Wednesday, November 6, 1968
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
17
Loyalty oath initiated; termed 'silly' by prof
All state, city and county employees, including all men and women employed by KU must sign the new loyalty oath.
The change from the loyalty oath of previous years came as a result of the U.S. District Court decision in the fall of 1967 to void it.
The new oath, approved last spring by Gov. Robert Docking which took effect July 1, says "I do solemnly (swear) (affirm) that I will support the constitution of the United States and the constitution of the State of Kansas, and faithfully discharge the duties of my office or employment. So help me God."
The controversy over the previous loyalty oath arose because it required all state employees to "swear or affirm" they did not advocate the overthrow of the government or belong to any organization that did. This clause of the oath was declared unconstitutional because of its force against freedom of assembly.
Much debate has been held
concerning what the actual purpose of the new or old oath is,
"It serves no earthly purpose, said Charles M. Burrows, associate comptroller. "It creates a lot more work for the payroll department without any additional people provided."
Arthur H. Travers, assistant professor of law, after studying the oath said in general, oaths are "silly" because such a high
value is placed on ceremony. It seems the oath is supposed to impress some sort of solemnity on understanding.
He said in the past, the Supreme Court has shown hostility toward a negative oath such as the previous one. In examining the new oath, the question arose about what the Court would say of it.
new oath being called unconstitutional are small. "The Supreme Court does not want to get involved with loyalty oaths at this time," he said. "If a state came up with a statement that was pretty innocuous, it would let it stand."
The only real argument that could be presented against the present oath would be the inclusion of the phrase, "So help me
God." If a person did not agree with its inclusion, he would have a constitutional right to have it stricken from the oath.
KU's orchestra plans fall concert
However, many are against the oath as a whole. Mike Warner, New York graduate student and SDS member, said, "I think it is very bad because it represents one aspect of a kind of totalitarianism which I am opposed to. It has no place in an open society."
KU's Symphony Orchestra will present its fall concert next week.
The concert will be given at 3:30 p.m., Nov.17, in the University Theatre.
The orchestra, which is conducted by George Lawner, has 74 student musicians.
Travers said the chances of the
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