2098 WICOMICO COUNTY. [ART. 23.

1888, ch. 310.

173. The commissioners may pass such ordinances, not con-
trary to law, as they may deem beneficial to the town; establish,
open and close streets, lanes and alleys, straighten, widen and
improve the same, grade and pave the same, restrain all disorders
and disturbances, apprehend and fine all vagabonds, and may
impose fines, penalties and forfeitures for the violation of their
ordinances.

Ibid.

174. All benefits and damages done, suffered or incurred by
the opening, closing, widening, extension or improving of said
streets, lanes and alleys, shall be determined and assessed by three
disinterested persons, residents of said town, to be appointed by
said commissioners, and who shall, within twenty days after rati-
fication of their appointments, take an oath before a justice of
the peace of Wicomico county, that they will faithfully, fairly,
and without partiality or prejudice, value and assess the loss and
damage to be suffered and incurred by any person interested in
the property over and through which the said street, lane or alley
is to be opened, closed, extended, widened or improved, and also
to estimate the benefits that may accrue therefrom to any prop-
erty affected thereby, and that they shall, within ten days after
such valuation or assessment, return the same, in writing, under
their hands and seals, with a certificate of their qualification be-
fore a justice of the peace, as hereinbefore provided, to the com-
missioners of said town, which said valuation and assessment
shall be ratified or rejected by the said commissioners, within
twenty days after return of same, as in their judgment may seem
proper; and before actually opening, widening or altering any
street, lane or alley, the said commissioners shall pay. or tender to
the person, his agent, guardian or representative, the amount of
damage so awarded; and if any person shall feel aggrieved by
the determination of the said commissioners in ratifying or re-
jecting said return, either as to damages or benefits, or in any
matter relating to the same, he may appeal within thirty days
from said ratification or rejection to the circuit court for Wicomico
county, and said court, or a jury, may increase or decrease the
amount of damages or benefits so awarded, and may award costs
in its discretion, and said judgments shall be final; and it shall