The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1879-03-14
RFPORT
OF THE
C. R "A INT I'D JUR Y.
FEBRUARY TERM, 1879.


To the Honorable james D. Waters, associate
ymlge Of the Third JudicidlDist,ict Of Mary
land.
i 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
Congressman and are grauifed to be able to inform
your Honor that said election was conducted fairly
and impartially:. Nothing can be more destructive
of republican'form of government than a pollu-
ted and fraudulent ballot box, and it is therefore
important that all violations of. its sanctity and
punished. It matters not whether the ballot-box
is tempered with by State and County officers or
BY % Thg uh hao If fb pp
time, by having the whole power of the Federal
Government at their back, intimidate and overawe
not only voters buthe 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.
New roads and new bridges have become a whirl-
pool that has swallowed up in its vortex large
amounts of the taxes wrung from over-burdened
The Office of General Road. Supervisor, we think,
is not provided for by law; but if it is, we think
it useless and expensive office and should be
The recent change in.tho interior arrangement
of the Court Room we think a 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 aras practicable, to the
shrinkagc of values and the increased inability of
the people to pay taxes.
We visited the .Iail in body, and found it kept
in good condition as is possible to keep build
ing of similar structure. Tine inmates all seemed
pnI in oil Ia
as 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 disorderly house. We believe
the Sheriff to be man skilled 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 q body. and after
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 49, Sixteen white males six
white females six colored males and five colored
females.
We have examined nnety-two witnesses, and
found sixteen presentments and sixteen true bills.
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 prompttude with which
he has always responded to our calls for legal adj
vice WIN. Is. STEPH ENSON,
fcb2S Foreman.