MARYLAND MANUAL. 123

be paid to commissioner; must record certificates and issue
patents; has custody of book of deeds transferred to him by
clerk of Court of Appeals: also, of extracts of deeds from clerks
of counties; may give certified copies thereof; shall keep record
of such deeds and make indexes of them; must issue patents
for confiscated lands; must order applicant to give notice by
advertisement of application for a patent; is to issue patents;
to determine disputes concerning surveys and issuing patents;
may issue land, resurvey and escheat warrants; may determine
caveats; must transmit annually to County Commissioners or
Mayor of Baltimore, list of certificates ready for patents. He is
appointed by the Governor, by and with the advice and consent
of the Senate, for four years; salary, $1, 500 a year; he shall
bond to the State, with security approved by the Governor, for
$2, 000, and the bond shall be kept in the State department.
Article 54, of the Code.

His term shall be during the term of the Governor, by whom
he shall have been appointed, and until his successor shall have
been appointed and qualified. Time of appointment under
general rule of fifty days from the commencement of the ses-
sion of the Legislature. Article VII, sections 4 and 5, Con-
stitution.

Commissioners to Take Acknowledgments. —The Governor
may appoint one or more in each State, district and territory,
who have authority to take acknowledgment of conveyances.
They are appointed biennially by and with the advice and con-
sent of the Senate; have a seal and authority to administer
oaths. Commissioners may be appointed in foreign countries.
Each commissioner has to pay ten dollars, and no commission is
issued until it is paid. No bond. No exact day is set for the ap-
pointments. Shall hold their office as other civil officers simi-
larly appointed. Article 18 of the Code.

Comptroller. —The term of office of the Comptroller begins
on the second Wednesday of January, biennially; elected by the
people; bond, $50, 000; salary, $2, 500; Governor to approve
the bond, and it is to be recorded in the office of the clerk of the
Court of Appeals. The Comptroller must keep his office in
Annapolis; shall make reports in January to Governor, or to the
Legislature, if in session, of financial condition of State. He is
to return estimate of receipts and expenditures for current year;
to keep full and accurate books of revenues, expenditures, vouch-
ers and correspondence; shall obtain reports from public officers
relating to State's revenues and taxes; shall keep account with
the Treasurer; shall examine Treasurer's accounts monthly;
shall procure from bank where State funds are deposited, monthly
statements of deposits and checks of Treasurer; shall keep an