Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1897-08-27
Charles County Courthouse

Erected upon plain which skirts the sub
urbs of one of the most progressive towns in
Southern Maryland stands a temple of justice
whose location probably did more to arouse
the sentiment of the people of Charles county,
to break up party lines and array citizen
against citizen than perhaps anything that
has occurred within its historic borders since
it was founded, in 1858.
This hostile feeling was engendered when
the removal of comparatively substantial
building from Port Tobacco TO La Plata was
first submitted to the people Some of he
most influential citizens Of the county among
whom was Richgrd H. Edelen, lie the forces
which brought about the defeat OF the pro-
ject Another unsuccessful attempt to
change the county-seat By the erection of
new courthouse at La Plata was made by the
present States Attorney of the county, Adrian
Posey, when he represented Charles county in
the Maryland Senate, and endeavored to have
bill enacted for removal without submits
sion to a vote of the people. This movement
however fell through and in 1892 a second
measure to submit the matter TO a vop f the
people was obtained from the Legis of
that year. This act set the adherents of Port
Tobacco and those OF the present county-seat
to work, and resulted in hotly contested
election held on Nav 7, s92 which showed
majority for Port Tobacco of 334 votes.
On August 3, 1892 however, it will be
remembered, the old building was destroyed
by fire. This kindled anew the animosties
which aeemed to have been settled and led to
the final contest. 1t was ther determined by
those who had advocated Port Tobacco to
abandon that place and TO unite their forces
with Chapel Point small summer resort situa-
ted on the Port Tobacco Greek, about four miles
below the original county seat. Here the issue
was different. Economy was no longer the
ground on which those who had voted against
La Plata could appeal for votes and La Plata
was readily the choice of the county.
The present structure was erected by James
A. Haislip of Charles county, after a plan
which was accepted by the building commit
tee from George c. Johnson, architect of
Washington, D. C. 1t was built during the
past year at a cost of SIG, 500, and is neat
brick building, with all modern vaults, safes,
&c. A spacious hall divides the first floor of
the building throughout its entire length, in
to which exit is made from the various offices
which are located upon this floor. The up
per floor is occupied by the courtroom, jury
rooms, office of supervisor of election and bar
librarian.
The jail building is one in which all modern
criminal appliances may be found and was
erected at a cost of 81, 500 by construction
company of Atlanta Adrian Posey, J. HUI
bert Roberts, George W. Gray, John II
Mitchell, John W. Waring, William Wolf
and DR.. Andrew ]. Smoot form the building
committee under whose direction and inspec.
ton the work was carried on, and whatever
may have been the merits of the question of
location the people of Charles county one and
all, rest assured that this committee has per-
formed its duty in manner which will ever
reflect credit upon it-Herald