CHARTERS.

1409

by a convention of the two branches of the city council, bien-

Register,

nially, to be commissioned by the mayor, removable neverthe-

how to be
appointed.

less, at pleasure, by a convention of the said two branches.

But vacancies in office, happening in the recess of the sessions,

shall be filled as heretofore.

See 1828, ch. 114, as to the power of appointments.

SEC. 3. And be it enacted, That from and after the thirtieth

Number of

day of September next, the number of electors of mayor, shall

electors of
mayor.

be the same as the number of wards in the city.* And for the

purpose of accomplishing more effectually the objects intended

by the act, entitled 'an act providing for the appointment of

Appoint-

bailiffs for the city of Baltimore,'t the bailiffs of the said city,

ment and
number of

whose appointment shall be made in the manner of other city

bailiffs, &c.

officers, and whose number shall not be less than five, may

exercise all the powers, be entitled to all the emoluments, and

shall perform all the duties of constables, within the limits of

the city ; Provided, that they shall first take the oaths, and

execute the bonds, (with security satisfactory to the mayor,)

which are prescribed by law for constables.

*See 1832, ch. 206, sec. 1, by which the electors of mayor are dispensed

with.

f See 1812, ch. 194, relating to the appointment of bailiffs.

SEC. 4. And be it enacted, That the mayor and city council

Power of

of Baltimore, shall have power to lay and collect direct taxes,

taxation.

on the assessment of private property within the city, to such

amount as shall be thought necessary for the public or city

purposes ;* and may enforce the collection of all dues and im-

positions, except fines, penalties and forfeitures, in the same

manner, as is now provided with respect to city taxes. And

Liability of

tenants in possession, shall be liable to the payment of taxes

tenants.

imposed upon premises occupied by them, without its operating,

however, to alter the nature of contracts between landlords and

tenants.

By 1830, ch. 139, sec. 3, the corporation may raise by direct taxation

$120,000, or raise in any one year, by direct taxation, and all other sources

of taxation, a sum not exceeding $220,000, and by 1838, ch. 208, $350,000

annually.

* 1833, ch. 143, limits the amount of taxes for 'corporation expenses1 to

$200,000.

By 1838, ch. 168, the mayor and city council are authorized to collect

by taxation, a sum necessary to pay the principal and interest of any debt

now due, or which may hereafter be contracted for the purposes of internal

improvement.

SEC. 5. And be it enacted, That in case any person called

Collection

upon to pay any tax, due, or imposition levied, or imposed by

of taxes.

the said corporation, shall deny their right to impose or collect

the same, the collector shall not proceed to enforce the payment

thereof by distress and sale of the party's goods ; Provided,

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