NOT A VOLSTEAD ACT, BUT--

On Wednesday, March 17, 1920, the Student Council, worried over the lack of interest shown in the elections of the three lower classes, proposed two amendments to the constitutions of these classes, designed to meet the situation. The amendments provided that 60 percent of a class should vote before an election could be valid, and prescribed ballotting for more than one day if the quote was not reached within the customary time. To quote from the CRIMSON of that date: "In the past two or three years too few members of each class have shown sufficient interest in class affairs to vote for the officers of the class. The two sections . . . are intended to prevent lack of interest in class affairs and to make all elections express the opinion of a decided majority of the members of the class".

The amendments were subsequently adopted, "unanimously", at meetings of the respective classes. But the chimerical results have not yet arrived. To quote the experience, the following fall, of one of the classes which had been so undividedly in favor of the amendment, from headlines in the Crimson: October 19th, "Hold elections today"--20th, "Elections carried over"--21st, "Remainder of class must ballot today"--22nd, "Fall to cast enough votes"--23rd, "Once more fail to cast enough votes". This same class which had been "unanimously" in favor of the amendment, at its next election, was obliged to ballot on more than one day to poll, the required percentage.

The 1925 elections of last week offer another example of the ineffectiveness of the "system". At six o'clock of the second day of voting the much-vaunted percentage was still lacking. Rather than be forced to carry the election over yet another day, it was decided to keep the polls open half an hour longer and attempt to fulfill the quota by that time. This was done, and succeeded.

Obviously, the requirement for a percentage of voters fails. One of two things must be done; either abolish the 60 percent rule, or make class offices and the candidates for them so important that all of the class will want to vote. The second step is impossible (and dangerous were it possible). In a class of 870 men it is not conceivable that all will know the nominees, or that 60 percent will know them and want to vote in the election.

It is only reasonable to permit those, who are sufficiently interested to vote the first day, to elect the class officers.