<​Corporate powers​> Sec. 3. The inhabitants of said , by the name and style aforesaid, shall have power to sue and be sued, plead and be impleaded, defend and be defended, in all courts of law and equity, and in all actions whatsoever; to purchase, receive and hold property, real and personal, in said , to purchase, receive and hold real property beyond the for burying ground or for other public purposes for the use of the inhabitants of said ; to sell, lease, convey or dispose of property, real and personal, for the benefit of the ; to improve and protect such property, and to do all other things in relation thereto as natural persons.

<​City council​> <​Term of office​> <​Quorum​> Sec. 4. There shall be a city council to consist of a mayor, four aldermen and nine councillors, who shall have the qualifications of electors of said , and shall be chosen by the qualified voters thereof, and shall hold their offices for two years, and until their successors shall be elected and qualified. The city council shall judge of the qualifications, elections and returns of their own members, and a majority of them shall form a quorum to do business, but a smaller number may adjourn from day to day, and compel the attendance of absent members under such penalties as may be prescribed by ordinance.

<​Officers to take oath​> Sec. 5. The mayor, aldermen and councillors, before entering upon the duties of their offices, shall take and subscribe an oath or affirmation that they will support the Constitution of the and of this , and that they will well and truly perform the duties of their offices to the best of their skill and abilities.

<​Annual election​> <​Opening and closing polls​> <​Certificates of election​> Sec. 6. On the first Monday of February next, and every two years thereafter, an election shall be held for the election of one mayor, four aldermen, and nine councillors, and at the first election under this act, three judges shall be chosen viva voce by the electors present, the said judges shall choose two clerks, and the judges and clerks, before entering upon their duties, shall take and subscribe an oath or affirmation such as is now required by law to be taken by judges and clerks of other elections; and at all subsequent elections, the necessary number of judges and clerks shall be appointed by the city council. At the first election so held the polls shall be opened at nine o’clock, A. M., and closed at six o’clock, P. M., at the close of the polls the votes shall be counted, and a statement thereof proclaimed at the front door of the house at which said election shall be held; and the clerks shall leave with each person elected, or at his usual place of residence within five days after the election, a written notice of his election, and each person so notified, shall within ten days after the election take the oath or affirmation hereinbefore mentioned, a certificate of which oath shall be deposited with the recorder, whose appointment is hereafter provided for, and be by him preserved, and all subsequent elections shall be held, conducted and returns thereof [p. 53]