The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1935-09-12
GRAND JURY MEETS AND Is
CHARGED BY JUDGE SLOAN


can, therefore, understand readily what
this responsibility means. 1t is terri
BILE responsibility and affects not only
the accused as a means of bringing him
before the Bar of Justice that his con-
duct may be inquired into, but it IS
also a very grave responsibility upon
those who are charged with the en-
forcement of the law to see that those
who should be prosecuted are not al
lowed to escape. So that while you
have a duty to perform to see that
justice is done to each one
investigated and accused who
appears before you, you also have as
high a duty in protecting the pubic
against infractions of the law, because
it is only by example of swift and sure
punishment that others are deferred
from committing offenses so that law
violations may be discouraged and thus
ultimately bring about the security to
the people generally.
You have been called to this impor-
tant duty because in the judgment OF
the Court your regulations and your
records as citizens merit tn econtl-
dence that is now being imposed IN
you.
There are certain offenses which the
Court, by Act of Legislature is re-
uuired from term to term to bring to
the attention of Grand Juries. One OF
these is the crime of abortion, for
while this is one that is only discov-
cred by accident, the Legislature has
thought it of sufficient Importance to
require it to be brought to the special
attention of the Grand Jury at every
jury term.
The carrying of concealed weapons
leads to the most serious breaches OF
the peace and affects, more than any
other single cause, the security and
safety of our citizens. | know that
there are many who do not regard the
CARRYING of such weapons as a very
serious offense. Many carry them be-
cause they think it smart. If any such
offenders are brought before you am
sure you will not pass it over as MI
nor or trivial offense because you rea-
lie and know the consequences that
so often follow this very common
place violation Of the law, and if any
violators are brought in here to our
attention they must expect to be dealt
with severely.
1t is your duty to examine the books
of all officers who are required to
account from time to time for the re-
ceipts of their offices, such as the Coun-
ty Treasurer, Clerks of the Courts and
the Register of Wills, particularly the
Register of Wills. know that in the
limited time at your disposal you can
not make any extended investigation,
of any of these offices, but you can
see that the books are correctly kept
and that the balances in bank are what
they ought to be. This provision of the
law has lost considerable of its force
since the establishment of the State
Auditing Department and the appoint
ment of officers whose duty it IS to
examine books of all such officers per-
iodically, who, if anything is found
wrong, will bring it to the attention OF
the Court and to the prosecuting offi-
GERS when necessary.
Another Act which we are required
to bring to your attention is the one
covering the sale of opium and its
derivatives, cocaine and other like hab-
it forming decoctions. This is always a
serious matter and if there are any adj
diets to your knowledge, or places
where they may obtain such harmful
drugs, have the parties summoned be-
fore you and make every effort to as
certain where they get it. This practice
does not affect the public so much but
the consequences to those unfortunates
who are addicted to the habit
are so serious that it ought to be
stopped wherever you find it. The diff
Guilty of obtaining these drugs from
any legitimate drug store is now so
great that the offense is not so common
as it used to be.
We are not required to call attention
to the liquor law of Garrett County,
but for many years it has been the
practice of the Court to speak of it at
every jury term. We have local liquor
law for Garrett County, under which
the only Intoxicating liquor of any
kind the sale of which is permitted in
Garrett County is beer containing two
percent or more of alcohol by volume.
1t is an offense to sell hard liquor.
1t is an offense to sell it to minors,
and if you know Of any boys and girls
who are buying beer it is your duty
to inquire into it and see that the
offenders are punished.
I don't know of anything else special
to call to your attention. AS l say, your
work is largely cut out for you. Some
of those confined in Jail charged with
offenses will be released after trial.
Others are out on bail and necessarily
these cases could not be held for pre-
liminary examination by the jury.
They have already been investigated,
the witnesses known and they will be
brought before you by the States At
torney and that will occupy the major
part of your time.
If any of you know Of any offenses
of your own knowledge it is your duty
also to investigate such cases by call
ing in witnesses who you have reason
to believe can furnish evidence. 1t is
your duty, as l say, to summon these
witnesses before the Grand Jury for
examination, but the Grand Jury must
not find indictments upon mere
hearsay. 1t requires witnesses to es-
tablish facts, but if you or any OF you
know of witnesses who you have
reason to believe have such informa-
ton it is your duty to have them sum-
moned before you.
Usually at the close of the Grand
Jury sessions the Grand Jury will
make an inspection of the Jail and the
Court house and will make any recon-
mendation as to repairs or as to any
o+bar in, movements thew NAV SOnSider