The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-12-21
BILLS Of HEALTH
TO REQUIRED
Eugenic Law Goes Into Effect
in Wisconsin OH Jan
uary l.
FIND NO WAY TO AVOID TERMS
Much Discussion by Physicians
and Clergy1nen as to
Its Value
FIND NO WAY TO AVOID TERMS
Especial TO The Times-Dispatch.l

Especial TO The Times Dispatch.l
Milwaukee,. December 20.-On and
after January |. 1919. men who wish
to marry in this State must present
certificates OF health signed by repu-
table physicians. The eugenic law,
passed at the last session OF the Leg
l;slature, goes into effect or that day,
+, and not even the cleverest lawyers
f.havc been able To find any way OF
avoiding it. 1t also provides that any
| lN,rson going to another state to
merry, cannot return TO Wisconsin
within Il period OF one year unless he
presents II physicians certificate. In
| tent 10 dcfraud Is punishable with SIN
priso p.nent of from one 10 thirty years
! Thena has already been much lis
cussior OF tho new law by physicians.
clergymNn and social workers in this
State. Many approve OF It, while
others as\iert that 1t will work no
good. 1'hA medical profession, how
ever. appears generally TO regard the
statute witt, favor.
! Tho Inv provides that any physi-
cIan issuing q false certificate shall
be deprived Of his license TO practice.
md any person disclosing the result
be charged With felony, and
upon conviction, shall be SON
fenced TO from one TO fivcs year
in tho penitcntiarT. The law sets
/ forth that the cost for medical exami-
nation shall be IS, 10 be paid by the
applicant
Opinions Of Law.
! Following arc some opinions ok
pressed by leading clcrgymon and ply
sicians OF Milwaukee:
The statute to become effective IN
this state or January J. 1914" said
| Ipr. William Becker, Il prominent ply
stefan, which conipels male candidates
! for natrimony to present a certificate
! Of physical and mental health, would,
theoretically, be conducive 10 the bet
terment OF mankind, II both sexes
were equally subjected TO the law.
Viewed in The light OF a civil contract.
both parties entering into 'the agreement
should share equally IN all responsibilities
| 1vi,h tho man in pos.cspon OF certified
halo, but In doubt a. TO the womun's mental
| to tho plane of quasi chattci. and the legal
ma%im % 'vaVeat cmptor' becomes srpli-
! cable.
"a considerable ner ;en; OF women h.n,
riagc less important than that OF the mani"
This was. the. opinion Of the Rev II. G.
| y have grave doubts as 10 whether this
! particular law VIII he OF any great aGvan-
slbllity of evasion TOO sreat Besides. 1t
comes perilously near TO the line which sep
, arates individual freedom from social con-
! troll
Expects Early Repeal.
| c!sm of such 4 law said DR. Nellie Went
! worth Cargili. and ! would not be surprised
| 70 hear OF its early repeal. The man who is
| clean will resent "a physical examination;
the man who Is uucl-un will cvadc tho issue.
| The law in itself IS good ono. and prob
| ably has the support Of the entire medical
! protcssior, well as the thinking people
| OF other professions.
| DR.. William J. Cronyn said:
| - believe 1t Is a wise and sanitary Law
| "if rgidiy enforced 81 will go far toward
preventing the propagation Of serious dis
! cases Of the blood, and other local diseases
that source OF much misery and
| sunering, and tho cause Of many
happy marriages
! The las, recently passed by tn. Legisla
| tutc. whereby amy Dau desiring 10 marry.
must present certificate, signed by q re
putablc physician, showing that lie Is ply
| sically qualified 10 enter the marriage rel5-
| ton. viii for IA time, hewilder some people.
| and II viii be some time before all will un-
derstand It's import" said the Rev, Perry
| Millar, superintcndcnt Wisconsin Conference,
| Methodist Episcopal church.
| "Iiut tho law is so sensible ana practice
bic, and may SAY, necessary to the
| good of all concerned. that we Will 10 will
| Ing 20 put w with ~oinc Inconvenience.
! The only fault ! have with The law Is
that II does not include beth parties to the
maria &c contract"