The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1906-02-08
SENATOR BROWNS
SHEEP MEASURE
Text of the Proposed Law Published
for the Benefit of the Farmers.

IN the breeding and marketing of sheep
in Garrett county should have some pro-
lection from the ravages of dogs is
about to bear fruit, Senator Brown of
Garrett county having introduced in the
Maryland Senate a bill providing for
the protection of the sheep and for the
imposition of tax upon all dogs within
the county, the money derived thereby
to be kept in seperate fund by the
County Commissioners for the purpose
of reimbursing owners of sheep who
have lost their animals by being killed
or injured by dogs.
Senator Browns bill follows in full,
a copy having been forward this office
by the framer of the measure with the
the request that it be published:
SECTION l. Be it enacted by the
General Assembly of the State of
Maryland, That the Board of County
Commissioners of Garrett county be
and hereby are empowered and directed
to provide for a special license tax on
all dogs therein, which shall be levied
annually, at rate of not less than one
dollar for each dog and three dollars for
each bitch; and that the money thus
collected, less the cost of collection,
shall be placed in the hands of the
Treasurer of Garrett county to the
credit Of a special fund to be known
and designated as the "Sheep Fund"
SECTION 2. And be it enacted, That
the County Commissioners of Garrett
county are hereby directed to designate
one constable in each election district of
said county whose duty it shall be to an
nually enumerate and assess at a rate
of not less than one dollar for each dog,
and three dollars for each bitch in said
district, and collect the tax levied upon
the same, and pay the amount received
by said collection into the county treas
ury, at such times as may be fixed up
on by the said Board of County Com
mlSsioners; and the official bond of any
of said constables, failing to account
and make returns as aforesaid, shall be
held liable for such default, and all con-
stables who shall faithfully account as
herein required may retain a commits
sion of twenty five percent. on the
amount actually collected, and paid into
the county treasury; and the net amount
of such taxes after the payment of all
charges, shall be placed to the credit of
a special fund hereby created which
shall be known and designated as the
"Sheep Fund.
SECTION 3. And be it enacted, That
the neglect of any constable to perform
the duties required by the provisions Of
this Act, shall be sufficient cause Of
forfeiture Of office, and the Board of
County Commissioners are hereby di-
rected TO Immediately remove from
office any constable within their county
who shall so neglect to perform said du-
ties, and shall appoint another person
to serve in his stead.
SECTION A. And be it enacted, That
the Board of County Commissioners
shall furnish the constables appointed
for the respective districts to carry out
the provisions Of this Act, metal tags
of not less than one and one half inches
in diameter, bearing the number of his
election district and beneath it figures
representing the number of the license,
which tags shall be issued by the con-
stable to the owner Of each dog or bitch,
at the time when the license tax is paid,
which tags shall be wore at all times
by the dog or bitch for which the tax
has been paid; and that each constable
shall keep in an appropriate book list
of all licenses issued by him, which list
shall contain the number of the tag is
sued. the name and residence Of the
owner, short description of the dog or
bitch for which issued, and date, to-
gether with the amount collected, du-
plicate of which shall also be filed with
the clerk of the Commissioners.
SECTION 5. And be it enacted, That
the license tax provided for in Section
of this Act shall be due and payable
upon the first day of September of each
year to the constables in the several
districts, and when paid to the consta-
bic, he shall give a receipt for the same
which shall have upon it the number of
the license, and a short description Of
the dog or bitch for which it is given,
and the numbers upon the tag which is
given shall correspond with the receipt;
and in case Of the loss of any tag, a du-
plicate may be furnished for the same
on application to the constable who or
iginally issued it, on the payment of ten
cents, and satisfactory evidence being
furnished that the tax had been paid
for the current year on the dog or bitch
for which it was issued
SECTION 6. And be it enacted, That
after the expiration of thirty days after
the first day of September in each year,
if the license tax has not been paid on
all dogs and bitches, it shall be the duty
of the constable appointed in the sever
al election districts to proceed to collect
the same, and upon the refusal of any