JOHN LEE CARROLL, ESQUIRE, GOVERNOR

601

CHAPTER 357.

AN ACT to repeal section three of article thirty-

seven of the Code of Public General Laws, entitled

"Evidence," and to enact, in lieu thereof, the fol-

lowing.

SECTION 1. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of

Maryland, That section three of article thirty-seven

Repealed and
re-enacted.

of the Code of Public General Laws, entitled "Evi-

dence," be and the same is hereby repealed and the

following enacted in lieu thereof:

3. In the trial of all indictments, complaints, and

other proceedings, against persons charged with the

Deemed a
competent

commission of crimes and offences, and in all pro-

witness.

ceedings in the na'ture of criminal proceedings, in-

any court of this State, and before a justice of the

peace or other officer acting judicially, the person so

charged shall, at his own request but not otherwise,

be deemed a competent witness; but the neglect or

refusal of any such person to testify shall not create

any presumption against him.

SEC. 2. And be it enacted, That this act shall take

In force.

effect from the date of its passage.

Approved April 7, 1876.

CHAPTER 358.

AN ACT to amend article ninety-five of the Code

of Public General Laws, by adding an additional

section thereto.

SECTION 1. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of

Maryland, That article ninety-five of the Code of

Additional

Public General Laws, be and the same is hereby

section.

amended by adding the following additional section

thereto, to be numbered six :