Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1878-02-05
And IL Fell not; for II Vas
Founded ora n Rock,

Verai mouths past cnYsSeu Tue SERIOUS
and earnest attention, not only vi the
cit ,us oil N)rwsy who originated the
movement, but also OF the citizens OF the
whole County. The petitions Tor this
measure were circulated, in all the towns
with grea, diligence. The signatures
amounted 10 about 2S00. The remon-
raaoes we're aso circulated, in the
different towns, as soon as they could be
prepared after the whole field had been
canvassed. The signers OF these 10 the
aggregate amounted to about 200. Con-
seQuently there were some four hundred
more remonstrants than petitioners.
These petitions and remonstrances
were presented 10 the Legislature, and
referred 10 the Committee on the Judici-
AIRY a very intelligent, able. and compe-
ten, committee. before whom the two
parties met with their counsel. on Tues
day and Wednesday Of last week. The
managers for the petitioners were David
Hammons ESQ, OF Bethel and Gen. j.
J. Perry. of Portland. Those for the re-
monstrauts were Geo. A. Wilson Esq,
OF So. Paris, aud John p. Swasey, Of Can
ton. 1t is to DO regretted that full and
verbatim report Of all that was said and
done at tho hearing could no. be spread
before the citizens Of Oxford County
But they must be conteuted with SIM
pie outline.
Mr.. Hammons opened for the petition
ers. His representation of the case was
substantially as follows After abiding
10 tho facts that there were some remon-
s,rants against the change. that the Pc
litions set the County in flame, and
that the removal only contemplated a
change OF FIVE miles, he stated that Nor
way was the business and financial CEN
ter of the County, rs be would show.
lie said The Pcnnesewassee water pow
err WAS the only one fully used in the
Couuty-.hN the Pond was six miles
long and four mile, wide. and was never
known 10 fail. He read from Wells Re-
port on the water power OF the state 10
clinch This assertion, that there was
no such unfAiiiag power within 10
miles. lie want Ga 10 say that there was a
saw mill, Shlng,e Mschine, Two Flour
Mills. snd Corn Mil which ground 1000
bushels OF corn annually. a. the foot OF
toe Pond. Below thore was Box Fac
tory, Carding machine, Paper Mill, Ma
chine Shop, lion Foundry. Plaster Mill,
Shovel H4ad.e Fac:ory. all ct which
did a large business. Norway had AL
so a National BauE-the only one in the
County, rendering Nor way the financial
center. Shs A'sp hi Ihi largest and
hes, ca IIc.si s.vings-oAns. hs said
there were thir.y-one places where goods
were sold to people about the County
giving emp loyment to many persons
and that a large Shoe Factory gave em-
ploymeus to many laoorers. and there
WAS Tanuery which called for large
quantities of cash. That Norway had
one of the best Literary Institutions in
the County, where 400 OF the youth re-
ceived instruction annually. He then
said there was smooth road from the
depot TO Norway village, distance OF 8
mile and hslt-while TO Paris Hill 1t
was three miles. that a larger amount OF
freight went to Norway over the Grand
Trunk than 10 any place between Port
land aud Island Poud with one exception
hat OF S,rallord. He stated that the
facilities o. travel 10 Norway were very
grost that good roads led 10 and from
Norway 10 all directions;- that Branch
Rail Road WAS tie same as built from
the e.. +. 10 Norway ge;-that q
Railroad was about TO be completed from
Dtxfield 10 Mechanic Falls which would
take all the people in Dixheld, Peru,
Mexico and Byron. Canton, Hartford,
Buckfeld and Hebron to Norway TO the
business and financial center OF the
County 10 do all their business that
there we're two Stages in Norway which
transferred passengers to different towns
in the west, and that nice hack was
aliOays ready aud tOaittng at the depot
to convey passengers TO Norway Vii
lage tina, there was Telegraph where
any one could communicate with all
parts OF the country that there were
two public houses. elegant structures,
where boarders could be accommodated
bu the thouSand-their capacity was IN
limited. he then paid bis respects to
Paris Hill and the County Buildings
He desired 10 know what there was that
could call the citizens OF Oxford County
40 these hills; and stated that he was
authorized 10 invite the Committee-all
of them-to 60 TO Norway village, tree
of expense and see the condition OF Nor
way and Paris and compare them. lie
said there had been two additions to the
Court House that the Judge had his
place oil setting over horse shed; -
that there was no carpet in the court
room except in the isles. That there
was a want of chairs and conveniences
for the bar and iuries that in the back
mart of the house was library room