The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-01-28
THE ANTI-vACCINATIoN MOVEMENT

THE ANTI-VACCINATIoN MOVEMENT
The protest which is going up from
among the people against the vaccination
requirement shows, what is entirely I'M
necessary of demonstration, that Ameri-
cans will not endure any restriction be-
ing placed On their personal rights which
they believe the law does not warrant.
1t shows, toe, necessarily, that there is
certain proportion of the people who do
not accept vaccination as necessary to
avoid smallpox Infection.
The anti-vaccine sentiment has always
existed, as it exists today. The great
majority of intelligent people, however.
as we'll as of the practitioners Of medi-
necessary but Indispensable. The conflict
of opinion which is. now shown to exist
is entirely reasonable, ard should be and
can be settled only in one way. Does or
does not the law demand that all chill
dren shall be vaccinated before adm;s-
sion to the public schools? Is the re-
quirement mandatory? Is it reasonable
and just? These are the only questions
which are at issue, and the courts can
be relied on to settle them promptly, and
the people, whatever their opinions, can
be relied on to accept the decision Of the
courts. whether they do or do not agree
with it,
The policy of the law of this state is
clearly in favor of investing local boards
of health with plenary powers in their
efforts ito avoid the spread of infectious
disease. They impose in general terms
on the parents the obligation to see that
their children are vaccinated at stated
intervals. They expressly prohibit tie
admission into the public schools of chill
dren who reside or have recently resided
in buildings in which contagious disease
has existed.
Those who oppose the vaccination pol
icy do not strengthen their case by in
dulging in abuse of the health depart
ment. 1t is, for instance, worse than
those who are charged by the health
commissioner with enforcing the vacci-
nation requirement as "scavengers"
They are capable men. Their principal is
oughly earnest public officer who has
done splendid work in the protection of
the public health since he came into Of
flee, and in whose good sense and devo-
ton to duty the people of the city have
implicit confidence.
The local ordinances are very strong
as to the powers of the health commits
sioner, as to the obligation of the prin-
cipals and teachers to see that no child
shall be admitted to their schools who
has not been vaccinated within seven
years. They authorize the health COM
missioner to make the necessary physical
afax penalty to any attempt on the
part of such teachers to interfere with
him in the exercise of that power.
Whether the courts will sustain such re-
| quirements as reasonable exercise of the
! police power is matter which those
Nno 90 MOI DeueVc IN vaccination, either
voluntary or enforced, have the right to
test to the limit in the courts of the
state
When the doctors disagree the G o e
is not at all disposed to venture upon the
expression Of its opinions. Everything
that is reasonable, and some things that
many will not regard as reasonable, are
admissible in the effort to protect the
public health. But the danger to be
guarded against must be real and tangI-
bic, before the courts will permit any in
reference with the recognized personal
rights of the citizen.
| Mass meetings may be all right on this
subject; but the way to settle the mat
tiers in dispute by the shortest and most
perfect route is for those who regard
their rights as being impaired by the
rule of vaccination to appeal to the
| courts for protection.