912 LAWS OF MARYLAND. [Ch. 635]

qualified, and at next general election the qualified voters shall
elect a person or persons to fill such vacancy or vacancies.

165. The Commissioners of Sharptown shall, by posting
notice in at least four public places in Sharptown aforesaid at
least ten days prior to holding of an election for the purpose
of electing the Commissioners of Sharptown, give notice thereof,
stating the object of said election, and the time and place and
hours of holding same. The said commissioners shall appoint
three citizens, qualified voters of said town, to act as judges
of election, who before acting as such shall take oath in due
form of law, before a justice of the peace of Wicomico county,
to fairly and impartially perform the duties of judges of such
election, and any person so appointed failing to qualify and
appear and to open the poles at the time hereinafter stated, or
perform the duties required of them as judges, unless incapaci-
tated by sickness, shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and
on conviction after indictment shall be fined not less than ten
dollars and be committed to county jail until fine and costs are
paid. In case any of the judges so appointed shall fail to
appear and qualify as aforesaid, then the commissioners shall
at once appoint another person, or persons, to act in the place
of the one, or ones so failing to appear and qualify, and one of
the judges present may administer the oath to the newly
appointed judge or judges. Should none of the judges be
present at the opening of the polls, then the qualified voters
may select from those present at the opening of the polls three
persons to act as judges of said election. The judges shall
appoint one of their number as clerk to the election; they shall
keep the polls open from two P. M. to five P. M.; they shall
within two days return the number of votes cast for each person
to the Commissioners of Sharptown, and the persons appearing
by said election to have received the largest number of votes
shall be declared elected.

166. And be it enacted, That the Commissioners of Sharp-
town after the annual election and qualification of its members,
at its first regular meeting shall appoint not more than three
persons as policemen whose duty it shall be to preserve order,
and to enforce the ordinances of the town, and such other duties
as the commissioners may from time to time require, and each
of whom shall hold office for one year from date of appoint-
ment, or until his or their successor or successors are appointed
and qualified. The compensation of said officials shall be such
as are prescribed by law, resolution or ordinance from time to
time. And said policemen before entering upon the perform-
ance of their duties shall take oath before a justice of the peace