ART. 65] MAINTENANCE AND EQUIPMENT. '443

meet on the first Mondays of March and September in each year,
and at such other times as the adjutant general, who shall be the
president of said board, shall deem necessary, upon notice by him
to the remaining members of the board, for the purpose of
auditing and adjusting all military claims incident to the organi-
zation, maintenance and discipline of the national guard, and
which, on approval of said board endorsed thereon, shall be paid
as herein provided.

1896, ch. 89.

41. No bill or allowance shall be paid unless said bill or allow-
ance is itemized and its correctness duly sworn to or affirmed
before an officer authorized by law to administer oaths and affir-
mations.

Ibid.

42. The commander-in-chief, within the limits of the appro-
priation by act of the General Assembly, shall authorize the
adjutant general to furnish the necessary arms and equipments to
such regiments and separate organizations of the Maryland
National Guard as are authorized by this article; and the com-
manding officer of each company or the officer receiving the
same shall give a good and sufficient bond to the State of Mary-
land, to be approved by the adjutant general, for the safe keeping
and return of such arms and equipments; and said arms and
equipments shall remain and continue to be the property of the
State to be used for military purposes only, and shall be returned
to the State when called for by the commander-in-chief; pro-
vided, however, that all arms, ammunition, equipments or other
supplies directed to be furnished by the Governor under the
provisions of this article shall be so furnished by contract made
with the lowest responsible bidder upon public notice, unless an
emergency shall require immediate action; and the officer making
such contract shall certify the account with explicit vouchers and
transmit the same, countersigned and approved by the Governor,
to the comptroller for final settlement in the mode and manner
prescribed in the constitution for the audit and payment of
claims against the State.

Ibid.

43. Any officer receiving arms and equipments or other
public property for military use shall be accountable for the