Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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VOL. LXII -NO. 23 University of South Carolina, Columbia, S. C. 29209 FRIDAY, OCTOBER 29, 1971 Supreme Cou Electio BY CHARLES FELLENBAUM Asst. Managing Editor The Student Supreme Court has enjoined the SGA elections commission from releasing the results of Wednesday's election and referendum. This was the first act of the newly-formed court, which will hear the issue Monday, Nov. 1. Two separate petitions for en joinment of the elections were filed by five student senators and one candidate. The petition by senators Tom Stoudemire, Gary Latimer, Bobbie Thomasson, Patty Wall and Gene Gaillard contended that (1) the secrecy of the ballot had not been maintained, (2) that ballots were not coded to specify In which district voters were voting, and (3) that the wording on ballots for the referendum was "so vague as to distort the meaning of the referendum." In reference to these con tentions, election commission member John Blackshire ex plained that "a student's residency was checked by a poll worker. The correct district of the voter's residency was then marked on the ballot. Each ballot was numbered consecutively, and the voter's ID Students cI with not en Four USC students have charged that the Richland County Sheriff's office didn't enforce gambling laws at the State Fair last week. They allege the games of chance at the fair fall under S. C. laws prohibiting gambling. Michael West, Barbara Price, Dan Eckstrom and Tom Stoudemire obtained an order from Richland County Judge John Mason requiring Sheriff Frank Powell to appear in court Nov. 4 to show cause why the laws were not enforced. Powell was quoted in the Columbia State newspaper yesterday as saying,"These in dividuals, in an apparent crusade to abolish bingo, raffles and other games of chance allegedly oc curing at the state fair, were ad vised by my department Wed nesday afternoon (Oct. 20) to obtain a warrant from the Olympia magistrate who in cidently has his office on the fairgrounds itself, if they observed any state law being violated at their fair." "Bingo, raffles and other games of chance have been held in every section of South Carolina for many years," Powell said. "Thee ar* sponsored by many g9ivie, ebuio, 9Qhool and private rt enjoinment n resul number was written on a Ballot Control Sheet next to a number corresponding with the number on his ballot. "This way numbers could be checked to see if a student tried to vote twice. There has to be some way to control ballots," Blackshire said. "We (the elections commission) hadn't ever run an election before. It's a small thing. Nobody has or will look back to see how anyone voted. "I can personally guarantee this," he said. "The ballots and lists are locked up in a very safe place." Blackshire also said, "There was one little slip-up when the districts on 25 ballots were not marked (by poll workers). This was not enough to effect the results to any ap preciable amount." The referendum sections were closed early on election day. No one could be reached by The Gamecock to explain why. The petition filed by candidate Jim Lengel, running for district 17, (off-campus senior) contends that the election was unconstitutional on two points. The SGA constitution states that (1) "the fall election is to be held harge sheri Forcing gair organizations to raise money for soxne worthwhile causes. If these activities are 'llegal, it is odd that Eckstrom they have been permitted to exist for such a long period of time (102 years) throughout South Carolina." The State pwsed P*steUas saying.hi hadI been rueI nmored rte acimn taka .by .the mesana ' ts won0 within six weeks after the start of the fall term. The exact date will be established by the Student Senate;" (2) "elections officials will be appointed by the SGA president and confirmed by.. .the Student Senate. These officials shall not hold any other Student Government office." The beginning of the fall term was Sept. 3, and the election was held Oct. 27, more than a week and a half after the constitutionally specified election date. The Student Senate set the date last Spring, but the Faculty Senate later approved the calendar change, setting up the date for the beginning of the fall term. The Senate did not pass any legislation to change the date to meet the constitutional specifications in light of the calendar change. The second point of Lengel's petition- states that at least one member of the elections com mission holds a student govern ment office, allegedly a con stitutional violation. Marsha Mottel, co-chairman of the elections commission, is a st udent senat or. The selection commission members were nominated by SGA rf's office ibling laws was politically motivated, "however I believe thbm to be sincere in their crusade for better government." Dan Eckstrom replied to the sheriff's charge of political motivation yesterday in an in terview "There was no political motivation," Eckstrom said. "We're merely interested in seeing the laws of the state upheld, especially in such a seemingly blatant violation," he added. Powell said, "If their contention is correct, we should strictly en force the law even though it has been a custom for 102 years to allow such activities to occur." Powell said he has asked for an opinion from the S. C. attorney general about the bingo, raffles and other "games of chance" in question. If the activities are ruled illegal by the court or the attorney general, Powell said his officers will arrest all violators in the county. "We'd like to stress we think Sheriff Powell has done a fine job in the past. We'd just like to see him keep up the good work," Eckstrom said. "We are representing ourselves as citizens and no other university personnel or studentsar invvd. in amr manner," lEcane.gwtV sd t be re President Harry Walker, but the Student Senate must approve them. Blackshire said, "If the Supreme Court goes exactly by the con stitution , then Walker (SGA President Harry Walker), Still, (Vice president Julianne Still) and the whole Senate should resign." Mottel said, "The Supreme Cars vano on USC c Windows in 13 cars were br last night in the Capstone and A city police official said w he believed to be "'marbi slingshot." Cars on Barnwell Street, rt were damaged most. Some pe Renzuilll piano concert found Safety glass around the windo and most affected windows fe doors. An unofficial count of dar Barnwell Street, two on Hendi on Laurens. A city policema said he expected to find more Police searched cars for obi One victim said,' "There was r in the window."' Investigators found what se marble. Police said reports started and said the windows could I between 7:30 and 9:20 p.m. I the car according to the poll ''It seems that someone it shooting out windows,"' one I 'Black Week former baske Bill Russell, former Boston Celtics basketball star , will highlight the second annual "Black Week," beginning Oct. 31. The week of activities will feature Russell's appearance Nov. 4, at 8 p.m., in Capstone's Campus Room. Officially the week will begin at 7 p.m., Sunday with a "Soul Banquet" in the Russell House faculty dining room. Rep, James Felder (D-Richland) will speak and tickets are $2 for the public and $1.50 for USC students. Monday's activities will include an address by USC grmaute Sidney Moore at 7:30 p.m. In Cw'rell, .CoUqge SthWhpr USC senioe also wIm he fes.u..d I. leased Court is meeting Monday. If they rule in favor of the petition, then the results will never be posted. But if they rule against it, the results will be published im mediately. "I think it was one of the most legal elections we've ever had. There was no way for anyone to vote twice," she said. lalized ampus oken between 8 and 10 p.m. Columbia Hall area. Indows were broken by what s, probably shot from a inning in front of Capstone, ople leaving the Phillips and imall holes in their windows. Ns was completely shattered i4 out as owners opened car iaged cars listed seven on ?rson, two on Green and two n investigating the incident ? before the night was over. ects that broke the windows. tothing in the car, just a hole emed to be a piece of broken coming in about 9:20 p.m. iave been broken anywhere othing had been taken from ce report. ist had himself a big time )oliceman said. ' features tball star a poetry ecitation followed by dance. Tuesday, Howard Fuller will addres the group after a fashion show at 8 p.m. in Currell College. "Day of Absence," Douglas Turner Ward's one-act play will start Wednesday at 8 p.m., in the Russell House Theatre. Russell's lecture, co-sponsored by the University Union Lectures Committee, will be the highlight Thursday. Admission Is limited to USC students with [D's. The Five Singing Stars, a Columbia gospel group wSi be In an 8 p.m. musical and dness prugram Fuiday. Th "m Blai" wil ciax BlawkWsskNv. 6ki the Cnnna. and' eeldres the "Soul Am."