The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1941-03-13

of the Code, to "* :" = visit the Jail
and inquire into its condition, the
manner in which it is kept, and the
treatment of the prisoners, and report
the same to the Court" 1t is custom
airy also-and Grand Juries are gen
orally instructed-to inspect the Court
House and report its condition, to-
gether with such recommendations as
may be made for the repair and i'm
provement of both the Court House
and the Jail.
The Court is not required by law
to instruct Grand Juries in respect to
the statute against carrying con-
cealed weapons, but this offense is so
often attended with such tragic con-
sequences that it should not be ig-
nored, or lightly regarded. The seri-
BUSINESS of the offense is such that the
Legislature has imposed severe penal
ties for its violation, by providing for
fine of not more than one thousand
dollars, or Imprisonment in the Jail or
House of Correction for not more
than two years.
In Garrett county, the sale of beer
is now authorized by law under such
regulations as are imposed by the Act
of 1885. In no county in the State
have the liquor laws been more faith
fully enforced than in this county, and
we can assume that there will be no
relaxation of this alertness on the
part of the Grand Juries or the en-
forcement officers of this county with
respect to it.
Section 104 of Article II of the
P1h1ic Local Laws. Title. Garrett
County," provides that the books of
the County Treasurer shall be opened
to the inspection of the Grand Jury.
The only implication that can be
drawn from this is that it is your
duty to see that the books of the
County Treasurer are carefully kept
and moneys received by him promptly
and properly deposited. There is no
need of your making an extensive
audit of his books, as it is now pro-
vided by the general law of the State
that periodical examinations of his
books shall be made by the State Au-
ditor whose report will be available
to you when required.
Section % of Article 20 of the Code
requires that in all counties except
Frederick and Allegany, each con-
stable shall be sworn up at every Cir
cult Court for the county, or Criminal
Court of Baltimore, to the Grand
Jury" This means that in Garrett
county each constable shall be re-
quired to appear before the Grand
| Jury and report to it all violations
of the criminal laws of which they
may be cognizant or which may have
been brought to their attention. This
also means that if there have been
violations of the criminal laws in their
respective districts or communities OF
which they knew-or should have
known-that then their failure to take
proper action or to disclose such vio-
lations to the Grand Jury, shall rem
der them liable to indictment for NAL
feasance or misfeasance in office.
Necessarily, the other law-enforce-
ment agencies of the county are
largely dependent upon local consta-
bles for information, and this makes
the office of Constable far more i'm
portant than is generally regarded.
By your oath, you will notice that
you are also required to keep secret
all matters which may come before
you, the Importance of which is such
that we hardly think it necessary to
enlarge upon this caution.
1t is desirable that you perform
your duties as speedily as may be
consistent with the thorough investi-,
cation of all matters brought before
you, or which may come to your
knowledge. The very fact of your Sc
lection as Grand Jurors is founded on
the Judgment of this Court that you
can and will properly and promptly
perform the duties to which you have
been summoned.