288

LAWS OF MARYLAND.

Damages—
how awarded.

such street or alley, the mayor and council shall
pay, or tender to the person, his agent, guardian
or representative, the amount of damages so
awarded ; and if any one should feel aggrieved
by the decision of the mayor and council in any
matter relating to their decision, he, she or they
may appeal to the circuit court for Wicomico
county, by giving written notice within twenty

Right of
appeal.

days from said decision, filed with the clerk of
the council, of their desire to appeal, and on the
filing of the said notice it shall be the duty of
the said clerk to deliver the papers connected
therewith to the clerk of said court, and the
same proceedings shall be had on the appeal as
in cases of appeal from judgments of justices
of the peace; provided, nevertheless, that the
mayor and council may decline to open, lay out,
extend, widen, grade, or straighten any street,
alley or highway, or any square, water-way
or drain, notwithstanding the decision of said
court ; but in case of refusal so to do, they shall
be liable, f or all costs incurred, and shall pay the

What consti-
tutes liens.

same. All benefits assessed by virtue of the
above provisions shall be liens on the respective
lots or parcels of ground on which they are
assessed from the time of the final ratification
of the aforesaid return, and shall be collected as
taxes are collected, or may be collected by action
at law. On appeal, the court or jury may alter
the award so returned, whether damages or ben-
efits, and award costs in its discretion.
SEC. 19. And be it enacted, That for the pur-

Power to pass
ordinances.

pose of carrying out the foregoing powers, and for
the preservation of the health, cleanliness, peace
and good order of the community, and for the
protection of the lives and property of the citizens
from fire or disease, and to suppress, or cause
to be suppressed, abated or discontinue any
and all nuisances within the said limits of said
town ; they may pass any and all ordinances and
by-laws, from time to time necessary, and to en-
force and insure the observance of the said or-
dinances in addition to an action in debt, or such
other civil remedies as may exist in such cases
by law for the recovery for fees, fines and penal-
ties thereto affixed ; they may affix thereto rea-
sonble fines, and in default of payment of any