220 LAWS OF MARYLAND. [CH. 138

mate damages and benefits, and to obtain such other informa-
tion specified in said ordinance as the Council may desire.

(3) The Mayor shall appoint three disinterested persons,
residents of Salisbury, to estimate damages and benefits, which
appointments shall be ratified by the Council.

And in the event that any person or persons so appointed
shall not be ratified by the Council, or shall fail to take the
oath hereinafter prescribed within the time limited therefor,
or shall for any reason fail, refuse or be unable to serve on such
commission, then the Mayor shall appoint another or others to
serve in the place of such person or persons, which, appoint-
ment shall be made in the same manner and subject to the
same ratification as provided in the first instance.

And the Mayor, after the appointment, ratification and ac-
ceptance of said Commissioners, shall issue a commission in
writing under his hand to them authorizing them to exercise
the powers and commanding them to perform the duties here-
inafter required of them.

(4) The three persons so appointed shall within five
days after date of their commission, take oath before a Justice
of the Peace of Wicomico County, that they will faithfully,
fairly and without partiality or prejudice, estimate, in money
value, what amount, if any, of damages will be caused by the
proposed improvement to any property over, through, by or near
which the proposed improvement will be made, or to the owner,
or occupant of said property or of any right or interest therein,
and will likewise estimate, in money value, what amount, if
any, of benefit will accrue by reason of the proposed improve-
ment to any property over, through, by or near which the pro-
posed improvement will be made, or to the owner or occupant
of such property or of any right or interest therein. The said
persons, or a majority of them shall constitute and be a com-
mission with the powers and duties hereinafter specified.

(5) The said commission shall within five days after
having taken the aforesaid oath, give at least seven days'
notice by advertisement printed in one or more newspapers
published in the City of Salisbury, of its purpose to meet and
estimate damages caused and benefits accruing by reason of
the proposed improvement, and of the day, hour and place of
such meeting '' and, in addition thereto, the said Commission
shall send a copy of said notice by registered mail to the owner
of each piece of property affected by said improvement, as
shown by said ordinance, and if the owner is an infant or non
compos mentis, to his guardian or committee, as disclosed by the
proceedings, at their last known address, and if the address of
any owner is unknown, then they shall post a copy of said notice
upon the property. "