574 LAWS OF MARYLAND. [CH. 341

sent, and shall not hold any other elective public office, except
that Councilmen may be Notary Publics, members of the State
militia, or non-elective officers or employees of the United
States. A Councilman ceasing to possess any of the qualifi-
cations specified in this section, or convicted of crime while in
office, shall immediately forfeit his office. He must own prop-
erty (in the Town of Bladensburg) assessed at f 1,000.00 on the
County assessment books, in his or her name whether or not
jointly with spouse.

40A. (Meetings of Council.) At 8.00 P. M. on the first
Friday following the filing of the certificate of election as
hereinafter explained the Council shall meet at the place pro-
vided for its meetings and the newly elected members shall
assume the duties of office, but if any meeting is held before
such day and after publication of said certificate, the newly
elected Council shall assume the duties of office at such meet-
ing. Thereafter the Council shall meet at such time as may
be prescribed by ordinance or resolution, but not less fre-
quently than once each month. Special meetings shall be
called by the clerk upon the written request of the Mayor, or
one-half of the Councilmen. Any such notice shall state the
subject to be considered at the special meeting and no other
subject shall be there considered, except by unanimous con-
sent of all members. All regular meetings of the Council shall
be open to the public, and the rules of the Council shall pro-
vide that citizens of the town shall have a reasonable oppor-
tunity to be heard at any such meetings in regard to any
matter considered thereat.

40B. (Council Rules.) The Council shall determine its own
rules and order of business and keep a journal of its proceed-
ings. It shall have power to compel the attendance of absent
members, and may, by vote of not less than three-fourths of
the members, expel a member from a meeting for disorderly
conduct or for violation of its rules.

40C. (Quorum.) A majority of the members elected to the
Council shall constitute a quorum to do business, but a less
number may adjourn from time to time and compel the attend-
ance of absent members in such manner and under such pen-
alties as may be prescribed by ordinance. The affirmative vote
of a majority of the members elected to the Council shall be
necessary to adopt any ordinance, resolution, order or vote;
except that a vote to adjourn, or regarding the attendance of
absent members, may be adopted by a majority of the mem-
bers present. No member shall be excused from voting except