Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1902-03-20
Judge Cranes Charge
To The Grand Jury.

You have been duly sworn and
are now prepared to enter upon the
duties required of you by law.
None are of higher responsibilities
and none are mere valuable 70 socie-
ty If faithfully and fearlessly per-
formed. The system of Law under
which we live, perfected by the ex-
perience of centuries, has largely
committed TO the Grand Jury the
protection OF the health, good order
and security of the community.
They are. il has been said, watch
men stationed by the law to survey
the conduct Of their fellow citizens.
and to enquire where and by whom
the law has. been iniringed or the
public authority set at defiance.
Upon You therefore rests the grave
responsibility of bringing to light
for examination, trial and, punish
ment every offense against the pub
lie comfort and safety; and without
your ready and intelligent cooper
alton the authority of the Court
would be valueless.
Your obligation requires you to
make presentment Of every substan-
tial, and not merely trifiing, breach
Of The criminal law, without fear
favor or affection, and not to be con-
tent to deal only with what is forced
upon your attention, but to make
diligent inquiry to ascertain wheth-
er crimes have been committed.
Since il is your duty TO survey
the whole field of criminal jurisdic-
ton Of the Court and allow no part
Of il TO fall into neglect, any refer
ence 70 particular statutes may seem
20 you unnecessary; but from time
to time certain offences have, in the
opinion OF the General Assembly
become fragrant and involve pecu-
liar danger TO society, and IL has
not only legislated with a view TO
their more certain suppression, but
has required the Court TO remind
each Grand Jury OF the necessity
for the enforcement OF the laws re-
lating 70 them. There are other
provisions Of Law which, for like
reason, in the absence cf positive
command by the legislature. have
usually been given-in whole 10 the
Grand Jury.
Among other enactments which deserve
your special attention are those whsch pro-
hioat the sale Of liquors. and other merchandise
On Sunday. IL ought 20 be suffsciens 20 sav
that they are The Law Of the land, and skere-
fore % be obeyed. hut frequent violations Of
them 0ccnr. Their enfurcement win contrib
ute greatly Go she good order and good morals
Of the community. II win be as necessary for
you % investigate the eyasions as the open VI
Citations Of such lava Other provisions or a
moss henencent characser are those oenounc-
ing the sale Of ifauor 20 minors. Few oFenses
are more worthy Of reprohafion than this.
which implies the absence OF any proper NOR
al sense. and the willingness On sow the seeds
OF disease and iicrnfsousness In tAe consslfo-
ton and chsracter Of ehIldhooi and youth.
The crime b enc abhorred. I am sare. by eve
~ man of 3usf sentlmenG &C whaterer occupa-
ton. But information. DERIVED from reliable
sources. leads me 20 thu heller THAI the iaw o
nos unfreQuently violated. Il is 20 be raxruf-
&c that more severe penalties hare not been
supposed. but ! trust that you wsIl give TIE
matter your earnest aaaenfion In orsser that
al guilty persons may BE snh3ecsed 90 such
punishment - can BE Infinted By fhelaw. In
The same CONGESTION refer you @ the law ae-
nouncfnw gamhling. On oEense which d pro
dncsive 81 very perniclous conseq nences. espe-
ciAiiy AMONG The y0ung and ignorant. These
crimes an told. are praesiced % an alarming
exfens IN certain scctkons a. tie county. ana.
In tie name &C moshers md wives and law