LLOYD LOWNDES, ESQUIRE, GOVERNOR.

costs to date, together with all taxes, general or special, which
may have become due thereon after the date of the sale, with
interest at fifteen (15) per centum per annum, the trueasurer
shall give to such person a certificate similar to the certificate
given to a purchaser at the tax sale, which shall entitle him to
the same rights and privileges as if he had purchased the prop-
erty at the tax sale, (f) If any person claiming title under a
tax deed made as hereinbefore provided shall be defeated in
any suit or proceeding by or against him for the recovery of
the land purporting to be conveyed by such tax deed, the success-
ful claimant shall be adjudged to pay him the full amount
paid by the purchaser at the tax sale, with interest at the rate
of fifteen (15) per centum per annum on the total amount
thus made, also the amount of all taxes, State, county and
municipal, general or special, paid by the purchaser, his heirs
or assigns, after the date of the certificate of purchase, and
interest thereon at six (6) per centum per annum; this judg-
ment shall be a lien on the land in controversy.
19. The failure of the Council or any person designated by

1235

them, or of any official herein charged with any duties in rela-
tion to the assessment, levy or collection of taxes to perform
the acts required of them at within the time specified, shall
not affect the validity of such Act, or any proceedings based
thereon, if done within a reasonable time thereafter.
20. The bailiff shall attend the meetings of the Council

Validity of
act not
affected.

and perform such duties as it shall direct ; he shall preserve
the peace, prevent disorderly or irregular meetings of persons,
and he shall enforce all ordinances that may be enacted by
the Council ; he shall serve all notices and process required by
this charter, or any ordinance passed by virtue hereof, and his
return duly endorsed thereon, shall be evidence of the facts
therein stated.
21. The Mayor shall have all the powers of a justice of the

Duties of
bailiff.

peace in criminal cases where the town of Gaithersburg is a
party; he shall have power to administer oaths of office to
members of Council and appointed or elected officers of the
town ; he shall receive the same fees as justices of the peace
are allowed for similar service ; and an appeal from his judg-
ment may be taken to the Circuit Court of Montgomery county,
which court shall hear and determine the matter as upon
appeal from a justice of the peace ; provided, however, that
the justice of the peace residing in said town shall have the
same power to hear, try and determine all criminal cases where
the town of Gaithersburg is a party as they have in cases
where the State of Maryland is a party.

Powers of a
Justice of
the peace.