GEORGE HOWARD, ESQ. GOVERNOR.

1831

hath received a personal discharge, and hath not obtained

CHAP. 316.

a certificate of final discharge, either ia consequence of

withdrawing his application, or by reason of interrogato-

ries filed agamst him, or his not complying with the terms

prescribed by law, or on any other account whatever, every

such applicant shall be allowed to prosecute at any time

thereafter, a second petition for the benefit of said laws,

May again peti-
tion.

notwithstanding his having failed to obtain a final discharge

as aforesaid; Provided, The said commissioners be first

Provided there be

satisfied before acting on his second application, that the

no implication of

fraud.

failure to obtain his final discharge as aforesaid, did not pro-

ceed from unfair and fraudulent purposes; and the said ap-

plicant shall answer on oath, before he obtained his per-

Answer upon oath

sonal discharg on said second application, all the interroga-

tories which may have been filed against him on his previ-

ous application, and at the same time, such other interroga-

tories as may be filed against him on his second application.

Sec. 3. And be it enacted, That the final appearance of
every insolvent debtor, applying after the first day of April

Final appearance
shall be before the
commissioners.

next, to the said commissioners of insolvent debtors for the

benefit of the insolvent laws of Maryland, shall lake place

and be made before the said commissioners, instead of be-

Instead of county

ing before Baltimore county court, at such period as is now

court.

lawful in that behalf, to be assigned for such appearance

before Baltimore county court; and the said commissioners

Powers vested.

shall have the same power and discretion of extending and

changing the time for such final appearance as is now vest-

ed in said court, and under the same limitations, and to the

same effect and operation to every intent and purpose.

Sec. 4. And be it enacted, That if on such final appear-

Commissioners

ance or the final hearing of such insolvent debtor, before

authorised to grant
final discharge.

said commissioners, it shall appear to said commissioners,

that the debtor has complied with the terms and conditions

of the insolvent laws, and acted fairly and bona fide, it shall

be the duty of the said commissioners to grant him a final

discharge in the same manner and to the same effect, as is

now allowed to Baltimore county court, and it shall be their

duty to decide unfavorably on the case of such debtor, and

to refuse said discharge, if he shall not have complied as

Duty to refuse
such discharge.

aforesaid, or have acted as aforesaid, and said discharge or

unfavorable decision shall be certified by such person as .

Certificate of deci-

said commissioners shall appoint their clerk, who shall have

sion.
Seal authorise

and use a seal of office, such as said commissioners shall

direct; and the certificate of said clerk, under said seal of

any acts or proceedings of said commissioners, and of co-

pies of any papers in any case of an insolvent debtor, or

Copy made evi-

in the office of said commissioners, shall be as valid and ef-

dence,

56