The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-02-20
RATHER WARM
Between the Lawyers and the
Doctors Yesterday.
Committee on Health Decided to Report Favor
ably Bill Against Christian Scientists and
0steopathis'S.

For a little while there was rather
warm time yesterday afternoon in the
State Library with the Joint Committee
on Health. Senator Pollock. chairman.
The committee had met to take some
action on the bill to define the practice
of medicine. which had been the object
of such a long hearing the other after
noon in the Senate chamber. when the
forces of Christian Science had launched
their catapults against it.
The Christian Scientists, many of whom
We're ladies, desired to appear before the
committee again yesterday fternoon,
but Senator Pollock had pu his foot
down on it, and thereby hangs a little
tale
Their attorney, w w. Clark, OF New
Bern was permitted to appear before the
committee and he told how DR.. Pollock
had said to him: 1--WE had enough of
these women"
yes" said DR.. Pollock, 81 did say So
and l say so again"
Mr., Clark then proceeded to attack the
bill saying it characterized Christian
Science menace to public safety, and
yet allowed it to be practiced if no fee
were charged. They might as well say
that murder might be committed. pro-
vided there was no charge foy It '
Mr. Clark said that DR. PoIlock's ac-
ton in preventing these ladies to appear
before the committee was denying to cit
liens of the State a constitutional right
and none would be heard of that in
another Way
He then made the point that the bill
should go before the Judiciary Commit
tee. in order that it's constitutionality
might be tested.
This caused trouble at once. Dr. Alex
ander, of Mecklenburg. asked if the Leg
islature could require persons to be ex-
amined before being allowed to practice
medicine.
Mr.. Clark said the Legislature would
have no right to require lawyers to be ex-
amined by board of blacksmiths
DIR. Alexander thought that reflected on
the medical. profession.
Mr.. Clark said it did not in the least.
1t was only meant to show that the Board
of Medical Examiners knew nothing of
the requirements of Christian Science.
Mr.. Clark then went on to tell how
they had saved the committee from ter
rible error by calling attention to the
fact that the bill had actually passed
the House without an enacting clause
This was another argument to show that
laymen were not competent to draw bills
and that it should be referred to the Ju-
diciar7 Committee
4 good deal of argument now followed.
Some were for reporting the bill favor
ably, some for referring it to the Judi
ciary Committee, and some for reporting
it without prejudice to the House
Mr.. Vann moved to refer to the Judi
ciary Committee This was lost
DR.. Alexander, Of Mecklenburg, con-
tended that the Committee on Health
was the proper body to consider this bill.
Christian Scientists were quacks, and
the practice was a menace to public
health and safety. The object of the bill
was to prevent its practice altogether.
He moved to report favorably
DIR. Riddick, as a physician and chair
man of the House Committee on Health,
considered it duty they owed to the
medical profession to have the bin eX-
amined so that it could not be attacked
from any quarter He favored reference
to the Judiciary Committee.
1t was finally decided to report the bill
favorably