1526 LAWS OF MARYLAND [CH. 534

has been duly transferred upon the city assessment books
in the office of the city treasurer to the grantee or assignee
named in such deed. Before such property shall be trans-
ferred on the assessment books, all city taxes, special as-
sessments, water rents, and other public charges due to the
City of Salisbury for the current year and all prior years
must be paid, and as evidence of such payment, the city
treasurer shall stamp upon the deed his certificate thereof.
The city treasurer shall further certify the fact of the
transfer upon the deed, and the clerk of the Circuit Court
shall not record or accept for recording any deed without
the certificates of the city treasurer, as prescribed by this
section.

161. Prior Rights and Obligations. All right, title,
and interest held by the City of Salisbury or any other
person or corporation at the time this charter is adopted,
in and to any lien acquired under any prior charter of the
city, is hereby preserved for the holder in all respects as if
this charter had not been adopted, together with all rights
and remedies in relation thereto. This charter shall not
discharge, impair, or release any contract, obligation, duty,
liability, or penalty whatever existing at the time this char-
ter becomes effective. All suits and actions, both civil and
criminal, pending or which may hereafter be instituted for
causes of action now existing or offenses already committed
against any law or ordinance repealed by this charter,
shall be instituted, proceeded with, and prosecuted to final
determination and judgment as if this charter had not be-
come effective.

162. Existing Laws. All laws in effect at the time this
charter is adopted, relating or applicable to the City of
Salisbury and not inconsistent with this charter, shall re-
main in effect until changed or repealed by the General
Assembly of Maryland.

163. Existing Ordinances. All ordinances, resolutions,
rules and regulations in effect in the city at the time this
charter is adopted and which are not in conflict with the
provisions of this charter, shall remain in effect until
amended, altered, or repealed according to the provisions
of this charter.

164. Women. Women shall be eligible for all munici-
pal offices provided for in this charter if they have the
same qualifications required herein for men. Whenever the
masculine gender has been used as to any such offices it
shall be construed to include the feminine gender.