The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1905-02-03
clarksburg, W. Va, Feb. 3, 1905
KILL BILL NO So.

Patent medicines play an important
part in the practice of medicine AMI tle
restoration of health in this state,
though they are often referred to by
physicians with ridicule. 1t i known
positively That many physicians recon,
mend them to Their patterns and that
they frequently take the place Of pre-
scriptions, in fact, constitute tae pre-
scription itself.
However much patent medicines may
be decried, yet it is an undisputei fact
mat many of taem do great good. as
shown by their wide-sp and sue.
cessful sale, to say nothing of personal
experiences and testimonials. And no
one will dispute the proposition that II
is really incumbent on the manufacture
ers of these medicines TO make good
goods, because OF the fact tnat the very
life of the manufactures depend upon
the further patronage, and not trans
lent orders. The firm That introduces
a medicine or remedy in a place merely
TO meet the present and does not look
to establishing a permanent trade
tnreatsns the very existence of the en-
terprise and will not long continue in
business because of the lack of SUI
icent patronage to keep the thing going.
These firms have large sums invested
in the business and to not only preserve
and protect their capital but also 10
realize upon it, they are necessarily
botnd to make goods that will sell and
TO DO that they must have something
worth the price and tnat win do the
work.
To accomplish all this it is essential
that their formulas and business SHOULD
be kept TO themselves and not be Sub
jected to public inquisition, or the risk
of betrayal and possibly competition by
what is termed state chemist. The
creation of such an office and officer by
law gives at once the opportunity not
only to indulge in graft but also 10 in
augurate n competition. from informs-
tiou compelled 10 be surrendered 10 MIN
and upon which the manufacturers have
staked their fortunes. their all. to say
nothing about their having devoted their
lives to it, which will ruin them. BE
sides prohibition OF the sale Of taesc
medicines would occur to large extent
as the firms would surrender the ter.
ritory rather than divulga tie methods
and formulas by which taeir medicine.
are made. Then comes absolute depend.
enee on the physicians, unless the olden
resort to eatnip tea and nsrn- i en-.
ployed.
r Way SHOULD the manufacturers of pro.
prietary medicines b. compelled to fur
nisn their secret formulas 70 the pub
lie, and thus destroy their business.
built up by legitimate means, and on
preparations Of recognized meriti A.
well demand of any business man that
he makes public the combination to al.
safe, or That the trade secrets Of indus.
try. or skilled labor. shall he mada pub
lie for the benefit Of any idle ignoramus
wno is jealous of and ready to take ad.
vantage Of other peoples success. Such
legislation as proposed by the above act
: class legislation in its worst form.
Many proprietary medicines are uni
versally conceded to he very valuable.
and are used largely BY people Of limit
ed means, VINO cannot afford to nav for
the advice Of physicians and tae cost
Of prescriptions. Many peope live out
Of easy reach Of physicians. and those
people depend largely on proprietary
medicines, and If the sic Of same was
destroyed. they would be obligei 10 suf-
fer thereby.
Tne Pretense Of protection to public