JOHN WALTER SMITH, ESQ., GOVERNOR.

179

preceding an election of Town Commissioners, shall elect by
ballot, on the first Monday in the months of April in each
and every year, three persons, residents of said town, for the
period of six months preceding said election, and entitled to
vote for delegates to the General Assembly of Maryland, as
Commissioners for said town for the ensuing year, or until
their successors are elected and qualified.

Election of
Commis'rs.

B. If any of said Commissioners shall resign, or be dis-
qualified to act, the citizens of said town, qualified to vote
as aforesaid, shall proceed as soon as convenient to elect a
person to fill such vacancy, and the office of a Commissioner
shall be vacated by his removal from town.

Shall fill
vacancy.

C. Each Commissioner, before he proceeds to act as such,
shall make oath before a justice of the peace for Queen
Anne's County that he will diligently and faithfully, to the
best of his skill and judgment, perform the duties of Com-
missioner of said town, without favor, partiality or prejudice,
and a certificate of said qualification shall be returned by the
justice to the said Commissioners, and filed and recorded
among the proceedings.

Shall make
oath for faith-
ful perform-
ance of duties.

D, The said Commissioners shall meet annually on the
second Monday in April, and on the second Monday in every
third month thereafter, and as much oftener as they may think
proper; not less than a majority shall constitute a board for
the transaction of any business, except an adjournment; they
may appoint a clerk, who shall keep the minutes of their pro-
ceedings in a well-bound book, to be provided by them for that
purpose, and they may also appoint a bailiff and prescribe his
duties, and shall pay the said clerk and bailiff such compen-
sation as they may deem reasonable, and may remove either
of said officers at pleasure.

time for meet-
ing.

Appointment
of officers.

E. They shall cause all nuisances and obstructions that
may interrupt the passage or injure the health of the inhabit-
ants of the town to be removed from the streets, lanes and
alleys thereof, and may provide for the mending, repairing
and cleaning of the same, and shall have power to prohibit
and punish by ordinance the placing of any filth, dirt or other
matter therein, and may also erect lamps in any of the streets,
lanes and alleys of the town, and cause the same to be lighted
at public expense, and may pass all laws and ordinances for
the preservation of the health of said town, and to prevent the
introduction of contagious diseases therein, or within three
miles thereof; they shall prohibit the running or riding of
horses or driving of carts, wagons and carriages unreasonably

May pass laws
andordinances
for govern -
ment of Town