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PAGE TWO
IT SEEMS TO ME
By Roy Fos sett
A vast paradox is this state of Georgia. Within her
borders lie untold wealth in its natural state, yet Geor
gia boasts few means for transforming this wealth
into economic use. She can boast great stretches of
farm lands but her status in agricultural earnings is
low. She claims quantities of timber, yet she has few
facilities for converting this timber into forms for hu
man use. She calls herself a Democracy, yet many
things within her borders are in direct conflict with the
basic concepts rf that belief. Yes, a deep enigma is
this state of our—a problem Georgians must solve
for themselves.
The county unit system has been practiced in Geor
gia for fifty years. Prior to 1916 it was mostly a habit,
but in that year it was written into law. According to
that law, each county has a vote equal to twice the
number of representatives it has in the House of Rep
resentatives. Since representatives are apportioned ac
cording to population, in theory, the unit system com
pares favorably with popular vote —but not so in prac
tice.
Supporters of this principle of electing state officials
continually assert two predominant reasons why we
should continue this system. They contend that since
the state is predominantly agricultural, the rural areas
should exercise control over the state. Such an as
sumption makes no allowance for the fact that in re
cent years our industrial growth has overtaken and
surpassed the agricultural establishment. They also
disregard the fact that since the population is
greater in number than the urban population, there is
no need for such a system being saddled upon the
state —rural areas could exercise control without it.
Another common assertion is the fact that the use
of the county unit system prevents the establishment of
a political machine in Georgia. It is granted that this
system effectively throttles such effort but we should
remember that the 159 small political rings which we
now support are as distasteful and expensive as would
be a major political machine. In addition, we do not
have even the probability that these small rings might
ever do one beneficial act to help the state.
But no matter what arguments are repeated pro and
con on this issue—one salient fact cannot be overlook
ed. The county unit system is in conflict with the ba
sic concept of democracy. Any device which allows
one vote to count more than another, or allows the
will of the majority to be over-ruled, is definitely un
democratic. Of the first, we see that any three of the
smaller counties of the state with a small population
can balance Fulton County, which has population in
the thousands. For example, Chattahoochee County
with a popular vote of 242, Towns County with a vote
of 242 and Echols County with 619 popular votes in
the last primary cancelled Fulton County’s 92,550 pop
ular votes cast in the same election.
Of the second, we saw it happen last July. One can
didate secured the majority of popular votes, yet under
this county unit system he lost the election. Can a
state which supports such a process do more than pay
lip service to democracy?
Then too, since control of the state is so firmly en
trenched in rural areas, we forego the more progressive
spirit of the urban areas. Records indicate that coun
try people are more conservative and more allergic to
change than are city people, and tend to develop pro
gressive ideas much more slowly.
That Georgians have supported such a policy as this
for fifty years is discouraging. That Georgians con
tinue to do so is more discouraging still.
ITS TIME FOR A CHANGE—it seems to me.
ARE YOU HONEST?
Edith Harrod
This year West Georgia is not the same as it has
been in former years. I don’t mean that we are not
still friendly here. That is one tradition of West Geor
gia which has been made and passed on to us and we
intend to keep it. While we are still friendly, we are
many more numerous. West Georgia has grown. Its
campus and buildings are practically bulging with stu
dents.
Because of this increase in enrollment it has been
necessary to change many things. Among these was
our method of registration. In former years the advis
ory system has been used, but this year it was not pos
sible to use this method. Instead, we all go to one
place and try to register. We must all register and we
must do it in as short a length of time as possible.
