The state herald., 1907-03-29
Local Option.

The first local option bill ever passed
by . Colorado legislature was signed by
Governor Buchtel in the house of rep
resentatives last Monday. The follow
ing Is a synopsis of the bill prepared
by Governor Buchtel:
'The purpose of the Colorado Local
Option law is to create anti-saloon tel-
ritory by vote of the people; that is
territory within which the keeping and
sale Of intoxicating liquors is prohibi-
ted. The vote to create anti-saloon
territory may be taken so as to include
all the territory within the limits Of
any city, town, ward. ward subdivision.
district or precinct. The vote may be
taken only at general election for
choosing county, city or town officers
new at a special election and only on
writ en- request Of 40 per cent of the
quai fed voters within the territory
VIII. is described in the petition for a
voSs. Dy qualified electors is meant
those who are qualified to register 10
vote, but It shall not be necessary for
the purpose Of signing petition that
they shall be registered at the time Of
signing.
"A petition for vote on this ques.
iion must be properly filed ut least
thirty days before general election,
and must clearly define the district
which il is desired To have created anti
saloon territory.
mo signatures to petition shall be
valid or counted unless the date Of sign
ing is within ninety days preceding the
date Of filing; and every signature must
be dated, and IN cities OF over 10000
population |, is required that the street
and residence number shall be given
with every signature.
Adequate precautions are reeited In
the law to prevent fraud In signing pc
titions. The laws penalties for perjury
AMI forgery are always severe. The
clerk is required TO give adequate no.
tice TO the electors that n vote is to be
taken on the question Of creating n GER
tain district anti-saloon territory. But
the failure Of the clerk To keep the law
In giving notice shall not affect the va
lidity or binding force Of vote by the
people. The will Of the people is su-
premc whether the clerk Is faithful or
faithless.
THE clerk must print on all ballots
after the list Of candidates this qucs.
ton "Shall this--- teity or town or
warl or prceinep become anti-aaioon
terhtoryl" Tho voter then indicates
his wish by placing mark tx) oppo.
site the word y,s or opposite the word
no.
watchers who represent both sides
arr to be admitted 10 witness both the
balloting and the counting Of the votes.
Thr record Of the vote Is 90 be made by
the clerk In well bound book and this
record Ia 10 be accepted as evidence In
all courts, The roaul, Of the vote is TO
To into effect thirty days after the day
Of The election.
IAN the territory which Ia made an.
ti.Faloon territory shall continue forey.
OF 10 be anti.saloon territory unless u
rcycrAion 10 saloon territory shall be-
made by vote Of the majority Of the @.
leeiora. The method Of reversing the
vote ia precisely like the method Of
taking tho vote, namely. forty per cent
Of tho qualified electors In any given
district must sign apctition which mus,
be hled At least thirty days before n
general election. The form Of the
question Ia now "shall this tei,y
OF town or ward or precineU reverse ~
vote creating anti.saloon territory
The voter indicates HE wish a. In tht
for nef case hy mark tNb opposite