1930] OF THE SENATE. 59

I have given a good deal of thought to the terms of the law
which would properly meet the situation. There are two or three
alternatives, but perhaps the best course would be simply to amend
the existing law so as to substitute this year new registration days
for the present ones. This, however, can be given the necessary
study and consideration before the session convenes.

I am issuing the required official proclamation calling the extra
session for Tuesday, July 29th, at 12 o'clock Noon, standard time,
at Annapolis.

MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT.

The Secretary of State appeared and delivered a message from
the Executive:

Governor Ritchie's message to the Special Session of the Gen-
eral Assembly of Maryland convened July 29, 1930.

Gentlemen of the General Assembly of Maryland:

I have called you together in Special Session to meet the ex-
traordinary occasion arising from the following circumstances:

The law requires a new general registration of voters in Balti-
more City this fall.

The dates are fixed by the law, and are Tuesday, September 23,
Wednesday, September 24, Tuesday, October 7, and Wednesday,
Octobers.

By a remarkable coincidence each one of these days is a day
sacred to the Jewish people. On the first registration day, Septem-
ber 23, no Jew, Orthodox or Reformed, would be permitted, by the
tenets of his faith, to register, to serve as a registration official or
to use his home as a registration office. The same is true as to
Orthodox Jews on each of the remaining three registration days,
September 24, October 7 and October 8, except between dark and
ten o'clock P. M., standard time, on the nights of September 24
and October 8.

It is estimated that there are from 26,000 to 30,000 voting
Jews in Baltimore City, of whom it is estimated that 20,000 or
more are Orthodox.