The HYRC Dispute

The one certain effect of the recent machinations and charges in the HYRC election race has been to discredit Republicanism in the College. Except for a few who may be caught up with the cops and robbers aspect of the affair or think they may actually gain practical experience in machine-type politics, politically inclined students have doubtless been discouraged from HYRC participation.

It is with this in mind that any corrective action must be considered. Neither electing the "good guys" nor punishing the bad should determine policy in this respect.

Today, Dean Watson will receive from the Student Council a written recommendation that the HYRC's charter be suspended and their books be impounded, presumably by him. He should not now take any such action. The Council acted in haste, and partly in anger because Stalker's faction refused to participate in the Council's investigatory meeting. Dean Watson may pursue a calmer course.

The Dean may reasonably expect cooperation from the warring factions, either on a personal basis or because of the authority at his disposal, which is rather sweeping both in disciplinary matters and in relation to extra-curricular activities. He should be able to use this authority to effect a settlement agreeable to both sides, a compromise involving some basis for certifying members eligible to vote.

If the parties remain adamant, Dean Watson will have no choice but to investigate the charges against Stalker and his supporters. The charges involve obvious dishonesty if true and dishonesty irresponsibility of the accusers if false. Stalker's failure to produce a denial in detail cannot but raise suspicions. Yet to conclude from his silence that he and his backers are guilty would be unfair. The Student Council, WHRB, and the CRIMSON have a clear duty to try to get his stand made public, but they have no authority to compel him, and if he chooses to keep silent, that is his privilege. We regret his silence, for he might have cleared matters up easily, but his right must be acknowledged.

After investigation of the charges, Dean Watson would have to determine their validity. Should he and the Committee on Student Activities, which ultimately controls undergraduate organizations, feel that the Stalker faction has been guilty of the malpractices with which it is charged, he would have no alternative to asking Stalker to withdraw. Equivalently, should the Stalker faction produce accurate counter-charges against Smith and his followers, a similar course should prevail.

We have in the past deplored the unethical practices of the Young Republicans, a sprawling group run by a small clique, an organization that has interfered with the activities of other groups on campus, a body with as little respect for its own constitution as for good manners and decent behavior generally. Nevertheless, we oppose unnecessary official meddling in undergraduate organizations, and the hastily conceived attempt of the Student Council to seize the Club's books. Only as a last resort, following a failure of the principals in the fight to co-operate, should Dean Watson consider the suspension or revocation of the Club's charter.