558 LAWS OF MARYLAND.

833. They may, on application of the owners of a ma-
jority of feet in front of any private wharf, dock, street, lane or
alley, cause the same to be paved, cleaned out, mended or other-
wise repaved or kept, in good condition or repair, and may im-
pose upon and collect from all the proprietors of the property
so to be cleaned out or repaired, a tax sufficient in amount to
defray the expenses thereof, which shall be assessed upon the
proprietors in proportion to the number of feet held by them,
respectively, in front or length, and shall be collected by the
Mayor and City Council of Baltimore as taxes levied for paving
public streets.
834. Whenever the Commissioner of Health shall certify in
writing to the Mayor that it is necessary for the health of the
City to alter the grade of any street, lane or alley on low or
made ground, the Mayor shall issue his order to the City Engi-
neer, who shall thereupon call upon the several property-
holders on such street, lane or alley, and procure from them
their assent in writing to such alteration; and if any property-
holder shall refuse to permit the same to be graded, and shall
require damages therefor, and cannot agree with the City Engi-
neer as to the amount of damages, or should there be any
legal disability on the part of those owning property on such
street, lane or alley, the Judge of the Baltimore City Court, on
application of the corporation, shall appoint three disinterested
persons to assess such damages, who shall return on oath their
award to said court, and the same shall be confirmed by the
court unless cause to the contrary be shown; in which case the
court shall at the first term thereafter decide finally thereon;
and when the damages so assessed or agreed upon shall be paid
by the Mayor and City Council of Baltimore to the persons so
assessed, and legally entitled to receive the same, the Mayor
and City Council of Baltimore may proceed to regrade and
pave the said street, lane or alley.

835. The president, directors and companies of the differ-
ent turnpike companies owning roads running into the City of
Baltimore, may cede to said City such parts of said roads as