138

LAWS OF MARYLAND.

Testimony
may be rebutt-
ed.

Sec. 4. In all cases where a party to any suit,
action or other proceeding shall be examined by
any opposing party,' the testimony given on said
examination may be rebutted by adverse testimony
and by proof of admissions made by the party so
examined.

Not to apply
in certain cases

Sec. 5. Nothing in any of the preceding sections
contained, authorizing the examination of the par-
ties litigant, and making them competent wit-
nesses, shall apply to any suit, action, bill or other
proceeding instituted in consequence of adultery,
or lor the purpose of obtaining a divorce, or. to any
action for breach of promise of marriage.

Proceedings,
&c.

Sub-Section 1. In all cases it shall be competent
for any of the parties to the proceedings to prove
by legal evidence any facts showing the interest of
any witness in the matter in controversy, or in the
event of the suit or the conviction of such witness
of any infamous crime; and, in order to prove such
conviction, it shall not be necessary to produce the
whole record of proceedings containing such con-
viction, but the certificate, under seal of the clerk
of the court wherein such proceedings were had,
stating the fact of the conviction, and for what
crime, shall be sufficient.

Negro testi-
mony.

Sub-Sec. 2. No negro or mulatto, whether slave
or free, shall be admitted as evidence in any mat-
ter depending in any court or before any Justice of
the Peace, where any white person is concerned,
either as plaintiff or defendant; but any negro or
mulatto, whether slave or free, may be a witness
for or against any negro or mulatto, slave or free,
in any proceeding whatever.