The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1894-04-12

vaccinator. He said that this Legislature
should not assume the risk and response
bility of exposing the school children
TO the evils which made small
fore the compulsory system was
adopted. Rhode Island had been foremost
in reform, and Democratic House should
not be the first in any civilized
country in the world to turn
back the wheels Of progress. The igno-
rance and prejudice OF demagogues ought
not to prevail before this body. There
was no evil TO be remedied
as was the case when the law
was enacted in 1900. III a remedy was
necessary TO cure alleged evils why os-
tablish farm in order TO secure pure
lymph.
The Case Scientifically Discussed.
Mr.. bIulholand said that he saw no
reason why il should be repealed TO sat-
isfy two men who objected 10 this method
of prevention.
DR.. Garvin made long speech on the
value OF vaccination.
Representative Wilson said the friends
OF the bill deserved TO have their position
intelligently defined. He asked that per-
mission be given TO DIR. Pickering OF Lon
don, who had given his whole life TO the
study of this question, TO be heard.
Several protests were made. Represen-
Representative West hoped the motion
would not prevail. DR.. Pickering had ad
dressed the committee on the subject and
the chairman hadn't attended the session
since.
Representative Honey objected TO such
an innovation and agreed with the gentle
man from Pawtucket that the members
had been showered with literature ad
nauseam. Representatives McCari by and
Mulholland also objected and the motion
was lost.
Representative jerks OF Pawtucket
discussed the merits of the bill. He said
II was matter of grave. doubt among
eminent physicians whether vaccination
was a complete and absolute
safeguard against smallpox. He
gave instances of compulsory vacci-
nation TO show the results Of blood con-
tamination and serious physical debility
in otherwise healthy and vigorous
children.
Mr. Thrasher OF Lincoln was in favor
OF the passage of the bill and should vote
for it.
DIR. Gsrvin asked for permission to
speak few words against the bill and
again discussed the question.
JefIersonian Endorsement.
Mr.. Honey said that while the bill was
not party measure the House was Demo-
cratic and he did not wish TO have it said
tnat SUCH bill was passed by a body
that was Democratic. He then read
letter from Thomas Jefferson compli-
menting the human race upon the great
discovery of successful vaccination and
stated that the prediction of the great
statesman had been fulfilled.
Mr.. Wilson questioned this opinion and
asked the gentleman from Newport how
far the prediction in regard TO the de-
crease in the death rate had been full
filled.
See-Saw Juggling With Figures.
Mr.. Honey read a number of statistics
to prove his statement and Mr.. Wilson re-
piled by reading statistics on the other
side OF the question.
Mr.. Honey questioned the authority OF
the statistics and Mr.. Wilson replied that
they were just as good as those that he
had presented. Mr.. Wilson then pro-
ceeded with his statistics without inter-
ruption from the Democrats.
Representative Jenckes OF Pawtucket
replied TO the argument of Repre-
sentative Honey. lie said that the
improved medical treatment in
the present century had lessened the
percentage of disease, and that might be
citeu as an argument in support OF
the statistics p. esented to show that since
the year 1906 the percentage of deaths
from smallpox had materially diminished.
The roll-call was taken on the motion of
reconsideration of the vote whereby the
bill was passed and tic vote was the re-
suit, 21 ayes 2l nays. The Speaker voted
IN the affirmative, and the motion pre-
vailed.
Representative Blodgeit stated his posi-
tion. He was convinced that smallpox
was terrible scourgc 10 humanity.
About one hundred years ago preventive
of the disease was put into application,
and its efficiency bad been tested and re-
cognHed by the consensus opinion OF the
medical fraternity and the most enlight-
ened minds throughout the world. Lapse
of time has confirmed the en-
lightened judgment OF the world.
He was almost surprised TO learn
of the passage of the act. IL seemed to
him that the Legislature was rejecting
the best judgment OF the age, and there
by disgracing itself by repeating the pre-
sent law.
Leaving Science for Business.
Representative Honey moved the pre-.
vious question which was the motion OF
reconsideration of the vote whereby the
bill was passed and it was adopted.
Defeat of the Bnl.
Representative Honey moved the in
definite postponement OF the bill and the
roll-call was again used. The vote stood
II 10 2ls anu the speaker NOAcu against
postponement, which defeated the mo-
tion.
Representative Wilson then moved the
passage OF the bill, and again the
roll-call was employed. The vote
stood tie and The speaker
declared the defeat of the BILL refraining
from voting. Representative Wilson said
the speaker must vote i'm case Of tie and
Speaker Owen voted i'm the negative
thereby defeating the measure.
Representative Honey moved a recon-
sideration OF the vote aud DR. Garvin
moved to lay the motion on the table
Adopted. This course killed the bill be-
yond resurrection.
Several matters were introduced, tho
embargo on the doors was removed and
an adjournment was taken 10 Friday
morning at II o'clock.