Saturday news. (Watertown, S.D.) 19??-19??, 1915-03-18
J. D. Garlic Explains
Mission to the Capital

IL INC olt1LeuS UI WdleT1OWn.
Whereas rumors coming to the un-
dersigned that he attended the re-
cent session of our state legislature
at Pierre, for the purpose of oppos-
ing, or doing away with quarantine,
in cases of contagious or infectious
diseases, theefore we wish to in
form you of our mission to Pierre
and state our position on the ques-
ton of quarantine.
We went to Pierre as the represent
%tatives of the Christian Scientists of
South Dakota to oppose certain pro-
posed bills, which is passed would
deprive us, as Christian Scientists, of
our personal, medical and religious
freedom.
Senate bill number 24S called for
compulsory medical examination of
public school children once a year, or
as often as the doctor deemed nee
essary. Also giving the board of
health power to care for and control
children with contagious and infec-
tious diseases. We, not only as
Christian Scientists, but as American
citizens, believe we have the sole
guardianship of our own children and
therefore have the only right of the
care and ~control--as to medical
treatment, and to chose our own
nurse for our children. Therefore
we wanted the following amendment
to senate bill 24S: Printed notices
of physical examinations shall be
sent to parents and guardians allow
ing time for such protests; and all
protests against such examinations,
made in good faith, by a parent or
guardian, except in cases of contag-
ious diseases or epidemics, will be.
respected, and the children of said
parent, shall be exempted from med
ical inspection.
When communications are sent to
parents Of guardians concerning
physical condition of children, such
communication shall be under coy
er."
We could not get this amendment
so we worked to defeat the said bill.
This was an easy task for we found
all we talked to were strongly APP
posed to S. b. 24S. This bill was in
definitely postponed as soon as it
ISttuIG up lHGllO ESStldlGNl0T DdSS32G,
after IT was bitterly denounced, and
without a voice uttered in favor OF
the bill.
In answer to the charge Of our OPP
posing quarantine, we have this to
say: Previous to our leaving Pierre,
and after hearing that Watertown.
Sioux Falls, aberdeen and other cit
les In our state were having many
cases OF smallpox, and hearing that
the quarantine only Guaranteed ths
patent In and letting the occupants
OF the I'M house ON and 20 ait
will, We made inquiry why this was
done. We were told that III was d
new ruling of the health board. TO
confirm this statement we went to
the chairman fDr. Jenkinsl OF the
state board OF public health, and
asked IL this new ruling had been
made? He said. YES. we made that
ruling because 1t cost 1--WE dollars per
quarantine and the people would not
stand 1T, Nj said to him: The
Ipeople should be made to stand 1t
even II ii cost ten dollars per quar-
anime. He answered. believe
Just as you do, hut the people won't
stand Hi This information was d
surprise 10 me, coming as III did,
from the head of oar health board.
wv have d law on our statute
hooks which says a patient with
a contagious disease shalt be Isolated
Nov it seems To- me that both The
patient and ali whp occupy the Same
apartments with the smallpox patient
4 should be Q~nafantfnad In; and All