Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1914-02-15

statute books. But this disposition usually
termed trade unionism, and justly condemned,
is by no means confined to the trades The
same spirit seems to prevail in nearly all voca-
tons and Our State has been one of the worst
of offenders in this respect. The famous
Tenement House Cigar Act Matter of Jacob
son, 80 N. Y, 99) prohibited the manufacture
of cigars in any tenement house. AS pointed
out by the courts its provisions were such as
to show plainly that it was in no sense
statute for the protection Of health but enacted
solely for the benefit of large manufacturers
who sought to stife competition. Every one
familiar with the public affairs of that day
knows that this was the true purpose of the
act
When oleomargarine was first made the
farmers of the State not content with legisla-
ton to prevent fraud on the public in passing
off the article as butter, obtained the enact
ment of statute which absolutely prohibited
its manufacture, though it indisputably
shown that oleomargarine was wholesome
article or food people V. Marx, SO N. Y, 377).
Some ingenious and energetic storekeeper
sought to increase his sale by giving prizes or
premiums to purchasers of goods in excess of
a certain quantity or value. His plan must
have been successful, since forthwith his bust
ness rivals had statute passed forbidding CIV
ing a prize on the sale Of goods and making
the act misdemeanor. The statute
sought to be upheld on the claim that the gift
Of prizes induced customers to buy more than
they needed and to spend too much money,
though how this justified interference by the
State l am at a loss to imagine. OF course
the real object of the statute to stifle an
ingenious method of doing business in the in.
terest of rivals in that business people "
ellison, 100 N. Y, 3S9).
Nor are the professions free from the same
spirit Surely there is nobler, none so char
table and unselfsh profession that of the
physician. Yet the persecution which some Of
the physicians seek to infiict on the Christian
Scientists is discreditable. Personally, when ill.,
if compelled to make choice, prefer the at
tendance of the physician to that Of the min
lister, but others may entertain different view.
1t took centuries Of time and untold human
suffering to establish the right of a man to be
saved or damned in the next world in his own
way.
And the right Of an adult, sane person
to be cured or killed in this world in his own
way seems to me to be equally as great I'M
less his disease being contagious, endangers
others, and even in that case 1t is difficult to
see. how the attendance of the Christian Scen-
fist can increase the danger. Doubtless the re-
quirements Of technical education and skill pre-
scribed conditions for a license to practice
as a physician are proper. In default of such
requirements we would be subject to be i'm
posed upon by impostors and charlatans. But no
one, however, can be deceived by the Christian
Science reader except as to the extent Of the
special Intervention of the Deity in human af-
fairs.
AS to that man has right to believe
what he chooses, and the further right to act
on his belief. In all Christian churches pray
offered for the recovery of the SICK and
all decent Christians Friends possibly excepted,
believe in supporting their clergymen. The
Christian Scientist has exactly the same right
to be paid for his service. The sect seems to
be unpopular and to have few defenders. That
is only a greater reason why should see to
it that its rights be respected
At this point permit to dgress moment
to call your attention an evil which is closely
akin to the subject of my address-the dispo-
s1tfon to make all human shortcomings crimes
and subject to excessive punishment. Every