Republican Club Executive Threatened With Expulsion

In an unusual flurry of excitement, one member of the Harvard Republican Club (HRC) last night proposed the expulsion of another member after accusing him of "unethical dealings" in an attempt to unite Harvard's two Republican student groups.

Brian E. Malone '96 accused Freshman Member-at-Large Charles A. Truesdell '99 of engaging in conduct which made him a candidate for expulsion.

According to Malone, in January, Truesdell described plans to work with William D. Zerhouni '98 to form a single Republican club that would replace the HRC and the Harvard-Radcliffe Republican Alliance.

Zerhouni is president of the Alliance, a group which split off from the HRC last year.

By arranging these plans, Malone said, Truesdell assumed the role of club representative, a duty reserved for the club's president. Truesdell also contradicted the HRC's stance toward the Alliance and acted with selfish intent, said Malone, who is a Crimson editor.

Malone's presentation was punctuated by the bustle of the present members of the executive board, the shaken face of cheery President James M. Dickerson '98 and the prompt motion to discuss the matter further in a closed meeting with executive board members, including Truesdell and Malone.

After the closed meeting, Dickerson said Truesdell had been "reprimanded by censure"--effectively put on probation. Although Truesdell must make a public apology for his actions, he will fully retain his role as an officer.

Dickerson said there were "apparent misunderstandings" in the conversation between Malone and Truesdell.

"I didn't speak as an official representative, merely out of personal interest," Truesdell said. "I dislike the fact that there are two Republican clubs on campus."

But Malone said the HRC, as an organization, has little respect for the Alliance and little desire to unite the groups.

"The HRC has repeatedly made it clear that there will be no compromise or reunification with the band of Republican misfits," said Malone.

Malone also questioned Truesdell's motivations.

"Mr. Truesdell planned to dissolve the oldest political organization at Harvard," Malone said. "And why? To replace it with an organization in which he would have more power."

After the evening's controversy had died down, Truesdell conceded and issued an apology.

"I understand and respect the board's decision," he said. "I regret my actions.

"I didn't anticipate any of this happening," Truesdell added. "But I don't feel that my actions warranted expulsion."