The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1903-03-26
THE GRAND JURY

Made Its Report Monday Morning and was
Discharged from Further Service.
The Grand Jury for the March term
of the Circuit Court made its report to
the Court Monday morning and upon
presenting it for the Courts consider
alton Judge Williams took occasion to
thank the Jury and pay high com
pliment to the members of that BODY
for the very efficient manner and dis
patch with which the business brought
before it was disposed of.
In his remarks he conceded with
the findings of the Jury with respect
to the care exercised by Mr.. Tower and
other officers of the county in keeping
the public records and paid the former
deserving compliment for the thor
oughness which is in evidence in every
matter claiming his attention. In re-
viewing the recommendations made
looking to the betterment of the coun-
ty Jail and,the conditions arising from
the inadequate and poorly construct
ed building Judge Williams very
earnestly and at some length spoke of
the unfortunates who are confined
therein and the dangers besetting
them as a result of their surround
ings. In closing his remarks His Honor
commended very highly the findings
of the jury with respect to the Jail
and said that he hoped the matter
would be given proper attention by
the County Commissioners and suit
able building erected to take the place
of the one now in use.
To the Honorable, the Judges Of the
Circuit Court for Garrett Co., Md.
The Grand Jury have the honor to
report that they have carefully exam
| ined the many witnesses brought be-
| fore them, and with such thorough
ness as the circumstances would per-
nit; have investigated each case and
| infraction of law brought to their at
| tention, and where the evidence JUS
| titled with due regard to facts in
volved brought indictments against
| offending parties, and charges of a
| doubtful order or trivial character
| have been abandoned, their witnesses
| dismissed. In performing these du-
ties we haye examined 1874 witnesses
| and found 81 presentments and 26 in
| dictments.
If not inconsistent with existing law
we recommend the appointment of an
| official stenographer to take the min
utes and transmit for subsequent use
| the proceedings of Garrett grand
| juries.;
| We trust the court will accept our
| grateful acknowledgements for it's
| timely instructions and patient for
| bearance, and permit us to mention
| the pleasure we experience in seeing
| that the court has determined to com
| plete the docket at this the regular
| term instead of adopting recent de-
| partures of adjournment to June or
some future date.
| Our labors have been materially
mitigated and acts made more effect
ual by the unremittinS attention and
counsel of the States Attorney, Mr..
| Thayer.
In conformity with law and the di-
rection of the court, we have visited
and observed the condition of the
public offices and jail. Thoroughness
| in the several departments of the
County Clerk, with a skillful system
for using and preserving records and
! papers, were apparent and gratifying.
The County Treasurer prepared and
explained for us a comprehensive
! statement, showing an orderly and
| cOmmendable management of the af-
| fairs of his Office. Offices of the
| County Commissioners and Orphans
! Court were also opened to our inspec-
| tion and shown to be as well kept and
directed perhaps as their narrowed
limits allow
| The Jail building and appointments
are insecure and inadequate in every
essential. Its sanitary defects con
| stitute a serious menace to the health
and life of both the prisoners and the
| sheriff and his family, and it should
| be condemned and replaced by a struc-
| ture commensurate with our time
and needs. The present condition of
| the two closets is deplOrable in the
! extreme; they are defective in their
| original construction and long usage
| has made them cruel to inmates; their
| drainage is out of order and the often
sive overflow and accumulation over
| the floor should be Immediately rem
edied by the proper authorities. We
found ten prisoners in the foul air
they cannot escape but they are cared
| for and properly furnished by the
sheriff with such necessaries and com
forts as are usual for such cases.
| We notice that the fence surround
ing the court house in many places is
approaching dilapidation and ought
to be repaired without delay.
We recommend that there be a
second door placed between the hall
and grand jury room for more secrecy.
Having so far as we are able com
pleted the task for which we were as
sembled, we respectfully ask our dis
charge at your hands.
All of which we respectfully submit.
E. j. FRINGER,
| w A SMITH Foreman