782

LAWS OF MARYLAND.

the side, when ditches or drains shall be kept open
of sufficient depth and width to convey off the
water, and all loose stones shall be removed from
the road or covered with earth ; and if any con-
tractor neglect or refuse to make improvements, or
to keep in good repair the section or sections so
purchased, upon complaint being made to the Su-
pervisors or either of them, they shall examine
the section or sections so complained of, and if ne-
cessary, give notice to the persons complained of
to make the improvements and put their section
in good repair ; and if he or they neglect or refuse
to comply with the said notice, until the expira-
tion of six days, then it shall be the duty of the
said Supervisors immediately to have such section
or sections improved or repaired, as the case may
be, at the expense of the said contractor, for which
he and his securities may be sued, and the same
collected as debts of like amount are recoverable
with costs.

Desire to
improve.

154. Whenever a majority in assessed value of
the property holders, bordering or contiguous to
any road, shall desire to improve it to an extent
beyond what is contemplated by the general pro-
visions of this law, by the formation of a joint
stock company to turnpike it, and shall have or-
ganized said company, and three-fifths of the cap-
ital stock shall have been in good faith subscribed,
the local Boards of the districts, which said road
shall traverse, or border on, or benefit, shall sub-
scribe such a sum of money as they may deter-
mine to be the principal of such amount as each
district would expend annually in repairs or con-
struction of said road ; provided that at the time
of the subscription, the said company shall give
security to the Board that they will keep the road
in as good condition as is required by the provi-
sions of this law ; and whenever any number of
property holders shall desire to improve a road by
graveling, draining, building culverts, &c., and
shall associate for that purpose, they shall be en-
titled to receive from the local Board of each dis-
trict, which it traverses or borders on, a sum of
money annually thereafter, equal to that which
would be the proper proportion for said road to
receive, if the said property holders had not sub-
scribed thereto, to be estimated by the Board by