ART. 11.] ALMSHOUSE. 1091

this article, or anything theirein contained, he may plead the
general issue and give the special matter in evidence in his defence;
and if the plaintiff shall be nonsuited, or discontinue, or if the
defendant upon trial shall have verdict, the defendant shall re-
cover treble costs; and if the plaintiff be unable to pay them
they shall be paid by the attorney who brought or prosecuted
the suit, unless the plaintiff shall give security for the costs, to be
approved by the court.

1884, ch. 242.

29. The treasurer shall receive a salary for his services not
exceeding three hundred dollars per annum, to be fixed by said
commissioners.

Ibid.

30. The bonds executed by the treasurer and overseer or
keeper of the almshouse shall be filed and recorded in the office
of the clerk of the circuit court.

1886, ch. 3.

31. It shall be the duty of the commissioners every three
months, to advertise for sealed proposals for furnishing all supplies
and provisions necessary for the support and maintenance of the
inmates of the almshouse, and all persons committed to the jail,
and for all fuel needed for the almshouse and jail, and to award
the contract therefor to the lowest responsible bidder, who shall
give bond to the commissioners in such penalty as they may pre-
scribe for the faithful performance of such contract, and no one of
the commissioners shall be allowed to be a bidder for any such
contract, or be interested therein directly or indirectly; and they
shall have full power to make such provision for the maintenance
and support of the inmates of the jail and almshouse as they may
deem necessary until the contracts hereinbefore provided for can be
made; provided, that the successful bidder shall be held and
obligated to furnish at the same rate and price any additional sup-
plies of the like kind that may be needed by the commissioners,
in excess of the amount advertised and bid for.

Ibid.

32. Whenever there shall be no bid made for any of the sup-
plies advertised for, the said commissioners may procure the same