University of Virginia Library

'Facemen'

I suppose the election for
Student Council President is by
now a foregone conclusion. Mr.
Collier has received the
endorsements of student leaders of
every description, with the
exception of Mr. Mannix, whose
support of Mr. Botsford is a
dubious blessing at best. Posters
backing Mr. Collier constitute a
virtual Who's Who of Big Men on
the Grounds.

These individuals are men who
have risen to power on the basis of
the traditional politics of the
University, i.e., knowing the Right
People, saying the Right Things,
and, resultantly, garnishing all the
Great Big Honors. A number of
these gentlemen have done a great
deal for the University, but that
does not dismiss the fact that they
have done so within an aristocratic
system, strikingly reminiscent of
the old Byrd Machine of Virginia.

The traditional politics of the
University have been supported by
the fact that the entrenched power
structure, in control of both
political parties, has been able to
elect "Facemen" to Student
Council. These candidates, once
elected, have been exactly as
responsive to student needs as one
would expect.

This year, to the surprise of
nearly everyone, the handpicked
candidate of the VPP leadership
was defeated by the hard working,
but unspectacular Mr. Botsford.
The threat of such a candidate, who
owes nothing to the powers that he,
has created the great Endorsement
Campaign for Mr. Collier. Included
in this campaign, are several JP
leaders, including Messrs. Spitzer
and Edwards, both of whom were
ready to welcome Mr. Botsford
with open arms if he would accept
the nomination of their party.

It is true that many of Mr.
Collier's backers are disinterested.
But it is also true that many of
them are members of a
quasi-aristocracy for whom the
politics of the University are little
more than a game of prestige. These
gentlemen have presumed to
instruct the voters of the University
as if none would dare question their
judgement, let alone their motives.

Again, as I have said, Mr. Collier
will undoubtedly win. You can't, as
they say, fight Newcomb Hall. But
1, for one, am fed up with the
politicos, and I, for one, will vote
for Mr. Botsford.