2176

SOMERSET COUNTY.

and the fourth Monday in November for each and every year ;
and that all causes, pleas, process and proceedings, civil and
criminal, returnable to or depending before the said county
court, shall be returnable to the third Monday in May, and
the fourth Monday in November, any law to the contrary not-
withstanding.

COUNTY COMMISSIONERS.
AN ACT to abolish the Levy Court, provide for the appointment of Com-
missioners of Somerset County, and prescribing their duties. — 1837,
ch. 87.
See the next law.

Preamble.

WHEREAS, it is represented to the general assembly that
the interests of the citizens of Somerset county will be pro-
moted, the business of the county simplified and condensed,
and a reduction of taxes effected by abolishing the levy court
and the board of commissioners of the tax, and transferring
all the powers and duties now exercised by said court and said
board of commissioners of tax, to a board of county commis-
sioners; therefore,

Governor
to appoint
seven com-
missioners.

SEC. 1. Be it enacted, by the General Assembly of Maryland,
That from and after the passage of this act, it shall be the duty
of the governor, with the consent of the senate, and they are
hereby required annually to appoint seven of the best quali-
fied persons, citizens of Somerset county, to be styled the
Commissioners for Somerset County ; und the persons ap-
pointed commissioners as aforesaid, shall, out of their own

President.

body, elect a president; and in case of the death, resignation,
refusal to act, or removal out of the county of either of the
commissioners appointed as aforesaid, the governor shall sup-

Vacancy.

ply the vacancy occasioned by such death, resignation, refusal
or removal, as the case may be.

Oath of
office.

SEC. 2. And be it enacted. That every commissioner ap-
pointed as aforesaid, shall, before he enters on the duties as
aforesaid, take and subscribe, before some judge or justice of
the peace, an oath or affirmation, that he will faithfully, dili-
gently and impartially exercise the powers and perform the
duties of commissioner for Somerset county, as authorized and
enjoined by law, according to the best of his skill and judg-
ment, without being influenced by favour, affection, hatred,
malice or ill will ; and that he will, in making all appoint-
ments to office, vote for such persons among those willing to
accept, as in his judgment and belief shall be most capable
and best qualified to perform the duties of such office ; which
oath shall be recorded in a book to be kept among the records
of Somerset county court.

Corporate
powers
given.

SEC. 3. And be it enacted, That the commissioners appointed
as aforesaid and their successors, shall be and they are hereby