Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1877-11-06
The COunty-sedt.
To DE Voters of Oxford County:

Az w" 'VsO'" " N"J"'" NN"''sJ'
Certain parties claiming to speak for
other certain parties. and claiming TO
represent the citizens of the town of Nor
way, are flooding the County with repre-
sensations and promises, which, if made
by responsible parties in good faith,
would be worthy of consideration. If
these parties are acting by authority, it
seems to me the voters OF the County are
sufficiently interested in the result, 10
know who the real contracting parties
are. The citizens of the town OF Nor
way, at IA recent meeting, voted to build
town house, TO cost anywhere from
81 to $4,000. Now, if that means
County buildings, they are either trying
to evade the law, or cheating by false
prttences. II any other parties have
taken action and authorized committee
to act for them, we ought to know who
they are and what action was taken. 1t
seems to me very unreasonable that the
intelligent voters of Oxford should be
asked, and even urged. to go it blind in
50 important matter IS the removal OF
the Couuty-Seat to Norway. Offers from
anonymous writers, or from committees,
who carefully conceal the names OF their
principals, or from towns, where the law
strictly forbids the fulfIment OF the
promises they make, should be received
with great caution in q matter involving
so large an amount OF money and inter-
ests OF so great Importance as change
of the County-seat must necessarily do.
The Court House on Paris Hill has re-
Gently been thoroughly repaired on the
outside, including new windows through
out, and moderate outlay on the in
terror will make a comfortable and con-
yeuieut house and all that the necessities
of the County require. The Jail and Jail
house have recently been repaired, and
are also comfortable and convenient,
The tire-proof building, where the offices
and records are kept, have also under
gone considerable repairs, and are now
quite convenient, and comparatively safe
from fire. Several hundred dollars have
been expended upon these buildings
within short time, and but little more Is
required 70 complete them so that they
will need little it anything expended upon
them for long time to come. So much
Tor the County buildings which our Nor
way friends declare to be a disgrace to
The County. These buildings. it not i'm
posing in appearance, are nevertheless
respectable, and are owned by the County
free from debt. Ii we cannot boast OF so
line buildings Us some other Counties, Ne
can boast OF something more satisfactory,
that We as q County, owe no man, and
pay rs we go. Norway can claim no su-
periority over Paris in suitable accommo-
datous for people who are obliged to
attend courts. Paris Hill is certainly IS
pleasant village as Norway, much
more healthy, and almost as near rail-
+ way accommodations. II seems to me it
would DO the part OF wisdom for Us to
( pause aud seriously inquire what we are
TO gain By the change. Il We leave our
present County buildings, that property
we now own in Paris OF course can be
worth but very little IL anything to the
/ County,-and what compensation are We
promised Tor so great sacrifice Moth
/ ing, as | understand it. but little more
style. Mansard roofs and pressed brick
walls sound remarkably well, and are
doubtless intended for effect. Judge
/ Peters once aptly remarked. that nc had
often noticed that marble hotels always
wanted marble prices,-and it may be so
/ in this case. II the citizens OF Oxford
/ County get more style, they must pay Tor
. it in one way or another. and ii they arc
to pay for style wouldn't it be quite as
well to pay tor it in Paris and own it, as
to pay for it in Norway and only have
the privilege OF staying?
The Court House alone, in Somerset
County, cost over $500 1t cost
$40 900 to build the County buildings in
Androscoggin County, and the citizens
OF tina, County are now paying interest
on q debt OF over $50 600 Tor stylish
buildings, where the town OF Auburn
made the same promises that somebody
. ia Norway Is making to-day. The idea
that the citizens OF Norway are to fur
nish tue County with costly sccommoda-
tons without compensation is simply
preposterous, but when made by parties
who d. not intend 10 DO bound 10y hem,
are ridiculous. Parties 10 the western
towns are already moving Tor q new
County. 10 be composed OF parts OF OK
ford, York and Cumberland Counties,
others in some OF the eastern towns are
agitating the question OF ANN Xatlon 10
Franklin and Audroscoggin Counties,
and some OF the prominent citizens OF
Bethel are already Boosting that when
the Coun,y-seat Is removed to Norway,
they will have one term of the 5. j..
Court IN their town. Already spirit OF
unrest and discomfort is mauiles.ing itself
in several directions, aud the end is not
yet. Our people are poor and burdened