ART. 27] PENITENTIARY. 505

paid until it has been certified by the president of the board or by the
monthly committee; nor shall any promissory note of the institution
be issued unless the same shall have been so directed by the board at
a stated or special meeting thereof. They shall direct the making of all
repairs and improvements on the buildings and on the premises. They
shall make or direct to be made purchases of all materials and sup-
plies, including fuel, food, clothing, hospital stores, bedding, furniture,
and all other articles necessary for the use of the institution; provided,
that no contract for fuel or such supplies as may be necessary or expe-
dient to enter into a yearly contract for shall be made by them unless
they shall have first given one week's public notice in two or more of
the daily papers of Baltimore city, inviting proposals and setting forth
the quantity and quality of supplies required, and the time within which
proposals for such supplies shall be made, and they shall accept such
proposals as in their opinion, under all the circumstances, may be
most advantageous to the institution.

1904, art. 27, sec. 564. 1888, art. 27, sec. 405. 1860, art. 73, sec. 17.
1837, ch. 320, sec. 24.

640. The party with whom any contract may be made under the
provisions of the foregoing section shall enter into bond with security
approved by the board of directors (and which security shall not be a
party or parties in anywise officially connected with the penitentiary),
in double the amount of the estimated contract, conditioned for the
faithful performance thereof; and it shall be the duty of the directors
at a board meeting to rescind any contract as soon as there shall be a
failure to comply therewith, and they shall direct at their discretion a
suit on said bond for damages sustained by reason of the said non-
compliance.

Ibid. sec. 565. 1888, art. 27, sec. 406. 1870, ch. 141. 1880, ch. 590.

641. The directors may enter into such contracts for the employ-
ment of the convicts in the penitentiary and for the sale of the manu-
factures in the institution as they may deem proper, but shall not enter
into any contract for the making or manufacturing of the articles
known as tin cans used for oyster and fruit packing purposes, or iron
stoves used for heating and cooking purposes, or iron castings used for
machinery purposes, nor employ any convicts in the making thereof;
the directors may, however, employ an agent or agents for the pur-
chase of articles or goods wanted by the institution, and allow the agents
so employed such compensation as the directors may deem right and
proper.

Ibid. sec. 566. 1888, art. 27, sec. 407. 1860, art. 73, sec. 19.
1836, ch. 320, see. 16.

642. All expenses of the said penitentiary shall be defrayed out of
the funds thereof, and no demand shall be made upon the State for
that purpose except for such sums as may be payable by law.