388

LAWS OF MARYLAND.

tive districts regularly each working day during the oyster

season, and they shall have power to inspect all' oysters

found in the possession of any person or persons, or on board

of any vessel, and if upon such inspection any such inspec-

tor shall be convinced that any of the provisions of this

act have been violated, he shall have power, and it is hereby

made his duty to arrest, immediately, such offender and

take him before the nearest or most convenient justice of

the peace in any county of the State, or a police justice of

Baltimore City, who shall as speedily as possible hear and

dispose of such case in accordance with the provisions of

this article; and said inspectors shall be allowed no extra

compensation for conveyance, boat help or other ordinary

expenses, except in cases of arrest, where from the nature

of the case, he may be required to furnish means of convey-

ance and other necessary expenses for the sale conduct of

the offender so arrested, in which cases, upon presentation

of proper vouchers, he shall be allowed only his actual

expenditures ; and the treasurer of the State on the warrant

of the comptroller, which the said comptroller is hereby

directed to issue, is hereby directed to pay said inspectors

the amount of their monthly salaries on the first day of each

month succeeding the month in which the service shall

have been performed, from the fund hereinafter provided

for. The said inspectors shall take aud subscribe an oath

(or affirmation) such as is commonly required in positions

of similar character ; and in the event of failure to properly

perform the duties herein prescribed, shall be deemed

guilty of a misdemeanor.

20 H. For the purpose of raising the revenue necessary

to the requirements of this act, a tax of ten cents per hun-

Tax on

dred of bushels of oysters purchased, by each and every

oysters

packer, shipper and wholesale and retail dealer or dealers,

of any kind in oysters, is hereby levied on all such packers,

shippers and wholesale and retail dealers, and dealers of

any kind in oysters, who shall monthly make a sworn state-

ment of the quantity of oysters purchased, and forward

said statement on the first day of the month suceeding the

month in which such purchases shall have been made, with

the amount of money due on account of said tax to the

treasurer of the State ; and in default of said statement and

payment as herein provided, or in the event of any one

making a false oath, for the default, the offender shall be

deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and for making such false

oath, in addition to the penalties herein imposed, shall be-

indictable and punishable as is now provided for the crime

of perjury.