1823.

LAWS OF MARYLAND

CHAP. 106.

shall cause a just and fair assessment and valuation of all the
real and personal property within the said village, to be made
and returned between the second Monday of April and the se-
cond Monday of May annually, by some fit and proper person,
to be by them appointed for that purpose, who shall, before he
proceeds to act, take the following oath, or affirmation: I, A B,
do swear, (or affirm, as the case may be,) that I will assess and
value all the real and personal property within the village of
Denton, without favour, affection partiality or prejudice, to the
best of my skill and judgment; which oath, or affirmation,
shall be administered by one of the commissioners, and the said
assessor shall be bound to make return thereof, agreeably to

Proviso

the provisions of this act; Provided, that no person not hold-
ing personal property in said village, whose assessment shall
not exceed the sum of forty dollars, shall not be liable to pay
an assessment; And be it further provided, that the tax so-
laid shall in no case exceed the sum of one dollar in three hun-
dred dollars in any one year

To levy tax on
billiard labels

6. And be it enacted, That the said commissioners, or a
majority of them, and their successors, shall have full power
and authority to assess and levy upon every person or persons
keeping for common use a billiard table within the said village,
or within one mile therdof, an annual tax of any dollars for
every billiard table so kept and used, and likewise to assess and
levy an annual tax of fifty cents like money on every dog, and
one dollar like money on every female dog, belonging to any
inhabitant of said village; and the said commissioners may di-
rect the killing of any dog as above described, in said village,
whose owner cannot be ascertained, or who refuses or neglects
to pay the tax for the same within three months after the de-
mand of the same.

To appoint bailiff
Duties

7. And be it enacted, That the sakl commissioners shall, on
the first Monday in April, (or as soon thereafter as may be con-
venient,) and annually every year thereafter, appoint an active
discreet person to be bailiff and constable of said village, who,
before he shall proceed to the execution of his office, shall take
an oath, or affirmation, as the case may be, to be administered
by any justice of the peace for Caroline county, that he will
faithfully and impartially perform ths duties required of hint
as bailiff and constable within the limits of said village, by vir-
tue of this act, without favour, affection or partiality, according
to the best of his skill and judgment; and the said bailiff or
constable shall give bond in the same manner, and under the
game penalties, that the several constables of the said eounty
do; and it shall be the duty of said bailiff and constable to at-
tend the meetings of the said commissioners when he shall be
required, to perform such services as shall from time to time be
by them directed, for the more effectual accomplishing the ob-
jects of this act; to prevent the tumultuous and irregular meet-
ing of slaves, negroes, and other dissolute and disorderly per-
sons, within the limits of said village, or if so assembled, to
disperse them by reasonable and lawful means, and to punish
with moderate correction, all such negroes and other slaves, as
shall be found wandering or strolling about the streets in the