ART. 3.] BALTIMORE COUNTY. 95

8. They may have and use a common seal, and the same at
their pleasure break, alter, or renew.

4. They shall each, before entering upon the duties of their
office, before some judge or justice of the peace, take and sub-
scribe an oath "that they will diligently and faithfully execute
the duties and trusts, and exercise the powers committed to
and invested in them as trustees for the poor of Baltimore city
and county, according to the best of their skill and judgment."

5. They shall keep a book, in which shall be entered the
minutes of their proceedings, and the certificate of each trustee
having taken and subscribed the oath mentioned in the preced-
ing section.

6. When the said trustees, or a majority of them, or any four,
shall have taken and subscribed the said oath, they shall be
qualified and competent to perform all the duties of trustees.

7. All the lands, houses, and other property hitherto vested in
the trustees for the poor of Baltimore county, and not sold or
otherwise legally disposed of, and all lands, property, estate or
effects heretofore vested in the trustees of the poor of Baltimore
county, are vested in the trustees of the poor of Baltimore city
and county; and they are entitled to receive and keep all the
books, papers, proceedings, vouchers and documents relating to
the poor of Baltimore county, and the lands and the property
aforesaid.

8. They, or a majority of them, shall have power to appoint
all such officers, clerks, agents, and servants as they may think
necessary, and, at their pleasure, to remove and discharge the
same.

9. They shall fix and prescribe the duties of all such officers,
clerks, agents and servants, and fix and determine their com-
pensation.

10. They may admit into the alms-house and receive under
their care, in addition to those paupers which the laws of this
State authorize or require, such indigent or distressed persons
as in their opinion the dictates of humanity or particular cir-
cumstances render proper or necessary.