Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1899-11-24
Report of the Grand Jury.


To tie Honorable the Judges Of TIE CHcu'I
Court for Montgomery county!
The Gran Jury of Montgomery county
for the November Term OF Court, 1879, re-
spectfuly begs leave to report as follows:
That in carrying out the instructions OF
the Court in reference to the crack in the
floor of the Court Room, secured the ser
vices of Mr.. Thomas Q. Groomes, an archi-
tect of good standing, who made careful
inspection OF the matter and testified before
the Grand Jury that, in his opinion, the
crack was caused by uneven settlement OF
the iron and wooden joists that support the
floor OF the Court Room, that there was no
danger to be apprehended, and that the
building was entirely safe.
The Grand Jury invited the Board OF
County Commissioners to appear before the
jury and confer with il with reference to
lighting the Court House with electricity.
The Commissioners admitting the desira'
bility OF having the building provided with
electric lights, assured the Grand Jury that
at an early day they would have II done,
but that just at the present time the finances
OF the county were in no condition to bear
the cost of the same, but would be provided
for In the next levy.
The Grand Jury visited and inspected the
Jail, where they found confined 10 prison
ers-S colored males and 5 white males.
The jury found the building in only toler-
able state oil repair, but were iorcibly struck
with the cleanliness of the interior OF the
building. The Grand Jury recommends
very strongly that a hand rail be provided
for the steps leading from the first to the
second story, that a post be placed under
that pair OF SIT ps, that new door be hung
on the East end of the building, that the
front door be repaired, and new porch be
built ON the East end OF tho building extend
ing from the Northeast corner Of the build
ing to a point on u line with the cellar or
basement door, and that the roof OF the
porch be extended tar enough to cover we'll
the entrance TO the basement or cellar door.
The jury found the box used as recep-
tacle for the Stops and garbage iull and In
need OF attention, and menace to the
health OF the inmates and the family OF the
jailer, and, IN their opinion, should receive
more careful attention. The fencing around
the yard and garden is in n dilapidated con
dltion and should be replaced or repaired.
The Grand Jury visited the Aims House
and inspected the farm and buildings which
were found to be In a most excellent con-
dition. There are at present % inmates
8 white males, colored males, 4 white ie-
males, 8 colored females, and | colored 10.
past season, there was produced on the
larm 300 barrels OF corn, 100 bushels OF
wheat, 20 tons OF hay, besides large quaint
ties OF fruit and vegetables for the use OF the
inmates. The present overseer is evidently
prudent and careful manager.
The Grand Jury recommends that benches
be placed IN the down stairs hall Of the
Court House, near the end, Tor the accom-
mediation of witnesses who are summoned
to testify before the Grand Jury. And also
that the boxes that are, aud have been Tor
some time past in the main hail, near the
front door, be removed, being very unsighty
ani in the way.
The Grand Jury has examined l70 wit
nesses, all whip have appeared and has found
70 presentments having ignored several
cases not deemed OF sufficient Importance to
find presentments
The Grand Jury requests the Court to
cause attachments to be issued Tor all wit
nesses who have been summoned to testify
before 1t, but who have not appeared, and
cause them 10 give security to appear be-
lore the next Grand Jury.
Having performed all the duties brought
to the attention of the Grand Jury, we re.
sprctlully ask TO be discharged
JOHN j, HIGGINS,
Foreman.