4 MICROBES AND HEALTH. 



the power of the bacteriologist over the individual phy- 

 sician and the general public. The legislators receive 

 every encouragement from the attending bacteriolo- 

 gists who aid and abet the passage of the various bills. 



We believe the lobbying necessary to convert this 

 mass of bacteriological maze into law is demoraliz- 

 ing and degrading to human nature; that it antago- 

 nizes natural progress, tramples upon justice and ulti- 

 mately would destroy all that is worthiest for which 

 the world has so long striven. It is doubtful if the 

 crowned heads of Europe or the president of the United 

 States possess such absolute authority. In spite of 

 our boasted civilization and intellectual liberty, there 

 has grown up among us a form of arbitrary power that 

 would astonish any careful observer. 



All legislation intended to prohibit or regulate any 

 calling or industry is class legislation, and is repugnant 

 to the spirit of constitutional liberty. Health boards 

 and pure food commissions are maintained by class 

 legislation, and any association or corporation that can- 

 not live without class legislation is not worthy an 

 existence. 



To govern best is to govern least. It is said the 

 founders of our republic taught that a government was 

 simply an association of individuals designed to pre- 

 serve order and administer justice. But politicians 

 are said to be parasites caring nothing for the body on 

 which they feed except as foraging ground. 



A man is useful only so long as his knowledge is 

 based upon unconscious worth and ability. Every 

 manly speculator may diverge from the ideal or pos- 



