Evening journal., 1907-03-02
THE LAW AND
CHRISTIAN SCIENCE
What Other States Have Done
in the Way of Legs
latiOn
10 lho EdIiora Of 10 Local Pro.s.

medical bill in the Legislature, with hay-
ing made a statement with regard TO
legislation in other States which was a
misrepresentation without knowledge Of
tho facts. and also at the same time mace
some statements which, If uncontradicted
might affect public opinion as TO Chris
tian Science t. considerable extent es
they have been given wide publicity
Through the press Therefore 1t IS but just
to the general public TO present them with
the facts IN the case.
The statement made by the counsel for
the Christian Scientists was that Leg
lslatures in 80 different states and teui-
tories had refused to Pass bills Affecting
Christian Science. In supporting this
statement lac quoted from the following
statistics complied up to September I,
lgo5 which show authenucally the un-
suctcssful attempts to gain legislation
against Christian Science:
Arkansas. 1901; bll defeated.
California. 1905 bin amended favorably
to Christian Science and passed. 19O3 bill
defeated.
Colorado 1899; bin vetoed by Governor
Thomas. 1901, bill defeated. 1908, bill vetoed
by Governor pcabody 1905, bin amended
favorably to Christian Science and passed.
Delaware. In 1905 a bin TO amend the
medical laws of the State was introduced
at the instance of tho medical doctors,
which contained % clause. voluntarily in
serted by them. as follows; Provided
that nothing ia this section shall be con-
srtuod to apply 90 the administration Of
domestic or family remedies I'm cases of
emergency. or to dentists or dental sur
goons, or TO surgeons of the United States
Army or Navy in the discharge Of their
official duties, or TO any person who ad-
ministers TO or treats the sick or suffering
by mental or spiritual MEANS without the
use of any drug or material remedy" This
bin was passed by the House OF Repre-
sentutivcs. but was afterward withdrawn
owing to opposition by opticians to other
parts of the bill
Florida 1901. bill defeated 1908, bill de-
featcd 1906 bin defeated
Idaho. 1900. bin defeated.
Illinois. 1892 bin amended favorably 20
Christian Science and passed. 1908, bill de-
foated
Indian Territory 1904 bill amended fav-
orably to Christian Science and passed
Chy Congress).
Kansas. 1901, bin amended favorably tol
Christian Science and passed.
kentucky 1904 bill amended favorbly toI
Christian Science and passed.
Louisiana. 1904. bill defeated.
Maine. 1905. bill amended favorably to
Christian Science and passed.
Maryland 1900, bill withdrawn. 1902. bill
amended favorably 70 Christian Science
ana passed
Massachusetts. lSS bin defoated.
Michigan 1897, bill defeated 1889 bill
amended favorably TO Christian Science
and passed. 1905 bill withdrawn.
Minnesota 1899. bill defeated.
Missouri In 1905 "a bill of tho class de-
scribcd on page 90 was introduced. Tine
committee to which 1t was referred re-
reported % substitute containing the fol-
lowing clause; provided, however. that
nothing In this net shall be construed TO
prohlbit any person who ministers T. or
uoats the sick or suffering by spiritual
means without the use of any drug or ma-
tcrlal remedy" Tho session OF the legisla-
ture closed before tho substituted bin was
relched for further consideration.
Nebraska. 1906 bin vetoed by Governor
Mickey
New Hampshire 1908, bin defeated.
/ Ncw York 1854 two bills defeated. 1SlS
bin defeated. 1901 bill defeated.
North Carolina. 1903. bin amended fav-
orahly TO Christian Science and passed.
North Dakota. 1901 bill defeated 1903
bin defeated 1905. bill defeated.
Oklahoma. 1901. bill defeated
Oregon, 1899, bin defeated. 1895. two bills
defeated.
Pennsylvania. 1901 bill defeated. 1898, bin
j. dofcaeod, 1895. bin defeated.
Rhode Island 1851 bill amended favor
, ably 10 Christian Science and passed. 1890,
bill amended favorobly to Christian Sci
I ence and passed.
South Dakota. 1906, bin defeated
4 Tennessee. 1901 bin amended favorably
20 Christian science and passed.
Texas 1901. bin amended favoraby 10
( Christian Science and passed 1908, bin de-
featcd 1898. bin defeated.
Utah. 1905 bill defeated.
Washington. 1905, two bills defeated.
West Virginia. 1903, bill defeated. 1906.
bin defeated.
/ Wisconsin 1899. bin amended favoraby
to Christian Science and passed
Note-In this exhibit bill is referred
to as having been defeated when q was
finally defeated or ended by the action Of
either legislative committee or legislative
assembly. An amendment is referred TO as
having been favorable 10 Christian Science
where the wording of the original bill was
finally changed so as not to anect or APP
ply 20 the practice Of Christian Science.
Tho states Of Connecticut Kentucky
Maine, New Hampshire, Tennessee and
. Indian territory Oy act of United states
Congres) specifically by namo exempt
Christian Science from tho provisions Of
the medical laws.
As auoted IN the local press OF Fob
, ruary 81. the representative above mon
toned. who is tho chairman of the public
, health committee. presented the follow
I ing statistics. compiled up to December
, / last showing that twenty states and two
territories absolutely prohibit Christian
Science treatment, twelvc states permit IL
and In eleven states ahe question is left
open or pending IN the courts
In reply we would say what we arc
prepared to suhstantiate that thero is no
law i'm the United States that speoIhcally.
prohibits tho practice OF Christian Sci
ence. A few are so worded as to raise
the question, but have never yet been
made to apply to Christian Science in the
courts. In subsantation OF our state
Al. "a. Ia.