74

LAWS OF MARYLAND.

other civil remedies as may exist in such cases by

law for the recovery of the penalties thereunto

Fines.

affixed, they may affix thereto such reasonable fines,

not exceeding fifty dollars in any case, as to them

may appear right, and in default of the payment

Imprison-

of any fine imposed, they may provide for the im-

ment

prisonment of the offender for a period not exceed-

ing twenty days, and instead of the aforesaid penal-

ties, it shall be lawful in case of the conviction of any

Vagrancy.

person for vagrancy, to sentence such person to hard

work for a period not exceeding ten days.

SEC. 133. The Mayor and Council shall have power

to provide for laying out, opening and extending,

Streets and

widening, straightening or closing of any street or

alleys.

alley in said town, which in their judgment public

convenience or necessity may require, and for the

purposes above named, they may provide by ordi-

nance for ascertaining whether any and what amount

Damages.

of damages will be caused thereby, for which the

owner or possessor of any lands through or over

which such street or alley may pass ought to be com-
pensated and paid, and for ascertaining and levying,

either generally on the whole assessable property of

the town or specially on property of the persons bene-

fitted, the whole or any part of the damages and ex-

penses occasioned in the laying out, opening and
extending, widening, straightening or closing of such

street or alley; to provide, in case they shall deter-

mine to levy and assess the whole or any part of said

damages and expenses upon the owner or owners of

the amount of such damages and expenses so deter-

mined to be levied upon them, in due proportion to

the amount of benefits by them respectively re-

Commission-

ceived ; to provide for the appointment of commis-

ers to assess

sioners to assess said damages and benefits, and pre-

damages and
benefits.

scribe their duties and compensation ; to provide

for the condemnation of all lands and property so

taken for public use; for the notice to be given in

relation thereto; for the payment of the damages so

awarded, and for the collection and mode of pay-

ment under any action allowed by law of the bene-

fits so determined and assessed; to pass all ordinances

necessary and proper to the exercise of the powers

granted in this section; provided, however, that no

lands or property shall be taken under the powers