Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1877-03-23
THE SENTINEL.
LOCAL AFFAIRS.

Court Proceedings.-In the absence of
the Chief Judge, who was expected TO charge
the Grand Jury at the opening of our Circuit
Court ON Monday last, Judge Bouic delivered
TO thalh an extempore address; which was
characterized by his usual strong common
sense, and replete with practical wisdem. 1t
was listened to by crowded courtroom with
the profoundest attention.
When the Jurors rose to their feet, as is
their custom when receiving the Courts
charge, his Honor took occasion to remark
that this custom originated in this country
in the respect and veneration in which the
American people held the majesty of the law
as represented by the Judge, and not as in
monarchical countries in the subserviency of
the people to those in authority over them
That, in fact, in this country there is no one
in authority over the people, but all power
and authority emanates from the people, and
they only bow to the majesty of the laws
which they themselves have made.
lie then commented at some length upon the
the dignity and importance Of the Office Of
Grand Jurors, telling them they were the
chosen representatives of the people TO whom
to a very great extent the peace and welfare
of society and the safety of its citizens weie
committed
He strongly urged upon them the duty to
see that the laws which the people have made
are not violated with impunity He said that
il is useless to make wise laws unless they are
promptly and rigidlv enforced and to this
end, he charged them to scrutinize with the
utmost diligence the conduct Of every officer
entrusted with their execution from the Judge
on the bench to constables and road supervi-
sors.
He then animal verted on the disregard
manifested By the County Commissioners TO
the repeated recommendation OF successive
Grand Juries that certain needful repairs be
made to the County Jail and Alms-liouse.
He also condemned the conduct of many
road supervisors, stating that they did not
give adequate service for the compensation
they received, and that equal wages would not
be paid them for similar services by an inteli-
gent farmer in the county. The consequence
OF which is the deplorable condition Of many
of our ronds.
He next called the attention of the jury to
the laws against gambling, and commented al
some length on the terrible consequences OF
this vice and The ruin it entsiled upon families.
He also urged them to institute the most
searching inquiry into the conduct of every
licensed liquor dealer, and to find present
ment in every instance of q violation OF the
law by them.
He also urged them 10 exercise much dis
elimination in the important matter OF au-
thorizng the issue Of licenses, which important
trust has recently been confded to them be
said they should issue no license for the sale
of intoxicating liquor except where the good
Of the community requires il, and TO no per-
500 whose standing and character did not point
him out as a suitable person to be entrusted
with 80 dangerous power for evil. lie said IL
esnee should in no case be issued to promote the
pecunary gain Of the applicant, that TO do so
will simply be to draw his labor from prof.
table employment, and TO that extent diminish
the productive capacity Of the county and tc
deEoralize and make vagabonds of just SC
many of his neighhors as he ca induce 20 he
come habitual frequen;ers of his establishment
He also urged them to present every mar
who habitually exposed himself in public in d
condition Of beastly intoxicaiion.
In conclusion be protested that he was no
temperance crusader, but wished every man Il
be responsible for his own actons-to drink Of
not to drink just as he thinks proper-bu
VI hat he did object TO was for any one to 90
conduct himself as TO become nuisance to hi
heighboTs. That the sober and industriou
portion Of the conn nifty should not ice mad
the victims Of the drunken and vagabond ele
Eeni.
His IIonor's ugges,ionsi II needed will exert
very salutsry influence on society.
After the completion Of the preliminarie
preparatory to enter upon the trial of case
pending the first one called up was Penn VS.
Dickerson This suit grew out Of the refusa
By Dickerson TO pay the amount Of his not
negotiated by Penn, which had been given Il
Hendricks, the inventor Of patent fan, 70
the rirb. to sell the machine Error wa
found in the declaration and the case conlinL
ed over TO next term. This is the only cas-
yet disposed Of.
The Cumberland cases are set for mex
Wednesday.