Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1899-12-19
A MoMExrous QUESTION.

subject OF much discussion In this city.
The position taken by the Dsscret
News IN approved by both believers and
dlabeiIeyera In the theory Of the pre-
vention OF smallpox BY incubation with
Virus from diseased animal. The at
tempt which IL being made TO force a
rcpulsivc practice, OF a disputed theory,
upon people who object to the theory
and reject the practice. Is denounced by
all classes " the community. IL II n
species OF dcspotlsm which causes gem
crai resentment.
In another part OF this paper VIII be
found some correspondence on the sub
jcct OF vaccination ns to its merits and
efficacy. We do not wish TO discuss the
matter In that connection nj present.
Ms our opposition "a against the compul-
sion which some officials are disposed
10 exercise. ms we believe. without uu-
thority OF law. II Is claimed by them,
however. that the State board Of health
has power TO compel the vaccination OF
school children and school teachers.
when In their opinion 1t is necessary to
protect the public health; but they ad-
nit that this power IL general and can
not be legally exercised Ia one given lo-
cailty. Let us examine the claim thus
set up. without reference to the mo-
tives that actuatc the promoters Of COM
puisory vaccination. at "A time when
there Is but one case OF alleged small
pox within or near to the city limits
and that Is In It's mlldest form.
"a. -
and municipal, derive all the authority
they have from the State statutes.
Critical examination falls TO disclose
any power whatever conferred upon
those boards TO force vaccination upon
anybody. The State board Ii given CO.
ordinate powers with those Of the To-
cal boards. These extend only to In
vestigations. inquiries and suggestions
ms TO laws and ordinances FOR the
such rules and regulations not con-
trary to law as may be deemed neces-
sary" TO that object.
The fact that the statute provides
that 'the board shall recommend such
forms and amendments OF laws az shall
be deemed necessary" proves that It
has no power OF itself to make such n
change In the law as would be involved
In the establishment OF so radical a
measure as compulsory vaccination.
That body can only recommend to the
Legislature or 10 u county board OF
commissioners or TO u city council. such
laws or ordinances as may appear "a
be required. II may gather statistics
collect Information, and do all things
which the laws specify as within tn,
sphere OF It's duties, but It can go ne
further.
IL under the authority to make suci
rules aud regulations not contrary t.
law as may be deemed necessary foi
the preservation Of public health" IN,
board may compel school children to b,
vaceipeted, then IL can force vacclna
tlon upon every person In the state
The.e can be no discrimination. Tha
would be contrary TO the State Constl
tuition. Also II the board can enforce on
alleged remedy. Il can enforce Others
II can compel people liable to contaglol
from any disease TO swallow such drug
ms the medical faculty may prcscrlb,
and TO submit to any other form o
treatment to prevent the spread OF dis
ease which, In It's immaculate wisdom
II may determine IL essential to tn
general health.
II win be seen at n glance with IN
eyes Of common sense. to say nothing q
legal penetration, that the boards q
health have no such powers under IN
hA L..
to possess, The Board OF Education
this city II also utterly destitr.s
power, under the law. to compel III
vaccination OF school teachers an
school children. There Is penalty pr,
vided In the law against person ha,
ing control Of a child between s and
years of age who wllfully fails to scr
the child 10 school. II the child II
proper physical ana mental condltIo
1t is not required that the child sha
be immune from any disease. nor thi
It has been treated for the purpose
making II Immune. Children may
expelled from the public schools 4
conduct which tustlhes such cNpulslo
but among the offenscs for which IN
is permissible characterization is n
included.
We repeat our protest, which liz III
OF n very considerable portion OF Il
community, against tho present nee
less alarm which interested parties a
raising over the supposed solitary ca
of simple vnrloloid, that Is now quara
n tined beyond the city limits: al
against thoir apparent dotermlnati
m to force their repulsive process up
q. people who revolt at It. All hygien
physiological and medical wisdom Is n
Included In their craniums. nor are IA
N endowed with authority which the I.e
mlaturi OF the State refused TO best,
upon them. Let them keep within
ilmitH Of their legitimate powers a
hey VIII be sustained by the people.
they try TO clothe themselves with ,
raordlnary and unlawful prerogatiy
'hey viii bring upon themselves
served odium and be brought To
matt suddenly The people have rlgI
NIf ana those rightn must he nnnintalnaa