548

LAWS OF MARYLAND.

until five o'clock, P. M., on the day set apart for
holding said election, and all persons who shall
have resided in said town for six months next pre-
ceding said election, and shall be entitled to vote
at any State election, shall be qualified to vote for
said town commissioners.

Justice hold-
ing election to
make return.

SEC. 4. And be it enacted, That the Justice of

the Peace holding such election shall make a re-
turn within two weeks, under oath or affirmation,
as to its correctness, to the county commissioners
of said county, and the certificate of the county
commissioners shall be the authority of the town
commissioners.

Future elec-
tions.

Proviso.

Sec. 5. And be it enacted, That the second and
all subsequent elections for town commissioners
shall be held as the said town commissioners shall
direct; Provided, the election shall be held an-
nually, and the qualification of voters be as above
stated.

Commission-
ers to take an
oath.

SEC. 6. And be it enacted, That each town com-
missioner before performing any of his duties
shall make oath or affirmation before some Jus-
tice of the Peace in said county, that he will truly
and faithfully and without partiality execute all
the duties appertaining to his office, which affida-
vit shall be attached to said certificate of election
and filed 'among the papers of said town.

Power to ap-
point Clerk and
other officers.

SEC. 7. And be it enacted, That said town com-
missioners shall have power to appoint a Clerk
and Treasurer, and prescribe their duties and com-
pensation, and to appoint one or more police offi-
cers, and prescribe their obligations, duties and
pay, and said town commissioners shall have pow-
er to confer authority on said police to perform all
and every of the duties of a constable, except so
far as they relate to debts and other civil process;

Proviso.

Provided, such debts be not due on any fine, pen-
alty or tax which said town commissioners may
have authority to impose.

Authorised to
lay out streets,
lanes, &c.

SEC. 8. And be it enacted, That said town com-
missioners shall have power upon the return of a
Jury as hereinafter provided, to open and lay out
any street, lane or alley in said town, which they
may deem necessary for the convenience of the

Proviso.

citizens of said town, and to condemn the same to
public use; Provided, that before the said town
commissioners shall so condemn any land or pro-