638

LAWS OF MARYLAND.

erty to be valued, on a day to be named in the war-

rant, not less than ten nor more than twenty days

after the issuing of the same.

SEC. 14. And be it enacted, That if at the same

time and place any of the jurors summoned do not

attend, the sheriff shall immediately summon as

many jurors as shall bo necessary with the jurors in

Failure to

attendance to finish a panel of twenty jurors, and

attend.

from them each party, or his agent, or if either be

not present in person or by agent, the sheriff, for

him, may strike off four jurors, and the remaining

twelve shall act as a jury of inquest of damages.

SEC. 15. And be it enacted, That the sheriff shall,

before the jury proceed to act, administer to each an

Administer

oath that he will justly and impartially value the

oath.

damages which the owner will sustain by the use or

occupation of his property for the use hereinbefore

named.

SEC. 16. And be it enacted, That the jury, in

estimating the benefit resulting to the owner from

opening and lay ing out, straightening, widening and

draining said streets, lanes or alleys, through, along

or near to the property of said owner, but only in

the extinguishment of the claims for damages; and

the jury shall reduce their inquisition to writing,

and shall sign and seal the same, and it shall then

Reduce to

be returned by the sheriff to the clerk of the Circuit

writing.

Court for said county, and shall be confirmed by said

court at its next session, if no sufficient cause to the

contrary be shown, whether on account of insuffi-

ciency of damages or otherwise, and when confirmed,

shall be recorded by said clerk at the expense of said

president and commissioners If said inquisition be

set aside, the said court may direct another to be

taken in the same manner as the first.

SEC. 17. And be it enacted, That every inquisition

shall describe the property taken or the bounds of

the land condemned, and the quantity or duration

of the interest in the same therein valued; and such

valuation, when paid or tendered to the owner of

Describe pro-
perty taken.

the property or l:is legal representative, or in case

no damages shall be assessed, the confirmation of

said inquisition shall entitle the said president and

commissioners to the estate, use and interest in the

same so valued for the purposes aforesaid as fully as

if the same had been conveyed by the owner, and