The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1931-06-04
CHARGE TO GRAND JURY
GIVEN BY JUDGE SLOAN
CONTINUED from Page One)

tCOnt1nueQ from rage One)
say to you whatever about what goes
on in the grand jury room or about
any business that may be brought be-
fore you.
It is not only your duty to investi-
gate those offenses for which the par
ties have been recognized, or have
been arrested and are in custody, but
further to bring to the attention of
the grand jury any violation of the
law of which you may: have personal
knowledge or information.
1t is desirable also that you be as
expeditions as you can in the perform
a1lce of your duties, but under no cir
cumstances sacrifice thoroughness to
speed, because with the thorough and
complete investigation of all cases.,
you should submit your best judg
ment, and whatever time; is necessary
for thorough investigation should
be taken, regardless ofithe time that
may be consumed.
There are certain statutes which are
required to be called TO- your special
attention at each term Of court.
The law providing for the punish
1nent Of the crime known as abortion.
While it may seem idle to do this, the
statute requires it"ibecause these
things are usually not very well
known and are ordinarily only discov-
cred by accident because of untoward
results to those who are engaged in
the practice of this crime.
It is your duty to investigate the
accounts of the County Treasurer, see
how his books are kept and to make
report of your findings. You can
not do much more than look at the
manner in which his records are kept
and see that the balances reported on
hand are proper and correct. Investi-
cations are now made by State audi
tors of the accounts Of all officers
whose transactions touch the State in
any way. The County Treasurer's
accounts have to do with the State
and for that reason there is inves-
tigation of them made every year by a
State auditor. It is your duty under
the law, however, to make this inves-
tigation.
1t is your duty also to see that all
officers who are entrusted with pub
lie money account for the same in the
period and at the times prescribed by
statute, and if an accounting has not
been made in that time it is your duty
to take such action as in your judg-
ment may be necessary.
There is no more dangerous infrac-
ton of the law and none which is
more generally practiced than that of
carrying concealed weapons, because
of the disastrous results which follow
this practice. Therefore, do not hes
itate, when you do come across cases
of the violation of this law against
the carrying of dangerous and deadly
weapons to take action, becauseI want
to impress upon you that the court
does not regard this violation of the
law lightly. No one has any, business
to carry gun on his person unless
he be an officer of the law whose duty
it is to enforce the law and who must
carry weapon or weapons to protect
him in the performance of his duty;
but for private individuals to do it
is wholly uncalled for. For while it
may be done and there may be no I'M
toward results, but over long peri
cd of time they do happen and when
they happen they always bring con-
sequences which shock tn emind and
conscience of the entire community.
has UccIl Ilc CuotUul LCIC ever
since the liquor law was first passed
to call it to the attention of the grand
jury at every term. You have in this
county what is known as the local OPP
ton law by which the people of the
county long years ago decided that
liquor should not be trafficked in Gar
rett county. Whether you agree or
disagree with the abolition of the traf-
1ic in. the nation has nothing to do
with your obligation to enforce the
liquor law of Garrett county. 1t is
your duty, and it is my duty to en-
force this law the same as any other
law on the statute books and nothing
has changed that situation so far as
the officers of the law in Garrett coun-
ty are concerned, and you are now Of
ficers of the law by reason of your
official position as grand jurors.
AS have said, it is desirable that
you be as expeditions as you can with
out sacrificing thoroughness to speed.
You have been selected as grand ju-
rors because of the confidence of the
court in your integrity and your judg-
ment as citizens of Garrett county,
and the belief that you will give your
best attention to the business before
you and will perform it as faithfully
and well as it can be done.