22 LAWS OF MARYLAND [CH. 3

original papers, including a typewritten transcript of the
testimony taken in such cases, by the Court of Appeals, as
soon as possible after the same have been transmitted to said
Court. Said original papers, including the testimony shall
be transmitted to the Court of Appeals within ten (10) days
from the taking of the appeal.

145. The Secretary of State and the Boards are hereby
severally authorized and empowered to do any and all acts,
the carrying out of which is committed to them by any Act
of Congress providing for voting by persons who are Absen-
tee Residents, and to accept and expend any funds made
available to him or them or to the State of Maryland by
Congress for the purpose of defraying the costs and expenses
incurred in connection therewith, including their services.
The Secretary of State and the several Boards are hereby
severally authorized and empowered to use any and all
facilities that may be furnished by the United States or
any department, commission or agency thereof, pursuant to
any Act of Congress or otherwise, for the purpose of trans-
mitting to and from Absentee Residents applications for
absentee ballots, envelopes, instructions and all other printed
matter that may be permitted to be transmitted by any Act
of Congress and generally to co-operate in every way with
military and civil officers of the United States and with all
such departments, commissions and agencies thereof in order
to enable such persons to vote.

146. (a) There is hereby created a State War Ballot Com-
mission (hereinafter referred to as the "Commission"), which
shall be composed of the Governor, the Secretary of State,
the Attorney General, the presiding officers of each House of
the General Assembly, the minority leader of each House of
the General Assembly, all ex-officio, and of two other persons
to be appointed by the Governor, which persons shall not
both be members of the same political party. Vacancies in
the Commission shall be filled by the Governor, and every
person appointed to fill a vacancy shall be a member of the
same political party as that of the person in whose place he
is appointed. The Commission shall meet on call of the
Governor and, in the case of his absence, or disability, on call
of the Secretary of State, or any three members. Five mem-
bers of the Commission shall constitute a quorum and the
vote of a majority of those present at any meeting of the
Commission shall be necessary for a decision on any matter
before the Commission. The Commission is authorized to
appoint and remove at pleasure such employees as may be
necessary for the performance of its duties under this sub-
title and shall fix their compensation, any law of the State
to the contrary notwithstanding. Employment by the Com-
mission hereunder shall not entitle the person so employed
to the benefits of any pension law of this State.