ART. 17.] PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY. 943

cessors continue in office with the same powers and duties as
heretofore; provided, however, that the powers of all existing
officers of the town of Hyattsville shall expire with the first
election hereinbefore provided for, and the qualifications of the
officers chosen thereat, and the present Mayor and Common
Council are authorized, in addition, to exercise all the rights
and privileges conferred by this Act upon the Mayor and Com-
mon Council created, and all ordinances now in force or which
may be passed by the present Mayor and Common Council be-
fore the election of their successors at the election in June,
1908, and their qualifications shall be as effective as if this Act
had not been passed.

SEC. 37. Power is deputed to the male citizens of the town of
Hyattsville, qualified voters under section 4 hereof, to amend
this charter except as affects the power of the Mayor and Com-
mon Council to lay taxes sufficient to meet the town necessities,
and subject to the Constitution and general laws of the State
and the Public Local Laws of Prince George's county, other
than this Act, as follows: Whenever twenty-five per cent, of the
voters, as shown by the highest number of votes cast at the last
preceding town election for Mayor or Treasurer, shall sign and
file with the Mayor and Common Council a petition setting
forth in exact language the amendment or amendments pro-
posed by them, it shall be the duty of the Mayor and Common
Council to cause the same to be published at least four weeks in
some newspaper published in Hyattsville, and in notices posted
in public places, as the Mayor and Common Council may direct,
thereafter to issue a call for a special election thereon not less
than one week after the completion of such publication; pro-
vided, that if the submission thereof shall not be delayed more
than two months, such amendments may be submitted at the
regular term election. It shall be the duty of the Mayor and
Common Council to pass such ordinances as may be necessary
to regulate the conduct of the election. All ballots at such elec-
tions shall have printed thereon the words, "For Amendments
to the Town Charter Providing for" , and "Against
Amendments Providing for" filling the blank suitable,
and if it shall appear on a canvass of all the votes cast at said
election that not less than a majority of them have been in
favor of the proposed amendment or amendments, then the
Mayor and Common Council shall, without delay, proclaim
their adoption.

SEC. 38. Be it enacted, That this Act shall take effect imme-
diately on its passage.

Approved March 10, 1908.