Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1914-02-19
Grand Jury Reports.

The February Grand Jury completed
its work and submitted its report late
Monday afternoon. Fifty-eight indict-
ments were returned, and many recon-
mendations for legislation and more rigid
enforcement of existing laws are made
in the report.
Mr.. William C. Neidig, foreman of the
Grand Jury reports as follows:
We have been in session IL days, con-
sidered 100 cases, during which time we
have summoned 269 witnesses, found So
presentments and indictments, and dis
missed u cases.
We find great many of nonsupport
and ill., treatment of the wife on the part
of the husband, cases, evidently due to
the disinclination on the part of the pub
lie generally to enforce the law which we
have, which we think is inadequate to
remedy the evil, and would recommend
that some legislative amendment of the
same be made.
We have dismissed many trivial casas,
which have been sent up from the differ
ent justices of the peace. We recon-
mend that law should be passed to give
justices of the peace final jurisdiction
with the right of either party to appeal
to the circuit court. This would weed
out many trivial cases and save the tax
payers a large sum each year.
We find that the practice. of selling on
Sunday, of cigars, tobacco, cigarettes,
near-beer, cider and soft drinks in Fred
erick city and the small towns of the
county, is increasing, and for the pro-
lection and respect for the Sabbath, and
for the young men and boys of our coun-
ty who visit these places, we recommend
that the States Attorney notify all per-
sons who are violating the law to keep
these places closed and discontinue sell
ing on Sunday.
We further find an indiscriminate sale
of near-bear, some times known as near
beer Mead, Amberine, ETC., and sold to
minors and adults alike, under the head
of "soft drinks" and to which has been
attributed many intoxications of our
youths. We would suggest that some
legislation should be passed at our pres
ent legislature now in session at Annap-
oils, to classify this beverage after the
State Legislature has determined the
true classification of said drink.
A number of witnesses have been be-
fore the grand jury, complaining about
certain insurance agents, who have al
legged that they are such agents, and
after collecting the money for same,
have failed to issue policies under one or
the other pretext, but because we have
been unable to secure witnesses from
the insurance firms who are not resi-
dents of the State of Maryland we have
been unable to indict, but feel that the
present court has full power to remedy
the evil, as we are informed that some
of these culprits are now under suspend
ed sentences.
We have visited Montevue Hospital
and find the same kept in splendid condi-
ton. Its accommodations and sanitary
arrangements are beyond criticism, with
the exception of the hallway and the
Office, which need repainting. The re-
port of the superintendent at Montevue,
showing the total number of inmates at
the Institution on February 10, 1913, to
be 1873, 1876 males, 70 females and Ia in
sane persons, male and female.
We have visited the county Jail and
find the same well kept, clearly and san
itary as far as the crowded accommoda-
ton will permit. We commend very
highly Sheriff John d. Conard for the
proficient, systematic manner in which
he conducts his institution.
We find therein, the following prison
ers: Sixteen white males, State prison
ers; II colored, State prisoners; white
males, corporation prisoners; colored
males, corporation prisoners; l colored
female, corporation prisoner; total, 80.