Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1913-09-25
Grand Jury Report.
Recommend Exit Doors For
Town Hall. Sunday Selling,
Gambling, Etc. Condemned.


days. adjourned and handed its report to
the court last Thursday evening. While
in session 3l4 witnesses were heard, n
indictments found and SO cases dismissed.
Edward H. Rowe, of Emmitsburg, who
was arrested some time ago upon the
charge of embezzlement, and who was
given preliminary hearing before Judge
Worthington, and held for court, had no
Indictment found against him. His case
was investigated by the Grand Jury.
The report in full follows:
To the Honorable Judges of the Cir
cult Court for Frederick county, Mary
land, September 10, 1918:
1--WE the Grand Jury for the Septem-
Der term of Court, 1918, assembled for
the purpose of transacting all such bust
ness and disposing of all ma tiers brought
before the grand inquest of the State of
Maryland, in and for Frederick county,
having endeavored to perform the duties
imposed upon us as jurors, we most re-
specially beg leave to present to your
honorable body the following report:
''This Grand Jury convened on the LIST
day of September and continued in ses-
sion for l6 days during which time we
have examined 3l4 witnesses and found
II presentments and indictments, and
dismissed SO cases.
"We sincerely regret to report to your
honorable body the fact being brought
out by conflicting evidence in the same
cases, that have been brought before US
that quite number of witnesses do not
regard the sanctity of their oaths, there
by impeding the effective administration
of the law and believe the laws relating
to perjury should be more rigidly en-
forced. We also observe that number
of witnesses have come before our body
under the influence of liquor, making
their evidence confusive and uncertain.
1--WE have made special efforts to as
certain and apprehend violaters of laws
relating to the sale of cocaine and SINH
lar drugs, abortion, defalcation in public
office, and the laws relating to fishing in
the Potomac river, but have been unable
to get evidence as to the violation of
these laws.
1--WE have investigated the carrying
out of the law in regard to the act re-
curing all doors of public buildings to
swing outward and find the law has been
complied with in all cases investigated.
We have also investigated the act requir-
ing the keeping clear of the aisles of
public places and find the law is not be-
ing carried out in it's entirety, but as
nearly as practicable. We do hereby ad-
wise notices in reference to this act to be
posted in some conspicuous place or
places in all playhouses and other similar
places of amusement.
1--WE find crime emanating in number
of cases from the use of liquor obtained
by orders or prescription thus getting
into the hands of minors and WON en-,
and when brought before US they say
they do not remember who procured the
liquors for them.
1--WE find that the practice of selling
on Sunday groceries, cigars, tobacco,
cigarettes, Jamaica ginger, near beer,
cider, soft drinks, candy, etc, in Fred
erick city and the smaller towns of the
county is increasing so rapidly that it
has become alarming, and for the pro-
lection and respect for the Sabbath we
recommend and do hereby notify all vio-
lators of the Sunday laws that they close
their stores and keep them closed on the
Sabbath days, unless the present law is
either repealed or amended.
1T has been brought to our attention
that number of bowling alleys and
gaming tables are being operated through
out the county in such manner as to
evade the law, and that young boys spend
their time and money at these places
contrary to the wishes of their parents
and detrimental to their own welfare.
eve would recommend rigid en-
s
bling DEVICES, whereas the slightest ele-
ment of gambling is introduced or prac-
ticed, as we believe it to be one of the
starting points of more serious crimes,
affecting peculiarly the youth of our
county. We understand that the law
pertaining to the sale of cigars and cigar
hn hn1
by law is being violated, but have been
unable to secure sufficient evidence to
warrant indictments.
I'VE have thoroughly investigated the
charges of irregularities in the prosecu-
ton of alleged violators of the statute
prohibiting the riding by trespassers up
on engines and cars of public carriers,
and by so doing much time has been con-
sumed, but the testimony obtained from
these witnesses, being of a contradictory
nature, we were unable to find sufficient
proof of such Irregularities.
ct has come to our notice that the
electorate was tempered with during a
primary election, held on September 9Th,
1913. We have had before us severa
witnesses but were unable to get any
definite information concerning this
charge. We recommend that the laws
relating to bribery be rigidly enforced al
all future elections.
can audience was granted the Honor
able Roland Reginald Simpson, repre-
senting the Prohibition party of the STATE
of Maryland, in part for Frederick coun
! tu wherein he explained the cause which