Idaho sterilization law vetoed by Governor D.R. Davis

March 6, 1919 The Idaho “Act to prevent the procreation of feeble-minded, insane, epileptic, moral de-generates and sexual perverts, who may be inmates of institutions maintained by public expense, by authorizing and providing for the sterilization of persons with inferior hereditary potentialities” was veoted by the governor of the state, D.W. Davis, on March, 18, 1919. Davis cited two reasons for his decision. First, the bill was discriminatory in its application, it only applied to those living in institution and not to the general public (a putative violation of the fourteenth amendment of the US constitution); second, the scientific premises forming the laws basis were questionable or suspect. Thus it could be not be justifiably passed.

-Luke Kersten & Caroline Lyster

  • Laughlin, H.H. (1922). Eugenical Sterilization in the United States. Psychopathic Laboratory of the Municipal Court of Chicago.

Idaho sterilization law vetoed by Governor D.R. Davis

March 6, 1919 The Idaho “Act to prevent the procreation of feeble-minded, insane, epileptic, moral de-generates and sexual perverts, who may be inmates of institutions maintained by public expense, by authorizing and providing for the sterilization of persons with inferior hereditary potentialities” was veoted by the governor of the state, D.W. Davis, on March, 18, 1919. Davis cited two reasons for his decision. First, the bill was discriminatory in its application, it only applied to those living in institution and not to the general public (a putative violation of the fourteenth amendment of the US constitution); second, the scientific premises forming the laws basis were questionable or suspect. Thus it could be not be justifiably passed.

-Luke Kersten & Caroline Lyster

  • Laughlin, H.H. (1922). Eugenical Sterilization in the United States. Psychopathic Laboratory of the Municipal Court of Chicago.