The Cavalier daily :: Wednesday, May 13, 1970 :: University of Virginia Library

Governor Linwood Holton admitted
yesterday that he disagrees with the
statement on the war made by University
President Edgar Shannon on Sunday and
that a number of persons in Virginia are
suggesting that action be taken against
the University, both students and administrators.

Speaking at a morning press conference,
Governor Holton said "I disagree
with Dr. Shannon's position," but he
refused to elaborate. "I will not discuss
publicly my disagreement with heads of
these institutions," the Governor stated.

Reports from the Capital admitted
that a number of letters and telegrams
ha been received in the Governor's
ce demand the dismissal of Mr.
Shanon. The President, however, is
a long-time friend of Mr. Holton's
and siders feel that such action is highly
ble. They also said that it would be a
stake if President Shannon were to be
replaced.

Taxpayers Protest

The Governor also revealed, in what he
claimed was not supposed to be a warning, that
some of the Virginia citizens would like to take
some action against the students at all state
educational institutions which are being
plagued by strikes.

Mr. Holton advised those students who have
approached him seeking more funds for state
education programs to watch the backlash
which may arise over the recent disturbances.
All students, the Governor said, better consider
that "the taxpayers are now mad and are ready
to cut off money that supports higher
education."

Respects Right To Dissent

Included among those clamoring for fiscal
action, Mr. Holton said, are groups like the
Farm Bureau. He again reiterated that his
mentioning of the possible fund cut-back was
not to be construed as a threat, however,

Governor Holton, who met with President
Nixon along with most of the other state
Governors yesterday and discussed the Indochina
War, claimed that both he and Mr. Nixon
respect the right to dissent and that they both
are dedicated to "protect the right of those,
particularly students, to express that dissent."

'Returned To Normal'

However, the Governor added that "as long
as they (the students) stay peaceful, it's alright
with me." He then promised that all state
educational institutions "will stay open" for
those who chose to take advantage of them.

Mr. Holton stated that, just as he wants to
protect the right of dissent for some people, he
also intends to protect the right of those people
to dissent from the opinions of those who are
dissenting.

Mr. Holton said that "the situation has
returned to normal in Virginia." He also called
for an end to the strikes which have effectively
shut down, the state universities.

"It's time, my friends, to go back to the
classes, to go back to the books," the Governor
stated. Mr. Holton expressed his confidence
that the situation is in hand by saying that he
plans to travel to France on a mission with a
number of governors for the State Department.
He leaves today.

While the Governor claimed that normalcy is
returning, he did admit that he would not
demand that the State Police be removed from
Charlottesville and that he would fly back to
the States if the situation were to flair up again.

'Too Much Hysteria'

Mr. Holton said that there was "too much
hysteria," at the University. "We shall respect
the right of the First Lady to come to Virginia
without" having to face coercive demonstrations,
the Governor continued. It is time to
return to the situation where "administrations
live in houses without large, noisy, threatening
crowds assembling in their yards," he said.

The Governor praised the "moderate,
rational" students who have worked to
"prevent an explosive situation" at the
University. He asked for a return to the time
when the President could speak at colleges "to
attend question and answer sessions without
coercive demonstrations."

'Critical Period'

Mr. Holton saw the situation across the
country in regards to the student strikes as a
critical period and said that this issue means a
lot to the country. "It means whether those
young people who are our future leaders enjoy
this country or not, and that means a helluva
lot to me," Mr. Holton said, quoting President
Nixon at Monday's meeting with the Governors.

The Governor opened the press conference
by addressing himself to the Indochina War.
"The President of the United States in my
judgment is very much against the war in
Vietnam," Mr. Holton claimed.

The Governor said that at the Monday
meeting the Governors were briefed on the war
and Cambodia and that he was convinced that
Mr. Nixon was doing "all that he possibly can
to stop that war at the earliest possible time."

The Cambodian operation, the Governor
said, "Clearly will shorten the war," and has
been "phenomenally successful." He stated that
casualties been at an extreme minimum
and that the U.S. and ARVN forces had "seized
what the enemy took five years to build up," in
the way of weapons.

The morale of the ARVN has been improved
and the long-range picture has been tremendously
improved, he stated. Mr. Holton
defended Mr. Nixon's duty to take the military
action he deemed necessary, saying "Only the
President can make this sort of decision." Mr.
Nixon's decision, he added, would help shorten
the war and lessen casualties, both American
and South Vietnamese.