684

LAWS OF MAEYLAND.

CHAPTER 561.

AN ACT to provide for a full investigation into the accounts of

Stevenson Archer, State treasurer, by the joint committee on

the part of the senate and house of delegates during the recess

of the general assembly, and appropriating a sum of money to

pay the expenses of said joint committee, and a proper compen-

sation to them while engaged in their said work of investiga-

tion.

SECTION 1. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Maryland,

That the joint committee heretofore appointed by the general

assembly to take into consideration the recent special message of

the governor in relation to the accounts of State treasurer, Steven-

son Archer, viz : John P. Poe and John Walter Smith on the part

of the senate, and Frank T. Shaw, Philip D. Laird and William

C. Harden on the part of the house, be and they are hereby au-

thorized, empowered and directed to make a full investigation

into the accounts of Stevenson Archer, State treasurer, and of the

To con-
tinue in-

manner in which he has conducted the affairs of his office, and to

vestiga-
tion

continue such investigation after the adjournment of the general

assembly until such time as such investigation is fully completed,

and to the end that such investigation may be thorough and com-

plete, said joint committee is hereby authorized to summon and

examine witnesses under oath, and to compel their attendance,

and to call for and compel the production of books, papers and

documents, and generally to take such steps as in their judgment

shall be necessary and proper, to ascertain the true condition of

the accounts of the treasurer; the meetings of said joint commit-

tee shall be open to the public Avhenever any testimony is taken,

and so far as is practicable all the proceedings of said committee

shall be open to the inspection of the public.

SEC. 2. And be it enacted, That the said committee be and they

are hereby instructed, that whenever they are satisfied upon the

evidence before them, that the said treasurer has been guilty of

To prefer

malfeasance in office, or misappropriation of the funds of the

charges.

State, (should the legislature then not be in session,) they shall

forthwith, and without waiting to conclude their investigation as

to the extent thereof, prefer charges of such malfeasance or mis-

appropriation against the said treasurer to the governor, to the

end that the governor may proceed to execute the power lodged

with him by section six, of article six, of the constitution of the

State.

SEC. 3. And be it enacted, That upon the completion of their

Report

said work of investigation, they shall make a full and detailed re-

port thereof to the governor, with such recommendations as they

shall deem proper.