The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1879-02-28
REPORT
C. R "A M ID JUR Y.
FEBRUARY TERM, 1879.


To the Honorable James D. Waters, Associate
Judge Of The Third JudicialDistri Of Mary
land.
THE Grand Inquest of the State of Maryland
l. for the body of Hartford county respectfully
submit this, their report for the February term of
Court of said county, for 1879.
We have inquired into the conduct of the officers
having charge of the election which was held No
vember last, in this county, for the election Of
Congressman, and are gratifed to be able to inform
your Honor that said election was conducted fairly
and mpartially. Nothing can be more destructive
OF republican form OF government than pollu-
ted and fraudulent ballot box and it is therefore
important that all violations of its sanctity and
punished. 1t matters not whether the ballot-box
is tempered with by State and County officers or
by Federal officers, who, under the pretext of pre-
serving the purity of the ballot may at the same
time, by having the whole power of the Federal
Government ut their back, intimdate and overawe
not only voters but the States officers of elections,
by threats of prosecutions. Whether such acts
have been perpetrated let impartial history deter
mine.
swollen beyond reasonable bounds, during the I'M
reasonable times through which we have recently
passed, and can be reduced without detriment to
the public interest, by the application of the true
and rigid rules of public economy.
pool that has swallowed up in its vortex large
amounts of the taxes wrung from over-burdened
taxpayers.
Is not provided for by law; but If it is, we think
II useless and expensive office and should be
dlScOntlnucQ.
The recent change in the interior arrangement
of the Court Room we think decided improve
ment, and one which has been long needed and
We think the changes should be continued until
the defective sound shall be obviated.
We believe that public sentiment demands such
reduction of the county expenses as will be in a
reasonable proportion, as far as practicable to the
shrinkage of values and the increased inability of
the people to pay taxes
We visited the Jail in q body, and found 1t kept
in as good condition as is possible to keep build
ing of similar structure The inmates all seemed
rs it is possible to make them. We found two
criminals serving out sentence; four for larceny
three for ASSAULT one for rape; two as witnesses
one for keeping disordery house. We believe
the Sheriff to be man skilled in his work, and one
who does perform the duties of his office with fl
deity. We consider the building disgrace to the
good people of Hartford county.
We visited the Aims House in body, and after
a thorough examination of the buildings and
grounds, came to the conclusion that Mr.. Hugh
Smith, the efficient keeper is the right man in the
right place.
The inmates are all well cared for and seemed
to be happy and contented. They spoke in glow
ing terms of their keeper. The inmates numbered
in all thirty-three (33O Sixteen white males, six
white females; six colored males and five colored
females.
We have examined ninety-two witnesses, and
In terminating our relations as Grand Jurors
with the Court. we desire to express our high APP
| probation of the faithful manner in which you
have aided us by counsel, and the facilities you
have afforded us in the discharge of our important
duties.
We also desire to express our thanks to the
| States Attorney for the promptitude with which
he has always responded to our calls for legal adj
| vice. VIM. b. STEPH ENSON,
feb2S Foreman