MARSHAL PETITIONS

To the Editors of the CRIMSON:

It has come to my attention that Hank Keohane is currently circulating a petition in the Houses requesting that nominations for Senior Class Marshal be reopened. When I spoke with Mr. Keohane Sunday, he expressed the opinion that the Student Council should allow him to place his name on the ballot. He requested this on the grounds that he was not aware of the date by which petitions were due and that it was only after he saw the pictures of the 32 Marshal candidates in the CRIMSON that he realized he had missed the deadline. Although signs were placed in all the entries of each House, plus the Dining Hall wherever possible, Mr. Keohane explained his failure to see these posters was due to the fact that he had been eating all his meals in the Varsity Club, combined with the fact that his entry has no bulletin board.

In addition to these posters, however, a notice appeared in the Notice Column of the CRIMSON on November 18,19, and 20, reminding all seniors that their petitions were due November 20. Furthermore, a mimeographed sheet was distributed beneath each student's door listing the Elections Chairmen in the Houses and stating the final date on which petitions for Marshal would be accepted. In view of these three methods of publicity, I feel that the election has been adequately publicized.

Moreover, we must bear in mind that, in holding an election, it is necessary to have certain provisions which will insure a "fair deal" to all concerned. On this basis, it is necessary that a date be set beyond which petitions will not be accepted. In fairness to the 32 men who filed their petitions on time, I feel obligated to run the election as scheduled, unless the Senior Class in overwhelming numbers request that these very rules which were drawn up to insure equality be set aside. In short, the question depends on whether election rules can be laid aside at this late date and for these reasons, or whether by abandoning all procedure an election becomes a farce.

It is my hope that before each senior decides whether or not he will sign Mr. Keohane's petition he will not only bear this in mind but also attempt to determine in his own mind whether he feels that the Marshal election has been adequately publicized.

Lest I appear unwilling to heed the voice of the Senior Class, let me further clarify my position. I feel that it is unfortunate that Mr. Keohane was left off the ballot since he appears to desire the office so much. If a majority of the Senior Class argues with Mr. Keohane, as evinced by their signatures on his petition, I will seriously consider the possibility of impounding the ballots after tomorrow's primary before they are counted. However, this decision and that of completely reopening nominations would not be up to me alone. If I am presented with a petition of 500 or more names by Tuesday at 7:15 p.m., as Elections Committee Chairman I will bring the entire question before the Elections Committee. This Committee is composed of the Elections Chairmen in each House plus two Student Council members, Chris Wadsworth and myself. The final decision in this case would then be made by this Committee. Albert L. Jacobs, Jr. '61,   Chairman,   Student Council Elections Committee.