Northwestern University - Syllabus Yearbook (Evanston, IL)

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MPC Likes Ike dent Roscoe Miller. The MPC platform emphasized pre- vention of a Near East war, statehood for Alaska and Hawaii, abolition of the present electoral college system, amend- ment of the Taft-Hartley act, reunifi- cation of Germany, and support for NATO troops in Europe. A states rights bill which read g'No military force and no punitive legisla- tion are to be used to force schools to integrate passed 675 to 530 on a roll call ballot. MPC received nationwide radio, press, and television coverage, over 50 staff members were sent by 21 news organizations. Convention sessions were attended by 1,362 delegates from campus living units. A six-member steering committee, directing the largest MPC in NU his- tory, was made up of Bill Cottrell, George Cohen, Tom Records, Doug Tanner, Steve Thernstrom, and Dave Unger. Daily Northwestern representatives question Governor McKeldiu of Maryland, MPC speaker. In his speech, McKeldin answered Democratic claims and praised GOP progress. Democratic keynoter Soapy Williams talks to the press. He was backed for president by Michigan delegates who gave bars of soap to conventioneers during the demonstrations. 29

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Confetti, crowds, and confusion fill the convention hall as delegates jam aisles in post- nomination demonstrations. In subsequent balloting, Eisenhower won on Hrst ballot. Senator Humphrey hits GOP administra- tion while praising Democratic achievement. Senator Dirksen stresses future campaign issues in his keynote address for the GOP. 28 As NU Goes, So Goes Nation- By taking over 800 votes on the first ballot, Eisenhower triumphed easily over I 3 opponents Dwight D. Eisenhower was nomi- nated for a second term as President by the college worldis oldest mock po- litical convention. The two-day convention, staged in McGaw Memorial hall, ended at 1:30 a.m. with the nomination of Harold E. Stassen as running mate. Eisenhower was nominated on the first ballot after a flurry of vote switch- ing. Of the 1,271 votes cast, the Presi- dent received 829. P r e side n t i al nominations were sparked by colorful demonstrations for , each of the 14 candidates. Permanent chairman Bill Cottrell was unable to enforce the time limit of live minute demonstrations for the Eisenhower and Stevenson rallies. Six of the nation's prominent politic- ians gave campaign speeches. Democratic keynoter Gov. G. Men- nen Wfilliams of lN1ichigan criticized Republicans for their complacency and their belief that Nutopias, peace, and prosperity are here to stay. He pointed to big business defense con- tracts and conditions in the Middle East, Korea, and Formosa as proof of Republican failures. Sen. Everett Dirksen CR., lll.j de- livered an Hoff-the-cuff Republican keynote address. He listed the forth- coming campaign issues as peace, pros- perity, and solvency. Foreign policy will always be an issue, the GOP key- noter predicted. Sen. Hubert Humphrey QD., Minn.j accused the Republicans of being negli- gent in promoting the general welfare, and in worshipping Hat the altar of bigness, big business. Gov. Theodore Mclieldin CR., Md.J answered Humphreys charges saying, UThe Democratic party, under its na- tional leadership, is stalled on dead center. It is incapable of meeting the challenge of events. Republicans and progress have moved hand in hand together? Other prominent speakers included, Mayor Daley of Chicago, Sen. Paul Douglas CD., Ill.D, Illinois Governor, Williaiii Stratton, and University Presi-

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Mui 5 , Ailh V ,W 4 if 1 5 if ? , X 2 4 523 If 2' , V . ' ' 9 , Ni 2 s 1 X 'W ra a in T W M f' , Lf- s .M mmf Q - f' 4 .Q E t 'vii a ts t' , my W M as s , if , . 1 mf 0' Banner raised high, Eisenhower fans rally to the cause in an effort to gain support for their ultimately successful candidate. 30 Nominate a favorite son? Jump on the Eisenhower bandwagon? Vote for Stevenson? Walk out of the con- vention? Such questions concerning action on the floor are pondered by state delegations meeting in caucus. MPC selects two presidential winners Only two of 12 nominees, Calvin Coolidge and Dwight Eisenhower, ever reached the White House after being nominated by the NU mock political convention. This lack of political foresight is explained, however, by the fact that Northwestern students have never nominated a Democrat for President, seven of the last 12 presidential elections have resulted in Democratic victories. ' The activity was designated as a cfMock Republican Convention from 1908 through 1932. When it became a non-partisan convention in 1936, no change was made in NU's Republican preferences. Early platforms included planks for women's sufferage, prohibition Cand later repeal of prohibitionl, labor, and foreign relations. ln 1936 and 1948, conventions were forced to adjourn before a candidate was nominated, since women had to bc back in the dorms by 2 a.m. The Peopleis Progressive party appeared in 1944 and successfully won the nomination of its candidates, Harold E. Stassen for President, and Senator Scott Lucas of Illi- nois for vice-president. In planning for MPC, campus houses have been assigned to represent states in proportion to their size. Each house sends the number of delegates to which the state it repre- sents is entitled.