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Show Page 2 SIGNPOST May 8, 1964 EDITORIAL Supreme Court Interprets Student Constitution The judicial system of Weber State College, according to the Constitution, consists of the Student Supreme Court. There also is provision made for additional courts as the need arises. Establishment of these new courts is subject to the approval of the Student Senate. As now constituted there are six student members of the Supreme Court with one faculty member as advisor. The Freshman and Sophomore classes are represented by one judge, the Juniors and Seniors are represented by two. In looking over the structure one can easily recognize the fact that our court has an even number of members which may at times result in a tie vote. There has been some discussion about doing the logical thing, and provide for one other member of the court to make possible the smooth function of this body. From reading the Constitution under the Judicial Section it is impossible to determine what is to be done to alleviate the tie vote situation when it arises. The Student Supreme Court has the responsibility of defining the Constitution and determining the constitutionality of new legislation. Cases are brought before the court by the legal advisor of the Senate. One of the most recent rulings of this court was the veto of a ruling sent in by the Senate which was designed to amend the election by-laws. The reason for veto was the fact that the election campaigns were already in progress when the amendment was passed on and submitted by the Senate. There seemed to be no real doubt as to the need for further definition and legislation in the election by-laws, but this was hardly the time to do it. As a body the Supreme Court is one of the most efficient branches of our student government the only handicap being the even number of judges. This has not been a severe problem to date but should be solved before it becomes such. SIGNPOST STAFF Editor A. Brent Pulsipher .Associate Editor Jack Suttlemyre Business Manager ....Mark Zeller Managing Editor Camille Ramnarace Staff Editor Gene Patterson Sports Editor Society Editor Bobbi Dabling Feature Writer Steve Larsen Staff Photographer Reporters Neil Adams, Gene Carlson, Lynn Meadowcroft, Andrea Rees, Winslow Hurst, Ardella Mitton Advisor Reed H. Blake LETTERS TO THE EDITOR EDITOR'S NOTE: The Editor and staff of the Signpost wish to apologize to the studentbody for the letter of May 1 which reached the Letters to the Editor column with a fictitious name attached. This was a lack of proper checking on the part of the Editor. In this light we will henceforth require that all letters to the Editor be submitted with name and address, as well as phone number of the person submitting the letter. In this way we will be able to check by phone on the authenticity of all letters which are published. We apologize for all errors in the past and will strive to become more efficient and accurate in the editorial policy we adopt. In response to Mr. Patterson's desire to learn the facts about the John Birch Society, this letter to the editor appeared in the Deseret News, Tuesday, November 19, 1963, page A-14. It was written by an associate professor at BYU, J. Kenneth Davies. This article explains my stand: "For some time I have been watching and privately reacting to letters by apologists for the John Birch Society. I have informed myself of the Society by reading its official handbook, The Blue Book, as well as the Politician, both the product of Robert Welch. In addition, I was intimately involved in the political campaign last year in which Reed Benson ran for Congress as a Republican. I can no longer in good conscience remain publicly silent. Speed Is Our Business Hot a Sideline 2920 Washington Blvd. Phone 393-6422 olivetti underwood Royal Sales Service Rental Weber Office Supply 2432 Washington Blvd. miim 03 ELLIOTT $2.00 .. i ' per week Rings enlarged to thow delaii.Pricel include Federal Tax JOHNS JEWELRY 3942 Wash. Blvd. Phone 394-7312, I must reject the Society because of its attitude toward government in general, which is in direct oppo-s i t i o n to the teachings of my Church which says that governments are instituted of God. The Blue Book says: "For all governments, with very rare exceptions indeed, are thoroughly dishonest . . . government is always and inevitably, an enemy of individual freedom." (B.B. pp. 129,130.) As an American, I must challenge the Society because of its attitude toward democracy and republicanism both as old as our nation. Welch says: "A republican form of government lends itself too readily to infiltration, distortion and disruption, and democracy is merely a deceptive phrase, a weapon of demagoguery, and a perennial fraud. "The John Birch Society will operate under complete authoritative control on all levels. . . . There are many reasons why . . . we cannot stop for parliamentary procedures . . . whenever differences of opinion become translated into a lack of support, we shall have short cuts for eliminating both without going through any congress of so-called democratic processes." (B.B. pp. 158-162.) I must reject the Society because of the personal loyalty for Robert Welch demanded of its members. "Only if the members of these groups declared allegiance to, came ATTENTION, GRADS Diploma Fees Due Students receiving Associates of Arts and Sciences degrees or Certificates of Proficiency from WSC should pay their graduation fees at the cashier's office immediately, according to Milton Mecham, registrar. These same students also should report to the book store to be measured for caps and gowns as soon as possible. Mr. Mecham also stated that summer school students should let the registrar's office know right away if they are going to attend so that the registration packets will be ready at registration. The summer schedule will be available to students May 15 at the registrar's office. to feel an unshakable loyalty for, and thus accepted direction from a dynamic personal leader; only under these conditions would there be any possibility of . . . supplying what is needed." (B.B. pp. 115-116.) "I intend to offer that leadership to all who are willing to help me." (B.B. p. 123.) To me this means that loyalty to Robert Welch must supercede all other loyalties. Should loyalty to Welch and to religious leaders, for example, come into conflict, the former must reign supreme. To a number of members of the Society, this point has evidently already been reached. They have chosen Welch. Ross Robson I f TJte (Eellac Tradition shows its stripes in 1 WREN SHIRTS jjj Hearty stripes in a great sportshirt. Lets a j III man live it up... boldly. Yet Wren's classic tailoring V tJ never wavers from the traditional (button-down collar... Inl button and loop in back... much more). Great y combination for off-hours relaxing. And it's designed vj U exclusively for Wren Shirts Ltd. by Douglas MacDaid of I pJl Princeton and New Haven. In woven stripes I of harmonizing colors. ,j $595 $95 $795 j RED M NYE CO I |