Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1900-01-11


position to the latest custom adopted
by The orthodox among the faculty.
Our position will be better stated per-
haps by quotations from editorials In
the "News' than In any other way, and
we present few to show how our hy-
sterlcal critics have been mistaken.
On January 9Th, We said
The Deseret News does not wish 60
prevent any person from rcsorting to
vaccination or 20 any other supposed
remedy for the spread OF disease. Il u
opposed to assaults upon the liberty OF
the citizen Go the extent which some
reckless people propose The quaran-
tine IL frequently a necessity. IL should
be strictly observed when imposed by
the proper authorities Schools and
public gatherings should be suspended
when absolutely necessary. We do not
believe, however that there Is any rea-
son for such extreme measures at pres
ent,
Also:
The News" has before this called at
tentiOn to the fact that none but
trusted physician should be allowed 70
experiment with the children, and that
only after thorough examination OF
their physical condition. The physician
should be responsible II wholesale vac
cination by some cheap operator Is TO
be demanded, a bitter conflict Will en-
sue There Is some talk now Of the
formation OF an vaccination socie-
~ for the purpose Of fighting to fin-
lsh every effort at compulslon.
on December p, 1892 we remarked;
The question Of the benefits or other
wise OF the vaccination practice, is one
worthy the close attention OF the medi-
cal faculty. We are aware that In the
orthodox school OF medicine II Is con-
sidered a settled thing. Properly grad
uated doctors have been trained 10 view
the matter IN this light They are like
graduates In orthodox theology In this
respect. The idea that these s0-called
settled theories are open 90 dispute,
causes a satisfied smile upon their con-
tented countenances But the alleged
Science OF medicine has been subject
TO so many radical changes, the ex-
perlence Of one age entirely upsetting
the professional knowledge OF previous
periods, that progressive minds ought
10 be open to further light and be very
careful not 10 be too tenacious as TO the
past.
This from the News OF Dec 10:
II will be seen at glance with the
eyes OF common sense, TO say nothing Of
legal penetration, that the boards Of
healths have no such powers under the
statutes as the State board claims
to possess. The Board Of Education in
this city is also utterly destitute OF
power, under the law, TO compel the
vaccination Of school teachers and
school children There is penalty pro-
ylded in the law against a person hay-
ing control OF child between and IA
years OF age who wilfully fails 10 send
the child to school, II the child IL in
proper physical and mental condition.
II is not required that the child shall
be immune from any disease, nor that
IL has been treated for the purpose Of
making 1t immune. Children may be
expelled from the public schools for
conduct which iustifies such expulsion,
but among the offenses for which this
is permissible vaccination is not
included.
From the News Dec. IS:
That is the great point now In con-
slderation The Deseret News does not
wish TO prevent people from being vac
cinated who wish t0adopt the practice,
but does most emphaticaly protest
against the presumption by which pub
lie officers attempt TO exercise powers
not conferred upon them by law.
And this from the News" Of Dec Is:
At the last session OF the Legisla-
ture. determined attempt was made %
secure the passage Of a law for COM
pulsOry vaccination. II failed because
of the popular protest against II. There
Is now a scheme on foot 20 enforce this
obnoxious regulation without the al-
thoiity Of law. We warn It's promoters
that II viii be vigorously resisted
What they could not accomplish
through the Legislature, they must not
try TO force upon the public by power
they assume TO exercise The people
have rights as well as public officers
have. The liberties Of citizens must
and shall be maintained.
Let those who believe In vaccination
practice or submit 10 II II they choose,
but Keep your hands of those who We
hsmently object to IT and refuse to per-
NIT you to tamper with their children'
That Is the issue today. Also. In order
to enforce this tyrannical measure, stop
trying to friGhten the public. so far
there Is no earthly reason for a panic
and we trust there will be no occasion
ter fear In the future.