Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1915-02-18
THURSDAY. FEBRUARY IS, 1915
Report Of Grand Jury.
121 Cases Considered: 4S In.
dictments Found; 70 Cases
Dismissed.

Dismissed.
The Grand Jury for the February term
of court, after IL days work, made its
report to the court Saturday afternoon
last and was discharged.
The report is as follows;
To the Honorable, the Judges of the
Circuit Court for Frederick County,
Maryland.
The grand jurors of the February term,
1915, having performed their duty to the
best of their ability beg to submit the
following report:
We have been in session twelve days.
have considered l2l cases, examined 24s
witnesses, found 4s presentnents and AZ
indictments and dis missed 70 cases
We find many instances of laxity on
the part of justices of the peace in the
performance of their duties in failing to
return recognizances to the clerk of the
Circuit Court and in keeping in touch
with States attorney in regard to giving
him information concerning State cases.
We also find great many instances in
which the public has concealed evidence
which would have been of material ben
eft to the grand jury and also that some
Justices of the peace have in some cases
reduced the sentence fines prescribed by
the law. The work Of the grand jury
has been prolonged and hampered by the
fact that evidence in many cases has not
come to our attention until almost time
for adjournment. thereby making it
practically impossible to get at the bot
tom of such cases.
We find a large percentage of the
cases brought to the attention of this
body are either directly or indirectly the
result of the use of intoxicating liquors
and information from the sheriff of the
county reveals the fact that about SO per
cent of the prisoners confined in the Jail
are there as a result of the same.
Although nothing has been reported
this body, we find that gambling in
minor form exists to some extent through
out the county and exists in much larg-
er form at our agriculture fair. We feel
we should not present the small offender
while the greater offender is permitted
to 60 free.
We would suggest that the laws of
Frederick county be amended so as to
place the financial system on cash basis,
thus placing official responsibility where
it belongs.
We believe the fee system should be
abolished and public officers placed upon
salary basis.
We have visited Montevue Hospital
and find that institution in a well-kept
and sanitary condition under the able
management of Superintendent Rice, ex-
cept the building used as laundry,
which we find in condition totally unfit
for the purpose.
1t is our opinion that the capacity of
Montevue is far in excess of the needs
of the county for such an institution. and
believe that little money should be spent
in repairs until final disposition is made
of this property. We protest against
the commitment of inebriates to Monte
vue for medical treatment" and recon-"
mend that in most causes they be COM
mitted to Jail.
We have visited the Jail and find it in
clearly, sanitary condition and COM
mend Sheriff Conard for the general con-
dition and kindness to prisoners. We
have examined his office and his report
and find it correct. We feel we could
not consistently relinquish duties without
commencing our competent and court
eous States attorney for his able advice
and assistance in the difficult problems
which have come before US.
Having completed our duties we re-
specially ask to be discharged. The
visits to Montevue and the Jail were
made at our own expense.
EMORY C. REMSBERG,
Foreman.