1807.

NOVEMBER. LAWS OF MARYLAND.

CHAP.
CXIII.

prevent the tumultuous and irregular meeting of slaves, negroes, and other dissolute and disorderly
persons, within the limits of said village, or if so assembled, to disperse them by reasonable and
lawful means, and to punish with moderate correction all such negroes, and other slaves; as shall be
found wandering or strolling about the streets in the night-time, or of frequenting the houses of
other persons in said village, without the permission or consent of their masters, mistresses or
overseers.

No person to
keep geese, &c.

VII. AND BE IT ENACTED, That it shall not be lawful for any person or persons to keep or raise
any geese or swine within the limits of the said village, except in pens or other enclosures, and if
any geese or swine are found going at large within the limits of said village, belonging to any person.
or persons whatsoever, it shall be lawful for the bailiff of said village, upon the information of
the inhabitants thereof, or upon his own view, to seize all and every such geese and swine, and
to secure the same in some common pound, and them safe keep, until the owner or owners thereof
shall pay the sum of fifty cents for every hog, and the sum of fifty cents for every half dozen geese,
and a proportionable sum for every goose so seized and impounded, which said sums the said bailiff
shall have for his trouble; and if the owner or owners of such geese or swine shall neglect or refuse
to pay the aforesaid sums, within two days after having notice of such seizure, it shall and may be
lawful for the said bailiff to sell the same at public sale in said village, between the hours of twelve
and three in the evening, after giving three days public notice in the said village, and to pay one
half of the money to the commissioners, to defray the expenses of improving said villager and to
keep the other half for his trouble.

Commissioners
to appoint a
clerk, &c.

VIII. AND BE IT ENACTED, That the said commissioners shall, on the said first Monday in April-
next, or as soon thereafter as may be convenient, nominate and appoint a person of good repute and
skill to be clerk of the said commissioners, whose duty it shall be to keep a fair and faithful record
of their proceedings by virtue of this act, in a book to be provided for that purpose by the said
commissioners, which proceedings shall be subject to the inspection and examination of the inhabi-
tants of the said village, and of all persons who may be concerned in said proceedings; and the said
commissioners shall allow their said clerk a reasonable compensation for his services, and also an >
allowance to the said bailiff for his extra services, both of which shall be rated by the said commis-
sioners, and paid out of the money arising by virtue of this act.

Taxes, &c.
how to be col-
lected, &c.

IX. AND BE IT ENACTED, That if any person or persons shall refuse or neglect to pay the taxes,
fines or forfeitures, respectively charged against them by virtue of this act, it shall and may be law-
ful for the said commissioners to collect the same in the same manner, and with the same costs, that
small debts are collected out of court.

Money, how
to be applied,
&c

X. AND BE IT ENACTED, That the said commissioners shall apply all the money they receive by
virtue of this act to defray the expenses of regulating and improving the streets and village of Den-
ton, in such manner and way as shall appear to them most expedient for the promotion and welfare
of the inhabitants thereof.

How vacancies
are to be filled.

XI. AND BE IT ENACTED, That if any one or more of the said commissioners shall die, remove,
or refuse to act as such, that then and in such case it shall be the duty of the other commissioners
to give public notice to the free male inhabitants of said village, above the age of twenty-one years,
and having resided in said village one year next preceding such notice, to meet at the court-house
in said village, on a day to be by them appointed in such notice, to elect, by ballot, one or more
person or persons, as the case may require, resident of said village, above the age of twenty-one
years, and owner or owners of real property therein, to fill such vacancy or vacancies, as the case
may be, so as aforesaid made, and the person or persons, as the case may be, who shall appear to
have a majority of votes, shall be declared duly elected to fill such vacancy or vacancies, as the case
may require; and all vacancies hereafter in anywise made among the said commissioners of the
village of Denton, shall be filled in the same manner as above directed.

General issue
pleadable.

XII. AND BE IT ENACTED, That if any suit or action shall be commenced against any person or
persons for any thing done in pursuance of this act, or the acts to which this is an additional sup-
plement, such person or persons may plead the general issue, and give this act in evidence, any law,
usage or custom, to the contrary notwithstanding.

Part of acts
repealed.

XIII. AND EE IT ENACTED, That all and every part of the original act, or any supplement
thereto, as is contrary to, or inconsistent with, the provisions of this act, be and the same are
hereby repealed.