386

LAWS OF MARYLAND.

require, conditioned for the faithful performance of the duties
of office of clerk and bailiff, and the Mayor and Common
Council may remove the clerk at pleasure.

May pass
ordinances.

18. The Mayor and Common Council may pass ordinances
forbidding any person from carrying fire arms or other con-
cealed weapons, and such other ordinances not contrary to
law, as they may deem proper and beneficial to the town;
may restrain and remove nuisances; may open and close
streets; straighten and widen the same and improve the same;

Opening and

closing streets,
alleys, etc.

make causeways, establish the width and grade of sidewalks
and pave and set out shade trees thereon; and all damages
done, suffered or incurred by opening, closing, straightening
or widening said streets or alleys, and any benefits or advan-
tages accruing to any person by such opening shall be assessed

Damages-
How assessed.

and determined by three disinterested persons, residents of
said town, to be appointed by the Mayor and Common Coun-
cil, who shall, within twenty days after notification of their
appointment, take an oath before a justice of the peace of
said town that they will faithfully, fairly and without partiality
or prejudice value and assess the loss and damage to be
incurred and suffered by and the benefits to accrue to any
person interested in the property over which the streets or
alleys are to be opened, closed, straightened or widened, and
they shall give at least ten days' notice, by notice inserted in
at least one and not more than two newspapers published in
said town, if there be such a paper or papers published, and
if not so published then by notice posted in three public
places in said town, of the time and place of meeting' for the
purpose of executing their commission ; and they shall within
ten days after such valuation or assessment return the same in
writing, under their hands and seals, with a certificate
of their qualification, before a justice of the peace, as
hereinbefore provided, to the Mayor and Common Coun-
cil of the town, which said valuation and assessment
shall be ratified or rejected by them as in their judg-
ment may seem proper; and if any person shall feel
aggrieved by the determination of the Mayor and Common
Council in ratifying or rejecting said award or return
or in the amount of compensation awarded, or in any matter

Property
owners may
appeal within
certain time.

relating to the same, he may appeal within sixty days after
said ratification or rejection to the Circuit Court for Prince
George's County; and either party may be entitled to a trial
by jury, and the judgment of said court shall be final between
the parties; provided, that the person taking the appeal shall,
within twenty days thereafter, cause to be delivered to the