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459] The Constitution. 81
which included only Baltimore City, whose courts are
described above), one judge was to be elected. The cir-
cuit judges were required to hold a term of court at least
twice a year in each county.50 The object in thus reorgan-
izing the courts was to reduce the number of judges, and
thereby decrease the cost of the judiciary. The qualifi-
cations for judges were: that, they must be learned in the
law, having been admitted to practice in the State, and
citizens of the State at least five years. They must be
above the age of thirty years, and residents of the dis-
tricts from which they were elected. A judge of the court
of appeals was re-eligible until he attained the age of sev-
enty years, and not after.51 He was subject to removal for
incompetency, wilful neglect of duty or misbehavior in
office, on conviction in a court of law, or by the governor
upon the address of two-thirds of the members of each
House of the General Assembly.
The treasury department of the State was remodeled.
The constitution provided for a comptroller of the treas-
ury. This was a new officer designed to be a check upon
the treasurer. The comptroller was to be elected by the
people at each election of members of the House of Dele-
gates (i. e. every two years). His salary was twenty-five
hundred dollars per annum. The treasurer was to be
elected on joint ballot, by the two Houses of the General
Assembly at each session. The salary was the same as
the comptroller received. The duties of the comptroller
were: to have the general superintendence of the fiscal
affairs of the State. He must grant all warrants for money
to be paid out of the treasury, and make a report of the
financial condition of the State's treasury within ten days
after the commencement of each session of the legislature.52
The treasurer was required to render his account quar-
terly to the comptroller, and submit at all times to an in-
50 Art. iv, sec. 8.
51 Art. iv, sec. 4. 52 Art. vi, sec. 2.
32
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