The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1915-12-31
LOCAL OPTION
BILL FRAMED
CALLS FOR VOTE SEPTEMBER 10, 1916;
AT A SPECIAL ELECTION.

the incoming Legislature providing
for a Statewide vote on the PROPOSE
ton to make the State dry, has been
framed and approved and ID awaiting
the assembling OK the laW-making
body. The law provides for special
elec tion to be held on the first Tues
day after the third Monday in- Sep
tember, 1916. The date fixed for the
passing of the liquor traffic, In case
majority OF the qualified voters OF the
State vote in favor OF the proposition,
is May /, 1918.
The first section Of the bill requires
that the Governor shall give notice by
publication in two newspapers pub
lished in each county of the State,
and three newspapers published in
Baltimore City, one Of which shall be
printed in the German language, Civ
ing at least three months notice Of the
special election, and shall cause to be
issued the necessary writs of the va
rious boards Of election supervisors,
calling a special election on the 18th
day OF September, 1916. It is also
provided that not less than 80 days
before said election the Secretary or
State shall certify to the boards or
supervisors of elections, OF the coun-
ties and city, whose duty it shall Be-
To give notice by advertisement and
otherwise, OF said special election i'm
the same manner as provided by law
for general election.
Section / also makes provision for
the appointing OF judges and clerks,
each of the opposing sides to be rep
resented in this selection. The special
election is to be held and conducted
in the same place and in the same
manner as other elections are held,
the expense of the same to be paid
for by the State
Section provides the form of bal
lot to be used. The question to be
printed upon the ballots is: Shall
the sale, manufacture for sale, and
transportation for sale OF alcoholic,
Bpirituous, vinous, malt and intoXi-
eating liquors, for beverage purposes
In the State OF Maryland be prohibit
ed?" Provision IL made for each side
to have challenger and watcher ait
each polling place. The vote is To BY
canvassed and certified, after the
manner or the general elections, to
the Secretary OF State, who Is direct
ed to also certify to the Governor,
within 80 days from the date OF the
election, showing the result Of the
election The Governor is there
on directed to issue a proclamation
declaring the results of the election
Section 4 relates to the quallfica-
lions of voters. 1t reads:
BE it enacted, That the qualihca-
tons OF voters for the election held
under the provisions of this act shall
be such as are prescribed for voters
by the general election laws of this
state and all those who were regis
tered voters and thus entitled to vote
at the general election next preced-
ing the election held under the provis-
ions OF this act, togther with those
registered under the provisions or this
act, shall b. entitled to vote.
The Secretary of State shall send
notice to the various boards or super
vfsors or elections i'm this state pro
vidfng for an additional registration
and revision OF the registration books
Of this state SO that an opportunity
shall be given to all who are entitled
to register and vote under the laws OF
this state to be registered, and two
days shall be set apart for such regis
tration and revision, due notice OF
which shall be printed in the news
papers of this state. These days of
registration shall be held not more
than six weeks and not later than two
weeks prior to the date of such
special election. The laws OF this
state applicable to the registration OF
voters for the general election to be
held fin this state, when not in CON
fiict with the direct provisions OF this
srct, shall apply to the registration OF
voters for such special election. The
provisions OF the corrupt practices
act shall apply I'd all registration or
voters under this act"
Section provides that III the ma
jority OF voters vote against the pro
position, the present existing laws
shall remain in effect. This would
mean that Carroll County, for in
stance, would still remain dry, as
now. The section reads:
Section 5. And be it enacted, That
II, upon receipt by the Governor of
certificate from the Secretary of State
the result Of such election, it
shall appear to the Governor that
majority of the voters qualified under
this act to participate in such cleo
ton voting in such election nave
voted against the proposition" then
the laws in relation to the sale, man
ufacture for sale and transportation
for sale OF alcoholic liquors for bev-
eraGe purposes i'm the state OF Mary
land in effect at the date or approval
of this act shall continue in force and
effect unless or until otherwise
by the general assembly or
Maryland or by majority vote or the
qualified electors or the state OF Mary
land"
Section 6 provides that III a major
ity Of the voters i'm favor OF the pro
II sition, as shown by the proclama-
ton of the Governor, then on and af-
ter the first day of May, one thousand
nine hundred and eighteen, it shall
be unlawful for any person or per-
sons, social club, firm or corporation
10 manufacture for sale, sell or pur-
chase for sale, transport for sale, dis
pense or otherwise dispose of any
spirituous, vinous. fer
mented, distilled or malt liquors or
bitters within this state
except for medical, scientific, sacra-
mental or mechanical purposes, as
may BE- allowed under the provisions
Df such acts ae the general assembly
1f Maryland shall pass at it, regular
zaEEi0H held next after THE date Of