Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1859-03-04
For the Democrat.
innexing part Of Paris 20 Norway.


irens Of Norway, praying the legislature to
set or some I've duuble lots. or uhoni eight
hundred acres OF land IRON Paris to that
town. They are also aware that this an
ne1a,iOn is asked Tor the poblic and O''eH".
BE reasons that the road from South Paris
may be kept in better repair, and that tie
fimilies-two or three in number, residing
on this land-may be accommodated with
church. school, and mail privileges.
IL i. perfectly obyiou. On the face of this
petition and these reasons, that there is
something hidden, s-cre, and designing. on
the part Of the originators Of this scheme.
The few inhabitants upon this land cannot
srd,r fur the want Of church, school or mail
rri,il,sa.: nor is II true that the commu-
ni,y has ever suffered for the want Of god
rad. The reasons. therefore, set forth in
thi. petition cannot he the rial ones Tor this
annexation. II is impossible even to sup.
ro.e that such is the case. There are more
r,al and material reasons Tor such q change
~ {. asked for than these; and there ar,
s,il Others. not - material. which appeal
directly ~ the local priie. not tn say self.
interest anil ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF the petition.
ers' municipality. These other real reasons
have appeared in the investigation before
tho COMMITTEES on divisions Of towns; and
they prove that the petition did not set forth
the true purposes Of the petitioners.
At the hearing before this committee,
variou. matter. we're discussed, and the COM
clu.ion wa. arrived at that ,hrcc-hlihs Of
the prayer oi the petitioners ought 10 be
granted and that three II the five lot, or
s,mr Eve hundred and 6ily acres OF land
ought 10 be set III to Norway. hcchus' the
latter town needed u for buildirg, parade
and other purposes. lhc surpus,,ion is,
that ,hi. committee we're furnished with all
the facts necessary 10 far, Justand rcason-
able conclusion. IL l. certain that thi'
commiiic, had before them al the mars me-
cc.,ary 10 illustrate the precise state oI
things a. they cHi', geographically, muni'
ciTally and ciyllIy. And u j. equally ccr.
tain that from tic ahlc delegations from
each town, thc committee we're furnished
with all ,ltc arguments, reasons and repre-.
sensations, pro snd con, which ought to
influence the conclusion.
I am NJ, personally acquainted with a
single member oi thi. committee on division
Of towns. | never had that honor. | take
II iur granted that The member. Of which u,
3. composed, are intelligent, high minded
and honorable men nud that they arr leg.
i.la,ors 81, at least, common ability and
experiences. Aud I ought farther 20 say,
that circumstances. actions aud rsuli-
ought, perhaps, to Salty common citizens,
that every single mcml,r OF thi. committee,
has, in his decision, been uH.nllucntcd by
personal solicitation or Importantly, and
ha' acted witt disintcrt.,ci imrnrualiiy.
II such were the case, have ~ reason, as
locker ON, 20 complain Of the decision.
But having Investigated the case IN some
cS,eu,--haying looked at tie necessities, not
wishes, Of Norvay--tt the geography Of
Par. Is exhibited after undergoing the ear.
wing knife operations ol the committee; and
after looking at what fair decision would
have been. I venture 20 .ly, that another
commiJtcc-in'cllisru anil able ~ have
,uppn.cd-aul free from pariiltty as have
supposed, cannot b. found IN the United
States, or within the range of CIVILIZATION,
which would have formed and promulgated
such % conclusion Under the circum.ian.
eos a., decision I. wrong. glazing piece OF
uumitis,,cI injustice lf,hc committee bad
u.el tHr knife step farther and taken oil
SOUTH Par, village, annexed u, and made
q come, town ct Norway. the drlurmity Of
the injustice would scarcely have been made
more rplrah'e or hid,ous. II thi. Outrage
+, sanctioned hy the Legislature, It will
create q lrrl.r. uf Dissatisfaction which can
ouly %, nl'ay.d by restitution and repeal.
What Norway needs I may not know.
What size ak. | know; and | know it j.
wrong In grant il. II she need. land run
Par. to bald upon, that nccr.,it, can be-
made to appear, however much fact. aud
history may seem 10 show ~ the contrary;
and II such necessity should arprar, no
power ought to cNi,, anywhere, on any
principle Of justice. 70 grant her more than
such necessity requires. On this principle,
no authority should undertake 10 grant her
a part IT the franchise OF another munich.
PATTY an ioia beyond wha,.was clearly Ne
crsslry. II this be- true, a. principle, the
wrone-not to say nb,urdity-of the decis'
ion Of the committee. Is seen in tho fact,
tina, f'ly or hundred times as much land
j. proposed to be annexed rs Norway can
ever find necessary Tor building or other ne.
eess'ry purposes.
can only hoPe, that rs the committee
on division at towns has committed great
error in is decision. and granted to Norway
wha never should be sanctioned, the Lcgls-
lature will review the matter and reverse
the action Of its committee.
JUSTlTIA.
rmLIN Haul VA. publicly dedicated