The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1872-06-22
MAY TERM, 1872.
GRAND JURY ROOM,

GRAND JURY Room,
June l4th, 1872.
HNHE Grand Jury for the May Term having
l. concluded their labOrs, after a session Of
twenty three days, report to the Honorable
Court that they have examined $40 witnesses,
found - presentments and returned same mum.
Der of true bills
The Grand Jury find that the principal rea-
son of their long session to have been caused
by the open and almost general violation of
the law iOrbidding the selling of LIQUOR, beer
&c. &C., OF Sunday. Particularly has this
been the case in the northwestern and eastern
suburbs of the city. Lawless persons leave the
city, where efficient police system prevents
them from gratifying their tastes, and visit the
haunts above indicated without fear of moles-
tation, and in consequence nearly every Sab
bath is desecrated by drunkenness and rioting
in those neigh borhoods. As remedy, the
Grand Jury suggest that the County Commits
sioners call upon the Board of Police for de-
tail OF uniformed city police to be placed where
in judgment of said Board their services may
be required on Sundays, aud that the County
Commissioners contract to pay to the Board of
Police for the services of such detail The
Grand Jury believe that the law creating the
Board of Police justiies this use.of their force,
while it may not justify the Board in receiving
compensation, the necessity and economy of
the arrangement would induce the next Legis-
lature to legalize any such transaction aud bro
vide for it in the future. The cost to Baltimore
county, for the want of such protection for an
efficient police. for this term of Court would
be ample to meet all the demands of the Board
of Police for twelve months, 10 say nothing
about the protection due TO all good citizens in
neighborhoods referred to.
The Grand Jury have carefully examined
the License Book, furnished by the Clerk, and
compared it with the inefficient returns made
by the officers who have appeared before this
body. There are no officers in the Tenth and
Thirteenth Districts, and to accomplish the
purpose contemplated by the law the Grand
Jury recommend that the County Commission
ers designate one intelligent officer in each
Election District to ascertain the names of all
parties doing business, and make for such spe-
cial service suitable compensation.
The Grand Jury regret that they have been
unable to trace to its authors the burning of
the building apon the Aims House property,
intended to be used as an hospital for persons
being treated for contagious diseases. The at
tending circumstances were abhorrent to all
law abiding citizens, and itsresults might have
been most disastrous to the community. The
building at the time was occupied by single
patient laborng under mild attack of small
pox About midnight on Saturday 18th of
May, the patient was required by the incendia-
ries to leave the building Upon doing so, it
was fred and destroyed with its contents. In
every community an aims house property is a
necessity. ana upon il there should be such
building. In locating this hospital the County
Commissioners acted judiciously, having, in
the opinion of the Grand Jury, selected the
most proper place for it. In fact, we believe
no contagious disease would spread from the
place, except from carelessness of those in
charge, or by repetition of the brutality the
community now have to complain Of
The Grand Jury in the performance of their
duties visited the Jail on the 4lh Instant At
that time it contained sixty eight prisoners,
eight of whom were discharged upon their or
der. They found the Jail in the best possible
condition, considering the number of inmates,
and cheerfully bear testimony to the efficiency
of Sheriff Robinson and his various officers.
The Grand Jury tender their thanks to the
Court, the States Attorney and his Deputy, for
valuable advice and assistance.
All of which is respectfully submitted.
By order Of the Grand Jury,
JOHN MERRYMAN,
June zz.-St' Foreman.