Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1921-04-01
Report OF The Grand Jury.

| We nave idu tWenty-0ne cases presented
TO us and have examined fifty seven wit
nesses, including county officials. We have
found nineteen indictments and dismissed
two cases.
We inspected the Jail and found three
prlsoners-two whites and one colored, al
males. Apparently well cared for. The
property is in fair condition, with the fol.
lowing exceptions:
Old screens on the outside of the real
windows facing the jail yard should be
removed. A new outside door is needed tc
the jail yard, new platform leading tC
the jail yard, new rail and top step tc
the stairway leading to the second floor
Also the outside walls should be filled in
with dirt so as to throw the water from
the building. The old garbage cart in the
jail yard is partly filled with bad water,
being unsanitary and should be removed
We find that these matters have been
brought to the attention of the county
authorities in previous reports of the grand
jury and have not received attention.
Upon inspection of the Aims House we
found 10 inmates-6 white, 4 males and 2
females; 7 colored, 3 males and females.
We also found the following stock and
equipment; Four work horses, 2 colts,
coming 8 years old 6 mich cows, bull,
l heifer. bull calf, 2 sows. is pigs, Is
shoats for next falls killing. weighing
about rs pounds each; harness sufficient
with some minor repairs. Also sufficient
farm machinery.
The farm is in good state of cultiva-
ton, with so acres of growing wheat, 27
acres of clover, 20 acres nearly plowed for
corn. and the following on hand Sixty
bushels of potatoes. 900 pounds Of meat,
100 quarts of canned fruit and vegetables,
6 tons Of poor timothy hay. so barrels of
corn. $50 bundles of fodder and so chickens.
Farm repairs needed as follows One
room in the basement to be plastered. walls
and ceiling the water supply tank leaks
badly, tin roof put on last fall has not
been painted and is already showing de-
fects as result. front porch floor is in bad
shape, new track for barn doors needed,
fence needed the length of two fields along
public road before pasturing season.
Our investigation has convinced us that
the Aims House as an institution is a dis
credit to the community. The buildings
need such repairing. as in our opinion, to
make the expense too Great to place them
in proper condition. The dwellings are
poorly ventilated, the furniture is of no
consequence, the care of the occupants
amounts to practically nothing, the place
is ill-smelling and is. in our judgment, unfit
for human habitatiOn. The water equip
Asnt is out of repair and is inadequate
the sanitary conditions are insufficient to
make the place fit for habitation. and the
help and assistance are inadequate.
The grand jury was advised that one of
the inmates was consumptive. and upon
Investigation found the patient in a room
in the main building. This should not be.
and we recommend that one of the out
buildings be equipped and the patient be
removed thereto.
The whole equipment as an institution
can well be summed up as being ll-suited
for an Aims House for so rich and pros
porous county as Montgomery.
The grand jury is not apprised of the
rights and duties Of the Trustees of the
Aims House. but If the present conditions
are due to their inactivity or lack of at
tentiOn. this jury recommends the most
severe reprimand and suggests that the
proper authorities take such action as will
bring about the necessary improvements
as will make the institution a credit rather
than discredit to the county.
IT. through lack Of money, the institution
cannot be put upon sound business basis
and the place made habitable for human
beings. we recommend that the place be
sold and other arrangements made by the
county to take care Of the inmates in a
humane manner. However, it would seem
from our investigation that the farm is so
located that it could and should be made
self-supporting. and il it is due to the pres
ent system of running the institution the
present conditions exist. then we advise
and recommend that some new system be
installed.
We also examined the Court House The
walls in the Clerks Office and those in the
Office of the Register Of Wills are badly
in need of paint.
TIE ceilings in the Commissioners and
Treasurers rooms are cracked and should
be repaired; also the electrical fixtures in
the different offices need cleaning. We
suggest that the driving of nails in the
walls of the several rooms be forbidden by
the Commissioners. as they disfigure them.
These are small things and may seem I'M
necessary, but taken together make the Court
House appear unkept and out of order.
We also suggest that locker be built
in the Sherff's room for the care of arti-
cles kept for evidence as well as lockers
in the rear of the Clerks Office for the
benefit of the lady clerks
In dealing with the alleged violations of
the law against gambling occurring in this
county. we recommend that the County
Commissioners direct the States Attorney
and Sheriff to employ suitable officers to
make thorough investigation to the end
that sufficient evidence may be secured to
rid the county Of the alleged offenders.
We wish to express our appreciation of
the able. efficient and impartial manner
with which the States Attorney has rem
dered assistance in the discharge of ouI
duties.
Having finished all business brought
before us. we respectfully ask to be dis
charged.
LEE OFFUTT,
Foreman.
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