1806 LAWS OF MARYLAND. [CH. 731

Health or any public general or public local law relating to
the subject of health.

(17) (Inspections.) To authorize and require the inspection
of gas pipes, water pipes, plumbing apparatus, electric lines
and wires, and drainage and sewage systems on private prop-
erty, and to compel repairs thereon.

(18) (Liens.) To provide that any valid charges, taxes or
assessments made against any real property within the muni-
cipality shall be liens upon such property to be collected in
the same manner as municipal taxes are collected.

(19) (Markets.) To establish and to regulate markets, and
to license the sale of marketable commodities therein.

(20) (Merit System.) To establish a merit system in con-
nection with the appointment of all municipal officials and
employees not elected or appointed under the Constitution or
public general or public local laws of the State, and to re-
quest and avail themselves of the facilities of the Commis-
sioner of State Employment and Registration for the adminis-
tration of such merit system without unnecessary expense.

(21) (Parks.) To establish and maintain such parks,
gardens, playgrounds, and recreational facilities as in the dis-
cretion of the legislative body are deemed to be for the health
and welfare of the municipality and its inhabitants.

(22) (Pensions.) To provide a retirement or pension system
or a group insurance plan for its officers or employees or for
including its officers and employees in any retirement or pen-
sion system operated by or in conjunction with the State, on
such terms and conditions as State laws may prescribe.

(23) (Police.) To establish and maintain an adequate
police force.

(24) (Police Powers.) To punish and suppress vagrancy,
vice, gambling, and the owning or keeping of houses of ill
fame within the limits of the town.

To enforce all ordinances relating to disorderly conduct and
the suppression of nuisances equally within the limits of the
municipality and beyond those limits for one-half mile, or for
so much of this distance as does not conflict with the powers
of another municipal corporation.

(25) (Property.) To acquire by conveyance, purchase or
condemnation real or leasehold property needed for any public
purpose; to erect buildings thereon for the benefit of the
municipality; and to sell at public or private sale after twenty