The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1886-04-24

determination by the high rates of
taxation of the past two years.
Not satisfied with this they would
still further advance the rate by en-
gaging in business which must nee
essariiy increase vice, crime, pauper-
ism. litigation, criminal prosecutions,
officers fees and court expenses.
They, however, say that local OPP
ton has increased the expenses, that
''it has cost the taxpayers more
money in the prosecution of viola
tors of the law since May, 1885 than
in any four years previous to the en-
ectment of the law" that it has been
failure and accomplished no good.
Let us see; criminal prosecutions
have in the past constituted from
one half to three-fourths of the bust
ness of our courts. September term,
1888, was the most expensive term
ever held in the county and the GRIM
inal docket occupied two thirds of the
time and three-fourths ofthe expense.
With one exception every criminal
case disposed of at this term was the
result of drink. The case of John
Smith, who, while drunk, killed
Harding, alone costing about $4,000.
The Grand Jury and its witnesses,
| Independent of Clerks and Sheriff's
fees, and the Petit Jury for the time
engaged on criminal business was
S1100. The levy to Clerks and Sher-
ifs in June, 1884, was SO, 329,75, two
thirds of which at least for fees in
criminal cases and to the States At.
| torney for State cases, S1359.94. The
levy for the court fund, not includ-
ing officers fees, for September. 1888
and May, 1884, being $500.
For September, 1884 and May, 1885
the levy for court fund was $500.
OF this sum, at least $1,000, was re-
quired to pay expenses of the Grand
Jury and its witnesses, exclusive of
Sheritf's and Clerks fees, and Petit
Jury for time occupied with crimi-
nal cases. The levy to Sheriff and
Clerk for those terms was S2,422,9S !;
two-thirds at least as before said for
fees in criminal cases, and to attor.
neys in State cases S973,31. TO which
should be added magistrates and
cOnstables' fees,
In September Term, 1885. how.
ever, local option was in force and
the expenses of the Grand Jury and
its witnesses, not including Clerks
and Sheriff's fees, and of the Petit
Jury for time engaged on criminal
cases was Sis less than for years.
| The levy for September Term, 1885,
and May Term, 1886, is $1,000. The
Clerks Sheriff's and attorneys fees
cannot now be ascertained, but we
are informed by the Clerk of the Cir
cult Court that all the expenses of
criminal cases amounts to not more
than one-half of what it did for the
years prior to the going into effect of
the local option law.
Justice Gender, before whom all
parties arrested on criminal charges,
including violations of this law, in
this district are taken and have a
hearing, says his fees will not be as
much as they were last year.
One of the prominent opponents of
local option in conversation with
Sheriff Riley, said that if local option
be defeated, it will increase the Sher.
ifs fees 5000, year,
Elk Sheriff Hamill recently said
that during the first week he was in
office, he made more arrests than
Sheriff Riley has during the five or
| six months he has held the Office.
And at the present time there is but
one person in Jail, and that on charge
of larceny.
Here we might say that not only
crime is the result of the traffic, but
pauperism also. The levy for outside
pensioners in 1884 and 1885, was
SIPS, and one of the county commits
sioners for that time has said that up
on careful inquiry, he ascertained that
in nearly every case the levy was
made necessary by and, was the re-
suit of drink. The clerk to the county
con- missioners now, says the levy for
pauperS in 1886, will not exceed 500.
But it has been beneficial in other
respects.
In Oakland only one persons has
been committed to the town lookup
since May LIST, 1885. During the year
previous to that Charles e. Boyer,
town baiitf, as his reports will show,
had confined in the lookup from three
to six persons every month, or for the
single person in since May LIST, 1885,
there were at least fifty for the year
previous. Justice Gender says for
each person before him on charge of
drunkenness since May LIST, 1885,
there were tor the year previous at
least fifteen.
The experience of the citizens of the
town and the observation of persons
frequenting it, are alone sufficient to
convince anyone that the law has
been beneficial, the effect good. and
the result far beyond expectations.
Mrs. General Crook, one of the own
ers of the Glades Hotel, has said that
last summer was the most pleasant
and satisfactory, in consequence of
the absence of Drunkenness, disturb.
ance and turmoil, she ever spent in
Oakland. Numerous testimonials of
like character could be given, and nu-
merous individual cases could be re-
ferred to, and the language quoted of
persons who heretofore spent their all
for intoxicating liquors, and were in
want the necessaries oflife, who are
now prospecting; benefited by the law,
and are IFS earnest advocates.
Take Ekins. Prior to May LIST last,
not term of Court passed without
cases for violation of license laws, dis
OrdnrlV apn1uct aScoilt anI hattar.,