788

LAWS OF MARYLAND.

Who to have

first be made as aforesaid by petition, shall have ex-

Jurisdiction.

clusive jurisdiction of the subject matter, who shall

thereupon appoint a board of three or more commis-

sioners, to be composed of judicious and impartial

freeholders, to be taken from the neighborhood or

vicinity of said swamp or low lands, one of whom

at least shall be taken from each of said adjoining

counties where the swamp or low lands lie or are

situated in two or more adjoining counties.

SEC. 70. And be it enacted, All persons through

whose lands such ditch or ditches shall be located or

laid out, or the water from whose lands by natural

fall or otherwise shall drain into the same, and who

Tax for ad-

shall desire benefit therefrom, shall contribute to the

Vantages de-

cost and expense of making the same, and the said

rived.

commissioners shall adjudge whether and to what

extent, if any, all such persons will derive benefit

therefrom, and shall assess by way of tax upon such

person or persons respectively a sum proportionate
to the advantages which in their judgment such

person or persons will derive therefrom.

SEC. 72. And be it enacted, The said commission-

ers may adopt in the whole or as a part of the ditch

or ditches to be located and laid out under this

article, any ditch or ditches already made, cut or

laid out, and shall in such case provide by assess-

Provide for

ment as aforesaid for their extension, straightening,

extension.

enlargement and repair, and shall allow the owners

thereof a fair compensation for the work already

done on such ditch or ditches, to be paid by those

benefited ; provided that the said owner or owners

of such ditch, so adopted in whole or in part, shall

be taxed their just proportion of the cost of the

whole ditch, or of the new and additional work.

SEC. 74. And be it enacted, The commissioners

appointed under any order, original or of review,

shall, within one month after the confirmation of

their report, call together the taxables rated for such

ditch or ditches at some convenient place near the

swamp or low lands to be drained, for the purpose of

ChooseBoard
of Managers.

choosing a board of two or more managers, and one
treasurer, and in case said swamp or low lands lie in

two or more adjoining counties, such Board of Man-