The Midland Journal

Circuit Court
Grand Jury Scores Liquor Law Violators.
Rigid Enforcement Is Urged.

The Grand Jury completed its labors on Thursday afternoon, and was discharged, after submitting the following report:

To the Honorable, the Judges of the Circuit Court for Cecil County:

We, the Grand Jurors of the September Term, 1936, of the Circuit Court for Cecil County, having completed the work brought before us, beg leave to submit the following report:

We have examined 99 Constables. 99 Witnesses and found 25 Presentments, 25 True Bills and ignored 13 cases.

A committee appointed to visit the Alms House, composed of Mr. J. Edward Crothers, Mr. Norman R. Touchston, Mr. Fred P. Connely and Mr. Hugh S. Shoff, have made the following report and wish to commend Mr. Crouch, the over-seer and his family for the condition of the building and premises. There were 26 inmates, namely, 18 white males, 2 colored males, 5 white females and 1 colored female.

The live stock, supplies and implements on the farm are as follows: 8 cows, 2 heifers, 3 horses, 16 hogs, 15 shoats, 9 pigs, 100 chickens, 19 turkeys, 35 ducks, 200 bushel potatoes, 2 barrel of fish, 1 barrel of molasses, 175 bushel oats, 100 bushel wheat in barn, 22 acres of corn in shock, 6 tons of hay, 20 tons straw. 1 tractor, 1 set tractor plows, 1 binder, 1 drill, 1 corn planter, 1 mowing machine, 1 side delivery rake, 1 hay loader, 1 double disc, 1 spring tooth harrow, 1 roller, 1 sulky plow, 1 horse plow, 1 farm wagon, 1 seed sower, 1 feed mill, 1 grain fan, 1 corn sheller, 3 sets harness, 1 wood saw, 40 tons of coal.

The Jury in a body inspected the County Jail and Sheriff's Office and found 30 prisoners, namely 18 white males and 12 colored males. The condition of the Jail and residence clean and sanitary.

The Grand Jury recommends some new mattresses and bed clothing be purchased and that the necessary plumbing be done to take care of the water which has been draining in the back yard from the scrubbing of the floors.

It has been brought to the attention of this Jury that there is much flagrant violation of the law by a number of holders of beer, wine and liquor licenses. Sales of liquor are being made on Sunday. Package-liquor is being sold by hotels to other than occupants of rooms. The legal closing hours are being ignored.

Sales have been made to minors, and in spite of warnings made by the State's Attorney such violations are continued unchecked.

This Jury recommends to the Sheriff and other officials and officers charged with the enforcement of the law that evidence be secured against these offenders as promptly as possible.

We further recommend that upon the securing of this evidence that the State's Attorney request the Court to recall the Grand Jury to hear and sit upon the same.

We wish to thank the Court, the State's Attorney and the Sheriff for the courtesies extended to this body, and having completed our deliberations regarding all matters brought to our attention, we request to be excused.

Robert J. McCauley, Foreman.
W. D. Bratton, Secretary.

The appeal case of Walter H. Starkey, of Farmington, fined by Police Justice Geo. L. Ewing, $100 for drunken driving, was tried before a jury and the verdict of guilty sustained, as was that in the appeal case of Chester Russell, of North East, who had been fined by Magistrate Rawson for drunken driving and other charges.

The appeal of the Town of Elkton vs. Edward Minor in the Marriage Sign case was heard before the Court and decision reserved.

The case was appealed from the decision of Justice of the Peace Walter Miller, who held that the town ordinance regulating the erection of signs in the matter of ministerial services was unconstitutional.

In the appeal case of Edgar Brady, colored, of Chesapeake City, charged with conducting a disorderly house, the Court found Brady guilty and sentenced him to three months in the House of Correction. A suspended sentence was given Brady's wife but imposed the cost of the case on her.

Frank C. Nash, formerly of near Childs, now of Baltimore, charged with assault on a welfare worker, plead guilty and was sentenced to six months in the House of Correction.

In the case of State vs. Arthur Murphy, of Elkton, charged with bastardy, the accused pleaded guilty. The Court ordered him to pay to Dolly Harrison the sum of $10 monthly until the child arrives at the age of 14 years; also ordered to pay for the medical attention.

The Court reversed the decision of Magistrate Miller, of Elkton, who had ruled that the law requiring a double set of Judges and Clerks be appointed for elections held in Cecil county, was unconstitutional.

The decision of the Court upholds the law.

Herbert M. Dean, 25, of North East, was convicted Tuesday of attempted attack and sentenced to life imprisonment in the Penitentiary.

Dean's case was heard before a Circuit Court jury, with Judge Thomas Keating and J. Owen Knott on the bench. Judge Knott imposed sentence.

Dean was charged with having attacked a 13-year-old girl. The jury's verdict, however, was that he was guilty of attempted attack.