632

LAWS OF MARYLAND.

hereby added to chapter three hundred and
seventy-seven of the acts of eighteen hundred
and seventy-two relating to public free schools,
sub-chapter seven, "Schools."
SEC. 3A. That the elements of agricultural

Agriculture.

science may, in the discretion of the state board
of education, be added to the branches required
to be taught in the state normal school and in
the public schools of the several counties of this
state.

Approved April 4, 1888.

Chapter 383.

AN ACT to provide for the payment of the wages
and salaries due employes of insolvent em-
ployers.

SECTION 1. Be it enacted by the General Assem-
bly of Maryland, That whenever any person or
body corporate shall make an assignment for the
benefit of his, her or its creditors, or shall be
adjudicated insolvent upon his, her or its peti-
tion, or upon the petition of any creditor or cred-
itors, or shall have his, her or its property or

Employes to
be first paid.

estate taken possession of by a receiver under a
decree of a court of equity, in the distribution
of the property or estate of such person or body
corporate, all moneys due and owing from such
person or body corporate for wages or salaries to
clerks, servants or employes contracted not more
than three months anterior to the execution of
such assignment, adjudication of insolvency, or
appointment of receiver, shall first be paid in
full out of such property or estate, after payment
of the proper and legitimate costs, expenses,
taxes and commissions, and shall be preferred to
all claims against the property and estate of such
insolvent person or body corporate, except the
lien claims of such persons as shall hold liens
upon such property or estate, recorded at least
three months prior to such assignment, adjudi-
cation or decree.

Approved April 4, 1888.