Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1909-03-13

commission, majority of which
consists of members of some other pro-
feSsion. Now l think that the ply
sicians are a little jealous of their pro-
fcssion. and l am glad they are. but
| think they are going a step too far.
No one has. more admiration than my.
self for the profession of medicine /
am as jealous of that as l am of the
profession of law, and | think nothing
should be done to lower the standards
of either. l think this elevates the
standard Of the medical profession by
placing this matter. which has nothing
TO do with the medical profession, on
higher standard. 1t does not touch
the medical profession. 1t is simply
y mechanical business, the adjusting of
eye glasses. TT does away With the
fakirs, with those who are undesirable
in the business. 1t establishes high
er standard in that business which has
grown up among us. 1t does not touch
the physicians. l don't see why they
are jealous of it in the least They
ought not to have the control of this
business which is not their business
and when we give them one physician
and one oculiSt and three of this other
business, which is an honorable bust
ness. it seems to met it is a fair board
but when it is suggested to change it
ard put it in the hands of the ply
sicianS of this State, although it would
be high and honorable board, l don't
know as they ought to be trusted with
somebody else's business; they might
all be as jealous of their profession as
the gentleman from Old Town.
Mr.. PIKE of Eastport: Mr.. Speaker:
| see no. reason why this House should
waste its time discussing the merits OF
this bill and of this amendment at
this time. The simple question before
us is whether we shall defer the con-
sideration of this matter until next
Tuesday; and | submit that any arsu-
ment for or against the merits of this
amendment is not in order.
The SPEAKER: The point raised by
the gentleman from PASSPORT is We'll
taken. The discussion may proceed on
the matter of postponement to day
certain but should be limited to that.
Ny. KELLEY of Boothbay: Mr..
Speaker The matter seems to have
been pretty well discussed here today
and it seems to me if it is postponed
it would simply be going over the same
question. and | will withdraw my mo-.
ton to postpone it until next Tuesday.
The question being on the adoption
Of the amendment
Mr.. WELD: Mr.. Speaker: / can
hardly understand why we are forced
to railroad this bill through My one
point is this. and physician in actual
nracticr." i'll that bill l ask you not 10
allow this bill to be restricted to the
appointment Of one physician. il this
bill is in the interests of the people
and YOU ask our profession to father
it. then make physicians a majority
of the members of the board and wG@
will do the hest we can to accept and
enforce that responsibility. 1t has been
stated that this amendment would de-
feat the purposes of this bill. Ger
tainIy: but in the interests of the peo-
pie aud not in the interests of the OPP
ticans. As q member of the medical
profession l present this amendment to
this hill
Mr. WING of Auburn Mr.. Speak
or: | feel that this bill has been 80
carefully considered by the committee
of which I have the honor to be a
member and the fact that they have
should have great weight with this
House. The committee heard the prot
ponents and the opponents of this
measure at great length The matter
was COnSider red by a subcommittee Of
the committee on judiciary, and we
have given you our report. There is
no man here who does not know the
great evil of the spectacle pedlar who
goes about the country imposing his
wares Of window glass on the lInsus-
pecting public: and here are a body Of
men, intelligent. who have come before
this Legislature and ask that they
may he allowed to practice their pro-
fession so that the people may be pro-
tectcd. | do not understand in this bill
thGt the optonetrists ask the medical
profession in any way to father the
measure. They want to keep it them
selves. For that reason they ask that
three of their own profession be put
upon this board. Exactly the same
question might arise in the case Of
the bill presented this morning for the
regulation of BARRIERS; and I presume
the doctors will insist upon taking
charge of that board. but the thing is
so ridiculous that | am sure the gentle
man from Old Town would not take
such an insinuation kindly. And I
trust that this House will give credit
to the judgment, the care and the time
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