PAGE SIX
UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN, LAWRENCE, KANSAS
FRIDAY. MARCH 31, 1950
By Bibler
The Editors Report ARE WE PATERNALISTIC Toward Minorities?
by Harrison Madden
There appears to be a growing tendency in America among some writers, club speakers, and other "safeguarders of democracy" to take a more and more fretful attitude toward minority groups and their opinions.
The result of such thinking is that when a crisis period comes along we are all too ready to jump at unpopular minorities and say, "See here now, we've put up with your stupid and malicious ideas long enough. You've misused the rights given you by our democracy, so from now on you shut up!" At such a time it will be ourselves, and not "menacing invaders" who will strike a telling blow at democracy.
This attitude toward minorities is rather like that of a near-exasperated father toward his lively children. He loves them dearly, but wishes they were little angels instead of young roughnecks. Angels make life so simple.
These persons who remind us of our American duty say that because this IS a democracy we should "put up with radicals, screwballs, and other pseudo-American elements." With self-recognized high-mindedness, they point out that there is a place in our democracy for almost every minority. This is only a half-truth. Not only is there a PLACE in our democracy for minority opinion, there is a definite and imperative NEED for such opinion.
Of course, there is not much chance just now of us suppressing any legitimate minority. We don't feel in any grave danger, actually.
Our present problem is that we tend to feel too high-minded about our attitude towards groups with whom we disagree. We feel we are being too good to them. They are permitted to spout off "only because of some vague right or freedom they may have—and which they probably don't deserve."
People who think seriously about the minorities problem realize the great value of a variety of opinion, since variety is a check on lopsidedness. We must respect the right of others to their opinions just as we safeguard the right for ourselves—and we must not do it grudingly.
STUDENT COURT OR
Star Chamber?
John A. Bannigan
At the last ASC meeting, a bill was passed authorizing the student court to fine witnesses perjuring themselves and students for contempt of court. If levied, the fine could be anything from two to five dollars. This bill is now being considered by the chancellor before signing.
We see nothing wrong with giving the student court power to fine for contempt of court. The Kansas General Statutes give that power to all state courts, superior and inferior.
Yet we found that a witness who perijures his testimony has committed a felony. He could be fined and put into the state penitentiary for a maximum of seven years. The witness, or defendant as he would be on the perjury charge, would be entitled to a trial by jury. No judge or court has the arbitrary power to fine for perjury.
If the state feels perjury is enough of a crime to call it a felony, it seems reasonable to assume it is a fairly serious charge. If the charge is serious enough to warrant seven years imprisonment, if the charge is true, then it would seem that it is a charge that should be made sparingly. When the charge has been made, it should be given due process of law. This is the view held by legislators and anyone else who believes in justice.
Yet the All Student Council apparently does not hold the view. If it did, it would not have passed the bill giving arbitrary power to the student court to fine for perjury. The Kansas state legislature, which has slightly wider jurisdiction, has refused the power except to the higher courts—those which can try felonies.
And who, it may be asked, is to say who has or has not perjured himself? Suppose a student is given a parking ticket. Suppose the wind—Kansas does have a bit of a breeze now and again—blows the ticket away. When the student is called to appear in the student court, suppose he denies he ever received a ticket. "Aha!" the judges will say. "Trying to lie your way out? Five dollars for perjury?" It could easily happen if the judges of the student court have the arbitrary power to fine for perjury.
We feel that everyone should think hard and long before giving the student court-or any court-the right to fine for perjury.
We came across a letter, more than a year old, which commended the University for buying a new curtain for Hoch. As far as we could see there was no reason for the writer to wish his name to be withheld. Which reminds us to tell you that we do not intend using any letters not signed. The way we see it that if a man hasn't the conviction to back up his beliefs, he ought not to speak out.
We spent the day going through our new desk. It was crusted down with the crustaceia of bygone editors, correspondence from readers, and news releases from every pressure group in the country.
TODAY'S MAIL Let's Share It
9
Sir:
Some students seem to have a lot of fun playing "dog in the manger" by monopolizing ping-pong tables in the Union.
A few days ago a student and his wife asked the woman in charge of the equipment for table tennis paddles. She told them that all the paddles were out. The couple waited thirty minutes for someone to return the paddles. Then the man checked the tables and found one that was not in use. No one in the room knew where the paddles were or where the persons who had checked them out had gone. The couple finally left in disgust after waiting an hour longer.
