332

LAWS OF MARYLAND.

one shall be given by the commissioners by printed or writ-

ten notice posted in three conspicuous places within said

Vacancy

corporate limits. In case any vacancy occurs in the office

of commissioners, the other commissioners may fill the

vacancy, and the person so appointed shall hold till the

next regular election. If at any time it shall occur that

there are no commissioners in office, any five qualified voters

residing in said town may in writing call upon some justice

of the peace in or near said town to hold an election as in

the case of the first election, and such special election may

be held at any time after the corporation ceases to hear any

commissioners, and the commissioners so elected shall hold

office until the time for a regular election arrives. If the

nearest justice of the peace refuses or omits to attend the

first election any justice of the peace may order the same

on the call of five residents of said town.

328. All male inhabitants of said town over the age of

Qualifica-
tion of

twenty -one years who have resided within said corporate

voters

limits six months before the holding of any such election,

and all male citizens of Dorchester County of twenty-one

years of age who own lands within said limits shall be entitled

to vote at such election, and every resident voter of such corpo-

ration shall be eligible to hold the office of commissioner.

329. The said commissioners at their first meeting after

Chairman

such election shall choose one of their number chairman,

and clerk.

who shall preside at their meetings and shall give such

directions as may be deemed necessary to carry into effect

the provisions of this sub-title. The commissioners may

meet as often as occasion may require, and the chairman

shall give notice to the other commissioners when a special

meeting is to be held, they shall meet at least once in three

months. They shall appoint one of their own mumber or

some other competent person as secretary or clerk, who

shall keep a record of their proceedings in a well-bound

book provided for the purpose, they shall have authority to

assign to the clerk his duties and to allow him such com-

pensation as they may think proper.

330. The commissioners shall have full power to make

Power to

and pass all such by-laws, regulations and ordinances not

pass ordi-

inconsistent with the constitution and laws of this State, as

nances

from time to time, they may deem wise, equitable and

expedient for the good order, comfort, health and con-

venience of the said town and its inhabitants ; for the pre-

vention and removal of nuisances ; for the preservation of

health ; for the protection of the lives and limbs of the

inhabitants of the same, and of persons temporally therein,

and for the suppression of vice and immorality within the