University of South Carolina Libraries
Opinion Impeachment Draws Closer The House Judiciary Committee has made history. Already two articles of impeachment against President Richard Nixon have been passed by the committee, the second of which was approved by a convincingly bipartisan vote of 28-10, meaning 40per cent of the Republicans voted to impeach on the grounds of abuse of power. We consider the case for impeachment presented to the ommittee to.be substantial and compelling evYlence that Richard Nixon is no longer worthy of the trust the American people placed in him. The substitute Article I offered by Representative Paul S. Sarbanes, Democrat of Maryland, included, among other sections, "Making false or misleading statements to lawfully authorized investigative officers and employees of the United States, withholding relevant and material evidence or in formation interferring or endeavoring to interfere with the conduct of investigations by the Department of Justice, and endeavoring to misuse the Central Intelligence Agency." Chief Republican staller, Charles W. Sandman, Republican of New Jersey, bellowed self-righteously "I've just heard a rehash of all of the excerpts from all of the tapes..." Sandman ineffectually argued that factual minutia should accompany each article and charge as it was being written in final form. But Doar satisfactorily responded that ample and appropriate factual evidence to support each article would accompany the articles of impeachment to the forum of the House of Representatives for debate there. We feel that the Committee has fairly and admirably responded to its obligations of due process to the President. James St. Clair, the president's defense attorney, has sat in on Committee hearings and has cross-examined witnesses. The bulk of the evidence appears to be in. The recent Supreme Court's decision requiring Nixon to give up the .remaining tapes reaffirms the illegality of any President presuming to be above the law of the land. What dismaying and depressing new evidence lies within the 64 tapes the President must now surrender to Judge Sirica, can only be speculated upon. Columnist Carl Rowan articulated his thoughts recently about the profoundly disturbing ramifications of Presidential obstruction of justice and abuse of power. "Now a president can pilfer $4,562 to buy his wife a birthday tadmost of us will never be affected, except to the extent hi encourag~es an atmosphere of slick thievery throughout hsadministration," Rowan said. He then went on to say, "But when a p resident uses the most powerf ul and awesome machinery of government to try to dsrypeople he does not like, or whom he regards as 'enemies,' we are all affected - deeply. We cease to be free men and women, and are reduced to prey,' ever fearful of and hiding from the,government which stalks us relentlessly and unscrupulously.' | The Gamecock '4 AME OC "HERE'S "If Ravenel is elected I'm going to take it all the way to the Supreme Court; the ruling by the district court judge is a farce. Michael J. Mungo, over the phone on the afternoon of July 30, 1974. Staff EDITOR Carl Baab ASSOCIATE EDITORS Scott Kearns Carl Naylor John Van Dalen AD MANAGER Bobby Aiken WRITERS Kathy Edwards John Van Dalen Phyllis Purcell Terry Dugas Hank Gilman Scott Kearns Chuck Cromer Carl Naylor Kay Boozer George Wright Lynne Perri EDITORIALS Carl Baab John Van Dalen Scott Kearns Carl Naylor PHOTO Scott Kearns Harry Dutton ARTWORK Gene Hood PRODUCTION Steven B. Folles Kathy Edwards CIRCULATION Joe Barry Although the GAMECOCK is a publication of the students of the University of South Carolina, it Is not an official publication of the University. The opinions expressed herein do not necessarily represent those of the University, the student body or all the staff members of the GAMECOCK. .etters To within the campus community to make r readership. It is your voice--we are the our "Letters to the Editor" section all )mised, and though longer letters will be er are given preference due to space I the editors that we not run anonymous sr valid reasons. with name and address of the author in y to our office in Room 318 Russell House a badly divided nation. The person who wrote the original letter to us concerning amnesty said that in her efforts to get the government to allow her son to return to the United States without prosecution--the Gold Star Mothers (mothers whose sons died in Vietnam) were the kindest and most helpful to her. A Plea For Contemporary University To The Editor: Having witnessed the university system as both staff tnd student during my three year residence at Carolina, I have never seen it in such an uproar. Which department-person will be the next to go? There's an air of anticipation for the dust to clear...and all for a return to the dark ages. Thomas Jones dedicated his many years at USC to the ex pansion of innovative programs and individualized instruction. His first love was teaching and perhaps he was discouraged to realize the futility of his efforts. Part of his philosophy grew out of his undergraduate experience. Because he was unhappy with the available courses, he contracted 30 independent hours above the required coursework. hlis initiative led to an expansion of the electrical engineering courses at MIT. Dr. Jones was a rare bird indeed! I find it inconceivable that Contemporary University (CU) Is "in choppy water". In D)ecember I will be awarded a B.A. in Spanish, the majority of the coursework being restricted and repetitious. My CU project ONE ,WANTED:PLuI 1ER The GAMECOCK invites all persons their opinions and thoughts known to ou vehicle. We attempt to print weekly il letters received. Minimal editing is pr printed, letters of 200 words and unc requirements. And, it is the decision c letters, though we will withhold names f Preferably, letters should be typed i cluded. Please deliver letters personall House. Amnesty Objector To The Editor: I must take exception with the comments voiced in the Gamecock in the last couple of weeks in regard to amnesty for draft dodgets and deserters from the Vietnam war. As a Vietnam veteran who had many personal friends that paid the last full measure, their lives, and many who were crippled for life, both physically and emotionally, I cannot accept the idea of certain people, who knowingly chose to violate the law of the land, being welcomed back and going scott free. Just as it is true that one must obey the dictates of one's conscience, it is also true that one must be willing to assume the responsibilities for those decisions. If they would be willing to accept trial and, if convicted, a felony conviction, with all the ramifications there of, and If they served perhaps four or five years in the public service with only subsistance as compensation, then these draft dodgers and deserters perhaps could be allowed to rejoin the mainstream of American life. II. Frank Shealy Ed.-We understand, we think, why you feel the way you do. Ilowever, our position in support of unconditional amnesty remains unchanged. Your argument that granting amnesty to draft dodgers and deserters forsakes the lives and heroism of those who served in Vietnam Is understandable, but it can't bring anybody back home, can't mend wiar injuris and c.an't help ....:r.