East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1910-10-31
PHYSICIAN ROASTS
BURGESS TWADDLE
Editor East oregonian:

Editor East Oregonian:
Is the physician an American citi-
zen? Shall he be denied the privI-
lege of franchise and that of holding
office because he is a doctor. A GER
tain paper says this is correct. Ye
Gods, what of American liberties, why
not go back and declare our allegiance
to Old England? Who ever heard of
q man with the privilege of enfran-
chisement and denied the privilege Of
holding office. When a free born
American citizen reads such rot, emf
mating from one who molds public
opinion, 1t is time to declare that our
liberties are In danger, II there were
evidence they did mold public opin-
Ion. l have more confidence in hui
manity however than to think so.
Such twaddle should be relegated to
the waste basket without consideration
or thought of intelligent or think
ing people. Who dares say that be-
cause my occupation is that of ply
sician that l should be denied the
privilege of citizenship which implies
also the right OF franchise and to hold
office, in state, county or munich
pality, or in the United States If per-
chance the people chose so to elect
me.
Does not the physician pay his ra-
ito of taxes? Does he not contribute
to our school fund the same as our
sheep men and our merchants? Is
he culpably negligent of his duty as
citizen? There is only one class de-
MED the privilege of franchise and
Il, IL
the physician who protects you in
sickness and in health no better than
criminal?
Is not the privilege of enfranchlse-
ment as dear to physicians as 9TH
er men? II such trash as this is
written in the interest OF Mr.. Bur-
gess, God have mercy on him at the
polls But l cannot conceive how he
can permit such dope" as this to be
inserted in any sheet with a view of
contributing to his political welfare.
1t was charged there is a medical
trust in Umatilla county which is not
the case. And are all the physicians
in the county to be slandered be-
cause of Mr.. Burgess desire to de-
feat DR.. Smith?
l have the honor of being the sec
retary of the Pendleton City and
County Medical society and to which
we have thirteen members. 1t Is our
endeavor to have one scientific pa
per each meeting, which paper is
pertinent to the diseases of that par
ticular time. We have no rate bill
TO govern our charges in this society.
And II we did is 1t not as legitimate
as sheep mems convention to swell
the price OF wool?
am a physician and a republican
and moreover an American citizen.
] am not in office nor do I expect
one, but my privileges of citizenship
and hold office are as dear TO me as
any other man and a privilege I will
defend even to my life blood. "Sil-
ence may be golden" but I cannot
refrain from speaking when any man
questions my privilege Of franchise or
hold office because of my occupation.
Such editorials are an insult to that
grand old emblem of freedom, the
American flag, which guarantees to
every man life, liberty and the pur-
suit OF happiness.
I fear that such editorials only in
jure the cause OF the Grand Old Re-
publican party which has guided this
ship OF state through many stormy
battle, and Injuries the cause and best
endeavor of those whom they most
desire to aid.
7. u. TEMPLE