Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1901-03-28
Grand Jury Report.

GOuuty:
We. the Grsnd Jurors of Saint
Mary's County, State OF Maryland,
for the March term of the Circuit
Court, 1901, do hereby certify that
We have carefully examined the
witnesses who appeared before as TO
the number Of ninety-three and in.
quired into oil violations of the Law
within our knowledge, and have
found presentments in all cases
where the evidence would justify.
At the request Of citizens from
various sections Of the county, We
summoned the County Commits
sioners to appear before Us to
answer questions in regard to the
contract, plans, and specifications,
relating to the rebuilding of the
Court House. and although We feel
assured that the said Commission
e:s had the interest OF the tax.
payers at heart, Jet We think that
the agreement entered into by them
10 not strictly in conformity with
the law, in regard to the making Of
contracts, and further upon exsmi-
nation Of the building, We think
that q serious mistake has been
made in not having the whole build
ing torn down, aud rebuilt from
the foundation.
We find that the expenses of the
county though much reduced az
compared with former years. can in
some respects be further curtsiled,
and ask il necessary that legislative
action be taken to accomplish the
same.
First, we suggest that shenever
expedient, all persons sentenced to
the county Jail be made self sus.
| tanning, BY mending roads, or other
wise. That Magistrates be required
to more carefully examine charges
brought before them before pro-
ceeding to trial, as it has been
shown by the reports of some Mag
istrates which We have examined,
that in cue, q instance the cases have
been dismissed, and the cost thrown
upon the county. We respectfully
suggest that the Commissioners be
more particular in passing such &C.
counts. particularly, when without
date, as was the case with some of
the above mentioned.
We further suggest that notice
be given to all trGders in spirituous
liquors who heretofore through
carelessness, or depravity, have DIS
regarded the Law prohibiting the
sale Of liquor to minors, and also
gambling. on their premises, that in
future the penalty will be rigidly
enforced against ell who violate the
said law. We have been informed
Of some places where minors, white
and black, assemble at ell times,
Il
day and night, to play cards and
drink whiskey, in some instances
under the very shadow Of the Temple
of God, and We trust that precau-
tious will be taken to prevent the
keepers of these nefarious sinks of
inlquity, from further leading
youths astray, and bringing sorrow
untold to their loved ones. who per-
haps know not of their downward
cou rse.
We visited the County Jail and
found the same to be neat, and In
good condition. We suggest that
in future all prisoners be searched
by the jailor, before being confined.
We are pleased to state that the
roads are in better condition than
ever known at this season of the
year, and recommend that the Su-
pervisOrs in their respective dis
tricts "repair some portion of the
road permanently" as suggested by
your Honors. We respectfully
state that it has come to our notice
just before adjournment, that gambl-
ing has been openly carried on in
this Town during this term Of court,
and call the attention Of the author.
titles to the same.
Having finished the work before
rs, We now respectfully thank your
Honors, the States Attorney,
County Commissioners, Sheriff,
aud all other officers Of the court,
for the Kind and courteous treat
ment extended to rs, and respect.
fully ask to be discharged.
GILES T. DYER, Foreman.