Chap. 48.—An ACT to amend the charter of the town of Salem.
Approved February 25, 1910.

1. Be it enacted by the general assembly of Virginia, That section ten
of the charter of the town of Salem be amended and re-enacted so as to
read as follows:

§10. That the said council shall also have power and authority to
make all necessary provisions to prevent accidents by fire; to designate
such parts of said town as it may deem advisable within which no build-
ing of wood shall be erected; to regulate and control the erection of all
buildings, by ordinance, and to order the removal of any building which
shall hereafter be erected contrary to such regulations, at the expense of
the builder or owner thereof, and to cause any building which clearly ap-
pears to be unsafe to be taken down, at the expense of the owner thereof;
to supply the town with ‘water for all necessary purposes to prevent the
pollution of water and injuries to the water works, it shall have jurisdic-
tion now or as may hereafter be given by general law to towns for such
purpose, to organize fire companies, and to purchase engines, hose, fire
hooks, ladders, and other fixtures necessary and useful for preventing
accidents by fire; to establish, enlarge, maintain and operate a system of
sewerage, gas works, electric light works, poorhouse for the reception and
maintenance of the poor and destitute, burying ground and stone quarry
within or without the said town, and to contract or agree with the
owner or owners of land for the use or purchase thereof, or to have the
same condemned according to law for the location, extension, or enlarge-
ment of its said works, water pipes, wire and fixtures connected therewith,
poorhouse, burying ground and stone quarry, and shall have power by
ordinance or otherwise to protect from injury the said works, pipes, wire,
fixtures, poorhouse, burying ground, stone quarry and land, or anything
connected therewith, whether within or without the limits of said town.
The council of the said town shall also have power and authority to nego-
tiate any loan or loans, in the manner prescribed by law, for the pur-
pose of buying necessary real estate, for the erection of buildings, for the
purchase of any and all material for its water works, gas, electric light
works, poorhouse burying ground, stone quarry and sewers, and the con-
struction of same, and for the general improvement of the town, so that
the amount borrowed shall not excced that allowed by Jaw; and shal] also
have authority to issue registered or coupon bonds for said loan or loans,
payable at not more than thirty years after date of said bonds, bearing in-
terest at a rate not greater than six per centum per annum, payable seml-
annually. They shall also have power and authority to establish markets,
and regulate the same, to regulate the sale of fresh meats of all kinds,
and to regulate huckstering and peddling upon the streets of the town; to
graduate and pave, or in any other manner improve the streets, walks,
and alleys of said town, and to have them kept in good order, and prop-
erly lighted and paved, and to require the payment by the property
owners benefited by such works or improvements, of such portion of the
costs thereof as may be allowed by law, and to make such sum lien upon
their real estate, and collectible in the same manner as in hereinafter
provided for the collection of taxes generally; to prevent the cumbering
or obstruction of the streets, sidewalks, alleys, lanes or bridges in the
said town in any manner whatever, and to have full and complete control
of same; to change, direct, and to protect the water course in said town;
to prevent and punish, by reasonable fines, the practice of firing guns, or
in any manner setting fire to powder within the said town; to regulate
and direct the location of all buildings for storing gunpowder, nitro-
glycerine, dynamite, or any other explosives; to regulate and prohibit the
exhibition of fireworks and making of bonfires (in sheds or yards)
within the said town; to license and regulate shows and other public ex-
hibitions, and the same to tax to such extent as they may deem reason-
able and expedient; to prescribe rules for the orderly building of houscs
and chimneys; to regulate blacksmith shops, and all other shops, struc-
tures and business considered likely to occasion accidents by fire, and the
erection of stoves and stovepipes; to regulate the erection of privies,
stables and cowsheds, and to prescribe their location; to regulate butcher
stalls and slaughter houses; to remove and abate nuisances within said
town at the expense of those who may occasion them, or of the owner
or owners of the land whereon the same may be; to restrain the exercise
of any dangerous, offensive or unwholesome business, trade or employ-
ment therein; to require and compel the owners or occupants of houses
in the town to connect their water closets and water drains with the
sewers of the town, or otherwise comply with such regulations as to sew-
erage as the council may prescribe; to prohibit horses, mules, hogs, dogs,
cows and other animals from running at large within the limits of said
town; to prohibit and regulate the raising and keeping of hogs in said
town, or any part thereof; to prevent the exhibition of stud horses and
jackasses in said town; to prevent riding, driving, or movement of horses
or other animals or vehicles of any kind at a fast or improper speed,
throwing stones, or committing any act on the streets, sidewalks or alleys,
dangerous to or annoying to persons on same, and to punish the abuse
or cruel treatment of horses or other animals in said town; to prevent
vice and immorality, obscenity or profanity; to restrain and punish
drunkards and street beggars and vagrants; to suppress houses of ill-
fame and gambling houses, and to punish persons engaged in gambling;
and generally to pass all by-laws, ordinances, or regulations, or orders
not contrary to the Constitution and laws of the United States, or this
State, which the said council may think necessary and proper for carry-
ing into effect the foregoing powers, and such other powers as are now or
mav hereafter be vested in them bv the laws of this State; and to amend
or repeal the same at their pleasure, and to enforce the observance of such
by-laws, ordinances, orders, and regulations, under penalties not execed-
ing one hundred dollars, or imprisonment not exceeding six months, or
both; fines to be recovered, with costs, in the name of said town, before
the mayor, or any councilman of said town, in absence of the mayor, and
applied in aid of the taxes imposed upon said town.