Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1889-09-26


They have made az FUN Investigation into
al matters that were given them in charge,
or that have come 20 their knowledge, and
have taken such action theEeupon o. duty
70 the State seemed 10 demand bringing
presentmenfs where the evidence was 40
far plain as that IL would seem Che State
had valid ground for placing the accused
upon trial. and ignoring these cases where
the evidence was either insufficient 10 cs-
tablish a probable case or so far conflicting
as TO be irreconcilabie, or else, where the
public interests and well being did not
seem 10 demand prosecution.
THE JAIL.
The County Jail has been examined and
was found 10 be in an exceptionally good
condition, clean and free from all bad odor.
II Is recommended however, that brick or
cement be laid for some distance TO the
rear Of the building as further insurance
Of proper sanitary conditions.
COUNTY FINANCES.
The report OF the County Commission
ers has been made as required by law and
has been carefully examined and consid-
cred. All expenses Shown thereby to have
been incurred and levied are proper and
legal. The pension list is large, but the
individual cases are recommended by re-
sponsible tax payers, with whom, then, the
responsibility for this large expenditure
rests. The distribution OF the surplus ac-
count seems 10 be properly and correctly
made and distributed.
All funds coming into the hands of the
County Commissioners arc placed In the
Traders National Bank of Baltimore sub
ject to the check of the Treasurer, the
check book remaining in charge Of the
Clerk TO the Board.
cOSsTABLEs AND MAGISTRATES.
The several constables have appeared and
made their reports, which as rule are far
from satisfactory, showing clearly in many,
IL not most cases, that they do not proper
ly and fully appreciate the grave duties
resting upon them. In illustration Of this
point, 1t has come within the knowledge
OF the Grand Jury that there is great and
widespread violation of the gambling act
throughout the entire county. Gambling
parties occupy rooms specially devoted to
the vicious practice gambling parties
break open unoccupied houses to use for
their vile purposes at night or assemble in
secluded places in the woods, plying their
miserable trade to the great damage Of the
morals of the community, tempting to ruin
the young and unwary and TO the annoy
ance Of quiet citizens. These facts are
known TO the Jury, but not in such way
as to justify any reasonable hope of pos
sible good to be accomplished by action on
their part other than as herein indicated.
This violation Of law and morals is, how
ever, matter Of common notoriety-all
know of il and yet the constabulary force
of the county has so far failed TO take any
steps to correct this evil that they must
know of in common with all other citizens
Equally common and notorious is the
gross violation of law involved in the sell
ing of goods on Sunday by merchants in
many places and the selling of liquor to
minors. We urge that their duty, singu-
larry neglected in such particulars, be inn
pressed upon the officers charged with the
suppression Of these as with other violations
of the law. 1t would seem that the Coun-
~ Commissioners if they agree with the
Jury in the prevalence of such evils should
appoint only such men as constables who
would undertake the discharge Of their en-
tire duty.
The singular multiplication of recogni-
zances in a case brought before the Grand
Jury is of sufficient note to claim the at
tention of the Court An unfortunate al
tercation takes place between certain OF
our citizens. Each party accuses the other
of being the aggressor-and as result
there are over sixty recognizances issued
in what is substantially the same case
there being not over ten witnesses in the
case. A man is said to assault party OF
three. Each one of the three brings him
before the magistrate, there are five persons
in the case, the cases are all one and the
same, and yet the five parties are recog-
nized to appear in each case, making Is
recognizances for which the public has 70
pay in fees to the magistrate issuing and
TO the Clerk recording. This may be law
but if so, it is very bad law and bears hard
IL on the public.
THE PUBLIC ROADS.
1t Is unnecessary to say that the public
roads are in a shameful condition. There
is scarcely provision of the law in thi:
matter that is or has been for years pas
observed by those who have had charge o.
the same. The law requires that they
shall be kept open and in proper repair FOL
o certain width and yet, for miles in many
sections where there is much travel the
roadway Is not one-third the legal width
and so narrow that vehicle cannot posi-
bly, pass one preceding it without stop
page Of the one in front The law re
quires that the public highways shall be
kept free from distractions and yet the
overhanging branches in many places are
to great degree obstructive. injuring We
hicles with tops using the same and ex.
i y. a. III =