ART. 77] SCHOOL ATTENDANCE. 1757

or county in which such child resides are in session, unless it can be
shown that the child is elsewhere receiving regularly thorough instruc-
tion during said period in the studies usually taught in the said public
schools to children of the same age; provided, that the superintendent
or principal of any school, or person or persons duly authorized by
such superintendent or principal, may excuse cases of necessary absence
among its enrolled pupils; and provided further, that the provisions of
this section shall not apply to a child whose mental or physical condi-
tion is such as to render its instruction, as above described, inexpedient
or impracticable. Every person having under his control a child
between eight and twelve years of age shall cause such child to attend
school or receive instruction as required by this section. Children over
twelve years of age and under the age of sixteen years, and every person
having under his control such a child shall be subject to the require-
ments of this section, unless such children are regularly and lawfully
employed to labor at home or elsewhere.
See sec. 167.

As to the employment of children under twelve years of age, see art 100,
sec. 4.

1904, art. 77, sec. 152. 1902, ch. 269, sec. 125.

154. Any person who has a child under his control and who fails
to comply with any of the provisions of the preceding section shall be
deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and be fined not exceeding five dollars
for each offense.

Ibid. sec. 153. 1902, ch. 269, sec. 126.

155. Any person who induces or attempts to induce any child to
absent himself unlawfully from school, or employs or harbors while
school is in session any child absent unlawfully from school, shall be
deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and be fined not more than fifty
dollars.

Ibid. sec. 154. 1902, ch. 269, sec. 127.

156. The board of school commissioners of Baltimore city and the
board of school commissioners for Allengany county shall appoint, and
may remove at pleasure, persons to be known as "Attendance Officers."
The number to be appointed for the city of Baltimore shall not exceed
twelve, and the number for said county shall not exceed three. Their
compensation shall be fixed and paid by the county commissioners of
Allegany county, or the mayor and city council of Baltimore city, as
the case may be.

Ibid. sec. 155. 1902, ch. 269, sec. 128.

157. It shall be the duty of each attendance officer, and he shall
have full power, within the city or county for which he may be
appointed, to arrest without warrant any child between eight and six-
teen years of age found away from Ms home and who is a truant from
school, or who fails to attend school in accordance with the provisions