Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1878-02-05
what Hath thi. old Thing Appeared
again!"

The question whether the county seat
shall be changed from Paris to Norway
NAV now be considered settled, and the
answer is an unmistakable "No" At the
close Of the hearing, the Judiciary Com
mittee TO whom it was referred, by vote
of seven to three gave the petitioners for
the change 'Ieave TO withdraw" The
counsel for the petitioners asked that the
committee defer its report for few days,
for the purpose, as was reported, Of con-
sidering whether 4 minority report could
be made by which the matter might be
brought before tho Legislature. By
such course the final decision might be
deferred for weeks, or, possibly, months.
But on Thursday evening, it being appar-
ent that the Legislature would give the
project no encouragement, the committee
unanimously voted to sustain the major
ity report.
The committee TO whom the matter was
referred was made up OF gentlemen Of
high character and intelligence, and was,
we believe, satisfactory TO both parties.
Thus ends project which arose from
the restless enterprise Of a few business
men, aud which local pride sustained and
fostered till it attained considerable pro-
portions. I, never was, and while the
geography Of the county remains as it is
never can be sustained by the people OF
the county,
Some weeks ago those who we're man
aging the case for the petitioners saw how
hopeless would be an attempt to induce
the legislature to enact the proposed law
and. doubtless expecting that the petition
ers would exceed the remoustrants in
number, changed the original plan for
one which seemed moro likely to succeed
since, by adopting it the legislature could
shirk all responsibility. Therefore when
the hearing was held the original petition
was not urged, but the committee was
asked TO advise that it be referred to the
people OF the county. But when 1t ap'
peared that the number Of remonstrants
greatly exceeded the number of petition
ers, and that, too, when the petitioners
were first in the field, the question seemed
to have been already settled as far as the
wishes of the people were concerned, aud
decisive negative was given to propo-
sition sustained neither by its own merits,
nor the voice of the county.
The remonstrants were placed under
some slight embarrassment in presenting
their case before the committee. One Of
their counsel, D. Il. Hastings, Esq, on
the evening preceding the day appointed
for their hearing telegraphed that refer
ence case in Denmark would prevent his
being present, but that he could come the
following week. The legislature, however,
would not wait, and Geo. +. Wilson,
Esq, was substituted. Although but
hurried preparation could be made, all
agree that Mr.. Wilson's presentation of
the case was very able, and that the
cause advocated BY him in no way suffer-
ed at his hands.
Thus the third contest with Paris be-
fore the legislature, results as did the
others. The East has heretofore furnish
ed but .canty forage, But to the west
ward are rich lands, thriving business en-
terprises, and even county buildings.
Waterford offers fields fairer than our
sand plane in Fryeburg stands court
houseIand some of the appurtenances. We
submit that when next enterprise seeks
vent in some predatory scheme-West-
ward-westward the car Of empire should
take its way. A fair continent ripe for
conquest stretches toward the setting sun.
Grant US repOse.-Go West.-GO West.