894 LAWS OF MARYLAND. [CH. 456

Mayor shall have the sole power of appointments of all officers
herein provided for, subject to confirmation by a majority of
all the members elected to the Council, which confirmation
shall not be later than the next regular meeting after the re-
ceipt of such appointment or appointments. If the Council
fails to take action within the time, then the person or persons
nominated shall be to all intents and purposes such officer or
officers as if they had been confirmed by the city council.

If the Council shall by the required vote and in the pre-
scribed time refuse to confirm such nomination or nominations,
the Mayor shall, at the next regular meeting of the Council
send to it another name or names for such office or offices, and
the duties of the city council and mayor shall continue to be
as above prescribed until a confirmation is had or a failure to
act as aforesaid by the city council.

All the vacancies occurring in the offices which the mayor
has the power to fill, subject to the ratification or confirma-
tion of the city council during the recess of the city council,
shall be filled by the mayor until the next regular meeting of
the Council, at which meeting the mayor shall present the
name of a person for each office in which such vacancy has
occurred for the confirmation by the Council, and the mode
and manner of procedure in such cases shall be the. same as
provided in this section for other appointments by the mayor
and confirmation by the city council. And any person or per-
sons appointed by the mayor to fill any vacancy or vacancies
in any office shall hold the same until his or their successors
have been confirmed by the Council.

The Councilmen and all persons appointed by the Mayor
and confirmed by the Council shall before entering upon the
discharge of their respective duties, qualify by taking before
the Mayor an oath to faithfully perform the duties of their
respective offices, and that they will support the laws and con-
stitution of the United States and of the State of Maryland.
A test book shall be kept by the Mayor which shall be signed
at the time of taking the oath aforesaid by said official, and
after the qualifications aforesaid, the Mayor shall issue to the
said official a commission signed by himself and the Corporate
seal attached.

Before entering upon his office, the Mayor shall qualify by
taking the oath of office before the Clerk of the Circuit Court
of Frederick County.