1626 ARTICLE 6.

their respective offices without favor, partiality or prejudice; and a cer-
tificate of such qualification shall he delivered by said justice of the peace
or notary public to the Commissioners, to be filed and recorded among
their proceedings, and a failure to take such oath and to qualify on or be-
fore the second Monday in May, after their election shall be deemed a
refusal on the part of the party failing to qualify as aforesaid to accept
the office to which he has been elected or appointed.

1914, ch. 731, sec. 174.

318. The said Commissioners shall at their first meeting after their

election or at such other times as they shall deem proper elect a president
of their board and appoint a secretary and treasurer, who may be the
same person, and they may appoint one or more assessors of taxes, bailiff
or bailiffs not exceeding three who within the limits of said town and
beyond them within one-half mile thereof, shall have all the police powers
of constables of the State of Maryland and it shall be their duty to enforce
the by-laws and ordinances of the town and the laws of the State of Mary-
land, relating to crimes and misdemeanors committed within it; special
bailiffs may also be appointed by the Commissioners whenever the ex-
igency of the occasion requires it, their duties and powers being similar
to the regular bailiff; the regular bailiff or bailiffs shall give bond to the
Commissioners with surety and in such penalty as shall be prescribed by
ordinance, said bond to be approved by the Commissioners; the Commis-
sioners may also at such time or times as they deem proper appoint such

other officers or employees as they may deem necessary for the interest
of said town.

1914, ch. 731, sec. 175.

319. The President of said Board of Commissioners' shall preside at
all meetings of the Commissioners unless prevented by sickness or reason-
able cause, in which event they may select a President pro tempore, he
shall sign all by-laws and ordinances of said Board of Commissioners.

1914, ch. 731, sec. 176.

320. The Secretary shall be appointed from among the citizens of
said town qualified to vote for Commissioners, he shall before entering
upon his duties make oath before a Justice of the Peace for Caroline
County or any Notary Public, that he will well and faithfully perform
the duties of his office as prescribed by this Act or which may be pre-
scribed by any by-law or ordinance of the said Commissioners, to the best
of his skill and judgment; he shall sign all drafts or orders for money
appropriated or ordered by the Commissioners to be paid by the Treas-
urer and shall keep a record of the proceedings of said Commissioners
in a book to be provided by them for that purpose, which shall at all
times be opened to the inspection of any person interested. The bailiff
or bailiffs shall be appointed from among the inhabitants of said town
qualified to vote for Commissioners, provided, however, that the said