350

LAWS OF MARYLAND.

Chapter 857.

AN ACT to prevent and punish frauds in the sale of

oysters sold in hermetically sealed tin cans, and to

provide for the stamping of the word " Oysters "

and the weight of the contents in said cans, and for

the appointment of examiners to ascertain and

prevent the consummation of said frauds.

SECTION 1. Be it enacted by the General Assembly

of Maryland, That every person, firm, joint stock com-
pany or corporation packing oysters for sale in this state

in hermetically sealed tin cans, commonly known as

" Cove Oysters," or by whatsoever name or names the

Stamp can.

same may be known, shall stamp or cause to be stamped,

in legible letters and figures, the words " Oysters " in

the cap or end of each can, and also the true weight in

offices of the oysters in each of said cans, after the

liquor or water is properly drained off, which draining

of liquor or water shall consist in pouring the contents

on a number ten (10) sieve, and allowing it to drain

for one minute before weighing; and any sale of such

Sale void.

packed oysters not so stamped shall be void, and

the vendor shall not be entitled to recover the price

thereof.

SEC. 2. And be it enacted, That every person, firm,

joint stock company or corporation who or which shall

sell or offer to sell, or have in his or its possession,

Guilty of mis-

with intent to sell contrary to the provisions of this

demeanor.

act, any oysters hermetically sealed in tin cans, and

required by the first section of this act to be stamped as

therein stated, not so stamped, shall be deemed guilty

of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction thereof shall

be fined one hundred dollars for each offence, to be

Penalty.

paid to the state treasury and placed to the credit of

" The Oyster Packers' Fund," and shall also forfeit

the oysters not so stamped, to be destroyed by the

examiner hereinafter provided for, unless already

destroyed as hereinafter provided.

SEC. 3. And be it enacted, That the governor, upon

the recommendation of the Canned Goods Exchange

Appoint exam-
iners.

of Baltimore city, shall appoint two persons as ex-

aminers of hermetically sealed or cove oysters, who

shall each give bond to the state of Maryland in the