ALBERT C. RITCHIE, GOVERNOR. 1591

and widen streets and improve the same, make crossways,
establish the width and grade of sidewalks and pave said side-
walks and set out shade trees thereon and pass ordinances
prohibiting the obstruction of any road, street, alley, sidewalk,
stream or gutter. All damages done, suffered and incurred by
opening, closing, straightening, or widening said streets or
alleys, or any benefits or advantages accruing to any person
by such opening, closing, straightening or widening, shall be
assessed and determined by three disinterested persons, resi-
dents of said town, to be appointed by the Mayor and Town
Council, who shall within twenty days after the notification of
their appointment take an oath before any Justice of the Peace
of Prince George's County that they will faithfully, fairly
and without partiality or prejudice value and assess the loss
and damage to be suffered or incurred by, or the benefits to
accrue to, any person interested in the property over which
the streets or alleys are to be opened, closed, straightened or
widened, and they shall give at least ten days notice by notice
posted in three public places in said town of the name and
place of meeting for the purpose of executing their commis-
sion, and they shall within ten days after such valuation and
assessment return the same in writing under their hand and
seal with the certificate of their qualification before a Justice
of the Peace as hereinbefore provided to the Mayor and Town
Council, which said valuation or assessment shall be ratified
or rejected by them as their judgment may deem proper; and if
any person shall feel aggrieved by the determination of the
Mayor and Council in ratifying or rejecting said award or re-
turn, or in the amount of compensation awarded, or in any
matter relating to the same, he may appeal within sixty days
after said ratification or rejection to the Circuit Court of
Prince George's County, and the judgment of said Circuit
Court shall be final between the parties, providing that the
person taking the appeal shall within twenty days thereafter
cause to be delivered to the Clerk of the Circuit Court the
award filed with the said Mayor and Town Council, ratifying
or rejecting the same, and all papers relating thereto, but this
section shall not be construed or taken to deprive or deny the
right of the Mayor and the Town Council to accept any street
or alley which may be opened or dedicated by the owners of
the ground in said street or alley for the use of the public, but
the same shall be deemed streets and alleys whether heretofore
or hereafter dedicated for public use without proceeding in