ELIHU E. JACKSON, ESQUIRE, GOVERNOR.

twenty days after ratification of their appoint-
ments, take an oath before a justice of the
peace of Wicomico county that they will faith-
fully, fairly, and without partiality or prejudice,
value and assess the loss and damage to be
suffered and incurred by any person or persons
interested in the property over and through
which the said street, lane or alley is to be
opened, closed, extended, widened, or im-

336

proved, and also to estimate the benefits that
may accrue therefrom to any property affected
thereby, and that they shall, within ten days
after such valuation or assessment, return
the same, in writing, under their hands and
seals, with a certificate of their qualification
before a justice of the peace, as hereinbefore
provided, to the commissioners of said town,
which said valuation and assessment shall be
ratified or rejected by the said commissioners
within twenty days after return of same, as in
their judgment may seem proper ; and before
actually opening, widening or altering any
street, lane or alley, the said commissioners

Benefits.

shall pay, or tender to the person, his agent,
guardian or representative, the amount of dam-
age so awarded ; and if any person shall feel
aggrieved by the determination of the said com-
missioners in ratifying or rejecting said return,
either as to damages or benefits, or in any mat-
ter relating to the same, he, she or they may
appeal within thirty days from said ratification
or rejection to the circuit court for Wicomico
county, and said court, or a jury, may increase or
decrease the amount of damages or benefits so
awarded, and may award costs in its discretion,
and said judgments shall be final ; and it shall
be the duty of the said commissioners to cause
the papers connected therewith to be delivered
to the clerk of said county, on petition in writ-
ing, of any party feeling aggrieved ; and the
persons appointed to assess the damages as afore-
said shall receive such compensation as the
commissioners shall determine.

May appear

SEC. 18. And be it enacted, That the said com-
missioners have power to pass all laws and ordi-
nances necessary for grading, regulating, paving
and repairing the footways and sidewalks of the

Paving foot-
ways.