332

LAWS OF MARYLAND.

and the precincts for which they are selected, by causing the
same in the several counties, to be published once a week for
two successive weeks, in two or more newspapers in each
county, one of which papers, if possible, shall be of opposite
political faith from that of a majority of such supervisors ;
and if no newspaper be published in such county, then by
posting such notice in three of the most public places in such
county and in Baltimore city, to be published on two succes-
sive days in all the daily papers printed in the English lang-
uage in said city, which shall be willing to publish the same at
their current rates for advertising. Said board, in appointing
judges and clerks, and in the notice thereof, shall designate the
persons intended by them to represent the political parties,
respectively. It shall be the duty of the said board to exam-
ine promptly into any complaints which may be preferred to
them in writing against the fitness or qualifications of any per-
son so appointed judge or clerk, and to remove any such judge
or clerk, whom, upon inquiry, they shall find to be unfit or
incapable. The board shall forthwith appoint persons in the
manner hereinbefore prescribed to fill all vacancies in the office
of judge or clerk, and shall immediately make public the
names of such persons so appointed by advertisement, as
nearly as may be, as hereinbefore provided, for the original
appointment. The record of appointments to fill vacancies
shall be kept in the books hereinbefore prescribed in section 9,
which books, with the recommendations and protests made to
them, and all their other records and papers shall always be
open to the inspection of the public. After notice, as afore-
said, of their appointment, the judges and clerks shall again be
notified to appear at the office of said board, and shall then
and there, after taking the oath of office before one of said
supervisors, receive their commissions. The oath of office

Oath or
Judges and
clerks.

shall be in writing and subscribed by each one in a book to be
kept for the purpose by the supervisors, and shall be in sub-
stance as follows: "I, — ——— , residing at ———— , in the city
(or county of) ———— , in the State of Maryland, do solemnly
swear (or affirm) that I am a legal voter in the ———— precinct
of the ———— ward of the city of ———— , (or ———— district
of ———— county,) in the said State; that I will support the
Constitution of the United States, and that I will be faithful
and bear true allegiance to the State of Maryland, and support
the constitution and laws thereof; and that I will faithfully
and honestly discharge the duties of an officer of registration
and of judge of election (or clerk of election) for the ————
precinct of the ———— ward of the city of — —— , (or district