Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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VOL. LXIII-No. 36 University of South Carolina, . C. 29208 Thursday, February 22 1973 SG Phi BY BLAKE LORICK Gamecock Staff writer Student Government telephones were used Sunday to solicit votes for Columbia attorney Franchot Brown, the Democratic candidate for-.City Council. Brown, a recent graduate of USC law school, and several other individuals were in the Student Government offices that day. David Spinazzolo, Student Body President, explained that no Student Government officials were involved in the phorne solicitations. He said, "It was basically an -infor mation type phone call to inform people of the election. As a final note, people were asked to vote for Franchot Brown if possible." Spinazzolo commented that Student Government is a representative body and several pressing issues which concern student welfare make it necessary to establish lines of communication with the city of Columbia. Spinazzolo explained that it was his opinion that brown was concerned with such campus problems as parking, the Green Street issue and congested traffic conditions. "He (Brown) has a close association with students. He has not been out of Carolina that long," Spinazzolo said. Paul Fidler, vice president for student affairs, said he felt the use of Student Government offices for partisan politics was an unwise practice. He said, "It's a matter of indiscretion and not a wise practice for Student Government. Steps should be taken to insure that it doesn't happen again." Dean Charles Witten, also vice president for student affairs, com ERA Sul BY LINDA HARVEY Special to the Gamecock With the dignity of true ladies and i men, supporters and opponents of the rights amendment (ERA) presentec cases to the General Assembly Tue while an orderly crowd of inter onlookers filled the visitors' galler lined the walls of the House chambe Proponents of the controversial a ment argued for its passage on the gr that the ERA is the best way to e aspects of sex discrimination for bot and women. Opponents countered allegations that the amendment wou women of their traditional rights of w hood and that men would be the pri beneficiaries. Throughout the hearing vis remained orderly, applauding at the each speaker's presentation and occ ally during certain speakers' come There were no boos or cheers, althoui sign proclaimed "God Supports Equ and men and women alike wore bi indicating their support of or opposii the amendment. The hearing was scheduled fo benefit of South Carolina's lawmaker are faced with the question of wheti not to ratify the ERA. The proposed a ment to the U.S. Constitution, which that "Equality of rights under the law not be denied or abridged by the 1. States or by any State on account of was first introduced in the Hous, March and quickly passed that body. The Senate also gave key second re approval to the amendment and seem the way to ratification but stopped a ones U L mented that he saw nothing illegal in the practice with regard to University policy. "There is a dis tinction in that the people using the phones were using them as individuals and not as Student Government officials" he explained. However, T. Eston Marchant, chairman of the USC Board of Trustees said, "My think ing is that any use of USC facilities in the interest of a particular can didate is not in accordance with rules and regulations of the Univer sity nor in the sense of fair play." Dean Robert Alexander, Dean for Student activities, said this was the first time to his knowledge that such a practice has come up. "I don't know of any regulations that pro hibit individuals from using a tele phone, but generally it is not our stance to get involved in partisan )porters, Op when opponents, mostly fr( ton area, called for a public entle- issue. Since 'that time wh equal ratify the ERA h$s become their for the State's legislators. ! sday, have ratified it and 11 me ested before the amendment can y and Constitution. r. Presiding at Tuesday's he mend- L. Marion Gressette, D-Call ounds man of the Senate Judiciary rid all the proponents, and chairmi hi men Judiciary Committee, Rep. I with D-Richland, for the oppono Id rob makers compliemented tho; oman- their orderliness in present ricipal itors 'The ERA is the onI and of ssion- and Dractical steo t, lents. hone Crimination against atan this country.' ion to-Keller Be r the s who ter or Led by Mrs. Keller Bumj mend- dinator of the S.C. Coalition states supporters of the amendmei shall case first. "As a woman, a u nited a Christian and a citizen, I st sex," the ER A," Bumgardner told I a last "The ERA is the only feasiblh step to end discrimination a siding in this country." ed on Bumgardner was followed iction bara Moxom, president of ft 3ed To )avid Snina olo Daniel McLeod politics. Indiscretion would be involved in this case." When asked who could determine the legality of such an incident as this, Alexander said it would be up to the Student Judiciary. State Atty. Gen. Daniel McLeod was asked if to actively seek sup port for a political candidate using facilities designated for student activities was appropriate. McLeod said, "It was not a proper use of state facilities. This was not a stu dent activity purpose for which the students were furnished with the facilities." Another USC official who requested he not be identified said Student Government should not have made its phones available for this purpose. "I conclude that it was a bad practice although its hard to separate it from 'The Gamecock' ponents Sq m the Charles- of Women Voter; hearing on the sage of the ames