The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1859-03-19

THE CAUSE OF CRIME-The Grand Jury
of Baltimore city, before being discharged
on Monday, made the following closing
Report and Presentment. Tkc subject
is one of fearful import and demands at
tentlon all over the country and here, as
well as in Baltimore City. A remedy
is demanded for the greatest of all evils.
How shall it be reached How shall
society be protected against it ? How
shall life and property and the morals of
the people be defended against the great
est curse that ever afflicted people p
Who shall tell
To the Hon Henry Stump, Judge of Tie
Criminal Cont.
The Grand Jury respectfully report to your
Honor, that they have acted upon and closed
all the business which had accumu lated up to
the present time, and 1T meets with your APP
probation, propose adjournng this day.
They would return their thanks for the uni
form courtesy they have received from the
Court during their protracted term.
During the session they have examined one
hundred and one cases of what is technically
called g Offences against the person." consist
ing of murder, assault with intent to kill. and
assault and battery, and find, without solitary
exception, these cases have occurred in drink
ing houses, or where the parties were under
the influence of liquors nor has a single case
come before them Of robbery attended with
violence. This fact is gratifying, as it shows
apart from that influence, peaceful condition
here, perhaps not eQualled by any city in the
Union.
In that class of crime entitled &c offences Of
property" they may safely say that three
fourths Of the cases that have come before
them may be traced to the same cause.
The Grand Jury believe that much of this
may be attributed to the quality as to the
quantity Of the liquor used. The poisonous
articles used in the adulteration maddens,
whilst the spirit intoXcatcs, and its effects are
rs disastrous to the health as to the morals of
those who use it. This system ofadultcraton
has been carr led SO far that it would be diff
cult from the reports Of chemists who have
investigated the subject, to find any description
ofpure alcoholic liquor. That portion which
comes from abroad is aduteratcd to the
fullest extent Of the consummatc skill of the
French chemist, only to be readultcrated here
by fully as INSCRIPTIONS but less skillful
Grand Jury present the entire manufacture
and sale OF liquor, as at present conducted, as
nuisance one which costs the State in the
maintenance of the criminals and paupers it
produces, far more than the revenue derived
from its license.
If it should be found impossible to abate
this nuisance, by its entire prohibition, the
Grand jury believe it may be lesscned by
bringing all those dealing in it under the in
specton laws, giving the inspectors power to
examine and test, at any time they think
proper any liquor offered for sale. coniiscating
all that is not what it is represented to be.
In making these remarks, the Grand Jury
may be supposed to be travelling out of the
sphere of their duties, but they conceive that
the effects of this traffic. as exhibited in the
cases which have come before them, fully
justify them in SO doing. l.. SANGsToN,
Foreman.