56

LAWS OF MARYLAND.

pose of at pleasure, and to execute, acknowledge and deliver
all deeds and other instruments of writing concerning the
sa»e; provided, however, that the said real estate so to be
held by them shall be only that to be occupied as their office
and place of business, not exceeding in value one hundred
and fifty thousand dollars, and such as may come into their
possession in satisfaction of any debt due to them upon mort-
gage, decree or judgment.

May insure
fidelity of
public
officials.

SEC. 14. And be it enacted, That said company shall be
and is hereby authorized and empowered to insure the fidelity
of persons holding places of trust or responsibility in, to or
under any State, county, city, corporation, company, partner-
ship, person or persons whatsoever, to become security for the
faithful performance of any trust, office, duty, contract or
agreement, and to supersede any judgment, or to go upon any
appeal or other bond, and it is further authorized to become
sole surety in all cases where by law two or more sureties are
required for the faithful performance of any trust or office,
and it shall and may be lawful for any court, register, clerk or
other officer to approve said company as sole surety in all such
cases, but, in such cases the officers and affairs of said com-
pany may be subject to an examination by such court, regis-
ter, clerk, or other officers; and it shall be lawful for said
company to stipulate and provide for indemnity from the par-
ties aforesaid for whom it shall so become responsible, and to
enforce any bond, contract, agreement, pledge or other security
made or given for that purpose; that said corporation shall be
subject at all times to the provisions of the act of 1892, chap-
ter 109, and of the act of 1892, chapter 279, or amendments
or supplements thereto.

By-laws of
company.

SEC. 15. And be it enacted. That the president, vice-presi-
dents and directors of said corporation hereby created, shall
have power to enact and adopt such rules and regulations and
by-laws for the government and management of the affairs of
said corporation »s they shall deem advantageous to the in-
terests thereof, provided the same be not contrary to the law
of the land.

Right of .
repeal.

SEC. 16. And be it enacted, That the General Assembly
reserves the right to repeal, alter and amend this act at its
pleasure.

Effective.

SEC. 17. And be it enacted, That this act shall take effect
from the date of its passage.

Approved March 19th, 1896.