Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1878-03-22
JUDGE BOWIE'S CHARGE TO THE
GRAND JURY.
GentIenaen Of the GRAND .J,,yv .

and engross our National and State councils
Almost all matters which Immediately affec,
cur municipal affairs are directly or indirectly
under our own control. That, which is now
familiarity known as Local Option" as APP
| piled to the trade in spirituous and fermented
liquors actually exists to a great extent among
US. Local Option" is the will Of the people
Of the place, literally speaking. Our system
depends on the will of the county, expressed
through their proper representatives. The
Act OF 1874, Chap 439, IAN Act to regulate
the issuing of licenses for the sale of sprituous
and fermented liquors in this State, prohibits
the Clerk OF the Circuit Court of this county
from issuing any license for the sale of spir-
ituous and fermented liquor or lager beer to
any person, unless such person shall have
been recommended TO said Clerk by the Grand
Jury, which shall have been in session at the
term next proceeding the first day of May, in
each and every year, in the county whence
the applicant for such license shall reside"
You, the selected men Of the county, chosen
for your independence, intelligence, integrity
and discretion are the repositories OF great
trust; and Of yon much is expected. The
| Legislature has left II to your wisdom 10 de-
termne what number and character of licenses
for the sale Of spriuous liquors, ETC., are to be
issued by the Clerk of this county; and the
persons to whom and places at which the
liquor is to be sold, subject to other pre-
requisites prescribed by the law.
II is not the design of the law that every
application for license, however respectable
the applicant, or the persons recommending
him, should be granted but licenses should
be issued with regard frst TO the public con-
venience. having due respect 10 the morals of
the community and not for private advan-
| tages. Licences for retailing liquors in guam
| titles less than pint should not be granted
TO person who holds a retailers license,
unless that person actually keeps an ordinary
or oyster house, saloon, etc. Retailers are
prohibited from suffering any liquors sold by
them to be drunk in or about their houses,
and to grant such person an oyster house or
other license for selling liquor less than pint
| is virtually TO anaul the res friction as we'll as
promote dissipation. This practice robs the
regular restaurant keeper of one Of his legiti-
mate sources of profit, and converts every
grocery into drinking saloon to the great
Generalization Of the community and destruc-
| ton of private and public peace. With these
grave responsibilities resting upon your actions
we feel assured the delicate duty imposed upon
you by the law will be exercised with the
utmost discretion. II is a great mistake TO
suppose every man entitled to engage in any
trade that is most profitable TO him. however
injurious to society. The general good is the
very end of government, and whatever affects
the public is liable TO legal control
Licenses for the sale of sprituous liquors.
although source of revenue, were not in
tended to promote but 10 restrain the trade in
such articles. The policy of the law is opposed
to the unnecessary multiplication OF such places
OF traffic The vendors are engaged in com
merce liable to great abuse, and are, therefore,
subject 10 very close investigation. 1t is the
especial duty OF the officers of the law, and of
the Grand Inquest TO present every infraction
in this respect and Of the latter, to withhold
their recommendations from those who abuse
the privilege
In connection with the subject of revenue
the necessities Of the State as well as those of
the county, remind us 10 call your attention to
the provisions of the Act of 1872 Chap 329,
which requires that all the officers OF the
county entrusted with the receipt of public
money, or collection thereof, who shall will.
fully detain the same aud neglect TO pay it
into the treasury or to persons authorized TO
receive the same for more than sixty days or
six months, as the case may be- shall be deemed
defaulter, and, upon indictment and con-
viction thereof, imprisoned in the Penitentiary
not less than one year or more than five years.
The Judges OF the Courts having criminal
jurisdiction are required to give this act in
charge to the Grand Juries summoned to their
respective Courts.
All departments of the public service de-
pend more or less upon the prompt collection
and punctual payment of the revenue of the
State. The per diem of the jurors and State
Witnesses the salaries of the teachers of the
Public Schools, and the credit of the State at
large are involved in the faithful discharge Of
this duty.
To enable the people of the county to NEE
these demands, II is incumbent on US to re-
trench all our expenses as far as consistent
| with the public wants, and it is your province
to enquire how far they can be diminished.
The majesty OF the law cannot be INDICATED
| by the punishment of crime and offences
against the State, unless proper places of con-
fnement of persons accused and convicted Of
crime are provided by the authorities entrust-
ed with this duty. Your predecessors have
repeatedly presented the County Jail as unsafe,
insecure and unfit for the custody of convicted
criminals, much less fsllow-beings who are
presum med to be innocent
Cruel and unnecessary punishment are con-
demued by all our constitutions as well as the
instincts of humanity. Confinement in I'M
ventilated cells, or 10 narrow limits with moi
some odors, for want of proper sewerage, is
an offence against the spirit o: the age.
The Aims House has been the subject OF
similar representations by several successive
Gland Juries. Not only sympathy for the
unfortunate, but self-interest should prompt
such organization Of this institution as would
make il an efficient agent in promoting good
order and SURPRISING vagrancy in the county
II is not only an asylum for the poor, but a
house Of reformation for the idle, dissoluts
vagrant It's officers and overseers are invest
ed with large authority and ample means to
compel obedience. Justices of the Peace hav e
power 10 commit Migrants to its control, ana
the Sheriff and Constables are bound 10 rem
der all necessary assistance.
This county, with many others in the State,
has acquired unenviabe notoristy from its
neglect to make proper provisions for the &C.
commodaiion of prisoners and paupers The
omission was, no doubt, owing, in q great
measure, to laudable desire TO reduce the
public expenses, aud the absence of full know l.
edge OF the extent Of the evil and the means
OF correcting them. But since the facts have
become notorious and ample means are pro.
vided by law we shall be inexcusable il we
suffer such delnquencies to~continue.
Your more immediate and direct duty is Il
inquire into all offences against the publi,
peace, good morals, the violation of the Sab.
oath by selling OF giving of liquor to drink
ihe selling liquor TO minors, aud selling spir.
,, ituous and iermented liquors without license
! 10 connection with these the keepiuV of dis
5 orderly houses aud places Of gambling. o,
permitting gambling In or about the premise,
should be the special subjects OF strict Inquiry
ldieness, inebriaiion aud gembling-the in,
= stincls OF our savage naiure-are the inyeter
Z ate enemies OF civilization aud christianity
> and the prolific sources Of all social evil =
e Root out these vices and man would be ono
+ more the "imageoi his Maker
II The Criminal Code will furnish an index /,
Q your inquiries as 10 all the graver crimes an,
q offences
q In conducting your examinations Il will b
}, well for you 70 remember that as the tesiimon
c you hear rs ooiyon the side Of the State, an,