POOR.

2107

powered and authorized to use one common seal in their busi-
ness relating to the said corporation, and the same, if necessary
to change and alter ; and that the said persons so incorporated,
and their successors, Shall be the true and undoubted trustees,
in perpetual succession, for ever, to be continued in the way
and manner hereafter specified, with full and absolute power,
liberty and authority, in the making and ordaining such laws,
orders and rules, for the better relieving, regulating and set-
ting the poor to work, and punishing vagrants, beggars, vaga-
bonds and other offenders, and for the good government of the
said alms and work-house in their said county, as to them and
their successors shall, from time to time, think most fit and re-
quisite, all which shall be observed by the overseer of such
alms and work-house, and by all poor, beggars, vagrants, vaga-
bonds and other offenders, in such alms and work-house, under
the penalties therein contained; Provided always, that the
said rules, laws and orders, be no ways contrary to the laws of
this state.

SEC. 5. And, to perpetuate the succession of the aforesaid
number of nine trustees for the poor in said county, Be it
enacted, That as often as any one of the said trustees for the
poor shall die, or remove himself out of the county, refuse to
qualify himself, by taking and subscribing the oaths or affirma-
tions aforesaid, or become incapable of acting, the trustees for
the time being, then surviving and remaining within the said
county, or the major part of them, are hereby authorized and
required to elect, nominate and choose, one of the inhabitants
of said county in the place and room of such trustee, and so to
fill up the full number of trustees for such alms and work-
house, the which persons so elected and chosen, from time to
time, are always to be qualified in the same manner as before
by this act is directed.

How va-
cancies are
to be filled.

SEC. 6. And be it enacted. That every person that by this
act appointed as a trustee for the poor, or that shall hereafter
be nominated and appointed as such pursuant to the directions
thereof, and who shall wilfully refuse or delay to take upon
him the said office, shall forfeit and pay, for every such refusal
or delay, the sum of ten pounds current money ; Provided,
that no member of the general assembly, clergyman, attorney,
or practising physician, be obliged to accept of the office of
trustee aforesaid, or forfeit as aforesaid for refusing to accept
and take upon himself the same, and that no judge of the gene-
ral court, county magistrate or sheriff, or any one who hath
not the qualification to be a member of the general assembly,
if elected, shall be capable to be chosen or act as a trustee
aforesaid, nor shall any person be compelled to serve in less
than three years after he has served, or paid the said forfeiture
for not serving, as a trustee aforesaid.

Penalty on
refusal to
serve, &e.