PHILIP P. THOMAS, ESQUIRE, GOVERNOR

1B49.

their bye-laws and ordinances; provided, that no ordi-
nance of the said commissioners shall impose a fine, pe-
nalty or forfeiture for any one offence of more than ten
dollars.

CHAP. 271.

Proviso.

SEC. 14. And be it enacted, That if any person or
persons shall refuse or neglect to pay their taxes, fines
or forfeitures charged against them by virtue of this act,
it shall and may be lawful for the said commissioners to
collect the same in the game manner and with the same
costs that small debts are collected out of court.

How penalties
are recoverable.

SEC. 15. And be it enacted, That the said commis-
sioners, or a majority of them, shall have full power
and authority, annually to appoint an active and dis-
creet person to be bailiff, constable and collector, within
the limits of said town, who, before he shall proceed to
the execution of his office, shall take an oath or affirma-
tion, to be administered by a justice of the peace for said
county, that he will faithfully and impartially perform
the duties required of him as bailiff, constable and col-
lector, within the limits of said town by virtue of this
act, without, favor, affection or partiality, according to
the best of his skill and judgment, and the said bailiff,
constable and collector, shall give bond in the same
manner, and under the same penalties that the several
constables and collectors of said county do, and it shall
be the duty of the said bailiff or constable to attend the
meetings of the commissioners whenever he shall be re-
quired, to perform such services as shall from time to
time be by them directed, for the more effectual accom-
plishing the object of this act, to prevent the tumultuous
and irregular meetings of slaves and free negroes within
the limits of said town, or if so assembled to disperse by
reasonable and lawful means, and to punish with mode-
rate correction all such slaves and free negroes as shall
be found wandering or strolling about the streets in the
night time, and to prevent slaves frequenting the houses
of other persons in said town, without the consent or per-
missions of their masters or mistresses.

Powers of the
bailiff.

SEC. 16. And be it enacted, That all taxes, fines,
forfeitures and penalties imposed by the said commis-
sioners, by virtue of any law or ordinance, be applied in
such manner, for the use of the said town, as may from
time to time, by ordinance be directed, and the Legis-
lature reserves the right to amend or repeal this act when
the same shall be deemed advisable.

Right reserved
etc.