ART. II.] FREDERICK COUNTY. 555

57. The burgess shall qualify aa directed by section 6 of article
sixty-eight of the code; each commissioner and every other officer
who shall be directed by ordinance to do so, shall before he; .enters
upon the duties of his office take and subscribe the lh|fowing
oath: " I do solemnly swear that I will faithfully extfcut® the
office of to the best of roy judgment and ability,
without favor, affection or partiality."

58. The commissioners, or a majority of them, may appoint
their own clerk, prescribe his duties, and allow him such com-
pensation as they may think proper.

59. The clerk shall enter all ordinances passed by the commis-
sioners in a book to be kept by him for that purpose, which shall
be open at all times to the inspection of any person interested;

the burgeas shall sign all ordinances, and copies thereof shall be
put up in the most public places in the town.

60. The commissioners shall meet upon the business of the
town at least three times in every year, and four commissioners
shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business; they
may compel the attendance of absent members in such manner
and under such penalties as they may by ordinance provide.

61. The commissioners shall have power to enact and pass,
subject to the approval of the burgess, all laws and ordinances
necessary to preserve the peace and good order of the town; to
preserve the health thereof, to prevent the introduction of con-
tagious diseases therein, and within one mile of the town; to
prevent and remove nuisances; to prevent and extinguish fires;

to regulate fire companies; to impose and appropriate fines,
penalties and forfeitures for the breach of their by-laws and or-
dinances; to regulate party walls and partition fences; to provide
for licensing and regulating the sweeping or burning of chimneys,
and fixing the rates thereof; to restrain and prohibit gaming;

to provide for licensing and regulating or restraining theatrical
or other public exhibitions or amusements within the town and
within one mile thereof; to regulate and tax dogs, and, in all
cases when the public safety may so require, to prevent them
from going at large; to regulate and prevent horses and hogs
from going at large in said town; to pass all ordinances
necessary for paving or otherwise improving and keeping in
repair the streets, lanes, alleys, and footways thereof, and to lay
and collect an equal tax upon the personal and real estate within