The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1915-11-17
JUDGMENT OF
SOLOMON NEEDED
Continued from page -

on such a case! cannot express an
opinion, because such case might
come before me."-Judge George +.
Barrett, of the criminal court
Mrs Anna Bolfinger, the mother.
says:
II agreed with Dr. Haiselden to let
my baby die. I love the poor de-
formed little one. With tears and
breaking heart, I gave my consent to
its death. Left to itself 1t has no
chance to live
mo one need think me cruel or an
unnatural mother. My heart is full 0f
mother love for all my children. But
this poor little one. II allowed to
live, would be for years, only burden
to itself. It's life would be dark, bar
rem. useless, unrelieved by happiness
to itself or pleasure or service to 9TH
ers It is. as the doctor says, ono OF
natures bnnders. and l am willing
that nature should correct its error
by my baby's death.
'T am satisfied that I am doing
right. My husband thinks as do"
'Thts is a pagan idea. The funda-
mental principles of christianity Is
saving lives. Deformed persons do a
lot for this world. as history shows.
Most Of them are loveable and law
abiding. I am Mortified at the idea. "
Rev. Father Frank 8. O'Brien. Holy
Name church.
"It is difficult to hold a dogmatic
opinion In case like this. l am d.
vided between conviction and sentf-
ment. The trend of science teaches
US to prolong life and christianity
recognizes the sacredness OF life.
There. believe everything should be
done to keep the child alive must
add that circumstances alter cases.
and the doctor must be the final Judge
of conditions. Bishop Samuel Fal-
lows.
Conferences Of officials.
CHICAGO, Nov 17.-Police Chief
Healy this afternoon called hurried
conference with Commissioner OF
Health John Dill Robertson and Cor
oner Peter Holman to decide what
action, II any, those departments can
take to compel hospital authorities to
perform the operation to save the life
of tho child OF Mr.. and Mrs. Bollingev.
Divided Opinion.
NEW YORK, Nov. 17.-New York
physicians were divided in their opin-
ion TODAY OF the case Of Baby Boil
linger. dying in a Chicago hospital
because surgeons refuse to perform
an operation that may save his life
and yet leave him a defective.
DR.. Irwin Arrow, superintendent OF
the big Jewish maternity hospital, Sc
vererly condemns the action of the
Chicago hospital staff.
Whether the baby Is an idiot for
life, does not enter into the ques-
ton" said DR.. Arrow. 1T is the duty
of every medical man In the country
to save life In every case where 1t Is
possible"
Dr.. Gertrude B. Kelly expressed the
same view.
mo person has right to curtail
life in any way" she said. Doctors
are not little gods to make life or
death decisions"
DR.. John A. McCorkle. OF the Long
Island hospital. said the Chicago
hospital staff did exactly right"
"Why prolong life II the child Is
bound to be burden to society,"" he
said.
Miss Katherine B. Davis, commits
sioner of corrections OF New York
said her experience with the worst
types of mental detectives convinced
her the Chicago hospital authorities
were exactly right.
Lindseys Opinion.
DENVER, Colo, Nov. 17.-Judge
Ben Lindsey today stated It would be
an "act of mercy to let Mrs. Anna
Bollinger's deformed infant die.
"Thfs case in Chicago should give
an impulse to the national movement
for birth control and prevention OF
detectives" said the famous juvenile
court leader.
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