78                                       LAWS OF MARYLAND                            [Ch. 2

THE COMPTROLLER SHALL GRANT AN ANNUAL INCREASE IN
THE COMPENSATION OF NON-ELECTED EMPLOYEES OF THE
CLERK'S OFFICE COMMENSURATE WITH THAT GRANTED TO OTHER
STATE EMPLOYEES.

(C) EXCEPTION.

THIS SECTION DOES NOT APPLY TO EMPLOYEES OF THE
CLERK'S OFFICE IN WASHINGTON COUNTY WHO ARE UNDER THE
CLASSIFIED SERVICE.

REVISOR'S NOTE: This section is new language
which synthesizes Art. 17, §§ 24, 28, and
29, all of which relate to the compensation
of deputy clerks and which is proposed for
repeal as superfluous. The reason for
having three sections dealing with this
area is not exactly clear; however, §§ 24
and 29 were enacted at the 1945 legislative
session. Both were apparently aimed at
raising the salaries of deputy clerks.

Ch. 769, Acts of 1945 (now §24) expressed
an intent to repeal all inconsistent laws,
and hence may have repealed §28, 'and
possibly §29.

Sec. 24 grants the Comptroller authority
to fix the compensation of deputy clerks,
and sets a minimum salary.

Sec. 28 is similar, but includes a

requirement that the deputy swear that he

actually performed his duties, and that he

gave no bribes or kickbacks to anyone in
return for his job.

Sec. 29 provides for certain salary
increases which have already taken effect.
Under §24, deputy clerks are entitled to
the same incremental increases as other
State employees.

The provision of §24 fixing minimum salary
levels for deputy clerks at the level paid
on July 1, 1945 is proposed for deletion as
obsolete. In 1945, most clerks and
deputies were paid less than $2,000—
substantially less than the minimum State
salary scale today. Because reductions of
clerk's salaries to the 1945 level may be