Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1885-04-02
GRAND JuTy EeqOrt,

orAha SHTy Report. =.
GRAM JuRv ROOM, March TRaM, 1888.
TO ds Honorable J. Porran Crane, ASSOCIATE
| JH6se Of ths Circui; Court for sGid county,
HeW prss'diag in said Court,
The undersigned, The members of The Grand
Inquest of the State oFMaryland, for the body
of Mary's county, do respectfully report
| to your Honor:
l. That we have endeavored to discharge
with care and fidelity, and with as much
promptness and dispatch as the delicate, re-
sponslble and comprehensive nature Of the
subjects given US in charge or otherwise COM
Ing to our knowledge would allow, the dulles
we hare been called to perform.
2. A good deal of Time has necessarily been
consumed In the examination of an unusual
plumber of witnesses, large number being
required in the in sesligation OF the numerous
charges Of the violation of the License laws
OF The State, more especially these regulating
the sale OF spirltuous liquors, We have
thoroughly Investigated the subject and have
information that the law (License) has been
disregarded by nine-tenths of the merchants of
the county, yet, in view of the uncertainty of
convie,ing the parties, and the heavy expense
the county would unavoldpbly be put to, we
decline to make any presentments, and would
suggest that an effort be made to increase the
license to $50 and give all tie right to retail
it (liquor) in any quantity.
3. We have carefully examined the county
Jail and are gratifed to be able to report that
we fad it and its surroundings and appliances
in very good condition and efficiency, and
commend the care, fidelity and humanity Of
the worthy Jalor, and the fidelity, prompt
ness and efficiency OF the,She-iff and his depu-
| ties. We recommend, however, that white
and colored prisoners be keptin separate cells.
DO We find very marked improvement
in the condition and management of our pub
lie roads, which, considering the almost IN
precedeHted bad weather, have been kept in
unusually good repair At the same time we
| feel constrained to say, that there is still
much room for improvement, and we respect
| fully recommend to the Honorable County
Commissioners the practical application to our
road management and supervision the rules Of
true Civil Service reform and TO appoint no
man 10 the important aud responsible position
OF Road Supervisor who does not possess a
practical knowledge of how roads should be
made and kept in repair, not simply patched
For this, as for every branch of civil service,
| the only test should be the Jeffersonian rule
'Is he honest is he capable, is he faithful p
The Supervisor should be rigidly instructed
! to employ no man to work on the roads who
is not able and willing to do a full and hon
est days work for just compensation, to pro-
vide the proper tools and implements to re-
cure the best results, and to see that these in
structons are rigidy enforced. Every pub
| lie road should be thoroughly constructed,
sufficiently elevated and rounded for the wa
ter TO escape in sufficient and well constructed
drains on both sides of the roads, and, rs far
as possible, the road SO relieved of obsruc-
| tons from trees and banks as 10 admit Of The
| renovating effects of free wind and sunshine
80 We have examined the Court House and
find the plastering broken in several places
caused, II would seem, by leaks in the roof
which should at once be looked after on the
| principle that a fstitch in time saves nine. "
80 With regard to the suggestion thrown
ont by your Honor and the learned members
| of thanar for the improvement Of the Court
| House, We have learned that the subject hns
been placed by sssw@aAm anssnissiaaers la
the hands o. an efficient and capable Commit
tee and we therefore deem it unnecessary to
make any suggestion, and will only state, that
il has our full concurrence.
10 We have had some information of a
homicide in the first election district, but
failed to obtain any evidence upon which we
could base any action.
80 We thank your Honor and the learned
States Attorney for the able and efficient
aid given. always promptly, wisely and cheer
fully in the discharge of our duties.
90 And having, to the best of our ability,
brought our labors 10 a clsse, we respectfully
ask to be discharged and that your Foreman
be placed on the retired list, he having served
forty years of jury service.
Signed,
w o Reeder, foreman, VIM Norris,