LLOYD LOWNDES, ESQUIRE, GOVERNOR.

act shall go, one-half to the informer and one-half to the Schoo!
Commissioners of Garrett county, to be applied to the county
school fund.

59

SEC. 3. And le it enacted, That this act shall take effect
from the date of its passage.

Approved March 19, 1896.

CHAPTER 57.
AN ACT for the aid of the State Firemen's Association.

Effective.

WHEREAS, The volunteer firemen throughout the State per-
form deeds of valor or heroism in the saving of lives and
property of the citizens of the various communities in the
State, without compensation or reward; and

Preamble.

WHEREAS, On many occasions, volunteer firemen have been
seriously injured, and in some instances killed, while in the
discharge of a duty imposed by a desire for the protection of
others, and in consequence their families are oftentimes placed
in embarrassing circumstances by the inability of the member
thus injured or killed to provide for the family support; and

Preamble.

WHEREAS, The maintaining of the Volunteer Fire Com-
panies by the firemen themselves is a great saving to the citi-
zens of the State, in ,not being compelled to expend large sums
for the support of a paid fire department; and

Preamble.

WHEREAS, On account of the efficiency of these Volunteer
Fire Companies, much property is saved from destruction, that
is now a source of revenue to the State; and

Preamble.

WHEREAS, The Maryland State Firemen's Association has
been organized, and among its objects and purposes is to pro-
vide assistance to volunteer firemen and their families, when
the firemen are injured in the discharge of their duty as fire-
men; and

Preamble.

WHEREAS, It is but just and proper that the State should
recognize and aid in a substantial manner a project for the
amelioration of a large class of her citizens; therefore

Preamble.

SECTION 1. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Mary-
land, That to render financial assistance to the Maryland State
Firemen's Association, a body corporate, chartered by an act of
the General Assembly of Maryland, session of 1894, for the

Appropria-
tion to Fire
men's Asso-
ciation.