206 LAWS or MARYLAND. [CH. 96

22. In case the Mayor is unable to perform the duties of
his office by reason of temporary or continued absence or sick-
ness, the said City Council shall appoint, by ballot, by a ma-
jority vote of all members thereof, one of their number to act
in his stead, whose official designation shall be "Acting Mayor, "
and the Councilman so appointed. shall be vested with all pow-
ers,, and shall perform all the duties of Mayor during such ab-
sence or sickness, and shall receive the salary of the said Mayor
during such vacancy; provided that if such disability continue
ten days or longer during such absence in excess of ten days
the Mayor shall receive no salary; provided, further, that the
Councilman receiving compensation as Acting Mayor shall not
receive his salary as Councilman for the same time he receives
compensation as Acting Mayor.

23. The said Mayor and City Council shall meet at least
once every week in regular meeting at such time as shall be
fixed by said Council at the City Hall to consider and take un-
der advisement and act upon such business as may come be-
fore them. A majority of said Mayor and City Council shall
constitute a quorum for the transaction of all business, but no
action of said Mayor and City Council shall be effective unless
upon a vote of a majority of such quorum, and no final action
shall be taken in any matter concerning the special department
of any absent Commissioner, unless such business has been
made a special order of the day, or such action has been taken
cat a regular meeting of the Mayor and City Council. All legis-
lative sessions of said Mayor and City Council, whether regu-
lar or called, shall be open to the public.

24. The Mayor and City Council of said city shall be vested
with the power and charged with the duty of making all laws
and ordinances not inconsistent with the Constitution and Laws
of the State, touching every object, matter and subject within
the local government instituted by this Act.

Every ordinance imposing any penalty, fine, imprisonment or
forfeiture for a violation of its provisions shall, after the pas-
sage thereof, be published in every issue of each of two news-
papers published in said city for three (3) days successively
(excluding Sundays), providing the amendments and correc-
tions made in digesting and revision for publication in book
form need not be so published. Ordinances passed by the Mayor
and City Council and requiring publication shall take effect
and be in force from and after the date of their passage, unless
it shall therein otherwise expressly be provided. All ordinance?