EMERSON C. HARRINGTON, GOVERNOR. 69

at any time by reason of death, resignation, removal from
office or otherwise, the vacancy shall be filled by the Com-
missioners of St. Michaels in the same way as provided for in
the original appointment, by the appointment of a suitable
person to serve for the remainder of the term of the member
whose death, resignation, removal from office the vacancy was
created. The Commission so appointed shall have full charge
of the operation, management and maintenance of the utility
herein referred to, including the power to make contracts in
the name of the Commissioners of St. Michaels, to sue in the
name of the Commissioners of St. Michaels for the collection
of any or all indebtedness due said commission, or for the per-
formance of contracts made with the Commission; to purchase
material, employ all such assistants, skilled or unskilled, and
labor as may be necessary for the proper performance of the
duties, and to fix their compensation; to make such rules and
regulations for the management of said electrical plant or sys-
tem under their charge and for their own government as they
deem proper, to make extensions, additions or improvements to
the plant or system, provided the approval of the Commission-
ers of St. Michaels shall be first secured, where the costs of
such extension, addition or improvements exceed five hundred
($500. 00) dollars and provided that where the aggregate cost
of any extension, addition or improvement shall exceed two
hundred ($200. 00) dollars the Commission shall secure com-
petive bids for the purchase of all material for the use of the
plant or system under their control including fuel, and the con-
tract shall be awarded to the lowest bidder, based on the speci-
fications upon which the respective bids are invited; to fix and
revise rates, provided that no revision of the rates, in exist-
ence at the time the system come under the control of the Com-
mission, shall become effective, nor any other rates which may
thereafter be made until, by formal resolution, approved by the
Commissioners of St. Michaels and provided further that the
Commission shall give at least 15 days previous notice, by
publication in some newspaper published in the. Town of St.
Michaels, or otherwise of the proposed revision of rates and
grant such hearings, when practicable, as may be desired by
the citizens. The Commission shall within ten days after being
appointed organize by electing one of their number President,
and also a Secretary and a Treasurer, either or both of the
last named may Or not be members of said Commission, and
the same person may hold both offices and shall serve for one
year or until the appointment and qualification of his or their