Saint Mary's beacon., 1886-04-01

We, the grand inquest Of the State of Ma.
ryiand for the body Of St. Mary's cHniy,
having diligently inquired and trre ore
sentiment made Of all the matters aud things
given us in charge or that have come % our
knowledge touching this present servicr, in
as far a the facts presented for our consid-
eration through the many witnesses who
have appeared before US in answer TO the
summons of this honorable Court have en-
abled us 10 do, beg leave 10 submit the fol-
lowing report as required by law:
We have visited the Jail and .inquired
into iis condition, the manner in which il
Is kept and the treatment Of prisoners
therein. We find the building in fair con,
dition and repair, except the windows and
blinds, which are in need of paint 1t is
kept neat and clean under the supervision
Of the jailor and his family who reside with
in the building. The surroundings, how
ever, need attention, and such improve
ments are recommended as may BE- found
necessary towards promoting the health of
N~~~ oAAA Va .AAr PAbAll OulGtI=
business in the Court House near by neces-
states their continual presence The kind
ness Of the keeper and his family toward
the prisoners is proverbial and our Sheriff
never fails to provide for them properly.
We have examined the condition Of the
Court House and surroundings and find
some portions Of the outside walls and roof
ing materially out of order-cracks and
openings through which the weather pene-
trates-which, if not early repaired, may
and will produce greater injury and in
creased expenditure Considerable repairs
to the plastering is needed also, and We
would particularly urge upon the County
Commissioners to avail themselves of the
services of some experienced mechanic in
repairing all the defects.
The late Improvements in the Court room
materially promote the despatch of public
business and add 10 the comfort Of the Court,
jurymen and Others having business to
transact therein.
Since the destruction of many of the shade
trees within the enclosure around the Court
House, remark is constantly made by stran-
gers OF its poor appearance, and other per-
sons who are called here by business du-
ring the Summer complain Of the discom-
fort produced We therefore recommend
those having charge Of the same to improve
the grounds by planting proper shade trees
and evergreens therein
In reviewing the report Of the last grand
jury as required by the act of Assembly
passed in 1876, We cordially concur in the
opinion therein expressed with reference
10 the establishment Of a cash basis in the
transaction of our county affairs The
amount Of our taxes would certainly be
greatly reduced thereby and it would sim
pliiy the county settlements
Our public roads throughout the entire
CounIy tcXcrpt in L few ScctinnsI Were new
cr known L. have been in as good order
and condition at this season of the wear.
( We therefore congratulate our taxpayers
that the large expenditures thereon hereto
fore have produced good and beneficial re-
suits ami will greatly lessen such expenses
hereafter
We call attention in this connection to
the fact that many persons in cleaning up
fences, cutting wood, etc, near the public
roads, throw bushes, stumps, logs and other
rubbish therein TO the great danger to per-
sons and damage to vehicles passing over
the same, and We condemn the practice as
a great nuisance
We further suggest for the benefit Of our
people through your Honorable Court, that
il is obvious that the general appearance Of
the country is greatly improved by having
wide open roads, which enhance the value
of adjacent lands and attract strangers de-
Sirous ofpurchasing country homes. There
fore We express our condemnation Of pre-
vailing habit Of those owning lands border
ing on public roads Of placing fences too
near thereon, and recommend the Board of
County Commissioners 10 have the same
/ cuTreCted
| In the matter IL which our attention has
been particularly called by Your Honors
| in reference 10 the corruptonS and frauds
! upon that most sacred right Of free peo-
ple-the purity Of the ballot-which are
we'll known 10 have been practiced to a
most lamentable extent during the election
held on the 3rd day of November last in
the second election district, casting blot
upon the fair name of the people Of our
county, We regret 10 have 10 state, that, af-
ter most laborious investigation. this jury
has been unable up 10 this time to conclude
As 10 the guilty perpetrators thereof and
not feeling justified 10 tax the people with
the expense oi continuing our session long
er, We most respectfully ask Your Honor
for discharge
| In conclusion, we tender the thanks of
this jury Il Your Honors, the States At
torney, Clerk, Sheriff and other officers Of
the Court for assistance and kindness ex-
tended Us during the term Of our service.
Respectfully submitted,
JNo. A. CAVALIER, Foreman.
| COMMUNICATED