Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1888-11-16
Charge to the Grand Jury.


The following Acts of Assembly make it
the duty OF the Court to call your attention
TO their provisions, viz The Act of 1868,
chapter 179, forbidding the sale and the ad-
vertisement for sale of drugs and other
means intended to produce abortion; and
the Act of 1879, chapter 329, relating to de-
faulting public officers. We have no know l.
edge that either of these Acts has been vio-
lated in this county, and we only allude to
them because we are required to do so.
/ We had occasion upon the opening of the
last March Term of this Court to call the
attention of the Grand Jury to the open and
notorious disregard Of the Act of 1880, chap
ter 1874, commonly known as the Local OPP
ton Law. We said then and we repeat
now that with the policy or wisdom of the
measure we and you have nothing to do,
but both the Court and the Grand and Petit
Juries are strictly bound to aid in its en-
forcement so long as it continues upon its
statute book. In some localities there has
been some improvement but in Others the
statute is practically dead letter and is peril
nacously detied. This spirit of resistance to
any enactment of the Legislature is exceed
ingly pernicious in its consequences. 1t
speedily breeds contempt for other penal
legislation, and, as Il result OF this, the good
order, tranquility and security of society
dominion of the law breaker and the male
factor. This consideration of itself, even if
there were no others, ought to be sutli
cient motive to influence all good citizens to
cheerfuly lend their aid in the repression
OF every species of lawlessness, and particu-
larly of that which is the most dominant and
fragrant. There are places in this county
where the law is not only disregarded, but
where those who are engaged in this illicit
traffic are actually debauching the morals
OF the young by deliberately selling in
toXlcating drinks to boys OF tender years.
There can be no more deadly evil than this.
1t is bad enough to violate the law, but it is
UNNECESSARILY worse to lead astray the
young and mex experienced, whose whole AT
ter lives may be hopeessly wrecked by ac-
quirng an appetite for drink in early years.
This is the very lowest depth of infamy to
which the lust of sordid gain can possibly
drive men to descend. There are in this
county anxious mothers trembling with ap-
prehension for the future OF their offspring,
because oil the pernicious habits which these
dens Of inquity are cultivatlng and foster
ing Let it be stopped Its for you To bring
these offenders "a the crimina 5 dock You
need not hesitate to in lict BECAUSE of not
having direct evidence. You may found
your indictments on carcuHtstantidG evil
lea you as individuals TO believe thata per-
son has violated the law, are also amply
sufficient to warrant you as Grand Jurors
in reaching the same conclusion Tue like
and no stronger evidence would fully Justify
petit jury IN convcting.
So far has the resistance to this particular
law been carried that persons under indict-
ment for violating it have, to avoid convic-
ton, committed another and very serious
offence, by causing the witnesses who would
testify against them to eva,ic the process Of
the Court and 10 go beyond its jurisdiction
whilst its sittings continued. Now, this is
u highly penal offence at the common law
II is II blow aimed at the very admnistra
ton of Justice. 1t eylnces an utter disre-
gard of all lawful authority, and is usually
the last wicked and desperate resort Of con
tirmed guilt To escape mcritcd punishment
All who endeavur to stiie the truth, and
prevent the due execution of justice, are
highly punishable; and therefore the dis
suading or endeavorin5 to dissuade a wit
ness from giving evidence against person
indicted is an offence at the common law,
though the persuasion should not succeed
Rus on Grimes, 1874; l Hawk, p. c., C. 81,
8. Is. Information has reached the Court
that such attempts have been made, and it
will therefore be your duty when the facts
are laid before you by the zealous and able
States Attorney to promptly indict these
persons, should the evidence warrant it, 1t
may be well to observe that u severe SEN
tence of imprisonment in one or two in
stances will probably put an end to the per,
petration of this offence within the jurisdic-
ton of this Court
Not deeming it necessary at this time to go
further into details We urgently invoke your
attention to these subjects, because, however
willing Court may be to rigidly enforce
every law of penal character, it is utterly
poweress To accomplish any good results
without the aid and co operation of resoute
and fearless jurors.
The ladies of Gaithersburg and vicinity