820 LAWS OF MARYLAND. [CH. 445

(H) The Mayor shall receive, in lieu of expenses,
compensation of $600 per anuum and each Council-
man shall receive in, lieu of expenses, compensation
of $300 per annum, payable in equal monthly allot-
ments; provided, ' however, that said compensation
shall not be effective until first submitted to the qualified
voters of the town and approved by a majority of those
voting thereon. Said question may be submitted for de-
cision at any municipal election and shall appear upon the
ballot in the form "Shall the Mayor and Councilmen be
compensated at the rate of $600 and $300 each, per
annum, respectively, in lieu of expenses, " followed
by the words "yes" and "no, " with a square after each, the
voter to register his choice by making a cross mark (X) in
the square opposite the word expressing his judgment.
Should the compensation be approved by a majority of
those voting thereon said compensation shall be effective
on and after the first day of the month following said
approval.

(I) The Council may require any of its officers to give
bond in such penalty and with such sureties as they may
deem necessary, conditioned for the faithful performance
of their duties. The Council shall require the Town Clerk
and Treasurer to be bonded in an amount equal to not less
than forty per cent (40%) of the total estimated receipts
of the town for the ensuing year. Said bond shall be filed
with the Mayor. When any officer wilfully fails to dis-
charge any duty of his office, he may, in addition to the
remedy on his bond, be fined by the Mayor, at his discre-
tion, not exceeding ten dollars for any one offense, and for
the payment of such fine his bond shall be responsible. Any
officer may be dismissed by the Council at its discretion.

(J) The Mayor, with the advice and consent of the
Council, shall in the month of September in each year em-
ploy a certified public accountant to make an audit of the
books, accounts, statements and records relating to the
financial affairs of the town for the preceding fiscal year,
including particularly those of the Clerk and Treasurer of
said town. Said accountant shall have no connection with
or relation to the town government or any of its officers
or employees. Upon completion of said audit, the said ac-
countant shall prepare a report thereon and submit the
same, together with his recommendations, if any, to the
Mayor and Council. Thereafter, said report and recom-
mendations shall be public records open to public inspec-