522

COURTS. [ART. 56.

14 Md 321, 15
Md 579, 26 Md
534, 29 Md 234,
3G1, 465, 31 Md.
1, 103, 214, 413,
35 Md 48, 542,
39 Md 511
Id 3 2
1840, c 96, s 2
To prescribe
rules for dis-
missing suits in
recess

think fit, not exceeding twenty dollars for any one offence — all of
which fines shall go to the State.
2. The judges of the several courts of this State exercising civil
jurisdiction, shall prescribe by rule of court the manner in which
suits may be dismissed by the parties or their attorneys during the
recess.

CONTEMPT OF COURT.

Id s 4
1853, c 450, s 1
Power to punish
for contempt.
13 Md 625,
30 Md. 29.

3. The power of the several courts of this State to issue attach-
ments, and inflict summary punishments for contempts of court,
shall not be construed to extend to any cases except the misbehavior
of any person or persons in the presence of the said courts, or so
near thereto as to obstruct the administration of justice; or the
misbehavior of any of the officers of the said courts in their official
transactions; or the disobedience or resistance by any officer of
the said courts, party, juror, witness, or any other person or per-
sons to any lawful writ, process, order, rule, decree, or command of
the said courts.

ADJOURNMENT.

Id 8. 5
1852, c 173, s. 5.
When court
maybe adjourn-
ed by clerk.

4. In case of the absence of the judge of any court (except the
Court of Appeals), the clerk may adjourn the court from day to day;
or he may by written order from the judge adjourn the court to the
next term thereof, or to such other day before the next term as by
said order he may be directed.

ENTRY OF JUDGMENTS BY CONFESSION IN RECESS.

Id s 6
1796, c 43, s 20,
1801, c 74, s 17,
1858, c 363.
Judge may
order judgments
to be entered in
recess
33 Md. 229

5. Any judge in the recess of his court, may order his clerk to
enter a judgment by confession with the assent of the parties or
their attorneys, in writing, which shall be filed with thesorder of the
judge, and a judgment so entered shall, from the date of its entry
by the clerk, have the same effect as if entered during the session
of the court.

INSPECTION OF RECORDS.

1866, c. 26.
Judges' duty in
inspecting
records

6. It shall be the duty of the judges of the several courts of law
and equity, at every term, to inspect the records and papers of the
offices attached to their respective courts relating to lands, tene-
ments, or other real estate, and examine the condition thereof, and
see whether the clerk of such court has performed the duties re-
quired of him by law, relating to the recording of judgments, de-
crees, executions, and proceedings, and whether he has entered and

Records to be
transcribed,
when, etc

transcribed the docket entries as required by law. And if it should
appear, on such examination, that any of the records have become
so dilapidated and worn as to require them to be transcribed, he
shall order and direct the clerk to transcribe the same into new
record books, which the clerk shall procure for that purpose; and
such new records, when so transcribed, shall be carefully examined
and certified by said clerk, and, when so examined and certified,