380

LAWS OF MARYLAND.

voters, as the case may be; and the person elected shall serve
until a new election; and if a vacancy shall occur in the office
of mayor, from any cause, the chairman of the council shall
act as mayor for the unexpired term.

SEC. 46. All officers of said town except the mayor, before

Oath.

they enter upon the duties of their respective offices, shall
qualify by taking an oath before the mayor of said town, that
they will act faithfully, without favor, partiality or prejudice
in all things appertaining to their respective offices; the mayor
shall qualify as directed by section 6 of article 70 of the Code
of Public General Laws, title "Official Oaths; " and a failure
to qualify within two weeks after his election shall be deemed
a refusal on the part of the person so failing to qualify to
accept the office to which he has been elected.

Judge of their
own qualifi-
cations.

SEC. 47. The council shall be judges of the qualifications of
the mayor and of their own members.

SEC. 48. The Mayor and Council shall meet on the first

Meetings of
council.

Monday of each month, at such place and hour as shall be
fixed by the mayor, and at such other times as they shall
adjourn to; at the joint meeting after their election and qualifi-
cation, the council shall elect one of their number chairman,
who, in the absence or sickness of the mayor, shall be clothed
with all his power and authority.

May pass
by-laws.

SEC. 49. The council shall pass rules and by-laws for their
own government while in sessioa, and four members shall con-
stitute a quorum for the transaction of business.

Neglect or
non-user.

SEC. 50. Neglect or non-user shall not work a forfeiture of
this sub-title of this article.

Clerk to be
appointed.

SEC. 51. The mayor, by and with the advice and consent of
the council, at the first meeting after their election and qualifi-
cation, or as soon thereafter as may be, each year, shall appoint
a clerk of said town from among the qualified voters thereof,
who shall keep accurate minutes of their proceedings, and
shall record all laws and ordinances passed by them, in a well-
bound book, which shall be kept open to public inspection, and
all laws and ordinances when recorded in said book shall be
therein signed by the mayor and attested by the clerk, and
said book shall be evidence of said ordinances in any court of
law in this State : and said clerk shall attest all ordinances
passed by said mayor and council, and cause copies of the