New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-05-09
NEW JERSEY COMES SECOND
Sterilization Law Not Yet in Force IN
California.

To tho Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: The article which you published
Nav announcing that Governor Wilson
Of New Jersey had signed the sterilization
bill deeply Interested me. You manifested
the most praiseworthy courage by help
ing 10 educate your constituency IN regard
10 this very important law for the veal OF
our people and the soundness OF our nation.
Though there are several misstatements
I'm this write-up, the workers and officers
Of the National Christian League for Pro-
motion Of Purity are grateful TO you for
announcing the enactment OF this bench
cent law by the New Jersey lawmakers.
The sterilization law does not exist In
California, although considerable aglta-
tion has been reused and much effort been
nut forth by n number OF our members and
workers there Our president, Frank :.
Haupt. Mrs. Mary Wood Swift. our vice
president. and David starr Jordan, presl-
dent of the Leland Stanford Junior Unit
versity have rendered good service In be-
half Of the bill. I can furnish YOU with a
personal letter from President David Starr
Jordan 10 the effect that he will make spe-
cial effort 10 secure this law as soon as the
Legislature meets nearly two years hence
Your statement that the surgeons at the
State Reformatorv of Indiana have steril-
tied persons during the past twelve years
Is Incorrect. Indiana was tho first state
I'm the Union TO secure this law. which was
about nve years ago II Is very serious
accusation against the reformatory to state
that its surgeons performed the operation
OF sterilization before the law was enacted.
Or. II. G. Sharp has performed most of
these operations, and every one was per-
formed legally, though in a majority OF
cases wholly against the wish or wiling
ness Of the criminal subjects.
IT, according TO your statement Mrs.
Caroline b. Alexander, of Castle Point.
Hoboken. suggested the sterilization bill
to the Legislature, it IL very definite TO my
mind that she did not suggest IL 10 me,
or to the National Christian League Off
GERS. We not only had the bill drawn and
presented to Assembyman Blanchard IL.
White, but we can show numerous letters
ind kilograms wherein Mr.. White gra-
ciously acknowledges the sterilization bin
10 have been our bill.
7 feel that thanks should be rendered In
Justice to representative men such as the
Rev. Or. L. b. Sanford, our president
for the state of New Jersey. and many
others who have sent us letters which we
have published and used for the enlighten-
ment of the people and especially legisla-
tors. We have sent this literature 10 each
Individual Assemblyman and Senator, to-
gether with a personal letter and II stamped
envelope which brought us many replies.
I was convinced that Governor Woodrow
Wilson, in view OF his splendid heredity
his broad vision and quick perception for
the welbeing Of the people, would need
little coaching and few appeals to induce
him to sign the bill. This he did about as
quickly as 1t came into his possession
Surely the Jersey Legislature will serve as
a splendid example for other states.
ELIZABETH Is. GRANNIS
New York. May 9. 1911.