It shall be the duty of the General Assembly, at its first
session, held after the adoption of this Constitution, to provide by
Law for the punishment, by fine, or imprisonment in the Penitentiary,
or both, in the discretion of the Court, of any person, who shall
bribe, or attempt to bribe, any Executive, or Judicial officer of the
State of Maryland, or any member, or officer of the General Assembly of
the State of Maryland, or of any Municipal corporation in the State of
Maryland, or any Executive officer of such corporation, in order to
influence him in the performance of any of his official duties; and,
also, to provide by Law for the punishment, by fine, or imprisonment in
the Penitentiary, or both, in the discretion of the Court, of any of
said officers, or members, who shall demand, or receive any bribe, fee,
reward, or testimonial, for the performance of his official duties, or
for neglecting, or failing to perform the same; and, also, to provide
by Law for compelling any person, so bribing, or attempting to bribe,
or so demanding, or receiving a bribe, fee, reward, or testimonial, to
testify against any person, or persons, who may have committed any of
said offenses; provided, that any person, so compelled to testify,
shall be exempted from trial and punishment for the offence, of which
he may have been guilty; and any person, convicted of such offense,
shall, as part of the punishment thereof, be forever disfranchised and
disqualified from holding any office of trust, or profit, in this
State.
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