Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1929-05-14

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Nowhere has the science of polite
among the undergraduates at ~Texs
policial campaign is but an end, and
devoid OF the glamor Of a future
occupation, have developed all the
arts and articles and statecraft in
the dollhouse Of student elections.
The old-time politisians would say
IL Is impossible. but the students
in the vision and zeal and enterprise
Of youth have stepped out and prov
en- that the mechanics OF one OF
the Oldest professions can be worked
by the novice.
The campus this past week had
its thrill Of the closest student a
in the history dead heat. In the
result Of this election. which could
have been reached only in about
n of 10, 900 chances. and in
finding the way out, and in the
manner and individuality of the
race and its aftermath. politics and
craftsmanship have mingled in a
form that will prove a valuable ex-
ample 10 the politician cut on the
broader field of public affairs.
Spurgeon Bell Of Austin and Rob-
ert NJ. Payne of Malakoff ended ii
an exact tie on the fourth recount
of their votes for president of the
Students association. This. despite
the believedly tie-proof preferential
ballot. Now. another election viii
be held Thursday for the office
with the two men. who received
each 1,43l votes. firsts and seconds,
as the rival candidates.
Friends Of both men made the re-
counts. First Bell was declared
elected by seven votes. Then the
vote was recounted. and Payne led
by six votes. Another recount, and
Payne led IL votes. Then. with four
friends Of each Of the student can
didates supervising IL, the entire
ballot list was checked. Reporter
votes-a few OF them, and votes
where fictitious names had been
recorded-were thrown out, and an
other recount gave an exact TIE.
Both sides were satisfied. and agreed
10 the call OF another election.
Both the candidates are fraternity
men. Alexander. only barb IN this
race, polled 381 votes.
The race was on the up and up.
PAYNE said. There we're no per-
sonalities. The race run strictly
on the merits and hard work of the
candidates" He declared the runoff
will be on the same level.
And Spurgeon Bell, his rival, az
firmed this.
There will be few long-winded
speeches in the run off race eli
NAKED by Thursdays election. the
rival candidates said Hand-to-hand
work among the students, and the
distribution Of cards and placards
will be the main activity IN the race.
Payne is a mid-law. holding the r.
A. degree already. Bell Is a senior
academ.
Bell IS a ri Kappa Alpha. Payne
Is an Acacia frat man.
Bell Is G graduate Of Austin high
school, last years president OF the
university Y. NJ. G. a., member OF
the varsity debating team: two-year
member OF student assembly, acad-
EN- school university union drive.
II is the first and only time OF
m absolute tie under the preferen-
tial ballot system: and II the per
centage doesn't fail, IL Will be the
last until about A. ID. 2lT7.
It isn't the first time though that
recounts have changed the outcome
of campus races. II isn't the first
close race.
The editorship Of the Daily Texan
a few years ago was the closest race
they can remember up to now. sam
johnson led John Sammons by sew
on votes. with Tom Rouse third
man. In a recount, Sammons had
a lead of two votes. The two men
made an agreement that after a
nva OF the "repeaters and flc-
titious votes. they would abide the
result of another recount. That gave
johnson the office by three votes.
In the 1928 elections. Tom Hol-
ioway won the office OF managing
editor OF the Cactus by 10 votes
over Holly Brock.
In another race for managing ed
itor OF the Cactus. willard Perkins
uon the office. its honors and emol-
uments by a seven vote lead over
Joe Presnall.
Apparently elected one day. beat
en- the next, then elected. then beat
en-. Pavne and Bell have gone
through the tanele Of the vote re-
counts without a harsh word OF
campaigning: and there has been.
both say. no mud singing In the
race There won't be in the new
election. they say. craftsmanship.
hacked by all the alert efforts Of a
vigorous campaign. viii be relied on
nv both 10 win. instead Of villifi-
~.4;op apd mudSiinpinC.