ther or not to her status as a w a major issue "gradually enhai o far 27 states relationships bi re must do so would not be affe be added to the amendment appl action. iring were Sen. Nor can the E oun and chair- Women's Liver: Committee,for claimed. "Thi mn of the House movement;" shi Zobert Kneece, American ideals mts. Both law- "Men like to jo ;e attending for . said, "and claim t ing their sides. already. But if t discrimination . would realize it's y feasiable Columbia atto; .III discussed th :> end dis- effect on domesi women and child: WOmen inf - of support or alii divorce, but rathi be responsible ft which parent is la imgardner port and that husl ble for alimony ti "The amendme gardner, coor- our citizens of for the ERA, Brailsford said. t argued their "The 14th amer ife, a mother, due process of Ias rongle support citizens) does not he legislators. or assure equal ri and practical Mrs. Jean Toal, gainst women said the ERA is q rights to privacy. by Mrs. Bar- for men and worn e S.C. League clae wo..d b Solicit taking a stand on politicians," he said, "I don't think Student Govern ment should have made phones available for this purpose. It's a practice which shouldn't be encour aged." Michael J. Mungo, a member of the USC Board of Trustees, said he questioned whether the Student Government office was the proper place for such activity. "Student Government is hurting its effec tiveness by engaging in partisan politics rather than the problems of students;" Mungo said. Tim McConnell, Student Govern ment vice president, said he was not aware that the phones were being used to solicit votes for any specific candidate. McConnell said, "I feel it is perfectly legitimate to encour uare Off In s. Moxon argued that pas- the ER, idment would not change but wot ife and mother, but would Neith ce womanhood." Private she saii tween men and women clude c cted, she said, because the regulat ies only to governmental characi On th RA be equated with the Myrtle ition Movement, Moxon testifiei s is a human rights requiri said, "in keeping with workin men to ke about the ERA," Moxon ment si at women run everything A nui hey had felt some of the War II, that women have, they the issu not a joking matter." country *ney James M. Brailsford she sai, e amendment's probably A bla ic relations. He said that Hender ren would not be deprived and a s nony payments in case of assemb er that both parents would rid icuk >r child support based on aabomi etter able to provide sup- black w )ands would become eligi- Althoi e same as wives now are. than-as nt will merely assure all nation's quality under the law," she had the wor dment (which guarantees Rep. 4 w and equal protection to who inti eliminate discrimination March, ghts," Brailsford said. He pro ponE also a Columbia attorney, endorse ualified by constitutional can par Thus, separate restrooms Senatori en, which opponents have lin gs, ar a unconstitutional undeer Votes age people to vote when it can have an effect on this campus. To my knowledge there were not any people using our phones to solicit votes for any specific party." Several student senators refused to comment. However, Allen Lawhead, an off-campus senator commented, "There is some merit in the fact that as a representative of the student body, the people con cerned were exercising their resources to provide University students with more concerned rep resentation in the area of the gov ernment that directly affects their welfare at school." Also, Sen. Paula Kress of South Building said, "I don't think its a question of legality, its a matter of student concern. Stu dents need to know whats going on in local politics and this action just guaranteed it." Brown, who won the Democratic primary Tuesday, was asked about the incident. He said he felt that what was done involved no illegal or unethical activity. Brown said, "Student Government is attempting to better the students' condition. It wasn't wrong because it was after hours and there was no additional phone expense. Many students vote in Columbia, therefore, it was a stu dent issue." Brown said he felt that Student Government ought to do what it thinks is right. They were elected to work in the best interest of the students. Brown also com mented that "If students can't get active they shouldn't vote until they are 21. When there are issues con cerning them they should be able to get politically active." House , would not only be constitutional ild probably be required, Roal said. er would rape laws be invalidated, I, because "the ERA would not pre r render unconstitutional laws or ions which classify by a physical eristic unique to one sex." e question of protective labor laws, Beach attorney Mrs. Dorothy Green I that such protective legislation as rig chairs for women and limiting g hours could also be extended to achieve equal treatment in employ tuations. -se in a combat area during World Mary Heriot of Columbia, spoke on e of drafting women. "Serving one's should be everyone's obligation;" ck Columbia teacher, Mrs. Gwen son, received sustained applause Landing ovation when she told the ly; "Discrimination of any type is us, but dual discrimination is an riation. Yet there is the yoke that omen have endured." igh she said she has a better erage record from some of the best universities, Henderson said been denied jobs on the basis that k was too hard for a woman. larolyn Frederick; (R-Greenville), 'oduced the ERA to the House last concluded the arguments for the mnts. She said the ERA has been d by the Democratic and Republi ties, by President Nixon, by S. C. Strom Thurmond and Ernest Hol id by Gov. John C. West. [See MCADAMS. Page 3)