EMERSON C. HARRINGTON, GOVERNOR. 1083

CHAPTER 518.

AN ACT regulating the holding of camp meetings in Talbot,
Caroline, Dorchester, Somerset, Kent and Worcester Coun-
ties, providing for the issuing of permits therefor, and pre-
scribing penalties for the violations of the same.

SECTION 1. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of
Maryland, That it shall be unlawful for any person, persons,
association or organization of any kind whatsoever to hold any
camp meeting or bush meeting within the limits of Tal-
bot, Caroline, Dorchester, Somerset, Kent and Worcester
Counties without first making application in writing at least
fifteen days prior to the date of beginning of such camp meet-
ing or bush meeting, and obtaining a permit therefor from
the County Commissioners of the respective Counties for the
holding of such camp meeting or bush meeting therein. That
such application for a permit, as aforesaid, shall be accompa-
nied by a petition in writing, signed by at least twenty-five
tax payers, each of whom shall reside within three miles of the
place where such camp meeting or bush meeting is to be held,
and such petition shall have annexed thereto as a part thereof
an affidavit to the effect that each of the said petitioners are
bona fide tax payers and of their residences within three miles
of said place of such proposed meeting. And whenever the
County Commissioners of any of the respective Counties shall
have any reasonable grounds for believing that any law-
lessness or disorder will occur, at said camp meeting or bush
meeting, they shall refuse to grant such permit, and if, after
issuing any permit to hold any camp meeting or bush meeting,
there shall be any lawlessness or disorder reported to said
County Commissioners, it shall be the duty of said officials to
investigate or have investigated by the Sheriff or other officer
of said County, the matter, and upon proof of said lawlessness
or disorder they shall forthwith revoke said permit, and it
shall be the duty of the Sheriff, or other officer of the respective
Counties, to enforce the provisions of this Act. Any person or
persons, or the officers of any Association or organization, vio-
lating the provisions of this Act, shall, upon conviction thereof
before any Justice of the Peace of the respective Counties, be
fined not less than Twenty-five Dollars nor more than One
Hundred Dollars for each and every offense; and upon failure
to pay said fine or cost shall stand committed to the County
Jail of the County wherein such conviction shall occur for a
period of thirty days. Any and all fines recovered for any