St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1913-08-06
FOR STERILIZATION


es spring from these. OF this group
100000 are cared for in rublic
institutions in this country, while
there are many times that number
in private homes. Whereas the Off
springs Of such people are most de-
teTiorating to the race their families
average much larger than those of
persons best fitted 10 bring up chill
dren. Thus this shows conclusive
ly that the percentage of such ques-
ticnable people is rapidly growing
larger. This increase must cease.
In the animal kingdom it is
question of the survival of the fit
test, and thus the species are kept
what they were intended to be.
Society can hardly kill off the weak
and undesirable, so it must seek
for other means to accomplish its
end. The Lynn pastor suggested
one way when he insisted upon eu-
genie marriages, yet this would not
be adequate for this most undesir-
able class of people, the feeble
minded. Segregation would be out
of the question since il would IN
volve too great an expense for the
public Sterilization seems the only |
practical method. Such a procedure
should not be undertaken too rash !
ly at first, but very broadly increasing |
in scope as our knowledge increases. !
The Law recently vetoed by the gov
ernor would not have been common |
datory because it was compulsory.
The reform should begin with |
the child that he may realize his |
responsibility. The time is coming |
when society will frown on the mar
riage of those who are diseased |
either mentally or physically even |
as il does now on the marriage of |
cousins.
At the close of this address a ris-
ing vote of appreciation was given
DR.. Aldrich.
The regular business of the Club /
was then resumed. Resolutions on |
the death of Mrs. Fannie Parkhurst |
written by Mrs. Sarah Hovey and I
Mrs. F. A. Scott were read, also
resolutions on the death of Mrs. J.
G. Clark which were written by Mrs. |
PerIey Hazen and Mrs. Robert
Mackinnon. 1t was voted to send /
copies OF these to the families and |
to put them on record.
Special mention was made of the l
commendable way in which the COM
mittee in charge of the entertain
ment of guests at the time of the
Federation performed their duties.
Mrs. Perley Hazen was chairman of
this committee.
Mrs. Halves, a member of the |
West End Club of Chicago spoke L
of the club there and principally of II
their club house which was built H
nine years ago. She gave many help n
full suggestions as to the ways in II
which they were able to make this
building not only a possibility but
also a paying investment.
The president then made a few II
remarks telling of the planned work
and announced a lecture to be given
in the Colonial, Oct. 10, by the de-
tective. William J. Burns. The
committee in charge of this is Mrs. II
Robert Mackinnon, Mrs. Belle Flet-
cher, Mrs. Rebecca Fairbanks, Mrs. Il
Helen Stone, Miss Florence May, Mrs.
J. G. Cady. Miss Mary Carr. Miss
Gertrude Menut, Mrs. w. c. Orcutt
Mrs Raymond Pearl, Mrs. Archie
Wilcomb. Mrs. Z. z. Blossom, Mrs.
w. v. Hastings, Mrs. CLAYTON Bur
rows, and Mrs. J. E. Walker.
The advisability of having a baby
show here was discussed in some
detail and it was finally voted to
cooperate with the Commercial Club
and the Fair Ground committee that
such a show might be possible. The
meeting was then adjourned