Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1922-03-31
Report OF The Graud Jury.

land.
The Grand Jury for the March Term Of
Court respectfully submits the following
report:
We have examined eighty-three persons.
including such Of the county officials re-
quired by law. to make appearance as
were in attendance, some Of these latter
more than once. Twenty-one indictments
have been found. and we gave considera-
ton to thirteen cases where the evidence
was insufficient to return indictments.
A special committee was appointed to
examine the Court House, who reported
as follows: The furnace room is not clean
place, but it is in fair condition, except for
broken window which should be mended.
The fire apparatus obstructs the main
lower entrance. but in view Of its import
ance we do not recommend its removal
until better place can be found. We
noticed great improvement in the Police
Justice room. but the cement in the Elec-
ton room needs repairing. More space for
filing cases or fire proof annex is required
in the Clerks Office. and new linoeum
should be put In that Of the Register Of
Wills. The Court room is defaced by old
stains. but there are no fresh leaks. Two
or three windows in the Court room are
cracked or partly broken out and should
berepaired. The ceiling in both of the rooms
used by the States Attorney needs new
paper or painting. We did not 60 up in the
tower. On the whole we found the Court
House In better condition than usual. One
half Of the building having been painted
within the past year and we hope the bal
ance will be done before the close Of the
present year. We strongly urge the discon-
tinuance of the practise Of parking cars on
the Grass, also the use Of the path leading
northwest from the front steps. and trust that
the good people Of the county will appreci-
ate the beauty of these grounds and will OBJ
serve this caution without compelling the
authorities to take drastic measures. An
ugly building disfsures the outlook from
the Clerks Office. but as II is not on the
Court House lot, we have no authority to
order its renovation or removal
The committee inspecting the Jail found
conditions in very good shape. We found
many improvements being made, namely :;
New plasterine on the wall and new cement
steps leading into the jail yard. The cells
were clean and in good shape generally.
We would specially like to call attention
to the shower bath now being installed
which will add very much to the santa.
ton Of the jail. We would recommend
that the wall surrounding the jail yard be
repaired. as 1t is beginning to get in bad
shape.
The committee inspecting the AlmI
House found IL inmates white male anC
and 5 white females. 4 colored males anc
4colored females. On the farm we found
140 quarts Of preserves and jellies, SOC
quarts Of canned goods. barrel of -four
rs pounds Of sugar. half barrel Of corn
meal. rs hams. 20 shoulders. 8 sides Of
pork, hog jowls, 10 pounds Of sausage
meat. half barrel of salt fish, 100 pounds Of
lard. 1903 chickens. 1 goose. 8 turkeys, is
ducks. IS barrels Of corn. S tons Of hay
lot Of fodder, SO acres Of growing wheat
80 acres Of grass for hay. 1 1-2 tons Of
coal. IS shoats. brood sows. S cows,
bull. work horses. and colt 8 years old
unbfoken. The superintendent reported
that there is ample machinery for farm
work.
The committee found the house in eoot
condition and clean. and make the follow
ing recommendations That the two fee
ble-minded patients in the home be re
moved to the State institution for feeble
minded and the patient suffering with tuber
culosis be removed from the home to som,
institution; that matron or nurse b,
appointed to care for the inmates.
We also recommend that the home b.
furnished with six extra beds and mat
tresses. six rubber sheets. three rockinJ
chairs and washing machine; also lO(
rods Of woven wire fencing for inclosiaI
part Of the farm that the chimney on tn
house be repaired and the front porch pu
In good condition.
Upon attempting to carry out you
Honors' special instructions in regard L
conditions along the Conduit Road an
other sections bordering on the Distric
Of Columbia we were painfully impresse
not only by the reluctance Of witnesses t
testify as to any infractions Of the law
but by the apparent inability OF count
officers TO obtain any evidence In IN
hope OF correcting this difficulty to som
extent in the future we recommend tina
one Of the paid constables be assigned a
special assistant to the States's Attorne
and to be at all times under his authority I
be sent wherever he deems 1t advisable I
investigate violations Of law. The office
to be thus detailed to be acceptable bot
to the States Attorney and the Count
Commissioners Ia a conference with tn
Commissioners Zone Of them being unfor
tunately absentl this plan met with gen
efal approval.
Il was reported that gambling place
and other unlawful resorts shut up tieh
shortly before and during terms of the gran,
jury, and as soon as this body adjourn
they reopen in full blast. This evil nigh
be lcssened. II not obviated entirely, by hay
ing the grand jury continuing body will
the duty laid upon them to keep on IN,
lookout at all times for violations Of Law
In their respective territories, to NEE
whenever summoned and to report at IN,
next ensuing Court term to the grand jur,
then chosen.
Ii may not be within our province tc
recommend a radical change in the law
but we believe II would be in the interest
Of good government to have not more thar
thirteen members of the grand jury-th,
present number being too large and un