New-York tribune., 1899-07-14
A CASE IN MASSACHUSETTS.

A CASE IN MASSACHUSETTS.
II was this oversensitve fear OF encroaching
upon the constitutional principle OF personal
liberty that defeated the effort made in Massa-
chusetts to make faith heaers amenable TO the
law. But. as has been frequently contended, this
argument carries no weight. nasmuch the
law protects would-be suicides against them
selves. and sick person who trusts for his
covery to the exercise Of faith healing powers is
apparently somewhat irresponsible so far as his
well being is concerned.
No attempt was made last night to commit
the meeting 10 ary definite course Of action. The
purpose of the gathering was solely discuss
the matter from both standpoints. and this reso-
luton was adhered TO- The opponents Of Chris
tan Scientists, however made their intention
clear 10 seek restrictive legislation, and a COM
mittee will be appointed to-day 10 devise re-
medal measures.
Theodore Srtro presided. and among those
present were Albert Turner Mrs. Theodore
sutro George w Delano. hxeI aGustafson A. V.
Daniels. John D. Benedict Colonel Michael C.
Murphy DR. F. II. Dillingham;. Albert Day. Or.
George J. Helmer Dr.. J. y TIemer DR.. E. c.
Helmer. John Sabine Smith Edward Lauterbach,
George r. Phoebus Alderman Howard P. Okie.
George F. Early. Or. Edward F. Smith. the Rev.
Dr. Francis ]. Clay Moran W. F. Lunt, United
States General Appraiser; T. w. Burger and W.
w Urquhart
In his opening address. Mr.. Sutro, after out
lining the purpose Of the meeting. went on 10
say: The Immediate operating cause which In
spired this meeting has been the startling dis
closures which have lately appeared in the
public press OF cases. which unquestionably
required the art Of surgery and the science Of
medicine. being treated by Christian Scientists
without the accessory OF any Of the accepted
methods Of treating illness and disease. Con-
sequently deaths have resulted. and wide in
terest has been excited by reason Of the fatal
examinations Of these cases throughout the
country and even beyond the borders Of the
United States II is a very serious matter. and
a subject which appeals TO our self interest and
our self preservation. The men who have called
this meeting have not done for the purpose
NJ a-tagonizing any creed or the so-called
Christian Scientist as such. or any method OF
faith healing as such But we have felt that
who, believers in this creed 70 bring about
rasuIts which can only come by the Intervention
NJ medicine and surgical instruments. persuade
weak minded people TO dispense with these
necessary instruments Of science, then we think
the time has arrived for serious public discus
sion to ascertain II there is any basis for the
contentious Of the Christian Scientists ana II
there is none. then 10 appeal 70 the Legislat-
IRE n restrain these apparently very dangerous
practices"
ALDERMAN OKIE's MEASURE
After it had been decided TO limit each
speaker 10 ten minutes Alderman Okie opened
,he discussion. He pointed out that the Medi-
ad determined
70 take the necessary steps 10 put stop 10
IN. business of teaching people not TO seek
medical aid To that end he had drafted
measure which ne suggested might be presented
% rho LEGISLATURE. which he read as follows:
F,rst-A person who advises persuades or at
,ar,nts 70 persuade any other person not 70
employ medical or surgical aid In case OF III
mss or physical injury Of that other person or
IN a case OF illness or physical injury OF any
narson Influenced OF controlled by him. is guilty
~ a roisdeneanor; II is no defence 10 prosecu-
tion under this section that tne oetendant ola
not believe IN the existence OF such illness or
injury.
A person who
n, Advises or persuades any person afflicted
,.h illness or physical injury not 20 employ
y,edical or surgical aid Is. II said afflicted per-
son shall die of said Illness or physical injury
without receiving medical or surgical aid guilty
OF mansaughter.
fo1 Advises or persuades a person having in
Auence or control over any person afflicted with
illness or physical injury not 70 employ medi-
csI or surgical aid for the person so afflicted Is,
n the person shall die OF said illness or physical
injury without receiving medical or surgical aid.
guilty OF mansaughter
IN In a prosecution under the preceding sec
t,on of this act proof that the person receiving
such advice was the husband wife. father.
mother brother sister master. or guardian by
annointment or adoption Of the deceased Is
rroof that the person bearing such relation 10
the deceased had influence over him.
.I have put TO long sentences in the bill but !
think We might get some good long sentences
from H." Mr. Okie grimiy remarked. Speaking
~ Mrs Eddy. he said that. while she taught IN
her hooks that food neither strengthened nor
weakened the body. and that clothing was no,
necessary as a protection from old. yet she was
evidently IN need Of both as she charged high
prices for her books
w.F Lu7t strongly opposed such bill as OUT
un.d nv Alderman Okie 1T IL not IN fne IN
tere.t OF the citizen" he said. and such oNi
should De opposed by everybody who Goes n0'