WASHINGTON COUNTY. 4849

to effectuate such object may contract with or grant unto any other corpo-
rate body, public or private, or to any individual or partnership the
right of franchise within the limits of said town for the purpose of
operating water works, electric light or gas plants, the granting of such
franchise to be regulated by the ordinances of the said burgess and com-
missioners; and in order to carry out and effectuate the construction of
such plants, the said burgess and commissioners shall have the power and
authority to grant the right to lay water mains through the streets, alleys
or highways, erect fire plugs, erect electric light poles, and generally do
all things that may be necessary to provide water, gas or electric light
plants for said town; and authority is hereby given the said burgess and
commissioners to condemn private properties if the same should be
necessary for the operation of the aforesaid franchise; said condemnation
proceedings to be in accordance with the general laws of the State of Mary-
land as in such cases are applicable thereto; the said burgess and commis-
.sioners shall have the power and authority to contract for the furnishing or
supplying of water, gas or electric light in sufficient quantities for the
need of the town and the inhabitants thereof with any body corporate,
public or private, or with any individual or individuals, or with any
partnerships; they shall have full power to pass such ordinances as may
he necessary to carry into effect the provisions of this section.

1906, ch. 315, sec. 241L.

508. The burgess and commissioners are authorized and empowered to
purchase, construct, operate and maintain an electric light plant, gas
plant or water works for the benefit of said town whenever the burgess and
commissioners of said town deem it expedient, and levy taxes for the
payment of said plants.

1906, ch. 315, sec. 241M.

509. The burgess and commissioners shall from time to time make
such by-laws and ordinances as they may deem expedient for the com-
fort, health and convenience of said town, and the preservation of order
and suppression of vice and immorality.

1906, ch. 315, sec. 241N.

510. The burgess and commissioners shall not purchase or acquire any
real estate unless the said burgess and commissioners shall first provide by
ordinance for said purchase and the mode and manner of payment there-
for, and all ordinances for the purchase of real estate shall provide for
submitting the question of said purchase to the qualified voters of said
town at some regular election for the election of burgess and commissioners
of said town; and before any such ordinance shall be submitted to the
qualified voters of the town at least four weeks' public notice shall be
given by handbills posted in at least fifteen conspicuous places in the town
of an intention to submit said ordinance to the qualified voters of the town;
said notice shall set forth the ordinance in full, and mode and manner
of payment proposed, and no ordinance for the purchase of real estate