504

LAWS OF MARYLAND.

SEC. 23. And be it enacted, That the said over-

Compel to
work.

seer may compel any of the inmates of said
almshouse or insane asylum, if of sufficient
ability, to work and labor, and shall account for
the purpose of their labor.
SEC. 24. And be it enacted, That any of the

Authority to
commit.

said trustees may, under his hand in writing,
appoint what poor, sick and insane shall be re-
ceived into said almshouse and insane asylum;
and any justice of the peace may, under his
hand in writing, in his discretion, appoint what
poor, sick and insane shall be received into said
almshouse and insane asylum, to be there cared
for until the next meeting of the board of
trustees.
SEC. 25. And be it enacted, That the said trus-

Purchase sup-
plies, etc.

tees shall purchase all necessary supplies, bed-
ding and furniture for the almshouse and insane
asylum, clothing for the inmates, and stock and
farming utensils for the farm.
SEC. 26. And be it enacted, That all sheriffs,

Shall aid and
assist.

constables and other officers shall aid and assist
the trustees for the poor and insane, and all
persons by them employed in the execution and
performance of their respective duties.
SEC. 27. And be it enacted, That if any person
shall be sued or prosecuted for any matter or

May plead
general issue.

thing by him done in execution and performance
of any duty imposed by law, or any matter or
thing herein contained, he may plead the gene-
ral issue and give the special matter in evidence
in his defence ; and if on trial verdict shall be
given for the defendant, or if the plaintiff be
non-suit or discontinue, the defendant shall
recover treble costs; and if the plaintiff is unable
to satisfy the same, they shall be paid by the
attorney who brought the suit, unless the plain-
tiff shall give security for the costs, to be ap-
proved by the court.
SEC. 28. And be it enacted, That the trustees

Intestate per-
sonal property

of the poor in Cecil county, and their successors,
shall be entitled to the residue of all personal
estate of persons dying intestate in said county
and leaving no legal representative, and the
administrator of the person so dying shall pay
the same to them.