| 1788.
CHAP.
XIV. |
LAWS of MARYLAND.
direct such moderate and proper correction, not exceeding ten lashes
for any one
offence, to be given to such offender, as the nature of the case may
require. |
Trustees to
direct what
poor shall be
received, &c. |
XVI. And be
it enacted, That it shall and may be lawful to and for any of
the said trustees to direct and appoint, under their hand in writing, what
poor
shall be received into such alms and work-house; and it shall and may
be lawful
for any one justice, to apprehend, or cause to be apprehended, and
committed to the said work-house, any vagrants, vagabonds, beggars, and
other
idle, dissolute, and disorderly persons, found loitering or residing in
the said
county, who follow no labour, trade, occupation or business, and have no
visible
means of subsistence, whereby to acquire an honest livelihood, there to
be kept
at hard labour, for any time not exceeding six months; and the overseer
of such
alms and work-house is hereby required to receive into the said alms and
work-house
any poor appointed as aforesaid to be received, and any vagrant, vagabond,
beggar, and other idle, dissolute, and disorderly person, so as aforesaid
committed. |
Persons received
to
wear a badge,
&c. |
XVII. And be
it enacted, That every person who shall be received into the
said alms and work-house, and there receive relief, shall, upon the shoulder
of the
right sleeve of the uppermost garment of every such person, in an open
and visible
manner, wear the following badge, to wit, the letters P. C. for the poor
of
Caroline, in Roman letters, cut in red or blue cloth, as by the overseer
of the
poor shall be directed and appointed; and if such poor person shall neglect
or refuse
to wear such mark or badge as aforesaid, and in manner aforesaid, it shall
and may be lawful for any one of the trustees aforesaid to punish every
such offender,
for every such offence, either by ordering his or her usual allowance to
be abridged,
suspended or withdrawn, or otherwise by ordering such offender to be whipped
not exceeding ten lashes, and kept to hard labour for any number of days
not
exceeding twenty, as to the said trustees shall seem meet; and if any overseer
of
the poor shall receive into the said alms and work-house, or shall support
any
such person, not having and wearing such badge or mark as aforesaid, and
be
thereof convicted upon the oath of one or more credible witness or witnesses,
he
shall forfeit and pay the sum of five pounds current money. |
Penalty on
keeping
booth, &c. |
XVIII. And be
it enacted, That whosoever shall presume either to set up a
booth, stall, or other convenience for the selling of strong liquors, on
the land
purchased for the use of the said alms and work-house, or shall commit
any kind
of trespass thereon, or shall sell or dispose of any strong liquor, or
other matter or
thing whatsoever to, or purchase any matter or thing whatsoever from, any
poor,
or other person entertained in the said alms and work-house, shall, for
every such
offence, forfeit and pay the sum of ten pounds current money. |
Sheriffs, &c.
to aid trustees,
&c. |
XIX. And be
it enacted, That all sheriffs, constables, and all other officers
and ministers of justice, shall be aiding and assisting to the said trustees
for the
poor in the said county, and to all such officers as shall be employed
by them,
as by this is directed, in the execution and performance of the said
service. |
Persons sued
may plead,
&c. |
XX. And be it
enacted, That if any person or persons shall, at any time or
times, be sued or prosecuted for any matter or thing by him or them
done and
executed in pursuance and execution of this act, or of any matter or thing
in
this act contained, such person or persons shall and may plead the
general issue,
and give this act and the special matter in evidence, for his or their
defence; and
if upon a trial a verdict shall pass for the defendant or defendants, or
if the plaintiff
or plaintiffs shall become nonsuit, or discontinue his or their suit, then
such
defendant or defendants shall have and recover treble costs to him or them
awarded
against such plaintiff or plaintiffs, and if the plaintiff or plaintiffs
is or are unable
to satisfy the same, then it shall be paid and satisfied by the attorney
who
brought such suit, unless the plaintiff or plaintiffs shall give security
for the costs,
to be approved by the court in which such suit shall be brought. |
|
 |
