Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1903-02-17
II PROVIDES FOR LOCAL OPTION
IN COUNTIES AND IN CITIES

| Inc Dill introduced IN the House Dy
Speaker Montoya and commonly
known as the local option bill, is at
tracing general attention throughout
the territory. '"The bill has been mos
carefully drawn" said Mr.. Montoya
"by attorneys who have endeavored tt
make it legally perfect. 1t has beer
the solution of the Sunday question. II
leaves to each community the right tC
say what shall and what shall not be
done within the limits of the communi-
ty. It's provisions have been generally
discussed and agreed upon and I be-
lieve the bill will be passed as it ought
to pass"
The bill is known as House Bill No.
4S, and the first section provides that
when a petition signed by at least 100
qualified voters of any county who live
outside the corporate limits of any city
or town, is presented to the county
commissioners, that body shall ord n
an election within 40 days, to be held
in the same manner as a general cleo
sale of Intoxicating liquors and the
carrying on of ordinary business pur-
suits shall be permitted on Sunday.
The elections shall not be held within
60 days of any general election, but
shall be separate and distinct from any
other election. The same course shall
be followed in regard to cities and
towns and the petition in that case
shall be presented to the city council
or board of trustees. Frauds perpetra-
ted in such special elections shall be
punished as provided in the present
laws governing general elections and
the result of the special elections may
be contested as Is now provided for by
law. Notice of the special election
shall be published in newspaper hav-
ing a general circulation in the city or
town, for four consecutive weeks and
the last insertion shall be within ten
days of the day appointed for the cleo
ton. At any such election those who
favor prohibiting the buying, selling or
trading of goods, wares, merchandise,
spirituous and intoxicating liquors, In
GLIDING wine and beer, the keeping op-
Ell and carrying on Of any business,
shops, stores, offices and places of busi-
nees, and the doing of all worldly WORK
and labor. the pursuit of ones ordi-
nary business and calling, works OF
charity, mercy, religion and necessity
excepted, on Sunday, shall have writ
ten on their ballots For Sunday Clos
ing; those opposed to 1T shall have
Against Sunday Closing" If the ma
jority of votes be against Sunday clos
ing, it is made lawful to carry on any
business on Sunday. If the majority Is
for Sunday closing then the result OF
the election shall be published for four
consecutive weeks in some newspaper
and 30 days from the date of the last
publication it shall be unlawful to car
ry on any business on Sunday. When
the question is once decided by a coun-
ty, city or town, it shall not be again
submitted for four years. Sunday Is
legally defined as extending from mid
night Saturday night to midnight Sum
day night. The penalty provided Is
fine of not less than $50 or imprison-
ment for from to 80 days. The fines
shall go to the school fund. In case OF
necessity farmers and gardeners shall
be permitted to irrigate their lands and,
when necessary to save the same. to
remove grain and other products from
the fields on Sunday. Nothing in the
act is to be construed as preventing
cooks, walters, and other employees OF
hotels, restaurants and boarding hous-
es or persons engaged in the necessary
operation of railroads, street cars or
other public conveyances, from follow
ing their necessary duties on Sunday.
The present laws are repealed.
There is nothing in the bill to pre-
vent sports such as baseball, races, etc.,
on Sunday, and they will be permitted.
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