1800 LAWS OF MARYLAND. | CH. 730

SECTION 1. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Mary-
land, That two new sections be and they are hereby added
to Article 25 of the Annotated Code of Maryland (1939 Edi-
tion), title "County Commissioners", sub-title "General Pro-
visions", said new sections to be known as Sections 2A and
2B, and to follow immediately after Section 2 of said Article,
and to read as follows:

2A. (a) The County Commissioners of each county in
this State, except Worcester, Kent, Caroline, Allegany, Prince
George's, Washington, Somerset, Dorchester, Baltimore, Cal-
vert, Wicomico, Anne Arundel, Cecil, Charles, Howard, Fred-
erick, and St. Mary's Counties, in addition to, but not in
substitution of, the powers which have been or may hereafter
be granted them, shall have the following express powers:

(b) To acquire by purchase or condemnation real or lease-
hold property needed for any public purpose and to erect
buildings thereon for the benefit of the County and to sell
at public or private sale any real or leasehold property be-
longing to the County when no longer needed for public use,
but no property shall be sold until such sale has been adver-
tised for at least twenty (20) days before date of sale.

(c) (Franchises.) To grant franchises as provided under
existing Public General or Public Local Laws.

(d) To provide for the appointment and removal of all
county officers and employees except those whose appoint-
ment or election is provided for by the Constitution or Public
General or Public Local Laws.

(e) To fix and prescribe the salary or compensation of all
appointed officers and employees of the County, and to pre-
scribe and provide for the payment of the traveling and other
expenses of the State's Attorney, Sheriff, Judges of the
Orphans' Court and of all other elected and appointed offi-
cers and employees of the County incurred in the perform-
ance of their official duties.

(f) To establish a merit system in connection with the
appointment of all county officials and employees not elected
or appointed under the Constitution or Public General Laws
of the State.

(g) To establish and maintain a general system of pen-
sions and retirement and group insurance for the benefit and
advantage of its officers and employees, with necessary classi-
fications and terms of admission.

(h) To provide for the prompt collection of all taxes due
the County by authorizing discounts or imposing penalties.