CHARLES RIDGELY, (OF HAMPT.) ESQ. GOVERNOR.

63

tors of the Penitentiary, and that they have power to appoint the
keeper of the penitentiary, and to remove him at pleasure, and also
to appoint at their pleasure, all such deputies and assistants to said
keeper, and such other officers and agents, as they may deem ne-
cessary for the wholesome and effectual administration of the con-
cerns of the penitentiary, and also to hire and employ, at pleasure,
from time to time, such and so many guards as they may deem ne-
cessary, and to fix and regulate the salaries and compensation of
said keeper, and all such persons as they shall from time to time
appoint, hire, or employ; Provided, that the salary for the said
keeper shall not exceed thirteen hundred dollars, the salary of the
clerk and agent shall not exceed eight hundred dollars each, and
the salary of the deputy keepers and guards shall not exceed, for
each assistant keeper and guard so employed, the sum now allowed
by law; And provided also, that no perquisite shall be allowed to
the said keeper, or other persons employed in conducting the af-
fairs of the said penitentiary, beyond the salaries aforesaid; which
said salaries shall be paid as heretofore.
2. And be it enacted, That convicts confined in the penitentiary
shall be admitted as witnesses in all cases where any person con-
fined in the penitentiary may be accused, or on trial, for any offence
whatever, committed while thus confined in the penitentiary, both
for and against such accused persons, any law, custom or usage, to
the contrary notwithstanding.
3. And be it enacted, That hereafter no coloured person shall be
sentenced to confinement in the penitentiary, on conviction in a
court of justice, for any offence, for any time less than one year,
but that in all cases, where the time prescribed by law for the pu-
nishment of any offence by confinement in the penitentiary is less
than one year, or the court in the exercise of their discretion shall
deem the punishment of confinement in the penitentiary for one
year or more to exceed the limits of justice, they may sentence the
party to such fine, public whipping, and if in the city of Baltimore,
at the prison yard thereof, or imprisonment in the gaol of the coun-
ty, or both, as in their discretion may be right and proper.

Dec. Ses. 1817.
Provisos.

When persons
confined are
accused con-
victs to be ad-
mitted as evi-
dence.

No coloured
person to be
sentenced for
less than one
year.

CHAPTER 73.

An act to regulate the Charges on Tobacco in Prince-
Gcorge's County.
Sec. 1. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Maryland That
from and after the first day of April eighteen hundred and eigh-
teen, there shall be paid for tobacco inspected in Prince-George's
county, the sum of one dollar for each hogshead, which sum shall
be paid to the inspector on the delivery thereof.

Passed Jan. 29

One dollar per
hhd. to be paid

for inspection.

CHAPTER 74.

An act authorising the Levy Court of Somerset County to
levy and assess a sum of money for certain purposes
therein mentioned.

Sec. 1. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Maryland, That
the levy court of Somerset county be and they are hereby autho-
rised and required, to levy and assess on the assessable property of
Somerset county, such a sum of money as they may deem sufficient,

Passed Jan. 30.

Levy to erect
a building.