Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1900-01-10
THE BURNING TOPIC,

we nave numerous inquiries IN Teter-
ence to the opening OF the schools and
compulsory vaccination, In reply We
have to say that the present expressed
Intention Of the Board Of Education Is
TO open the public schools on Monday
next, and admit all children who ex-
hlbit signs OF recent successful vac
olnation.' That would signify that all
others viii be excluded.
We do not believe that this absurd
and impractlcable proposition, sus-
tanned by a majority Of one only will
be attempted to be enforced. We are
Of the opinion that healthy children who
have not been exposed to a contagious
disease will be allowed TO take their
places with the children who have been
inoculated with cow-pox, II the
parents OF the healthy children do
not object to this association. We think
the board in taking the doubtful action
on this matter, was guided by the ad-
vice of the Board Of Health and at
tached a little too much importance to
that recommendation. viewing It almost
as II It was mandatory, and that the
board will not insist upon a rule that
would keep a large number of healthy
children from schools which they have
lawful right 70 attend. and which the
law requires them to attend.
One thing is certain; II the ridiculous
rule without color or authority OF law
is adhered to, there will be trouble in
sight very soon 1t must not be forgot
ten that the Legislature OF the state
not only declined, but absolutely re.
fused 10 pass q law requiring vacolna.
ton. That body had authority. II such
power is constitutional In any assem-.
bly,, to frame a statute making the
vaccination Of school children compul-
sory II decided against the measure
and threw II out, The Board Of Edu-
cation does not possess that authority
and cannot lawfully exercise It, either
directly or by subterfuge.
The plan adopted by the Latter-day
Saints College was sensible. 1t re-
Quired students, on the reopenlng Of
that institution, to show that they had
not been exposed TO any contagious
disorder which would in any way en-
danger the health OF themselves or 9TH
ers. How the presence OF healthy per-
sons. carrying no germs Of infection
in their persons on apparel can be a
menace 60 others. Is a problem which
we leave the majority on the Board Of
Education to solve There Is another
nut which We would like that body to
! cracd II u.s., cannot a vaCcinated child
carry germs OF an infectious disease
into a school-room just as much as an
unyaccinated child could? Or does the
so-called preyentiye-yaccinat eX-
tend 10 the hair and the clothing Of
the childy Is not requirement that
an children, whether vaccinated or not,
before entering the school room shall
give evidence that they have not been
exposed TO contagion. much more ra-
tlonal than rule to shut out healthy
children and admit those impregnated
with cowpoX?
We are aware that a great number OF
children have been vaccinated recent
ly, because the parents are under the
Impression that IL is compulsory, or, In
other words. that the children will be
shut out of the public schools II not
vaccinated. OF course there are many
people who believe in the virtues Of
vaccination. We do not allude TO them.
There are many others who are in trepi-
dalton. They hate the idea Of injecting
into the veins Of their healthy offspring
vile matter from a diseased COW, and
vet they do not want them to lose OPP
portunities for that education which are
paid for by the taxes Of the people. We
say to them, send your unyaccinated
portunitles for that education which is
open. and see whether they viii be re-
jected. Then will be time enough TO
take this matter up in a popular way
and test II in lawful manner. Ameri.
| can citizens have rights that cannot