Evening journal., 1907-03-02
THE LAW And
CHRISTIAN SCIENCE
What Other States Have Done
in the Way Of LeeiS-
IatiOn
Q the Edltors Of the Local Pro.s.

Scientists, 10 their protest Of the pending
medical bin IN the Legislature. with hav-
ing made statement with regard to
legislation in other States which was "A
misrepresentation without knowledge Of
the facts. and also al the same time made
some statements which, il uncontradicted
might affect public opinion as to Chris
uan Science TO a considerable extent, as
they have been given wide publicity
through the press. Therefore it is but Just
to the general public to present them with
the facts IN the case
Tho statement made by tho counsel for
the Christian Scientists was that Leg
islaturos IN 3S different states and terri
tories had refused TO PASS bills affecting
Christian Science. In supporting this
statement hc quoted from tho following
statistics complied up TO September J.
1896 which show authenucally tho un-
successful attempts TO gain legislation
against Christian Science:
Arkansas 1901; bin defeated
California 1901; bill amended favorably
to Christian Science and passed. 1908; bill
defeated
Colorado. 1899; bill vetoed by Governor
Thomas. 1901. bin defeated. 1903 bill vetoed
by Governor Peabody. 1905, bill amended
favorably 10 Christian Science and passed.
Delaware In 1905 "a bill 10 amend the
medical laws OF the State was introduced
at the instance Of tho medical doctors,
which contained a clause, voluntarily in
serted by them. as follows: Provided
that nothing IN this section shall be con-
srtued to apply TO the administration OF
domestic or family remedies I'm cases of
emergency or to dentists or dental sur
geons or TO surgeons of the United States
Army or Navy IN tho discharge OF their
official duties or 70 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-
sentativcs, but was afterward Withdrawn
owing to opposition by opticians to other
parts of the bill
Florida 1901, bill defeated. 1903, bill de-
feated 1905. bill defeated.
Idaho. 1902 bill defeated.
Illinois. 1899. bill amended favorably TO
Christian Science and passed 1908, bill de-
feated
Indian Territory. 1904, biz amended fav-
orably TO Christian Science and passed
(by Congress)
Kansas. 1901, bill amended favorably toI
Christian Science and passed.
Kentucky. 1904 bill amended f0vorbly to
Christian sclenee and passed
Louisiana 1894 bill defeated
Maine. 1905. bill amended favorably to
Christihn Science and passed.
Maryland 1900 bill withdrawn. 1902 bill
amended favoraby TO Christian Science
ana passed.
Massachusetts. 1SoS, bill defcatod.
Michigan. 1897. bin defeated. 1899. bill
amended favorably to Christian Science
and passed. 1905, bill Withdrawn
Minnesota. 1892 bin defeated
Missouri. In 1905 a bill Of tho class de-
scribod ON page 40 was introduced. The
committee to which IL was referred re-
reported substitute containing the fol-
lowing clause. provided, however, that
nothing in this act shall be construed TO
prohibit any person who ministers TO or
treats the sick or suffering by spiritual
means without the use of any drug OF ma
4 torial remedy The session Of the legisla-
tre closed before the substituted bill was
rclched for further consideration.
Nebraska. 1906, bin vetoed by Governor
Mickey.
New Hampshire. 1908 bill defeated.
New York. 1894 two bills defeated 1898
bin defeated. 1901, bin defeated.
North Carolina. 1903. bill amended fav-
orahly TO Christian Science and passed.
North Dakota. 1901, bill defeated. 1903
bin defeated. 1906 bin defeated.
oklahoma. 1901. bill defeated.
Oregon 1929 bill defeated. 1906 two bills
defeated.
Pennsylvania. l9n, bill defeated. 1903, bin
defeated. 1905. bin defeated.
Rhode Island 1857. bill amended favor
, ably TO Christian Science and passed. 1890.
bin amended favorably 20 Christian Sell
onco and passed.
South Dakota. 1905, bill defeated.
Tennessee. 1901. bill amended favorably
10 Christian Science and passed.
Texas. 1901, bill amended favorably TO
/ Christian Science and passed. 1908, bin de-
foated 1906 bill defeated.
Utah. 1906 bill defeated.
Washington. 1908. two bills defeated
West Virginia. 1903. bill defeated. 1895
bin defeated.
Wisconsin 1899. bill amended favorably
20 Christian Science and passed.
Note-In this exhibit a bill is referred
to as having been defeated when st was
finally defeated or ended by the action Of
either legislative committee or legislative
assembly. An amendment is referred 20 as
having been favorable to Christian Science
whore the wording Of tho original bin was
finally changed so as not to affect or ap-
ply TO the practice of Christian Science
Tine states Of Connecticut Kentucky.
Maine. New Hampshire. Tennessee and
. Indian territory Cby act Of United states
Congress) specifically by name exempt
! Christian Science from the provisions OF
the medical laws.
As quoted in the local prcss Of Fob
, ruary q. the representative above mem
! toned, who is the chairman Of the public
, health committee presented the follow
ing statistics. compiled up TO December
! I last showing that twenty states and two
territories absolutely prohibit Christian
Science treatment twelve states permit il
and In eleven states the question is left
open or pending In the courts"
In reply we would say what we are
prepared 20 suhstntiaio that shere is no
law in the United States that specifically
prohibits the practice Of Christian Sci
cnce. 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 substantiauon of our state
ment that Christian Science practice is