The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1935-03-21
JUDGE SCORES FLACRANT
LIQUOR LAW VIOLATIONS
Directs Attention of Grand Jury
To Fact That Alcoholic Drinks
Are Being Sold Openly Here
CALLS FOR INDICTMENTS

That beer and alcoholic liquors were
being openly sold in Garrett county
and especially in Oakland, in fragrant
violation of the local option law, was
emphatically pointed out to members
of the grand jury Monday morning by
Judge D. Lindley Sloan in his charge
to that body.
"Such violations have become more
or less by-word in the county," the
jurist stated. He called upon the grand
jurors to give the matter most seri-
Gus attention and to indict those who
are guilty of the offense of handling
Intoxicating liquors in the county.
Judge Sloan also pointed out to the
jurors that it was notorious, too, that
where beer is being disposed of that
alcoholic liquor was being dispensed
and was being bought in large quaint
ties by whomsoever wants to purchase
them.
Judge Sloan's charge to the grand
jury, which convened Monday morn
ing, with George Warwick, of Bloom
ington, foreman, follows:
Gentlemen of the Grand Jury: 1t is
the custom, at the calling of each term
of court, for the judge presiding at
the time to deliver what is called
charge to the Grand Jury In some
respects this may be more or less
superfuous, because the grand jurors
oath is rather complete in itself, out
lining all the duties of the grand jury
fully. AS indicated therein, you are
required to investigate and inquire
into all charges of violations of the
law which may be brought to your no
tice by the prosecuting officers of the
county or which may be brought to
your knowledge through witnesses
who may come before you; and you
are also required and it is your duty
to carry on investigations respecting
violations of the criminal law of
which you or any of you have knowl-
edge or information which would JUS
tify an independent inquiry by your
body.
81 do not know, nor have I been in
formed of any unusual or extraordi-
nary cases or matters that call for any
special inquiry. Perhaps the major
part of your Investigations will be
taken up by cases in which the par
ties have already been apprehended
and are either being held under bond
to await the action of the grand jury
or who may be confined in jail because
of their inability to furnish bond.
"There are certain classes of cases
which the Court is required by stat
ute to call to your attention at each
term of court: one requiring public
officers whose duty it is to account
for public monies to make their re-
ports in accordance with the statutes
and requiring the grand jury to inves-
tigate and be satisfied that such re-
ports have been made from time to
time by these officers.
"The offense of abortion is one that
under the statute we are required to
call to your attention at each term of
court. The mere calling of this matter
to your attention is, perhaps, not help
full, because these cases whenever they
do arise, are committed in secret,
which makes their discovery more or
less accidental, but if any such mat
tiers come to your knowledge it is
your duty to make full and thorough
investigation and return indictments
wherever the evidence is sufficient
to justify such action.
"The drug and narcotic law is one
of very serious concern and one that
you should not overlook or neglect, be-
cause of the dire consequences, not
only to the victims themselves, but
by reason of the consequences to the
families of the addicts and to the pub
lie welfare generally, which make this
traffic a matter of grave concern. If
Concluded on Page Six