The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-02-02


more OF less to vote for q certain bill; and
threatening him with the loss OF
reelection which be values at hundred
dollars, IL he wouldn't vote for 1t? Practi-
cally, the result would be the same in either
case, which proves that they are the same
in principal. Again, that method dis
franchises 1000 voters; virtually, 1t makes
no difference whether each doctor buys
the 10 votes with money, or whether he
influences them by appealing to them as
friends, or in deceiving them as TO the
character OF the bill, or in any other way
induce 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.
The greatest activity is shown by the
members of the profession in Ohio who
have instituted somewhat novel but
certainly very effective way OF cam
paign work.
Circulars were issued to each physician
throughout tie State witha request that
he should make a personal call upon
each representative in the Legislature
from his district, and request
them to support the medical bill. Circu-
lars were also sent to each member OF the
Legislature requesting them, in the name
of the whole profession, TO state their
views upon medical legislation. III
they were favorably inclined toward
the enactment of such legislation
they were promised the support OF
the profession IL, on the con-
trary, they were opposed to such legisla-
tion it was stated, in good plain English,
that each and every individual member
OF the profession would get at least ten
friends TO vote against such
member and otherwise endeavor
TO prevent his reelection.
We are watching the outcome OF this
work in Ohio with the greatest interest.
The above plan at once suggests Itself
most forcibly as the only way to make an
impression upon our representatives In
the General Assembly. Sooner or later, II
we ever expect to obtain any Legislation
Of this kind, we shall have to adopt
these methods and make our votes felt
and our voices heard in the legislative
halls at the State House. The member
ship of the X. i. Medical Society Is now
49, of the Homeopathic Medical Society
about 40; of the Providence Medical As
socistion over 100, and then there are many
worthy practitioners who have not identi-
fed themselves with any medical societies
and il we put the figures low, and say that
400 physicians at least are interested In
having medical laws enacted; that each OF
these 400 practitioners are able to get 10
friends at least TO vote with them
upon matter of this kind, and we have
at once 1000 votes, which, IL thrown
in one direction, and particularly in those
towns where they are most needed, we
could very soon obtain a hearing, and
legislation which Is now sorey needed in
many matters pertaiging to health.
We cannot expect members of the Gen.
eral Assembly, who themselves have very
vague ideas of medical science and its
wonderful progress, to listen to and act
upon arguments which seem to US clear
enough.
Most OF them are good, all around sem
sible men, and extremely practical, 80
much so that a quack who seems to con-
troll some votes has more influence with
them than the physician who considers 1T
beneath his dignity TO meddle with po-
litical affairs. Wore all our legislators
Of high order, intellectually, their
opinions could not possibly be swerved
by the despicable chaff they are treated to
by anti vaccination cranks, 80 called cam
Ger specialists, faith healcrs, and all the
rest of those shysters and idle pretenders.
And please do not forget that votes and
political influence have more influence
with most members OF the Legislature
than all the fine arguments and learned
discussion we can bring out. 5. ID.