Bridgeton pioneer., 1907-02-21
BUCK INTRODUCES
LOCAL OPTION BILT,

NASo0hDi HnH ID. TaDk DUCK, the
veteran legislator of this county. Tues
day presented to the House of
Assembly the local option bill. Mr.
Buck presented the bill in his own
name after being requested to do so by
the Anti-Saloon League. Mr. Buck was
entirely willing TO present bill that
many other members of the House
shrank from, and is in accord with
its provisions. He will make stren-
uous effort to have the bill passstne
FL ouse.
y The feeling in Trenton, however, is
that the bill will not progress very
far. AS soon as the measure was IN
troduced. it was referred to the Com
mittee on Judiciary. The chairman
of this committee is Mr.. Kenert, of
Passaic, the Democratic leader. In
as much as the entire Democratic
representation is tied up on the excise
question, it is not likely that Mr..
Kenert will allow the bill to escape.
In Essex, Passaic and Hudson
counties. the Democratic Assembly
men during the campaign practically
promised the liquor interests tn
If they were elected they would repeal
the so called Bishops law enacted last
year by Repu biioan legislature. 1t
IS not at all likely that the Bishops
law will be tampered with The
Democrats admit that they dare not
| repeal it, and the Democratic members
cannot agree on any substitute which
will modify the measure sufficiently
to please the liquor men. Several
| bills hat
lind, but it is said that none of them
will be favorably acted upon.
With the majority in the Assembly
thus troubled with the demands of the
liquor men, it is not likely that they
will risk bringing out the local option
bill. However the Anti Saloon League
will make strong fight for the
measure and will demand OF the COM
mittee a public hearing. Even this
may be denied.
The local option measure fathered
by Assemblyman Buck is entitled IAN
act to grant to the people of counties
or of towns, townships, broughs. viii
lagos, cities and other municipalities,
or wards. therein, the power by popu-
lar vote to allow or refuse to allow
the sale of Intoxicating liquors in
counties, or in towns,
boroughs, villages, cities. or other
municipalities, or wards therein.''
The bill provides that upon applica-
fion for an election by petition signed
by at least 30 per cent. of the legal
voters in any political division re-
ferred to, either the judge of the
Court of Common Pleas or of the Su-
preme Court shall set time for con.
sidering such application. If the
judge finds that the applicants oonsti.
tute 30 per cent. of the legal voters,
he shall within ten days order a
special election to be held within not
less than 30 days, nor more than 40
days from date of petition.
This election shall be to determine
whether or not the sale of liquors
shall be prohibited in the political
division. If the vote Eis against the
selling of liquor, such sale shall be
illegal from date 80 days after
the election. The penalty for viola
tion is made fine of not less than
$50 nor more than 5000 for the first
offense. For subsequent otfenses the
penalty is fine of not more than $500
nor less than 500, and Imprisonment
for not less than three months nor
more than one year.
The act states expressly that its
provisions shall not affect the right of
any manufacturer OF liquor from the
raw material to sell or deliver in
wholesale quantities to bonafide retail
dealers outsl the limits of said
political division. Il is provided also
that the act shall not affect the right
of any person to sell liquor under
license until the expiration thereof.
Druggists may sell for medicinal pur-
poses on physicians prescriptions
only. Notices of application for
special election must be duly adver-
tised.