542 LAWS OF MARYLAND.

The, books of said officers shall be accessible to the public at all
the meetings of the Council at its place of meeting.

9. The Council may allow any of the officers of the town such
compensation as may be deemed reasonable and may in their
discretion, appoint any one of their number to superintend,
supervise or oversee any public works or improvement; to pro-
tect the public interest in the construction, installation or equip-
ment of any public improvement, and pay him a reasonable com-
pensation therefor.

10. The Council and all other officers of the corporation,
shall, before they enter upon the duties of their respective of-
fices, take an oath that they will support the Constitution of the
United States and the State of Maryland, and that they will
diligently and faithfully discharge the duties of their offices,
without favor, partiality or prejudice.

11. The Council may require any of its officers to give bond
in such penalty and with such sureties as it may deem necessary,
conditioned for the faithful performance of their duties; said
bond shall be deposited in the hands of the Mayor or some safe
depository. When any officer wilfully fails to discharge any
duty of his office, he may, in addition to the remedy on his bond,
be fined by the Mayor, at his discretion, not exceeding ten
($10.00) dollars for any one offense, and for the payment of
such fine his bond shall be responsible. Any officer may be dis-
missed by the Council at its discretion.

12. The Council shall receive all election returns, and with-
in ten days after said election shall declare the result thereof.
They shall determine all questions arising thereon, and any per-
son conceiving himself aggrieved by reason of such decision,
may appeal to the Circuit Court of Montgomery County, which
shall hear and determine the same, and determine who shall
pay the costs of appeal. In case candidates for Mayor shall
receive a tie vote, or two or more candidates for Councilman
shall receive the same number of votes necessary to entitle any
one of them to an election, a special election shall be had as be-
tween those candidates receiving such tie vote, after ten days'
notice shall have been given, pursuant to the provisions fore-
going in regard to elections. In case of any vacancy in the
office of the Mayor or Councilman, by death, resignation or re-
moval from the town, said vacancy shall be filled by a vote of
the Council, until the next election for members of the Council.