2258                               Municipal Charters

State of Maryland, and support the Constitution and laws thereof; and that
I will, to the best of my skill and judgment, diligently and faithfully, with-
out partiality or prejudice, execute the office of ..........................................,

according to the Constitution and laws of this State".

(b) Before whom taken and subscribed.—The mayor shall take and
subscribe this oath or affirmation before the clerk of the circuit court for
the county or before one of the sworn deputies of the clerk. All other per-
sons taking and subscribing the oath shall do so before the mayor.

95.   OFFICIAL BONDS

The clerk-treasurer and such other officers or employees of the town
as the council or this charter may require, shall give bond in such amount
and with such surety as may be required by the council. The premiums on
such bonds shall be paid by the town.

96.   PRIOR RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS

All right, title, and interest held by the town or any other person or
corporation at the time this charter is adopted, in and to any lien acquired
under any prior charter has 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 exist-
ing at the time this charter 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law or ordinance repealed by this charter, shall be instituted, proceeded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 become effective.

97.   MISDEMEANORS

Every act or omission which, by ordinance, is made a misdemeanor
under the authority of this charter, unless otherwise provided shall be
punishable upon conviction before any trial magistrate or in the circuit
court for the county within which the offense is committed by a fine not
exceeding one hundred dollars ($100.00) or imprisonment for thirty days
in the county jail, or both, in the discretion of the court or trial magis-
trate. The party aggrieved shall have the right to appeal as is now provided
under the general laws of the State. Where the act or omission is of a
continuing nature and is persisted in, a conviction for one offense shall
not be a bar to a conviction for a continuation of the offense subsequent
to the first or any succeeding conviction.

98.   EFFECT OF CHARTER ON EXISTING ORDINANCES

(a)    Ordinances, etc., not in conflict with charter remain in effect.—
All ordinances, resolutions, rules, and regulations in effect in the town
at the time this charter becomes effective, which are not in conflict with
the provisions of this charter shall remain in effect until changed or re-
pealed according to the provisions of this charter.

(b)   Ordinances, etc., in conflict with charter repealed.—All ordi-
nances, resolutions, rules, and regulations in effect in the town at the time
this charter becomes effective which are in conflict with the provisions of
this charter be and the same hereby are repealed to the extent of such
conflict.