Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1912-02-23

| lTcluTIllHS TIE ulll Will HiS OuJcSlioii
for disapproval, displayed mon
strous and objectionable ignorance OF
the facts in the case. say unpardon.
able, because II he had desired tc
know the facts and observe the meth
DDS Of conducting these examinations
he would have been most welcome
to visit one Of the schools In Colum.
bia and learn the facts for himself
But, on the contrary, he has seen Al
to pervert the facts, try to create
prejudice, and otherwise display tao.
tics repugnant to the statesman.
The governor Is probably ignorant
of the fact that the average citizen
OF today Is given more consideration
and that life possesses a higher value
than ever before in the history Of the
world and he likewise possesses op-
portunities for life and happiness that
ten or fifteen years ago would have
seemed improbable Unquestionably
world has received from the last de-
cade Of the nineteenth century Is the
manner and means by which these
blessings can be secured.
We are also taught that II disease
and vice are to be successfully COM
bated and controlled, childhood is
the period to which we must look, be-
cause there the seeds are sown. We
have learned that childhood Is the
most impressionable period of life,
and that II a child from whatever
cause, be 1t from defect or disease,
suffers pain, the nervous system Is apt
to become perverted. This perver-
sion may not present itself for years
after the beginning Of the trouble,
and 1t may display itself in various
ways, even to criminality. Again. on
ly when a child Is free from defects
appreciate the joys Of childhood, and
who would deny child the innocent
pleasures incident to that remarka-
BILE period Of life? It might be we'll
to state here that there occurs more
development Of the nervous system
during the first eight years than dur
Ing all the remaining years Of ones
lite. This, Of course, includes the
brain. Is 1t not, then, most evident
that II we are to have sturdy race,
free from disease and vice, that chill
dren must be protected from what
ever causes that prevent development?
These causes are usually unsuspected
defects. They are not found unless
looked for, but when found are easily
corrected. They are generally Of the
Of the chest.
His excellency lays a great deal of
stress upon the likelihood that gross
deformities will be discovered and
heralded to the whole world. AS a
matter of fact, they are very unusual,
and when they do exist they are EVIL
dent to everyone who observes even
casually. He overlooks the important
fact that 1t Is the object Of the bill
to correct the so to rs per cent of
physical defects, rather than to dis
cover and herald to the world one
half Of per cent Of deformities. Few,
must say. can agree with Mr.. Blease
in his assertion that II the bill be-
came a law, parents would be deprived
Of authority over their children. II
the state has a right to train a child's
mind. It also has fight to protect
It's brain and body, and every right
thinking parent would acknowledge
this Jurisdiction and commend Its
|benefcence. Perhaps the governor
takes the view Of the Roman senator
who over 1000 years ago proclaimed
In the Roman senate that parent
possessed the right to kill his child.
The twentieth century answers the
senator today that our civilization
commands US to protect the lives OF
children. and shows us how to do 1t.
His excellency, always so deferen-
tial to modesty and virtue, seems to
fear that virtue will be violated II
these examinations are made. He need
have no misgivings In this regard,
since the examinations include only
the face and chest, and are made In
the daylight, and invariably In the
presence of many witnesses and at
the rate Of about fifteen per hour.
I am very sorry that this reply to
the governors objections should be
so brief, and because Of its brevity, so
superficial, and so, In conclusion, i
will say that medical examinations OF
school children have been adopted
over nearly the entire civilized world.
and that so far as have been able
to ascertain, its results have far ex-
ceeded the expectations OF those who
instituted them. No community, hav-
ing once adopted this system. has
since given 1t up. 1t Is conceded by
all that this system has accomplished
remarkable results in settling many
of the different problems Of the
school room by banishing the laggard
and the truant and winning their In
terest, industry and regular attend
ance. It has relieved unnecessary
suffering and sickness. It has given
childhood many joys and comforts
by removing disabilities. 1t has re-
stored those who were apparently
hopeless. It has saved many boys
from addiction to vicious habits and
vices. It Is steadily reducing the num-
bers appearing In juvenile courts OF
correction. It Is rapidly reducing the
mortality rate among children, and
above ALL It Is saving the individual
from prejudice and bitterness incl
dent to defect and disease. and Is
giving him a fair opportunity to pur-
sue unencumbered whatever vocation
he desires. It is believed that 1t Will
materially reduce the unrest and dem
agogism so often seen In our form OF
government. I realize that this Is
claiming much for any system, but
can submit abundant evidence to
anyone who doubts or denies Final
ly. II these statements are facts. Is
the system not worthy OF trial In
South Carolina, where illiteracy is so
great and where perusal Of the most
recently taken mortality rate stag
gers twentieth century sensibilities?