The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1899-12-20
Board of Education Against Com
pulsory Vaccination.
ACTION OF LAST NIGHT
GENERAL DISCUSSION OF THE
QUESTION.
Trustees Unanimously Decide That
They Should Not Require Parents
to Have Their Children Subjected
to the Vaccination Process-Cost
Not More Than Twenty-Five Cents.


Salt Lake parents who are averse &c
having their children vaccinated may
breathe easier. The board of educa-
ton decided in special session last night
to make no compulsory order. but
passed a resolution making it optional
with the parent or the child, and stipu-
lating that the cost of vaccination to
pupils of the city schools shall not ex-
coed % cents. This action was taken
unanimously without any debate &c
speak of. All that was said was in the
, way of general discussion.
President Nelden, Messrs. Bamber-
ger, Young, Wilson, Walker, Giauque,
Moyle, Henderson and Critchlow were
present.
Resolution Presented.
The committee on teachers and school
work to whom the matter was re-
ferred, presented the following resolu-
| ton:
Resolved, That the superintendent
of schools be empowered to arrange
with the board of health for the vac
cination of all pupils who may present
themselves for that purpose at cost
1 Of not to exceed 25 cents each; provided
that the children of INDECENT parents
| may be vaccinated free of expense
4
called upon the principal to ascertain in
cases of absence on account of sickness
whether or not the disease is conta-
gious and report at once TO the board of
health for their Investigation.
Giauque said he had found that the
agitation of the newspapers had made
the public believe the, board was about
/ to make vaccination of pupils compul-
sorry. AS he understood the resolution
before the body, there was nothing
compulsory about it, and he desired it
made clear.
Expressed Their Opinions.
Mr.. Critchlow stated that there was
a second case of smallpox in town, and
that if the disease should become prev
alent he. for one, would be in favor of
making vaccination compulsory. Unless
it becomes prevalent, however, he would
not favor taking the extraordinary
STEP"
Mr.. Bamberger said he was in favor
of vaccination. and of forcing it as far
as possible, but he had been unable to
find wherein the board had the right to
make. compulsory order. He suggested
that the parents be advised to have
their children Vaecinated.
Mr.. Bamberger then produced a per-
nit obtained from the board of health,
the history of which he proceeded to
relate.
"A school boy was sent home by
principal" he said, because there was
scarlet fever in family that occupied
the same kitchen as the boys family.
But the boy went TO the health officer
and said there was no scarlet fever ar
his place, whereupon he received this
permit to go back to school,"
Took the Boys Word.
Mr. Wilson interrupted.
Did thsy take the BOYS word with
out Investigating" he asked.
1t seems So"
From whom did the permit Gomez"
DIR. KeOgh."
The subject died there
Mr.. MoyIe favored the resolution be-
cause it was net compulsory. He be-
lieved it against the principles of gov
eminent to compel the children TO sub
nit to vaccination, and further, emf
nent authorities have claimed that it
was not beneficial. He wanted every
one to do his own thinking
The members then got into a dis
cussion about vaccine that would have
led the uninitiated to believe that he
had happened into a convention OF
medicos. but no decision as to the mer-
its or dement's of virus was reached.
Mr.. Giaque's View.
Mr.. Giauque, referring to the reso-
buttons, thought there was already a
rule governing the reporting of con-
tagious diseases by the principals, and
he believed it would be construed that
heretofore the board had been negli-
gent.
Judge Henderson. in answer to this.
said the alarm was natural, and no
matter what the situation or regula-
tions, he felt that the board should
take such measures TO reassure the
public. He believed the board, if an
epidemic is threatening. should exer-
else any authority ii has to make vac
cination compulsory.
Tho resolution, as read, was then
carried.
Mr. Bambergef proposed a resolution
instructing the teachers. net to attend
the state institute. on account of the
danger from contagion. Mr.. Wilson at
cnce offered a substitute. advising the
board of health to take steps to pre-
vent the attendance of teachers from
infected districts.
Critchlow Was Sarcastic.
Mr.. Critchlow, with good-natured
sarcasm. advised that the local teach
ers be- kept OFF the street cars and
get out of town. and Mr.. Young re-
newed the laugh by declaring: we
used to wear assofoetida for that"
The Bamberger motion having received
no second, it and its substitute died.
Superintendent Cooper came TO the
relief, however, saying he had read that
the state board of health was of the
opinion that no danger would be in
CURED through the attendance of all
teachers. from Saapete, or anywhere
else.
AS. an additional precaution against
contagion. the janitors were instructed
to disinfect all school buildings with
powerful solutions.
The routine business transacted in
cluded the acceptance of designations
as teachers of Mrs. Vera Chase and
Miss Emma Young.
The teachers will be paid Friday for
the month of Dacam her. as usual