The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-02-04
ANTI-vAC.
The Doctors as a "medical
Trades Union."
Compulsory Vaccination in the r. ].
General Assembly.
Facts and Figures, Literature and
Light on the Subject.


SIR-In 1891, having giving the subject
Of vaccination a thorough investigation,
and finding II a pernicious falacy, and
that large number of intelligent people
were OF the same opinion, and all anxious
to have it done away with, the writer
conceived the idea of furnishing the MEM
bers OF the General Assembly with anti
vaccination literature and TO undertake the
repeal OF the compulsory vaccination law;
TO accomplish which tin boxes 10 inc hes
square, and some IL inches square, to hold
Prof. Crookshank's large work, were
procured and all provided with
locks and handles and neatly jap
AIMED. 1t was expected that the
literature could be obtained in Lon
don, but it was found that the most OF
the works needed were out OF print, and
a large number had to be reprinted, at
heavy expense. The boxes were filled
with books from the most eminent au-
thors including a reprint of DIR. Charles
Crighton's article in the 9th edition OF the
Encyclopedia Britannica. vol. "a, p. 70
condemning vaccination; and box
was sent TO each member OF the
General Assembly, free OF cost.
On account of illness and delay
in getting the books ready for distribu-
tion bill was not introduced for the re-
peal OF the vaccination law at that session.
In the 1898 session, the 10th of May, bill
was passed by the Senate, 10 to 8, repeal
ing the compulsory vaccination law. The
bill went to the lower House vory late in
the session and did not come up for ac-
tion until few hours before the final
| adjournment, and had to be laid on
| the table as unfinished business. AT the
n al. lstll
| the House 28 10 10, but by an unavoidable
omission it was left 30 that 1t could be re-
considered, which the opponents sue
ceodsd In doing tho next day by two
members leaving the hall by mistake, and
the casting vote of the speaker. There
was heavy snowstorm the night
before, so that many of the friends OF
the bill could not be present.
to vote. The House would have passed
the bill by a large majority at any time
with fair chance to vote, notwithstand-
ing the tremendous pressure brought to
bear upon them to vote in the negative.
IL is to be regretted that the speeches of
the opposition were not reported In full
for the curiosity and amusement OF future
generations. The friends of theIbill were
well posted upon the subject and could
not be moved. A duplicate bill
had been filed in the Senate which
was then taken up for action. The men,
bers OF the Senate had previously sympa-
thized greatly with the friends OF the bill
In the house, and often sent friendly mes
sages TO them urging them to pass 1t and
send it to them, for they wanted to rush 1t
through. A few days before the vote
was taken in the Senate there was
| a sudden change. Those who had been
calling loudly for the Dill to come from
the House were silent and appeared as
though they had had a shock OF paralysis,
and when the vote was taken there were
only six that voted for the freedom OF the
people. OF course the friends OF the bill in
the House were much surprised. At least
three quarters OF the Senators were well
posted in the matter and must
have known that their constituents
had no knowledge upon the subject,
and they ought to ha We done
what they believed to have bee for the
best interests of the people OF the State.
1t is reported that several OF the Senators
have stated that they voted contrary to
their opinions and wishes. The following
may throw some light upon the subject:
1t appears that the regular medical profess
sion, now generally recognized as a "med-
ical trades union," have taken off their
coats ard entered the political field with
an improved method OF controlling legis-
lation for their interest, and thinking
that their new method might be OF in
tercst to the lay citizens Of the State, 1t is
here furnished for their inspection. The
emblem onltheir Medical Science Monthly
SO perfectly represents their principles
and works that 1t is here placed at the
- ha q M Int
The new method Of this patriotic class,
which the Owl so happily represents, is
perfectly characteristics; but 1t is illegal,
unjust and unpatriotie. What difference
In principle can there be in Offering a
member of theAssembly hundred dollars,
more or less TO vote for certain bill; and
threatening him with the loss OF a
reelection which he values ut hundred
dollars, il he wouldn't vote for IL? Practi-
cally, the result would be the same in cit her
case, which proves that they are the same
in principal. Again, that method dis
franchises,f0o0 voters ;3virtually, it makes
no difference whether each doctor buys
the 10 votes with money, or whether he
influences them by appealing to them ds
friends, or in deceiving them as to the
character OF the bill, or in any other way
induces them not to study the matter, and
vote strictly according to their own opin-
ion--it is virtually illegal, unjust and inn
moral, and may do great harm to the
public.
"Shyster is a very expressive term m,signi-
flying a trickish knsve, one who carries on
business in a dishonest way. The public
will readily perceive to which party the
epithet is the most pertinent" SD.