The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1872-10-26
Miscellaneous.
REPORT OF THE GRAND JURY
FOR BALTIC. COUNTY.
SEPTEMBER TERM, 1872.

To the Honorable the Judges Of the
Circuit Court for Baltimore County:
GENTLEMEN
TN pursuance of law and custom, the Grand
II Jury for September Term, 1872, respectful
ly report that they have been in session II
days, and during said term endeavored to the
best of their ability to expedite business SO as
| to make the term as short as possible, and re-
greet that the business before us has been OF
such a character as to prolong yhesession much
longer than we desired.
We examined and docketed III charges ex-
amined 1879 witnesses; found SO true bills; dis
missed 48 charges, and referred charges to
the next Grand Jury.
In view of the large number of charges
brought before us, we are pleased to say but
small number OF the indictments are OF Sc
rious character, and that the condition Of our
county is favorable in a moral point of view.
There have been a large number OF cases
brought before us, in which the parties were
arrested and recognized, together with the wit
nesses, for the action of the Grand Jury Many
of these cases have on examination proven TO
be of very trihing character and often instl-
tuted through malicious motives. We there
fore suggest to the magstracy the propriety OF
more thorough investigation OF such cases III
the future, and unless the charges are OF char
acter sufficient to warrant a conviction, they
at once dismiss them, thereby saving much
time to the jury and expense to the county.
Much complaint has been brought before US
of the frequent congregating, within the limits
of the county, of large pleasure parties OF col
ored people from the city. These parties gen
orally terminate in serious riots, thus dlsurD-
ing many of our peaceable citizens. Hundreds
are often in attendance at these meetings, and
although our county Constables are frequently
assisted by force of the city police, they have
found it impossible to suppress said rioting, or
| to arrest the guilty persons because of their
universal strength. We respectfully suggest
| to the Sheriff of the county, to attend on such
| occasions, either in person or by deputy, with
sufficient force to quell such riotous proceed
our county. This is growing evil and ii pre-
cautionary means are instituted in time, much
| trouble and expense may be saved.
We visited the County Jail and found con-
| fined therein SO prisoners Q3 white and % col
ored y are serving out sentence; "a awaiting
trial for want of surety to keep the peace;
| l for lunacy, &c. We inspected the prison mi
nutely and conversed freeley with the prison
ers, and take great pleasure in testitying to its
cleanliness and excellent sanitary condition.
| Of the treatment of the inmates and the proyi-
sions furnished them, we deem their testimo-
| ny sufficient to establish confidence in the Off
GERS, as they, the prisoners, expressed them
selves perfectly satisfied with both. Mr.. Sam
ell ]. Robinson, the efficient Sheriff. and his
worthy Warden, Mr. D. H. Cline, deserve the
highest commentator for the very great care,
attention and interest which they manifest in
all under their charge.
| We also visited the Aims House, by special
| invitation of the County Commissioners, and
were courteously received by them we'll
as by the Manager, Mr.. Abraham Cole,
and by them conducted through the Temporal
| ry wards or buildings. We found therein so
| inmates-22 white males, II white females,
colored males and 9 colored females. The
| buildings now occupied are in an ordinarially
Clearly and healthy condition, the inmates
| kindly treated and abundantly provided for.
They all speak in the highest terms of their
| treatment and provisions, and especially OF the
| kindness manifested towards them by the Man.
/ ager, Mr.. Abraham Cole
| We made general and minute inspection of
| the buildings now being erected, and also of the
grounds and premises, and are of the unani-
! NOUS opinion that the location is one admira-
| bly, adapted for the purpose, and the purchase
| thereof judicious one. The building now be-
| ing erected and nearly ready for roofing, is ev
| identity being constructed of the best material
| and in the most substantial manner, and from
| all appearances, when completed, will be an
ornament and credit to the county. By law
there has been appropriated for the erection of
| said buildings 100000, and from what we can
learn the building, when completed, including
water arrangements, which are ample and per-
| feet, together with the heating arrangements,
will cost less than the appropriation. This be-
ing the fact, we do not hesitate to say the pres
ent Board of County Commissioners, together
with Mr.. James c. Harrison, who has the SUI
perintending Of the work, &C., well deserve
great praise for so stupendous, substantial, ad
mrably arranged and beautiful structure at so
reasonable cost. We take great pleasure in
testifying to the substantial and workmanlike
manner in which Messrs. Cooling & Lishear
are executing their contract so far as the build
| ing has progressed.
We again call the attention of the Court, and
also that Of the County Commissioners, to the
propriety of making some reasonable compen-
| sation to the Constables of the county for pro
curing and reporting the names of persons do
| ing business, in which license is required.
This we think equitable and due to them for
the present term (f not for the past,) ard sug-
gest for the future there be some special legis-
| lation to meet the case.
| We cordially tender our special thanks for
the promptness with which the Sheriff and his
accommodating Clerk, Mr.. Philip L. Moore,
and Deputies, have executed their Office in pro-
| curing the attendance of witnesses, &c Also
to the Honorable Court, States Attorney and
his Deputy, Thomas j. Hunter, and to the off
GERS of the Court, for their kindness and cour
tesy exteded US while in the discharge of our
duty. Respectfully submitted,
WILLIAM POLE,
Foreman.