The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1876-03-17

The Hartford delegation in the House have
introduced and procured the passage of a
bill to grant licenses to sell liquor, to take
the place Of the present grand jury law. ii
provides that licenses may be issued by the
Clerk of the Circuit Court, the applicant
first filing with him petition signed by at
least twelve freehoders living within one
and a-half miles of the proposed place OF
business, praying that such license may be
granted. The applicant must also file bond
with security for 81 900, for the payment OF
all fines, penalties and costs to which he may
become liable for any violation of the liquor
license laws.
In addition to the amount now required
to he paid for license to sell liquor by the
general license laws of the State, the appli-
cant must pay an equal amount which is
to be paid by the Clerk to the County Com,
missioners for the use of the county; pro-
vided that the additional amount to be
paid to the county for any license to sell
spirituous or fermented liquors or lager beer
in quantities not less than pint shall not
NC less tllan HoU u year.
Under the 4th section the Clerk is requir.
ed to diligently inquire as to the sufliciency
of the bond and the competency of the petit
TONERS If he shall wlfully or negligently
fail to do SO, he is made liable to fine of
not less than fifty nor more than one hun
dred dollars.
The applicant must make affidavit as to
the situation of his house or place of business
and the rate of rent or annual value thereof
also, that all the petitioners recommending
him are freeholders living within one and
a-half miles of his place of business. The
Clerk may also require further sworn proof
to be filed as to the compliance in good
faith of the applicant with the requirements
Of the license law.
The Clerk is required to pay all money
received for the use of the county to the
County Commissioners on the first of Janu-
airy, April, July and October He is to re-
ceive 81 for approving and and filing the
bond, and per cent. commission on all sums
paid by him to the County Commissioners,
to be paid by the applicant in addition to
the sum TO be paid for license.
The 9Th, 9th and 10th sections empower
the Grand Jury at any term of court to sup
press licenses to sell liquor in all cases in
which, in their judgment, the public good
will be promoted thereby. The Clerk is for
hidden, Also TO issue license TO any person
to whom the grand jury may have recon-
mended that no license be granted
The law also forbids all games of chance
or Skill for profit or amusement to be play
ed in the bar room or other public room on
the premises where liquor is sold, under n
penalty of not less than fifty nor more than
one hundred dollars, or imprisonment in the
county Jail not less than twenty nor more
than forty days.
This bill will probably reach the Senate
to-day.
In the Senate, Col Walsh has introduced
bill to repeal the present grand jury law
The Committee of Finance of the Senate
also have under consideration a general law
amending and re-enacting the provisions of
the Code in relation to selling spirituous or
fermented liquors, so as to increase the strin-
gency and efficiency of the law