1402

LAWS OF MARYLAND.

CHAP. 822
Preamble.

WHEREAS, The ranks of the men who fought in the ser-
vice of the United States and Confederate States between the
years 1861-1865 is fast being depleted, and the number of
the old soldiers and sailors passing away is largely increas-
ing ; and

WHEREAS, The burden upon the survivors in providing a
decent burial for those that pass away without leaving any
estate is becoming too great to be borne by them ; now,
therefore,

SECTION 1. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Mary-
land, That the expenses of the interment of the bodies of

Appropriation
made.

deceased sailors, soldiers and marines who served in the
United States or Confederate States Army or Navy between
the years 1861-1865, and were honorably discharged, shall
be paid by the State of Maryland ; provided, that the
expense of such interment shall not exceed in any one case
more than thirty-five dollars ; and provided, that said
expense shall only be borne by the State of Maryland in
the event that such deceased soldier, sailor or marine left
no estate, and that the death occurred in the State of Mary-
land.

SEC. 2. Be it further enacted, That the Comptroller of the
Treasury be and he is hereby authorized and directed to issue

Warrant to be
issued.

his warrant on the Treasurer of the State to pay the expense
hereinbefore mentioned ; that before the Comptroller shall
issue said warrant there shall be presented to him, with an
itemized bill of the undertaker, a certificate of death, stating
the name and age of the deceased, together with the cause of
death, if the deceased was buried in Baltimore city, and if
the deceased was buried in one of the counties of the State,
then a certificate of the County Commissioners living nearest
the place where the deceased shall have lived, or the certifi-
cate of a health officer ; said certificate also to bear the
endorsement of the commander of the department of Mary-
land Grand Army of the Republic, or of the commander,
president of the association of the Maryland line, as to the
service of the deceased.

When
expenses of
interment
shall not be
paid.

SEC. 3. And be it enacted, That in no case shall the
expense of interment be paid when the deceased is buried in
a cemetery or county plot used exclusively for interment of
paupers or public charges.