One way to discipline the table hogs would be to set a time limit for use of the tables. The person who returned the paddles late could be fined.
We have a good thing new with no time regulation, so let's cooperate and keep it that way.
Arlo Bailey College junior
Arlo Bailey
'Sincere' Wishes
Sir:
A few weeks ago I mailed a letter "down the Kaw" to you in regards to your Y.M.C.A. production to be presented Saturday, April 1. If you remember, I commented on the fact that you were "borrowing" not only the idea but also the name from Kansas State's Y-Orpheum. Since then, in a very "sincere" letter from the Production Manager, Roy Wonder, I have learned that the name has been changed to "Rock Chalk Revue" . . . Thanks! . . .
I'm sure I speak for all those here on the campus of Kansas State who have participated in a Y-Orpheum when I say, "Here's wishing you success."
Sincerely,
Ross E. Miller
Y-Orpheum Mgr.'49
Kansas State College
Bagpiper Isn't Appreciated
Cambridge, Mass.—(U.P.)-Harvard university's only bagpipe player leads a lonely life. "My roommates often put cotton in their ears when I start playing", confesses Byam Whitney, Jr., 23 of Milton.
University
Daily Hansan
Student Newspaper of the UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS
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Editor-in-Chief... James Morris
Managing Editor ... Doris Greenbank
Asst. Man. Editors... Norma Hunsinger
        Kay O'Connor
        John Hill
Ralph Mewenway
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Feature Editor... Francis Kelley
Photograph Editor... David Wiley
Asst. City Editors... Nelson Ober
Robert Sigman
Marilyn Marks
Elaine Flug
Pete North
John Bannigan
Sports Editor... Richard Dilsaver
Asst. Sports Editors... Bob Leonard
Kathy Sawyer
Arthur McMittle
Mona Millikin
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Asst. Society Editors... Billie Stover
Emily Stewart
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Little Man On Campus
"Easy, now, Floyd,"—easy. Hello Professor Snarf, I thought I'd drop in and see how I did in the quiz. Easy Floyd!"
'Small Things'
In Kansas City, triplet boys were born to Mr. and Mrs. Harold Witkopp. Unusual as that may be, the fact that the father is employed by the Buick-Oldsmobile-Pontiac plant makes the circumstance even more appropriate.
"Movies are better than ever," the advertisement pleads as it heralds the showing of "Stampede," "Always Leave Them Laughing," "Coroner Creek," and "Alimony."
Women's intramural softball program begins shortly, we hear. Most of the players are said to be in fine shape this spring.
by Keith Leslie
Princess Margaret finally broke down and lit a cigarette at an official reception. Any day now, we look for a whole-hearted statement that she'd walk a mile for just one drag, never smokes anything but Alfalfa Cream, or never gets a rough cough from
Mounted on a deep, raspberry-colored pedestal in the University Museum of Art is a jolly-looking Chinese Buddha.
With kinky, black hair and eye-
With kinky, black hair and eyelids slightly closed, the Buddha smiles pleasantly, which is characteristic of such Chinese figures. His eyes are arched, and his fat neck lies in wrinkles. The Buddha's robe is thrown open as he sits on the pedestal with arms outstretched. In one of his hands is a lotus pod, which is the symbol of eternity. A small light shines on the gilded bronze statue.
F
The Buddha religion, which believes that salvation may be bought with offerings to the gods, sprang from the birth of Guatama Buddha in 560 B.C. in Nepal, India. When Guatama died in 480 B.C. at the age of 80, images of him were not erected. Instead, buildings and mounds covering some relic of Guatama's, such as an eyelash, a collarbone, or a tooth, were built.
Asoka, the great Buddhist emperor took the throne of India in 273 B.C. He died in 232 B.C., and following his death the Greeks invaded northwest India. Figures of Buddha for the first time were erected. They built in design with haloes. Many Buddha figures were then set up.
Colorful Figure Of Chinese Buddha Is Displayed On Pedestal In Museum
The Buddha, which was made in China in 1650, was purchased from Yamanaka, a Japanese, in 1916 in San Francisco.
Buddhism began in China about the middle of the first century A.D.
—Photo by Frankie Walte
THE BUDDHA catches the eye of each visitor at the Museum or Art. Pausing by the bronze statue on their tour of the campus during the Art conference held at the University March 24 are these seniors from East High school in Wichita. Left to right: Anne Lyon, Joan McKee, and Kathy Reder.
Pilgrims from China began to vi India and study Buddhism. Chinese erected the fat, jolly good