Article July 26, 1919 Issue

Public health officials, according to a Columbus press...

Harry Vandegrift

Springfield (Ohio) Sun

Public health officials, according to a Columbus press item, declare that the opposition to the Hughes public health measure now pending before the state legislature, comes from "Christian Science practitioners who earlier in the session failed in an attempt to get a bill passed exempting them from control of the state medical board."

Christian Scientists are against the Hughes bill, because these gentlemen who are asking for the contract to keep the citizens of Ohio well have not proved themselves sufficiently capable in coping with disease and epidemic to expect exclusive recognition, which this bill in connection with existing statutes confers. Would it not be well before employing these men to inquire if they have shown themselves equal to past occasions of disease and epidemics? Can they do the work worthily? What are the proofs? These are pertinent questions such as likely would be asked of any group of professional or business men seeking a contract with the state.

There are thousands of conscientious people who recognize a religious or spiritual element of healing which appeals to their highest and tenderest sympathies. Therefore I inquire by what authority can the state declare these thousands of Ohio's citizens criminally wrong and the others legally right? Contrary to an impression the sponsors of the Hughes bill are trying to create, Christian Scientists do not seek exemption from the operation and enforcement of reasonable sanitary and quarantine laws. They favor everything that makes for the good and uplift of the community, and would not by legal restraint or otherwise try to abridge or take away the constitutional freedom of any citizen. In short, Christian Scientists heartily indorse the Golden Rule.

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