The Stetson Reporter

Editorial: Few Know That $1500 Was to Underwrite Serenade We can attribute misunderstanding and lack of consideration as the major causes of the friction over the proposed Blue Baron Concert and Serenade. For a matter which could have been handled gentlemcnly and tactfully by leaders meeting from both sides of opinion, the affair was nicely bungled. In this editorial we will try to reflect the opinions from both sides. First, very few students knew that the $1500 was to underwrite and not pay for thc social. Both sides agree, except for.a few, that if this fact had been known there might not have been trouble. Next, those voting against the social did so because they consider Stetson a Baptist institution, and feel that since dancing is not recognized by many Baptists, it shouldn't be permitted as an organized body function. We admire these people for defending their belief!; to a certain extent and when done in a proper manner. BUT many, including some of this minority, contend that the tactics employed by those opposing the social were totally unbecoming those from whom wc may someday seek spiritual guidance. Friday afternoon 34 members of this minority group petitioned President Edmunds to cancel the affair or else return their 50 cent student association fee. That doesn't sound too much like democracy in action. Would the U. S. Government return our taxes if we disagreed with some appropriation they made? No! Now some say, "but this is a religious principle, not a democratic principle." To most of us democra cy and Christianity can't be separated too far without losing one or thc other. When a minority tries to force their beliefs—whether religious, political or what— on a majority, then wc think they are going too far. Next, if the social was allowed, this minority threatened to stop donations to the Religious Center building through their influence in churches throughout Florida. Sounds like a pressure group to us. We would like to remind those responsible for these acts that democracy is practiced in the church as well as outside. AND if they think they can go out in the world and make people want to be good Christians by force and oppressing these peoples' beliefs, then they won't go far. Last week, we complimented our religious leaders Continued on Page Two $5,000 Check For Religious-Center ■^wraWAWx' r^^^^W^^f: A check for $£5,000 for the Student Religious Center at John B. Stetson University at DeLand is given to Dr. John Maguire, right, executive secretary of the Florida Baptist Convention, by Dr. J. Harrison Griffen, secretary of the department of Christian Education. Donor requested that his name be withheld. Campus Cuties Model Legion Cap Ann Klua. of Oilardo. left, and Jeanne Hiriell. oi Waveii.,, oa., Stetson coeds, find the LtCj.G.iiia.i.e scaif caK Just the tn.ncj for golf at DeLand's College Arms Golf Club. 62nd YEAR The Jtitsim importer "Florida's Oldest College Newspaper" STETSON UNIVERSITY NUMBER 15 JOHN J. McCLOY ROBERT S. DENNY DR. KENNETH WALKER Students Vote Blue Baron Serenade * * * McCloy, World John J. McCloy, president of the World Bank of United Nations, will speak February 2, 3, and i at John B. Stetson University as the 1949 Merrill Lecturer, President J. Ollie Edmunds said today. The attorney-banker will give three talks, tracing international finance from the beginning of time to the present, as well as looking into the future to see what is necessary to implement a successful international finance program and make the Marshall Plan work. The lectures are the third series made available to Stetson students by Charles E. Merrill, a for- (Con't. on Page 2) Robert S. Denny Ends Focus Week Activities Today By BETTY JO BEVILLE Reporter Feature Editor "The need of the world today is not so much for more "Christians as for better j Christians." This was the opinion expressed by Dr. Frank H. Leavell of Nashville, Tenn., as he spoke before the student body last Monday on the first day of Religious Focus Week. This morning at 10 o'clock Robert S. Denny, popular youth speaker, will speak before the students in the last address of the bi-an- (Con't. on Page 2) * * * * * * Bank President, Speaks Here The meeting of the Student Government Association held.in Elizabeth Hall auditorium last Friday morning ended in an explosive manner after a motion was made to turn over $1500 to DeLand's Stetson alumni for a concert and serenade by Blue Barron and his orchestra February 25. The motion was the spark that set off a verbal explosion heard around the state of Florida all week. Despite violent protests by the minority group voting against the appropriation, latest word from the committee appointed to handle the social is that a check for $750 has been mailed Blue Baron's agent for the concert. The concert will be given at the Athens Theatre Friday afteroon;" February 25, at 4 o'clock and admission will be by student activity tickets. The serenade will be held that same night from 8 to 12. Tickets for the serenade go on sale early next week at $2.40 per couple. Students, in addition to buying a ticket, must present their activity tickets both when they buy and attend the serenade which will be held at the DeLand Airport Hanger. The serenade will be financed through ticket sales. . Dissension began when Owen made a proposal, which had been recommended at the last meeting of the executive committee on January 11, that money be appropriated to bring the orchestra to DeLand. John Hathaway put the proposal in the form of a motion. Immediately there was discussion as to the logic of spending that amount of money for such an affair. Students suggested that the money be used for building a swimming pool or religious center building. There were several who fought the issue on religious grounds. The basis of the misunderstanding seemed to stem from; the fact that very few students realized that the $11500 was intended to underwrite the social and not to finance it. Despite continued' protests from, this group the motion was passed by a majority present, which was in the neighborhood of 400 to 500. (Con't. on Page 2)