ART. 96.] WEIGHTS AND MEASURES. 697

for one year, and so after that rate for a greater or lesser sum, or

for a longer or shorter time, he shall be deemed guilty of usury.

4. Any person guilty of usury shall forfeit all the excess above
the real sum or value of the goods and chattels actually lent or
advanced, and the legal interest on such sum or value, which
forfeiture shall enure to the benefit of any defendant who shall
plead usury and prove the same.

5. Every plea of usury shall state the sum of money or the
value of the goods and chattels lent or advanced, with the time
at which the same was so lent or advanced, and the plaintiff
shall be entitled to recover the sum of money or the value of the
goods and chattels actually lent or advanced, with legal interest
from the time the same was so lent or advanced.

ARTICLE XCVI.

Weights and Measures.

SEC. 1. The standards for weights and measures in this State,
except as otherwise provided in this article, shall be such as are
used at the Custom House in the city of Baltimore.

2. The county commissioners of each county shall, except
where otherwise directed by the local law, on or before the first
day of May in each year, appoint some person as keeper of the
standards of weights and measures, who shall safely keep and
preserve the same, and when required, deliver them to the county
commissioners, or to such person as they may appoint to receive
the same, and who shall perform the several duties prescribed
by this article.

3. The person so appointed shall, before he enters upon the
duties of his office, give bond to the county commissioners in
the penal sum of five hundred dollars conditioned for the faithful
discharge of all the duties appertaining to his office.

4. All weights and measures used in this State in the vending
of articles, shall be inspected by the said standard keeper for
the county, once in every year, under a penalty not exceeding