The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1896-05-29

city Of Riverside, California, imposed a
tax of S12 a year upon it's medical prac-
titioners. The physicians objected and
made a test case of it, but were defeat
ed on some technical point The case
was then appealed. The sum involved
was no doubt 'measly" alongside of
$50 a year. The question seemed one
of principle and on that ground the bat
tie was fought.
The following letter appeared in the
Daily Press:
Mr.. EditOr-In the last issue of the
Reflex l noticed, concerning the River
side doctors and their test case, the fol-
lowing: Suppose they succeed in prov
ing the license ordinance uncOnstitu-
tional-then what? They will simply
have raised great big row and dis
turbed the efficient operation of mu
nicipal government for the sake of saw
ing a measly little $12 year"
l do not thin. that we have gone
about this matter in a tempestuous way
nor with a desire to thwart the opera
ton of government in this city. 1t is
only question of right or wrong which
city has no right to impose such a tax
Because Riverside is a beautiful city
is no reason why it should demand of
its physicians what no other city in the
United States would dare to ask
We have paid out thousands of dol
lars to fit ourselves for the work we are
doing; we have presented our creden-
tials and our fees to the State Board
tn
tica medicine. In other words, by vir-
tue Of qualification we are given the
great privilege to go out and minister
TO the wants of the sick and dying, to
do our special charities for the helpless
poor. And yet they come to us with a
license to carry on the medical bust
ness"
This is not an ordinary profession.
1t is not a selfish work, and no true
physician has gone into it from a mer-
cenary motive. This is as true of the /
right thinking physician as it is of the |
minister of the gospel The latter goes
to college and qualities; he gets a license
from his church or board, and he lives
by what he makes out Of his profession. /
He does-the true minister doos-as
much good as the good physician with |
equal opportunities; usually the ply
stefan has more. And if it is right that
we pay for a license, the pastors should .
pay also To voice Mr.. Hunts words
about patriotism" and the '-uncom-
planning payment of taxes" it is a
higher form of patriotism than laying
down ones life in defense of ones
country, to visit by night and day the
couch of the pOveTty-stricken sick one
to preach and pray, and prevent and
cure, in private, without praise and Of
ten without gratitude.
Every true physician is given, by
reason of his work. more opportunity
to preach a patient, helpful religion
than any minister that ever told words
of help to men-and yet we are engaged
in business"
When l was asked to sign the pc
tition 1 gave my reason for doing so. [
did not object, nor do [ now, to the pay
ment of my part of city taxes. But [ do
object to the unconstitutional proceed
ing Of requiring me to get a license to
do what no man can keep me from do
ing in this State.
When the license" was presented to
me l looked surprised, and said 4 have
a license" But this was not enough.
AfterwaTd | was told that this was re-
ally for scavenger work, for street
sprinkling, etc. If that be so, why call
it a license to practice medicine? I
should not object to q scavengar or
street spTinkiing taX-not at all-and [
think no other physician would.
But if l buy of my grocer -four, and
he charges me up with onions, which I
never eat. [ shall question my bill-and
never pay for onions as long as 1 live.
If the city needs money and I have it,
[ may give with willing hand, while I
might object to many means by which
this needy city could get the desired
dOllaT-license to retail spirituOus liQ-
uOTs, for instance.
Or, because my church ought to be
supported, and I acknowledge my part
due, shall they have a right to ask me
a fee every month for citizenship pa
pers, which | have qualified for?
We object to the principle, and in
such matters as laws. ordinances. regu-
Iations. it is very necessary to have
things rightly named Wrong naming
does a lot of mischief in the world I
am glad TO say that Americans are very
particular about having their laws spe-
cifc If I place expenditures under re-
ceipts. and receipts under expenditures.
because I want to be boOkkeeper,
where shall the balance be?
The medical profession has a code of
ethics, and we are guided by this code.
We would fight longer and harder for
a right than for a dollar, and you can
see how any man will resist anything j
which has tendency to curtail his le
Ultimate privileges. This ordinance is a
precedent and intersects our rights. 1t I
licenses what is already licensed by !
qualification, and brings the grandest s
work the world ever had &