Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1909-03-11

as tilC law III AhdlIlt SleiHuS lOuiy
! there is absolutely nothing to preven
the public from being imposed upon
What is there to prevent the un.
scrupulous or incompetent man taking
a case of trial glasses such as is uset
by the oculist or optometrist, goins
through the confines of this state, test
ing and examining the eyes, and pre-
scribing glasses when glasses are un-
necessary. and giving glasses in Other
instances where they are an irreparable
and a positive injury
1t has become the thing today for the
lawyer. the doctor. the undertaken, the
veterinary, the dentist. the pharmacist
to proye"-Mr. President, mark the
word Woli-''to prove that he possesses
Qualitic ations before he is allowed the
privilege Of engaging in his chosen
occupation. But for the optometrist
the man Who has control of the eye
sight Of the people. think Mr.. Pres-
dent If the vast Importance of it. You
use your arm and you can write with
your left hand. You use your limb and
you can buy another: but you lose your
eyesight, and there is no remedy.
But for the optometrist, the man
who has control of the eyesight of the
people. no legislation has been enacted
1t seems to me that the proposition is
self-evident; that every man must ad-
NIT that legislation is necessary, and
that the only remaining question is,
which is the proper kind
He goes on. Mr.. President, and
speaks Of the opposition. He says:
The opposition to our bill, | presume
Will be the same as it has been in this
State for several years, and as in other
states where such bills have been in
troduced. ] feel it will be most I'M
fair because engineered by men whose
own calling has been placed on a high
er educational level through State aid,
and who will now try to close the door
of hope on all others outside of their
profession, simply because they mis-
takenly imagine that their own selfish
interests will be interfered with >
Nothing of the sort 1T is an old saw
ing that the most sensitive organ of
ones anatomy is ones pocketbook, and
[ am inclined to think that it is the
Keynote of much of the opposition
OF this optometry BILL
| might go on with that able address.
Mr. President. did time permit; but |
do not desire to- l do desire, however,
to call the attention of the Senate to
few facts in connection with this
bill, and to state what the optometry
bill does do. 1t gives Legislative recog-
milton to work done by an optomctrlst
from time immomorial. 1t is a self
supporting measure. If you senate. -;
VIII take occasion to read the bill YOU
VIII ind that any sum in excess Of
$500 revertS to your school fund 1t
does not ask, as do many of the re-
solves which come before this Legis-
lature, for money. They simply ask,
after they have received the sum of
$500 to turn it over to your state
school fund. That is in the right di-
rection. 1t requires all persons who
represent themselves as qualified 10
act as optometrists to be SO qualified.
It drives out 300 INSCRIPTIONS fakirs
from the State and those are the people
we are firing out. 1t safeguards the
eyesight of the people for all years to
come.
The optometry bill canrot possibly
become q graft on the State treasury.
1t does not intrude on the domain of
any OF the sciences or professions 1t
does not debar any dealer in glasses
from selling the same as merchandise
more than you would flour or corn or
automobile SpectacleS or colored
spectacles. 1t does not require the ply
stefan to pass its examination 1t does
not allow the use of medicine in any
form.
Mr.. President, might go on with all
these recommendations and | might
say further that this bill is passed in
"A states Of our Union today and is
of all those eminent men and phys-
clans that approve the passage of this
measure, did time permit / might use
the opinion of Gov Hughes himself, in
signing this bill, before the New York
state Legislature objections had been
urged. giving legal recognition to the
practice in question; but the fact re-
mains that 1.-The practice continues and
Will continue, and unquestionably
forms a proper subject of regulation.
1 therefore approve the BILL
The optometry bill, Mr.. President,
deserves a square deal Why? Because
the bill simply compels those who ex-
anime the eyes of others for glasses
to prove their competency; because
nne-tenths of the medical profession
are disguised with being obliged to
pull chestnuts out of the fire for the
selfish oculists whose axe to grind"
is plainly evident to all who have
made a study of this question
Fourteen other states now have SIM
liar laws, the working of which has
already proven the contention of the
sponsors for similar legislation in this
State.
In those states it has driven out the
spectacle fakirs. who are now flooding
this state in consequence of there be
ing no law TO prevent them from
swindling the public.
Nebraska is awaiting the action of
this Legislature and also Massachu-
sets and Rhode Island.
Mr.. President. in the interests of hui
manity 1 think I have stated the case
fairly to you, Senators. know we
stand here today. so or Is of my friends
and customers whom I have known
from boyhood, who are anxious to Sc
cure the passage Of this measure And
petition after petition has come in here
addressed to you in favor of the pas
sage of this bill. Have you heard Of