The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1917-05-25
Transfers Of Real Estate, Marriage
Licenses, Etc.
R4Iprt OF the Grand Jury.

Report OF the Grand Jury.
To the Honorable, the Judges of said
Court:
The grand jurors for the body OF
ro--on county for the May term, 1917,
rasnectfully report unto your Honor
ahle Court that they have carefully in
yastigated all matters coming to their
tnoyIedge in this present service and
that they have found So true bills,
after examining 50 witnesses.
In a number of cases in which there
vas reason TO believe that onenses had
hepn committed, il was clear TO the
yraud Jurors that sufficient evidence
conld not be secured to convict. In
several others, while they believe that
convictions could be had, acting under
their oath, they were convinced that
for reasons OF public policy and the
hest interest of the community, 1t was
better not to find presentments or in
djctments In these cases, however,
believing that the parties under sus-
Dirion should be kept under surVelll-
ance. q resolution was unanimously
adopted requesting States Attorney
SpabrOuk to Censure the parties In
question. whose names were given him
bv the grand jury, and keep over them
his personal supervision, warning
them that any future unfraction of the
law however slight, must be dealt
With With the utmost severity.
They found that the notice given
by former grand juries to merchants
and storekeepers, admOnishing them
that they must not keep in their places
Of business punch boards" and other
gambling devices, had been for the
most uart needed, but that few per
sons. probably in ignorance continue
To use them. 1t is recommended that
thr States Attorney and Sheriff, by the
publication Of this report and in such
other ways as they may deem best
again call attention to the laws pro-
Mhitug all forms of gambling, wheth-
4r ID be- mt public or private places,
fairs Uf churches or GlSeWehre, and
that the Sheriff and his deputies see to
IL that all persons violating such laws
are prosecuted before the magistrates
uf the county.
Especial attention was given to the
Investigation of conditions under the
Auti-SuIoOu law, and they are gratified
An h" able to state that while there are
some who evidently evade the law, the
lesson taught in the prosecutions at
me November Term of Court, 1916, and
a"IUrr magistrates since that time
have had most salutary effect; that
n" officers Of the law have been dill
gent In their efforts to secure en-
lvrurwunr and conditions are steadily
lmpruDU@.
III examining the license records
they ,.nl that there are few persons
engaged in business requiring licenses
ln""r laws PASSED prior to 1916, who
have NOT procured the required licen-
sos. hut HAT there are many who fall
"Ithu nh" terms OF the Acts Of 1916,
requiring licenses for construction
Arne or companies, garages. livery
stables. restaurants, eating places,
soda "ajo' fountains and others re-
INTUg license under the Acts Of 1916,
which have been in force for nearly
year " no either through ignorance of
III" tact that all licenses must be pro-
cured uy May Ist, have failed to COM
AIy with the law. Consequently the
grand tlrE felt it TO he its duty, with
great reluctance to return number
III rr"~entmcnts and indictments
against those Who have neglected to
comply With the law.
ihr 2rtHd Jurors would call atten-
hoH as former grand iuries have done,
lo thr constant violation by some per-
sons rn&a"ed in business of the laws
hh""n ;s Sunday Laws" and TO the
Id. th1' these guilty Of their violation
are hahl. 10 prosecution therefor.
Lhey visited the county Jail and the
ouniy Home and found both in excel
rent condition as to sanitation and
cleanliness and everything in good Or
1eF AT the Jail they were handsome
r r.! entertained at luncheon by Sheriff
o'oher and his family, and at the Coun-
" liome by Steward Barnes and his
family.
IheN found at the County Home that
t'erEtmnG possible is being done for
'"e comfort Of those who are there
area l0r. number of improvements
were especially noted. chiefly the pOul
mousse and yards. and the refriger-
"'of nee house. They noted that there
"'' other improvements that are real
'"+t anu NOulu IVIOAl-
."end tnat they be made under the sup
1'Sloh OF the Board OF County Com
alI9Sloners The stabling is limited
Tnu Should as a business proposition
I enlarged and made more cOnVen-
9At' Inc wagon shed is dilapidated
Trlu Tr should be replaced by new one.
W une road, leading from the Home to
,eStmlnster should be made stone
iVGu' IL since during the winter months
1t IL very poor.
;lney would recommend that the un-
i,is54ntly buildings to the north Of the
bo having discharged their duty to the
fri1. Tnt OF their ability, they now respect
~. tS!ly ask to be discharged subject to
'4e order of your Honorable Court.
EZRA c. CAYLOR,
Foreman.