Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1873-03-06
Remarks Of Senator Lothrop OF Somerset,

set shire town question.
Mr.. President Il ask the indulgence of
the Sc nate, while make few remarks upon
the subject under consideration; not that any
effort OF mine can make an impression upon
this body, but that Senators may understand
The deep seated feeling engendered in the
county of Somerset, by the influence of GER
tam individuals upon the last Legislature re-
lating to our county seat. cin assure Sena
tors. that, at the close of the last Legislature,
that feeling was intense, almost violent-uu-
til, at the Republican County Convention held
in August last Gov. Coburn came forward
and presented his bond to build the court
house tree Of charge to the county, thereby
reducing the expense about one half. The
excitement of the Presidential election,
modified the asperty of feeling in the eastern
part of the county, where the expense has
been the principal objection, yet that vote
was nearly controlled by the political organi-
cations; but the presidential election was the
controlling element, and but for that our
county officers would have been elected by q
largely increased majority, not because of
any distinctive political name, but because OF
the dissatisfaction produced by changing the
county seat without reference of the ques-
ton to vote of the people. Notwithstand-
ing that expense has been reduced about one
half by ex-Goyernor Coburn's generous offer,
still the question returns, shall that burthen
be imposed without the consent OF the people
Allowing that the State has power TO organ
ze new counties and establish their county
seats, that county having complied with the
requirements of law, in building such county
buildings as the condition of the county ane
the public may require, perhaps by heavy
tax upon themselves, does it follow that tht
State or any other power can step in and say
r-nn har- raf Il.
| right place? We have discovered a better
business center in a neighboring town; yo,
| must therefore abondon your county build
ings, in the first location, and move TO tina
new business center, and there erect new
set OF county buildings at whatever cost
That power may say know it seems little
hard, but l have the power and you mus
obey. Nov, Mr.. President, if that doctrine OBJ
tains and is to be carried out to its legitimate
results, that same power may discover bettel
business center, (perhaps sprung up through
some railroad enterprise, it may then order a
new removal-may order this poor humiia-
ted county to take up its 'bed again and
walk" not to q freer and better life, but to a
place perhaps entirely repugDant TO its wish
es, and there to build another set of county
buildings, and in compliance with the grow
ing popularity or extravaganza of the times,
"A''' ihNASoHSS tHpShultuAN. heh StuutOiS
if it is possible that there is any such power,
any such disposition lodged any where in this
broad republic; will any Senator consent that
his county submit to any such behest, any
such despotism, (for cannot give it more
betting name and even that too, Gas devel-
oped in the hearing) to crafty the luxury or
extravaganza Of the pampered few? Shall
the bone, the muscle and the very sinew of
the land be overburdened with taxes for such
purposes? If there is power 10 move in the
first iusiaDce-the same power can move in
the secondhand so on ad infinitum. 1t is in
my judgment power too dangerous to be
tolerated for moment. If the peoples rights
are not 10 be respected in matters of this
kind, beg to know wherein they have any
rights? What has become of those negative
principles for which our fathers so long re-
sisted the boasted power of England, and in
their resistance fought and bled so freely,
'No taxation without representation: for
there can be no other conclusion where the
power is claimed as in cases of this kind, than
that the people are TO be taxed without their
consent-'taXation without representation
Is not that despotism:
am well aware, Mr.. President, that many
people in that county can pay their proportion
of the cost OF any such buildings as their fan.
cy or luxury might dictate, but it is not for
such | implore your consderaton-i, is for
the poor, the humble, and the oppressed,
that your attention is asked-they who dwell
in their humble cots, Cit may be open and
decayed,) because they are unable to build q
more comfortable, not TO say more elegant
structurc-and their wives and little ones re
stricted to the most humble fare and the most
Indifferent garb. They are the ones to whom
taxes become oppressive. They are the ones
who feel mos, sensibly the accumulating
taxation Of the day.
There is no disposition to disguise the fact,
hat the offer of Gov. Coburn lessons the i'm
portance of the question SO far as the expense
Is concerned. to the extent of that offer, and
so far will induce many to vote in favor of
Skowhegan, and have no doubt. if parties at
Skowhcgan had come forward in the first place
and offered TO build new set of county build
ings at Skowhegan, or put the county in as
good condition there as the county enjoyed at
Norridgewock, that the people would have
voted for the change, [and in fact, l told the
people of Skowhegan as much, last summer. J
and even now, il the parties who are so in.
terested in this matter, so desirous to enjoy
the luxuries of Skowhegan will come forward
and agree to save the county from any ex-
pense on account of building all the county
buildings, have no doubt they would secure
the desired boon by the votes of the people.
In fact am at a loss to perceive why those
who commenced this move now so persist
antly oppose reference of the whole aues
ton to the public? The amount of money
they are expending to resist vote by tht
people, coupled with Gov. Coburn's offer
would nearly if not quite build the county
buildings, and then by submitting the whcls
question. including their generous offers, to
vote of the people, they would not only bs
most likely to secure their object, but would
in great measure, quiet the feelings ofthos,
who will be discommoded by the change
And surely no one should disregard the right:
| OF those who are injured by his own success
for have been sssured by those whose
rights and interest would be most injured
that If the question of change is fairly decided
by majority OF the people of Somerset they
will quietly bow to that decision. There is
no other course that will give reconciliation
10 our people. A deep seated feeling OF the in
| justice of that measure to bind the people to
IA most burdensome expense, without consult
| ing their wishes in the matter has grown up,
which no political organization can control
there will be no use in trying to throw the re-
| proach of the disorganization upon the DEM
! ocrats or republicans, it will be found to be
an injured peoples movement. The attempt
made by the gentleman, Mr. Stewart, before
the committee to stlsmatize the opposition to