Congressional Candidate Galvin Touts Record for Campus Dems

As State Rep. William F. Galvin sees a lawmaker's job, "It doesn't matter how many times you get on Nightline or how many demonstrations you lead."

Galvin, who is one of four state legislators running for U.S. Representative in the Eighth Congressional District, told a dozen Harvard students last night that he sees his work in the Massachusetts legislature and the role he hopes to fill in Congress as making law without making noise.

His comments appeared to be directed at other candidates in the crowded field who have attracted more publicity during the campaign and maintained higher public profiles during their political careers.

He spoke in an informal discussion at the Harvard Freshman Union sponsored by the Harvard-Radcliffe Democratic Club.

On economic policy, Galvin described himself as "the most conservative candidate on tax issues," but added that "you're going to have to look at some tax increases" rather than just cuts in social programs.

Galvin strongly criticized proposed Federal cuts in student aid and President Reagan's proposed tax bill, parts of which he said were "designed to affect this university--designed to punish this university."

He reiterated his strong stand against protective tariffs, but said the government should allot subsidies to suffering U.S. industries such as steel-making and ship-building rather than let them fail and make the country dependent on imports in those areas.

The candidate said he personally opposed abortion, except in cases where the mother's life was endangered, or in cases of rape and incest. "I have trouble separating my conscience" from legislative decisions on the subject, he said.

In response to a question, Galvin said he favors economic sanctions against South Africa.

The candidate's record over his ten years as Allston's Representative includes support for legislation changing the system of representation on the Boston City Council, an achievement that Galvin said permitted minority and poorer districts to have more of a voice in city government.

Galvin said fellow candidate Melvin H. King, who represented South Boston in the legislature at the time, joined him in pushing the bill through a state referendum and eventually into law. He described another candidate, City Council Member Albert L. "Dapper" O'Neil, as "my chief nemesis" during the discussion surrounding the reforms.

The candidate also said he initiated the "grandfather clause" in legislation that raised the Massachusetts drinking age from 20 to 21, saying that "all I could imagine was some sort of `last blast' party," and that he had feared Massachusetts' former drinkers would be more likely to drive across state borders to obtain alcohol. Galvin said he supported an earlier bill raising the drinking age from 18 to 20.

Galvin said he and many other candidates looked forward to the emergence of more vigorous debate on specific campaign issues, which he said "will be to the advantage of us as individuals and to the disadvantage of Mr. [Joseph P.] Kennedy."

Other candidates in the race include Kennedy, State Sen. George Bachrach (D-Watertown), State Representatives Thomas J. Vallely (D-Back Bay) and Thomas M. Gallagher (D-Brighton), King, James Spiegal of Watertown, Republicans Clark Abt and Mildred Jefferson, and Cambridge activist Carla Johnston, a Democrat.

Johnston will speak with students at dinner in the Freshman Union next Thursday.