1837.

LAWS OF MARYLAND.

CHAP. 259.

CHAPTER 259.

Passed Mar. 22,
1838.

An act to enlarge the Powers of the Commissioners of
Baltimore County.

Preamble.

WHEREAS, it appears the Commissioners of Balti-
more county have no jurisdiction or authority, by law,
to summons persons before them, to give testimony in
cases of dispute between parties: — Therefore,

Case of dispute
as to, &c.

SECTION 1. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of
Maryland, That in all cases of dispute between con-
tending parties, in regard to the opening of roads,
either private, or of a public character, or the erection
and repairs of bridges, public landings, or of damages,
of whatsoever nature they may be, from the location
or construction of any public improvements of any des-
cription whatever, that should properly belong to the
jurisdiction of said commissioners, or rightfully come

Authority to
summons wit-
nesses.

under their cognisance, it shall be lawful for the com-
missioners of said county to issue a summons to bring
testimony before said commissioners when such witness-
es may be demanded by either party, and after reason-
able notice shall have been given to both parties, of the
time of hearing testimony in the matter of controversy,
that then the commissioners of said county shall pro-

Take testimony.

ceed to take the testimony, except it shall appear that
further time should be given for the convenience of the

May postpone.

parties, then and in that case they may postpone the
business until their next meeting, and in all cases, tes-
timony shall be taken on oath, and the cost of such li-
tigation shall be paid by the parties, as in like cases
before the county court.

Right of appeal.

SEC. 2. And be it enacted, That in all cases as before
mentioned, each party shall have the right of appeal to
Baltimore county court.

Power to in-
crease wages
on roads to 75
cents.

SEC. 3. And be it enacted, That the said commission-
ers shall, at their discretion, have power to increase
the compensation allowed to laborers employed by su-
pervisors to work on any of the public roads in said
county, to any amount not exceeding seventy-five cents
per day: provided, that no such increase shall be al-
lowed to any slave or slaves employed as aforesaid:
and provided the said compensation be equal and uni-