The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1901-02-01

THE ANTI-VACCINATION BILL
has passed both houses of the leg
islsture and, in the vernacular Of
the street, its up to the governor"
The senate yesterday, by thirteen at
firmative 10 five negatives votes, passed
house bill No. IS. known as the Nc
MILAN bill. which divesJs the health
authorities of the state OF the power
10 enforce vaccination upon school
children by making it unlawful for a
board OF health or board Of education
TO make vaccination a condition prece-
dent to the attendance of any public
or private school. either as pupil or
teacher.
The bill came up in the senate yes
telday as u special order Of business at
2:30. For nearly two hours and half
there was waged d one-sided struggle,
in which FIVE of the senators were pit
ted from the start against the thirteen
defenders Of the bill. That was the
battle array when the debate started,
and that was the way it remained
when il ended.
When the roll was called these voted
for the bill: Evans, Barnes, BenniOn,
Howell. Johnson, Larson, Love, Muir
dock. SmoOt, Tanner, Thomas, Whit
more. Whitney-13.
Against the bill. Allison, Alder, Kie-
sci, Sherman, Lawrence.
A Spirited Debate.
It was a cut-and-dried vote, but che
debate which preceded it was spirited
from the start. OminOuS predictions
We're made as to the future health of
Utah and the suggestion was made
hat the board of health might resign,
10 which Senator r. K Thomas re-
torteL it would be a good thing fer the
state There was q humorous side to
the fray. which was led by Senator Al
lisUu of Ogden. who. with Senator
Lawrence of Salt Lake, have been the
sturdiest oDDonents of the bill.
The fight opened with strategic
move TO kill the bill on the part of kie-
sci when il came up for its second and
third reading. Before the bill had been
read he was on his feet with motion
to amend the measure by striking Out
the enaCtinE clause Allison seconded
his motion
Senator Smoot wanted to know. 1
would like to have Mr. kiesel state his
reasons Tor wanting the enacting
clause stricken out" said the senator
from Provo.
II know the prevailing sentiment is
I'm favor of this BILL said Mr.. kleSel,
and do not hope to make any converts
in this body. I dislike being in suCn
hopeless minority. but I am convinced
that vaccination is conducive to the
welfare of the people OF Utah
Allison came to the rescue Of kIesel
bv asking that the chairman of the
health committee. Mr.. Thomas, give
some reasons why the motion should
not be sustained. The members Of the
committee, he argued. had had the
benefit of the testimony which had
been given before it.
Mr.. Thomas demurred. Il don't want
to prolOng the discussion said he. II
would rather settle Mr.. kiesel's mo-
tion first and then proceed TO the con-
sideration of the bill itself"
The ayes had been called for and
were given when Mr. hieSel asked
unanimous consent 10 withdraw his
motion Ii was granted. and the bill
was nut through its third reading
Allison then renewed his request that
the committee on public health venture
a little enlightenment as TO why the
bill should be passed. No member Of
the committee volunteered.
Allison then moved that the enact
ing clause be stricken out. Smcot
calling upon Mr.. Allison to explain why
his motion should prevail
Allison Attacks Bill.
Mr.. Allison was not so backward as
Thomas had proven himself 10 be.
Il take it," said Mr.. Allison, that
there must be some necessity for the
There ought to be some one to give
reasons why it should be passed. ST
lence ought TO be enough TO kill the
bill If there is no one to give reasons
why il should be passed, the mere fact
that no reason can be given is enough
reason why it should not be passed.
The gentlemen who for several days
listened to statements from both sides
on this question certainly should offer
a statement to those who have not had
those advantages.
For my part" he continued, II
think il Is an exceedingly vicious
measure. A great many people are in
favor of il who do not know what 10
is or what it's effect VIII be / am in
formed that every state in the union
has a law similar TO the one which
this measure is designed 10 repeal,
which gives the board of health the
right to exercise judicious authority
under police regulations. Tue rights Of
the individuals must yield 70 the gen
eral welfare of the public at large. I
have not heard single voice in op-