WM. PRESTON LANE, JR., GOVERNOR. 2249
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT.

ANNAPOLIS, MD., February 26, 1947.

Hon. C. Ferdinand Sybert,
Speaker of the House,
House of Delegates,
Annapolis, Maryland.

Dear Mr. Speaker:

I am returning herewith House Bill No. 210, which I have
vetoed.

The practice of law in this State is defined in Section 1 of
Article 10 of the Code. Under Sections 27, 28 and 29 of the
same Article, sheriffs, wardens, registers of wills, clerks of
court, judges and other officers, during their terms of office,
are prohibited from practicing law.

While House Bill No. 210 applies only to Wicomico County,
it undertakes to redefine the practice of law with respect to
the above-mentioned officials, and in effect, prohibits them
from giving advice in any case no matter how trivial, even
though that advice be gratuitously given.

In 1939 a similar Act was passed applying to Washington
County, but upon a referendum petition at the November
election, 1940, it was overwhelmingly rejected and repealed.
It is true that a similar Act applying to Montgomery Coun-
ty was enacted in 1943, but I have been so deluged with
telegrams and messages from Wicomico County urging my
veto of this bill, that I am convinced that the bill should not
receive my approval without a provision for a referendum.

For these reasons, I have vetoed the bill.

Sincerely yours,
WM. PRESTON LANE, JR.,

Governor.

BALTIMORE CITY

SENATE BILL 127

AN ACT to add a new paragraph to Section 6 of Article 4 of
the Code of Public Local Laws of Maryland and the Balti-
more City Charter adopted by the voters of Baltimore City
at the election held on November 5, 1946, title "Baltimore
City", sub-title "General Powers", said new paragraph to
be known as paragraph (33A) of said section, authorizing
the Mayor and City Council of Baltimore to impose a tax,