Harvard Republicans Table for Thomas

Members of the Harvard Republican Club gathered about 300 student signatures yesterday to support Supreme Court nominee Clarence Thomas, according to Harry J. Wilson '93, the club's president.

Wilson said the goal of the letterwriting campaign was to establish campus support for the nominee Wilson called the drive, which took place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in front of Widener library, a success.

"The response was better than I expected," he said.

The letter-writing campaign took place just hours before the Senate Judiciary Committee deadlocked 7-7 on recommending confirmation, yesterday afternoon. (SEE STORY, PAGE 4.)

Letters to Biden

The letter, copies of which passing students were asked to sign, was addressed to Committee Chair Joseph R. Biden (D-Del.).

The letter declared support for confirmation of Thomas, saying he had "demonstrated his integrity, and his commitment to the law."

The letter also expressed disapproval at "the disturbing trend of politicization" of confirmation hearings.

Politicized Hearings

Wilson said that while Supreme Court Justice David Souterwas asked only 36 questions on abortion in his confirmation hearings last year, Thomas was asked 70 in the first three days of his hearings.

"As Senator [Edward M.] Kennedy has said in the past, these hearings should focus on a nominee's competence, temperament, and integrity," the letter said. "I sincerely hope that in the future confirmation hearings can return to this standard."

Wilson, who predicted that the committee would deadlock, also said that he expects a solid majority in the Senate to confirm the nomination.