224

LAWS OF MARYLAND.

streets, straighten, and widen the same, and improve the same;

make cause-ways; establish the width and grade of side-walks,

and pave and set out shade trees thereon, and all damages done,

suffered or incurred by opening, closing, straightening or widen-

ing said streets or alleys, and any benefits or advantages accru-

ing to any person by such opening shall be assessed and deter-

mined by three disinterested persons, residents of said town, to

be appointed by the mayor and city council, who shall within

twenty days after notification of their appointment, take an oath

before a justice of the peace within the town, that they will

Damages

faithfully, fairly and without partiality or prejudice value and
assess the loss and damage to be suffered and incurred by, and

the benefits to accrue to any person interested in the property

over which the streets or alleys are to be opened, closed, straightened

or widened, and they shall give at least ten days' notice, by notice

posted in three public places in said town and by notice inserted

in some newspaper published in said town, if there be such a

paper published, of the time and place of meeting for the par-

pose of executing their commission; and they shall, within ten

days after such valuation or assessment, return the same in writ-

ing under their hands and seals, with a certificate of their quali-

fication before a justice of the peace, as hereinbefore provided, to

the mayor and city council of the town, which said valuation and

assessment shall be ratified or rejected by them as in their judg-

ment may seem proper; and if any person shall feel aggrieved

by the determination of the mayor and city council in ratifying

or rejecting said award or return, or in the amount of compensa-

tion awarded, or in any matter relating to the same, he may

Appeal

appeal within sixty days after said ratification or rejection to the

circuit court for Prince George's county; and either party may

be entitled to a trial by jury, and the judgment of said court

shall be final among the parties; provided, that the person taking

the appeal shall within twenty days thereafter cause to be de-

livered to the clerk of the circuit court the award filed with said

mayor and city council, together with a copy of the order of said

mayor and city council, ratifying or rejecting the same, and all

other papers relating thereto; but this section shall not be con-

strued or taken to deprive or deny the right of the mayor or city

council of Laurel to accept any streets or alleys which may be

opened or dedicated by the owner of the ground in said streets

or alleys for the use of the public, but the same shall be deemed

streets and alleys, whether heretofore or hereafter opened for

public use, without proceeding in the manner indicated in this

section; but no street or alley given or dedicated shall be con-

sidered to be under the control, or to be kept in repair by the

mayor and city council, and at their expense, unless heretofore or

hereafter accepted by them; and the said mayor and city council

may enact all ordinances from time to time, not contrary to law,