of their respective offices, make oath before the
Clerk of the Circuit Court for Howard county,
that they will act faithfully, without favor, parti-
ality or prejudice, in all things appertaining to

their respective offices, and the failure of any
person elected to any of the said offices to qualify
as aforesaid, within two weeks after his election,
shall be deemed a refusal to accept said office,
and said vacancy shall be filled as herein provided
for.

In case of
failure to qual-
ify.

Sec. 10. And be it enacted, That the City Coun-
cil shall be the Judges of the qualifications of the
Mayor and of their own members.

Judges of
qualification.

See. 11. And be it enacted. That the Mayor and
City Council shall meet on the first Monday of
each month, at such time and place as shall be
fixed by the Mayor, and at .such other times as
they shall adjourn to, they shall elect one of their
number President, who, in the absence or sickness
of the Mayor, shall be clothed with all his power
and authority.

Time and
place of meet-
ing.

See. 12. And be it enacted, That four members
of the Council shall constitute a quorum for the
transaction of business, and the Council shall pass
all needful rules and by-laws for their government
while in session.

Quorum for
transaction of
business.

Sec. 13. And be it enacted, That neglect or
nonuser shall not work a forfeiture of this charter.

Not work a
forfeiture.

Sec. 14. And be it enacted. That the Mayor and
Common Council may pass ordinances to preserve
the health of the city, to prevent and remove
nuisances, to suppress gambling, to license public
amusements not taxed by the State, to open and
keep open streets, lanes and alleys, with the con-
sent of the owners of the land through which the
same may pass, or by paying damages therefor,
which said damages in all cases when property is
condemned for city purposes shall be determined
by a jury of twelve disinterested male citizens of
the said city, whom for that purpose the Mayor
shall cause to have summoned and sworn, and the
said jury so summoned and sworn shall return,
under their seals to the Mayor of said city, the
result of their findings; and such said damages so
found shall be paid out of the Treasury of said city.

Authority to
pass ordinan-
ces, &c.