As I stood in line, I thought of all these things. I
waited and tried to be patient and not ruin the day for
those about me by making unpleasant remarks. Then
I looked toward the front of the line and what I saw
there made me think more. Yes, no doubt we are
friendly here. That was proved very emphatically by
what I saw. Students were letting their "friends’ into
the line just before they reached the Dean’s desk. This
(Continued Under Campus Spotlight)
West Georgian Staff, 1946-1947
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Len Hutcheson
ASSOCIATE EDITOR Billie Cheney
SPORTS EDITOR Clarence Salmon
FEATURE ERITOR Polly Griffin
CIRCULATION MANAGER Helen Brown
BUSINESS MANAGER Joyce Jones
REPORTERS: Roy Fossett, Mildred Garner, George Daniel, Wil
liam Anthony, Bonnie Hutcheson, James Turner, Rebecca Burrus,
Frank Rushton, Betty Whiteside, Sue Quinton, Marion Moon, Edith
Harrod, Barbara Bishop, Betty Jean Johnson, Helen Dobbs, Sher
man Lindsay.
FACULTY ADVISERS: Marvina Wallingford, Marie Campbell.
SUBSCRIPTION PRICE: $1.25
What Can You Give To
West Georgia College?
Ey L. E. Roberts
Almost every day someone asks me the question "What can I receive at
West Georgia College which will be of aid in promoting my life plans
and ambitions’’? To such a question, the faculty and students of the col
lege do their best to give a satisfactory answer. Of course, most of us
are too polite to point out that what one receives often depends upon how
much one gives of himself to the total campus program.
The above thought shall be my theme in this discussion. The idea is
not anew approach to successful living. It is the core of Christian doc
trine and the essence of the great philosophers down through the ages.
So if we ask ourselves just what we can give the college which we have
selected as our temporary home and lifetime alma mater, we have indeed
challenged ourselves with a profound question. For it is only through
giving of one’s best to every problem and situation that the self can be
lost and true happiness be attained.
What are some specific things that a student can give to the college
which he has chosen an an alma mater? In the first place, the student
should give ample time and application to the primary aim for which
colleges are operated, the attaining of knowledges, skills and aptitudes in
the courses leading towards the vocational and professional objectives
which he desires to attain. Concentration on making a success in this
area of college life is basic to overcoming all other obstacles. When the
student has applied himself to the main objective of growth through
academic achievement, the other problems and obstacles can be overcome
very easily. Secondly, one should give sincere and loyal friendship to
the faculty and his fellow students. One cannot get the most from so
cial contacts and associations when holding out on his fellows. A student
cannot receive the full benefits of the rich experiences and the fellowship
of his associates without contributing fully to the common experiences of
the group. One cannot always expect courteous treatment without re
ciprocating with acts of courtesy. It is difficult to make friends with peo
ple that you will not allow yourself the time to learn through friendly
contacts. My observation as a student and teacher has convinced me that
far too many students neglect to give their smiles, friendliness and con
cern to the other fellow, and thus fail to receive in return the rich experience
of sharing fully the benefits of living with people of varied outlooks
and backgrounds.
In the third place more attention can be given to doing well the rela
tively small things involved in everyday living. Unhappiness for our
selves and our friends results from the sins of omission and commission
in the carrying on of human relations. The careless throwing of paper on
the campus, getting to class a couple of minutes late, failing to recognize
courteously the right of the other fellow by playing the radio too loudly,
these and similar practices seem rather harmless on the surface. However,
when their cumulative effects has been totaled, the net result is a much
less wholesome college in which to live. Successful handling of the small
details of living makes a difference in whether the individual or the col
lege is to be judged by the world as first rate or just the ordinary run of
the mill.
In conclusion a student can give to the college loyalty. To be loyal
one must fill a part of the group. Asa part of the group one must have
concern for the success of its every undertaking. It is easy to sit in the
critic’s seat and criticize every move of those who are playing the game.
Yet in every undertaking and activity there is a place where you may fit
and a position in which you may make a valuable contribution. Loyalty
means associating one’s self with the high purposes for which the college
strives. We expect the college to be loyal to us, recognize us in our suc
cesses, and comfort us in our misfortunes. These considerations cannot
be received fully unless we have given unreservedly our loyalty. In fact,
the disloyal receive less from both friends and enemies than any other
group in society. Therefore, give your best efforts and conduct to the
college and share in the joys and disappointments of her successes ard
failures. Remember at all times that it is more blessed to give than U
receive, and he that would be greatest among you would be servant to all.
