1982 VETOES.

The measure provides, among other things, that a transcript
of the testimony in the Magistrate's Courts must be prepared
and forwarded to the Clerk of the Circuit Court when an appeal
is noted. The Magistrate's Court is not a Court of record and
no provision is made for stenographic assistance as is provided
in the higher Courts. It would appear, therefore, that the
Magistrates would be guilty of an infraction of the law if they
failed to transmit a transcript of the testimony, even though
they had no Court reporter or stenographer available to take
notes. As has been pointed out to many, no appropriation is
made for such stenographic assistance.

For the above stated reasons, as well as because of the fact
that uniformity in the handling of criminal cases is so much
to be desired, I feel obliged to veto this Bill.

AUTOPSIES.

Chapter 637 (House Bill 709). This measure sets out re-
quirements for the performance of autopsies and the release of
bodies which have been under the jurisdiction of the Medical
Examiners.

The State Post Mortem Examiners Commission disapproves
of the measure because of the administrative difficulties that
would be involved. In fact, the physicians take the position
that compliance would be "practically impossible7'.

Our State took a marked step forward in the abolition of the
old Coroner's System, under which many abuses were preva-
lent. For several years the cases in all of the political sub-
divisions of Maryland, except in one County, have been handled
under the new system. So satisfactory has been the result that
in the 1943 session, the one remaining County elected to become
a part of the new system.

Having sponsored the change from the antiquated Coroner's
System to the present modern plan, I am reluctant to have
any conditions imposed which would prevent the efficient
operation of the system.

Especially in view of the positive declarations of the Post
Mortem Examiners that this Bill would be harmful, I feel
compelled to veto it.

BALTIMORE COUNTY.

Chapter 874 (Senate Bill 498). Chapter 875 (Senate Bill
499). These Bills are vetoed at the request of the representa-
tives of Baltimore County who are responsible for the introduc-
tion of them.

The measures were introduced in order to make sure that
Baltimore County has a continuous assessment law and to
adjust the salary of the Supervisor of Assessments.