1764                                       Vetoes

May 8, 1961.

The Honorable Perry O. Wilkinson
Speaker of the House
State House
Annapolis, Maryland

Dear Mr. Speaker:

I am today vetoing House Bill No. 585, and in accordance with the
provisions of Article II, Section 17, of the Maryland Constitution,
I am returning the same to you, along with my veto message.

House Bill No. 585 is a Somerset County local Bill. The intent of
the Bill is to increase the civil jurisdiction of Trial Magistrates in
Somerset County from the maximum of $200 to an amount not to
exceed $500.

On March 16, 1961, the President of the Somerset County Bar
Association wrote my office and advised that the entire Bar Associa-
tion, with the exception of one member, was in opposition to the Bill.
He stated that it was the feeling of the Bar Association that if this
legislation became law, it would give rise to a greater opportunity
for the unauthorized practice of law in Somerset County.

My office has also discussed this Bill with Honorable E. McMaster
Duer, Judge of the Circuit Court for Somerset County. Judge Duer
advises that, in his opinion, the Bill is unnecessary and undesirable.
He stated that he feels that if this legislation is written into law, it
will tremendously increase the number of appeals from the Magis-
trates Court to the Circuit Court, He stated that it is his feeling that
there is no need to change the present law at this time.

My office has also discussed this legislation with Judge G. Beverly
Holland, Trial Magistrate at Princess Anne. Judge Holland advised
that he is greatly concerned with this legislation. He stated that
because his Court is located such a short distance from the City of
Salisbury, his office handles a large majority of civil cases in the
County. He feels that if the judisdiction is increased to $500, it would
be impossible for his office to handle the volume of work that will be
sent to him by the merchants in the vicinity of Princess Anne and
the merchants and businessmen in the Salisbury area who file civil
suits in Somerset County.

As a result of the conversations with the above mentioned in-
dividuals, and others, it is my feeling that this legislation is not
necessary at this time. Based on this, I have reached the conclusion
to veto House Bill No. 585.

With kindest personal regards and best wishes, I am

Sincerely yours,

(S) J. MILLARD TAWES,

Governor.
JMT/rnb

House Bill No. 630—Cancellation of Insurance Policies

AN ACT to add new Section 86A to Article 48A of the Annotated
Code of Maryland (1957 Edition), title "Insurance", sub-title