THE WEST GEORGIAN
d-umpuA 'potlialit
ALTHA SUE QUINTON
President —Alpha Psi; VRA Council; Orchestra;
West Georgian Staff; BSU Council.
Sue became a citizen of Dalton at a very tender age
on June 29, 1928. Very soon she became well known
. . . . everyone loved her, even then.
Sue managed to pass through the baby stage without
any serious mishaps though she showed signs—promis
ing signs—of being a "Jim-Dandy” tomboy.
Her football career came to an abrupt end (so her
mother thought) when at the age of seven, she knock
ed herself out playing full back on her brother’s team.
Sue graduated from Dalton High in 1945 among the
ten highest honor graduates.
Sue is pushing her ambition of Lab Technician with
all her might and main.
Her ideal man must be big, blond, "brawny,” well
tanned, considerate, and ambitious. She doesn’t ask
much, does she, fellows?
Sue just loves to listen to music, to cook, sew, and
knit; to wear green, do new things, and do crazy things
that make her feel young (by that she mean’s "ten.”)
Sue is brown haired and brown-eyed, always smiling,
and has a lovable disposition.
To you, Sue, "the top of the world!”
THOMAS REID MORGAN
President Zeta Sigma Pi; Secretary of Cabin Chair;
Varsity Club.
Everybody in Woodbury knows there’s a Santa
Claus ’cause it was Santa himself who brought Thomas
Reid Morgan, December 25, 1928. Right to the farm,
three miles from Woodbury, old Santa went and ten
derly left little Tom "camouflaged” with tissue paper
and red ribbon labeled "TO MR. AND MRS. E. B.
MORGAN.”
Tom went to Merriwether Grammar and High;
graduating in 1945 as the Best All-Round Athlete of
the year. Sports all rate A-l with Tom but particular
ly does he like basketball, tennis, swimming and danc
ing. Good orchestral music is also a "prominent fea
ture” in Tom’s first loves. The thing he hates most is
waiting, especially for food.
Relax, girls, Tom’s ideal girl doesn’t have to be
beautiful! but she does have to be attractive and "well
stacked.” She must be "all out for fun” and share
his interests.
In the crystal ball, Tom hopes, the gypsy fortune
teller sees him as a prominent, hard-working successful
young (ahem!) doctor fifteen years hence.
Tom is five-feet-ten and one-half, weighs one-hun
dred sixty-five pounds, has blue-grey eyes and (as he
says) "light-browm, dark blonde” hair. Uusually he
is wearing something red. If further information is de
sired, he’s behind bars in the "Ac” building quite often,
you can see him there.
Seriously, Tom is one of our most superlative
sophomores.
ARE YOU HONEST?
(Continued fro First Column)
was not just a temporary situation but it went on con
tinually. While some who had friends in the front
were not bothered with standing in line at all, those in
the back of the line did not have to bother to move be
cause it was impossible for them to do so.
A thing like that is a great temptation to anyone, but
it is definitely dishonest. Perhaps you would not think
of stealing money or books or other possessions from
your fellow students but you have stolen their time.
The extra time they had to spend in line because you
and many other like you "stole” their time might have
meant the difference between a failure and a passing
mark. Perhaps just that once it didn’t but if you did
it once you will most likely do it again and suddenly
it all adds up.
Such things seem little and unimportant to us now.
They are little but certainly not unimportant for it is
the little things that make us what we are. It is the
little thing we do today and next week and on in the
following weeks that add up. If we become a little
more dishonest each day, at the end of a year it will
total up to a dishonest person. Let’s think of this as
we go about our daily tasks and try not to "steal’ any
thing from our friends that would harm either of us.
Due to an oversight, the name of Miss Helen Dobbs
has been omitted from the masthead of The West
Georgian for three consecutive issues. Miss Dobbs has
made regular contributions to the paper and the Editor
takes this opportunity to apologize for his mistake.
TUESDAY, JANUARY 28, 1947