vietnam where we have made our stand? This America is a great country. We have a great heritage, look at our flag, listen to our national anthem, "America, land of the free." We can not afford to lose our freedom. Are we going to let the Communists bury our children as they tive so boldly stated, or are we going to try to liberate the unfortunate people of the Communist tyrants. Some will have to die, but they that die will die so the rest may go on living in peace and freedom. Frank Perri April 22, 1966 Should 18 Year Olds Vote? Editor Signpost, I am writing to solicit your interest in an important item of legislation. For some twenty years, eighteen year olds have been privileged to vote in the State of Georgia. There is now an opportunity to extend this privilege and responsibility to all the citizens of the United States who are eighteen years of age or older. I have introduced a Constitutional Amendment which would set eighteen as the legal voting age in all of the fifty states. This proposed amendment is now before the Judiciary Committee. It is time that this measure be considered by the Congress. The fate of this bill, as of any legislation, rests with the opinion of the American public. This is where you can be of significant influence. When the issue is known, I believe the people will respond. I hope that you and your staff will consider developing an editorial policy on this matter. The response of your fellow students can be quite beneficial.With best wishes, Charles Longstreet Weltner, Member of Congress Should 18 Year Olds Vote? EDITOR'S NOTE: Below is the speech delivered by Mr. Weltner to Congress Aug. 11, 1965. Printed in order that you might judge, then act as you are so moved. You are part of a great country. Protect it. Mr. Speaker, America is a young nation. Soon, over one half our population will be less than 25 years old. Today, 8,000,000 young men and women are between the ages of 18 and 20. These young Americans represent the United States across the globe as Peace Corps Volunteers. They labor in slums, hospitals, and schools in the struggle against poverty. They represent the nation before the world in Olympic competition and international conference. They man the lines of defense around the world. And, most important of all, they are fighting and dying in Southeast Asia. These young people, ages 18 to 20, have proven themselves worthy of the awesome tasks we place upon them. They are a generation of dedication and ability. They can do many things, Mr. Speaker, but there is one area where they are excluded. For except in Georgia and three other states, they cannot vote. They can fight and die.... but they cannot vote. They can represent this great nation in some remote outpost of civilization ... but they cannot vote. They can sacrifice their time and energy in ministering to others... but they cannot vote. A Congress so firmly dedicated to the principle of voting rights should move now to extend the franchise to these young Americans. I have today introduced a resolution to amend the Constitution to this end. It is a plain and simple proposition: "No citizen of the United States who is 18 years of age or older shall be denied the right to vote by reason of age." We have placed upon these Americans the duties of citizenship. Let us now extend to them the most basic right of citizenship. Shep Announces Checker Contest 1. Enter contest by placing name in first column. 2. Arrange game with your opponent at Mutual convenience. 3. Winner moves his name to next bracket. 4. Winner, must win two out of three games. 5. Conventional game rules must be followed. Activities Vice President |