News

Progressive Labor Party Organizes Solidarity March With Harvard Yard Encampment

News

Encampment Protesters Briefly Raise 3 Palestinian Flags Over Harvard Yard

News

Mayor Wu Cancels Harvard Event After Affinity Groups Withdraw Over Emerson Encampment Police Response

News

Harvard Yard To Remain Indefinitely Closed Amid Encampment

News

HUPD Chief Says Harvard Yard Encampment is Peaceful, Defends Students’ Right to Protest

Olson Named HYRC Head; Dissident Group Defeated

By Joseph M. Russin

Harvard's Young Republican Club last night elected Richard B. Olson '62-3, of Dunster House and Dover, as president on an overwhelming 89-11 vote.

Endorsed by outgoing president Peter J. Wallison '63, Olson received token opposition from a group of "insurgents" who gave last-minute support to William E. Grizzle '65.

For the HYRC, which has been the breeding ground of bitter factional batties, last night's proceedings were unusually smooth and polished, the election lasting less than an hour.

Friends of Olson said Grizzle was "only seeking publicity." Grizzle admitted after the vote that he "didn't plan to get elected," saying he only ran as a protest. He promised to "seriously challenge" the leadership next year.

His nominator, James P. Sloan '65, said his group refused to be "terrorized and sherryized" by the "ruling elite" of the club.

Sloan's description of the outgoing officers as "a bunch of finks," brought laughter from the membership. Then, calling Wallison "Mr. Madison Avenue," Sloan promised "no rigged elections" and "no finky flnesse" with Grizzle.

After the vote, Grizzle said he had expected more support, especially from John R. Williams '63, who opposed Wallison for president last year. Williams failed to attend the meeting.

Grizzle attacked Olson and Wallison for running a rigged meeting, charging they had purposely scheduled the session in a small room so that only a fraction of the membership could attend.

Once the Olson victory over the deflant "Grizzly Bears" was complete, the club moved to the election of the other members of the executive committee. The proceedings moved with the precision of a computer as names were proposed and unanimous election duly accorded.

The slate included William C. Kurs '64, first vice-president; James I. Knapp '64, second vice-president; L. Stockton Illoway '65, operations director; Danny J. Boggs '65, corresponding secretary; John R. Bailey '64, treasurer; Jonathan Jewett '65, Eric A. Von Salzen '65, Mark J. Andrews '66, David L. McNicol '66, and Laurance Rockefeller '66, members at large.

Want to keep up with breaking news? Subscribe to our email newsletter.

Tags