The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1901-03-13
CHRISTIAN SCIENTISTS DEFEAT
Provisions of the Bill Attacked
and Commended by Its En-
nemies and It's Cham
pions.
BY A STAFF CORRESPONDENT.

ATE anu was Teauy LOT MS signature. lHc
fight on the bill that has been made by
the Christian Scientists has attracted the
attention of all the people OF the State.
Delegation after delegation OF Scientists and
others have spent weeks at the capital
fighting the measure. They made extraor-
binary efforts to have the measure amended
in both branches. but were unsuccessful.
Finally. their efforts falling elsewhere. they
made a request that the Governor give them
a hearing. With his characteristic spirit of
fairness. he extended this courtesy to them.
The hearing began at 2:SO this afternoon.
Governor Dockery had just finished a long
| conference with leaders concerning the beer
inspection law and was pressed for time.
Governor Dockery was formerly a physi-
| clan. and listened TO the arguments with
| more than usual interest. At the conclu-
| sion of the speeches Doctor McElwee.
| president Of the State Board Of Health,
| presented the Governor with a gold pen with
which to afix his signature to the bill II
he should so choose.
Senator Haynes made the first address
against the bill. Senator Haynes came
from st. Joseph. where much sentiment
has been aroused against the provision of
the bill which affects Christian Scientists.
Signed by 1,4OO st. Joseph Citizens.
| He presented q remonstrance signed by
1,400 citizens of st. Joseph against the bill.
Senator Haynes wanted it understood that
he was not an attorney. but appeared to
| strictly legal one. His claimed that section
8 Of the bill was In conflict with section o,
article 2. OF the Constitution; in that the
conscience and religion. A provision Of the
bill exempts those who attempt to heal
state Board Of Health. but il a fee shall
be accepted the penalty is attached, Sen
ator Haynes claimed that this made the
crime not the act of healing. but In re-
i cetyiop money Therefor Not the treat
Senator Haynes. IF this law were put on
unique as we'll as illegal"
John H. Wheeler of Kansas City followed
Senator Haynes with a theological argu,
ment. in which the Scripture was freely
quoted. He said that the Christian Scien-
lists did not care about what restrictions
were thrown about the physicians of the
he said, I'VE people who practice our re,
ltgion Will be made lawbreakers. This blil
, T1l sta a VEL, US ar out. The; The argument as, ne The Is shade made
We are trying to live in accordance with
the law of God. The provisions of the bill
are in effect an attempt to prevent this
A. P. DeCamp. of st. Louis. prominent in
Christian Science circles. told of the four
, in an attempt to have the bill amended.
W have not worked in a corner" he ex-
planned. I'VE have given our reasons in the
open. but influences against which we were
powerless have worked against us. The
Christian Scientists are among the best In
Missouri. For myself I have large bust
more than anything else in this world. I
/ think that it IS doing more good than any
6 Thousands have left their business to
give their entire time to the practice Of
the science. Perhaps, when l get enough of
: b BIZ Strike Strikes - at to the very very 70 foundation md thme; of ours ours
e Christian science IS made Of little effect.
is affected by this bill that we ask you Lot
to sign this measure"
Presents Some Legal Reasons.
Ex-senator Lyman of Kansas City gave
was the only State which had carried per-
secution Of the Christian Scientists SO far
as this BIZ at.empsed; In New York; an
had been added to the medical practice bill
adopted there: The bill interferes with the
practice OF religion" he argued. 1T also
Constitution, wherein class legislation is
prohibited. By the terms Of the bill -four
classes are mentioned: REGISTERED physi-
and all others. The bill is unjust and UNI
reasonable. An arrest under 1t would be
force its provisions would result in a use.
l less expenditure Of time and money on be.
half of both the State and the person un.
; Representative Matt Hall of Saline. who
4 has fought for the bill through both tht
House and Senate. in a short speech sale
and fair. "It simply proposes to insure
that the man who hangs out a shingle with
: an NJ. D. thereon shall be a physician whc
spirit and not as a principle" he said. =:
think that when We all die the Christian
. s Scientist as viii tbe f mstbd hIRself r in t the is sans anne
: eyes. Is fair and does not interfere witt
: the practice of religion. 1t simply propose:
/. that every one who attempts to deal witt
| | <ha lilo If the hDdv shall hoya a kpouyladOt
!. Of the body. After that is once obtained
t he can practice any sort Of medicine he
, pleases."
President of State board of Health.
i Doctor McElwee. president Of the Stat,
Board of Health, said that the present Law
l against Quacks was inadequate. by thu
| provisions OF the statute now in force" h
[ said, ''any man who comes to US with a di
ploma from any medical college can secure
: a license to practice in Missouri. The bill
1 also aims to kill the business of the mid
wives who perform criminal operations.
: "This is not an attack on any religion
In fact, healing is not a religion. Sicknes:
is not always the result Of sin. as somt
: several persons afflicted with infectious dis
i. eases, and 1 know that they are as pur,
and live as upright lives as any Christian
t George Wilson of Lexington. who ran TO,
Congress on the Populist ticket agains
Cowherd in 1895 and lSas, spoke against tn
He said that he was not a Christian Scien
: fist. but was taking pills in order to be able
: to speak against the bill. He characterize
the bill as tyrannical and characteristic o
the profession from the time of Babylon
8 down to the present time. He said tina
e the Egyptians in their early days had
: law which was the same. in effect. as TIL
present bill. According to the Egyptian
> law. every person had to take honey whel
e mi. In closing he grew caustic.
Governor Dockery signed the bill and re
t turned it to the House. where it originated
Il