Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1877-10-23
The Cossmtu-seat

Mr.. Editor II wish to say few words
through your paper to my brother voters
of East Oxford. There is petition in
circulation through this section OF the
County. asking that our County-seat may
be changed to Norway. The town OF
Norway, or some of its inhabitants. make
US big offer of the use of buildings to
the amount of $4,000. 1t would take
500. 900 to build us q good set Of County
Buildings.
Brothers, let US be cautious II We are
going to sell our names or votes in this
matter. How do we know but Paris will
give us 500, 900 or s25 900 in greenbacks
TOR our names or votes. and not ask US to
take it out 10 the use OF buildingsP Nor
way makes the first offer. Let US have
others before we soil ourselves. aud then
We may accept the highest price. Per
haps il ] had signed one of those petit
tons, l should think had sold my name
and vote to Norway before other towns
had time to make or bid for them.
Brothers, DO not let as sell ourselves in
this manner.
have been through scene something
like this once before in M life, and from
this experience, say to you "heware,
take oare.n We have q set Of County
buildings which have answered our pur-
pose for a number Of years. Ifthey will
not do now, It is the duty OF the County
Commissioners to put them in proper
order, and We are able TO pay the bills.
VIII the petitioners ia favor OF going TO
Norway be willing to 90 before the Leg
islaluro next winter, aud say to that body
Norway will give us tho use Of build
ings to the amount Of SIS, 200 il we will
70 there, and We want TO secure that
prize, Ind let the old prize go for just
what some one will give for ii ?" That
would DO ike the boy who spoiled 8
twenty-five cent knife to secure q pelt
worth Ten cents Would the Legislature
DO justified in letting US 90 for payP l
answer mo" think that Legislature
which would take any notice of a petition
where there is money or property behind
i! to influence the petitioners in any way,
ought to be voted on. Of office, and for
ever TO stay out.
Brothers, whenever il becomes neces-
sary TO change our County-seat. 10. US
make tho change like men, and not be
bought Or sold in The matter. 1t We mad
a few rich men ia Dixeld who were able
TO give us set oi County buildings
there. away in one corner OF the County.
would II be right tor Us to sell our names
or votes to 20 there ? viii there not be
other ofs.s for voters on the North or
East side OF tho ArdroScoggin River, TO
oir Franklin County There is quite a
portion of the County which can reach
Pennington more easily thanahey can go
to Norway.
Give me old Oxford County as 1t IS I'M
less thero is some reason. TO change The
County, seat other than 10 please the peo-
pie OF Norway, or for pay. A poor
town, IN the centre OF the County which
would DO more convenient for q shire
town will stand no show il we pursue
this course of trade. They could not
compete 10 the. bids Tor our names aud
votes. When the voters Of Androscoggin
County were trying TO settle the question
where their County-seat should be ;
whether in Lewiston or Auburn. Lewis
ton offered bond of sos, 900 for votes.
They had this bond before the people q
month or more before the day OF cleo
ton. Bet whom that day came, Auburn
stood ready with $75 600 in money, 20
buy voters with. Then the voters Of The
several towns saw Tho point, that they
were selling their roteS, and they said 10
Lewiston ard Auburn, go away with
Jour bond and money; we have no votes
to sell" The result was, the buildings
arc now whero tho majority OF the voters
wanted them. We should take lesson
from tho experience OF our sister county.
AN EAST OXFORD FoTER