The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1882-01-20

b Il i A l II, M d.
Local Option Legislation for Hartford.


Local Option Legislation for Hartford.
The Temperance Alliance have prepared n
local option bill for Hartford county, which
was presented in the Senate by Mr.. Allen
1t was referred to q select committee, of which
Mr.. Allen was chairman, by whom it was IA
vorably reported and read first time on
Tuesday. DR.. Scerboro has also obtained
leave to introduce bill in the House
The title of the bill referred to is AN Act
to enable the qualified voters of Hartford
county to determine by ballot whether intox-
icating liquors or alcoholic btters shall be
sold therein"
The first section provides for special cleo
ton, to be held on the 10th of next April, in
accordance with the law governing general
elections in this State.
The second section prescribes the form of
the ballots. which shall have written or print
cd on them: For the sale of intoxicating
liquors" or Against the sale of intoxicating
liquors. and orders the return to be made
to the Clerk of the Circuit Court, who is re
quired to proclaim the result
The third section declares that if MAORI
ty of the votes arc against the sale of ntoxi
eating liquors. it shall not be lawful for any
"person or persons, house, corporation
company or association to sell, directly or in
directly, at any place, or to give away at his,
her, their or it's place of business, any spirit
nous, fermented or intoxicating liquors, OF
whatever origin, or alcoholic bitters, after
the first day of August, 1882"
This section further provides that licenses
may be issued from and after the list day OF
May, 1889, to the list day of August, 1889, ms
now provided for by law, and Il rateabe sun
charged therefor.
Tho penalties for violation of The law, as
laid down in the fourth section, are for the
first conviction fine of not less than $50
nor more than $500, or Imprisonment in the
county Jail for thirty days, or both, in The
discretion of the court. For the second and
every subsequent conviction, y fine of not less
than $500 nor more than $500, with impris-
onment in Jail for not less thirty nor more
than ninety days, in the discretion of Tho
court. One-half the fine to go to the inform
or and the residue to the School Commission
ers, for the use of the Public Schools
The fifth section is intended to prevent the
formation of clubs or associations, where in
toxicating liquors are sold or given to men,
bers, the penalties for having liquor ON d.
post or in possession for such purpose being
the came rs for violation Of the law by Ii
qaor dealers.
TIL sixth section of the bill, however. ri
fords CLEAN of comfort to those who must
have dram now and then. 1t provides that
druggists, who have obtained liquor license
may sell Intoxicating liquors upon the pre-.
scrption OF regular practicing physician;
but prescription can only be used once
The penalty imposed upon physicians fnr
making or signing any prescription for ia
toxicating liquor, unless the person for whom
it is made is actually sick, is a fine of not less
than $50 nor more than $500 for the first Of
fense, and not less than 5000 nor more than
$500 for each subsequ MT offense. "If the
buyer shall obtain a prescription by misrc-
presentation, he shall likewise be deemed
guilty of violation OF this act, and upon
conviction thereof shall be subject to the
same fine rs the physician who shall violate
the same"
The same section further provides that moth
ing contained in the law shall be construed to
prohibit sale by druggists Sin case of ex-
treme illness, when delay may be dangerous"
The seventh and eighth sections define how
proceedings are to be taken for violations OF
the law.
The bill contains no prohibition in regard
to the sale of cider, but it is well known that
hard CIDER" If taken in sufficient quantity
will floor the strongest man as efiectually as
the specially prohibited beverages, and its
sale would probably be included in the list OF
"inioxicating liquors" One of the amend.
ments proposed to the bill is to prohibit the
sale of cider in quantities less than twenty
gallons. The effect of this would be to de-
bar farmer from selling to neighbor
demijohn or a jug full OF this old-fashioned
and exhiarating beverage.
The provision to make the law take effect
on the 1st of August also meets with some
opposition. 1t is urged that if the law is
adopted by the people the time fixed for it
to go into operation will allow too short a
period for the liquor dealers to close up their
business and seek other pursuits. The dele
cation, it is said, will endeavor to act as a
unit in the matter, as any other course would
inevitably lead TO the defeat of the proposed
bill.