The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1898-06-02
CHAPTER 207.

Chief Clerk of the House of Delegates.
CHAPTER 207.
AN ACT TO PROHIBIT CERTAIN COMBI-
NATIONS IN TRADE AND THE MEANS
USED TO BRING THEM ABOUT, AND
FOR THAT PURPOSE TO ADD CERTAIN
NEW SECTIONS TO ARTICLE 27 OF THE
CODE OF PUBLIC GENERAL LAWS OF
THE STATE OF MARYLAND, TITLE
GRIMES AND PUNISHMENTS, UNDER
THENEW SUB-TITLE"TRADE," TO FOL-
LOW SECTION 1853, AND TO BE KNOWN
AS SECTIONS 263A. 263B AND 263C.
WHEREAS, By the use of cunning devices,
now commonly called trading stamps
large combinations in trade have been
brought about in this State, and many traders
have been induced to enter into such COM
binationS by threats and fear of the conSe-
quences which might result to their business
should they fail to comply with the demands
of those managing said combinations, and,
whereas, certain exclusive privileges have
been offered, held out and agreed to be given
to those who entered said combinations, as
against their rivals in business, to the great
disadvantage and damage of those traders
who have refused to be coerced by said
threats and the granting OF the privileges
aforesaid,and, whereas, public policy requires
the prohibition OF all such combinations,
uONSOSNpT UIle SAME may Dp Drought
and the adoption of such laws as will pro-
mote healthy competition i'll trade, there
fore
Section l. Be it enacted by the General As
sembly of Maryland, That certain new sec
lions be added to Article ~ of the Code of
Public General Laws of the State of Mary
land, title Grimes and PuniShmentS," under
the new sub-t title Grade to follow section
1853, and to be known as Sections 263A, 263B
and 263C.
263A. No person or association of persons
shall, either directly or indirectly, by agent
or otherwise, use or hold for use in any way,
or sell any stamps, commonly called trad
ing stamp, or any ticket, or check or written
or printed promise or assurance, express or
implied, or any other scheme device for
the sale, barter or trade of any goods, wares
or merchandise, holding out as an induce
ment for any such sale, barter or trade, the
giving or issuing of any such stamp. ticket,
check, promise, assurance scheme or device,
which stamp, ticket, check, promise, assur-
ance, scheme or device is to be, or may be,
presented to or redeemed by some person or
association of persons other than those max
ing the sale, barter or trade aforesaid, the
holder of said stamp, ticket, check, promise,
assurance, scheme or device for presentment
or redemption, getting or receiving in eX-
change therefor, any gift prize or gratuity of
any thing uncertain, undetermined or
unknown to the purchaser of said goods,
wares or merchandise at the time of the pur-
chase thereof.
263B. No person or association of persons
shall, either directly or indirectly, by agent
or otherwise. use or hold for use. or sell any
stamp, commonly called trading stamp, or
any ticket check, promise or assurance, eX-
press or implied, or any other scheme or de-
vice of the kind or character described in the
preceding section Of this Article, and thereby
prohibited to be used or held for use or to be
Sold when the same, instead of or i'll addition
to the manner of redemption therein describ-
ed, is to be, or may be presented to or re-
deemed by the person or association OF per-
sons selling, bartering or trading the goods,
wares or merchandise as in said section set
forth, at any other place than that where
said sale, barter or trade was made, or in any
other manner than by something certain and
known to the purchaser at the time of said
sale, barter or purchase; provided, however,
that nothing contained in this or the proceed
ing section is intended to prevent any manu-
facturer from Offering any gift or present to
any purchaser of his products
26jC. ANY person or association or persons
violating any of the provisions of the two
preceding sections of this Article or aiding,
abetting or assisting in said violation, shall
be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and upon
conviction thereof before any Justice of the
Peace of this State or court of competent jur
iSdiction therein, shall be fined not less than
fifty dollars nor more than one hundred dol
lars for each otfenSe, and for a second or re-
peated violation of said sections may, in ad-
dition to said fine, be imprisoned in the House
of Correction or in the city or county jail, as
the case may be, for not less than one month
nor more than six months.
Section =. And be it further enacted, That
this act shall take effect from the date of its
passage.
Approved April T, 1898
LLOYD LOWNDES, Governor.
JOHN WRIT RAN DALL,
President of the Senate.
LOUIS SCHAEFER,
Speaker of the House of Delegates.
We hereby certify that the aforegoing is
correct copy OF an Act of the General Assem-
bly, of Maryland passed at the January Ses-
sion 1898.
MARTIN NJ. HIGGINS,
Secretary of the Senate.
2. HOUSEHOLDER,
Chief Clerk of the House of Delegates.