Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1900-01-20

vice versa the gentlemen composing the
BOARD. like the community at large,
are divided in opinion. But they take
a decided stand against the compulslon
which is now attempted without color
OF law.
Some Of the most thoughtful people In
this city. among them gentlemen who
believe IN vaccination, are amazed at
the lack Of good common sense exhibit
ed In edicts'in relation to the schools
while much more dangerous cougregs-
lions OF people are permitted without
any effort in that direction. They say
that OF all public gathqlngs the schools
are least likely to disseminate a conta-
glous disorder, particularly that disease
which It Is now thought viii prove
epidemic.
The University required all students
on re-entering after vacation, to salts
~ a committee appointed for the pur-
pose that they had not been exposed
to infection, Every school 10 the state
could impose such a condition upon
both teachers and pupils. That would
be lawful, II would also be sensible. No
reasonable person would object to 1t. 1t
would be real protection against the
spread Of disease, But the requirement
that a child shall have been yaccinated
is no protection whatever against car
rylng the germs OF contagion into the
schools. A vaccnated child is just as
liable to spread Infection az one that is
unyacclnated.
As TO sunday Schools. the children
and teachers who attend are generally
In the most clearly and healthy condl-
ton. on Sunday morning they put on
their Sunday attire. They have been
bathed and prepared for attending Sun.
day school. and are far less likely 10
spread disease than congregation OF
people Unfortunately assembled.
Crowds mlngle together In stores, In
auction rooms, In the sitting air OF
court rooms. and in other places
without any attempt at discrimination
They attend theaters and other gather
ings without any rules as to their bodily
condition No order or protest or edlct
comes from the Board OF Health In re-
latlon to them. But the schools, where
strict sanitary regulations, both az TO
the buildings and those who enter them,
can be legally and nationally enforced,
are singled out by that sapient body as
special objects Of an absurd and revolt
ing and arbitrary regulation, that can
not possibly be productive Of any gen
eral benefit.
These remarks are but the echo OF
expressions made by scientific and
brainy ladies and gentlemen, some OF
whom are strong believers In the vac
oination theory. II the schools are TO be
opened on Monday. they should be pro-
tected by a similar supervision to that
| adopted last Monday at the University
and required by the Il. ID. D college
No child or teacher who is unhealthy OF
has been exposed TO a contagious dis
ease should be permitted to attend
school until relieved OF the disability
But all teachers and children who are
not in such a condition have an abso.
lutte right to the privileges Of the public
schools, and to deny them that righ'
is an outrage
II public officials would use u littl'
calm common sense and assume less
autocratic authority, It would be bet
ter for themselves and for the public
welfare. They are promoting needless
agitation, giving this city a bad SAM
tary reputation. injurlng business
stirring UP strife and accompllshln!
little or nothing In the direction osten
sibly sought. Let them use due dill
gence on the lines marked out by stat
ute. and stop issuing absurd and use
less requirements unsupported by law
full authority.