Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1878-02-05


business of Court and Q County was
run by water, by shoe factories, or by
mills. Judging from the representations
which had been made, it would be sup
posed that the largest ponds. the great
est water-powers, the most splendid
factories and saw mills. would constitute
the best and most substantial reasons for
the location or the removal OF the Coun-
ty seat. He did not desire to deny any
thing that had been stated concerning
the wealth or enterprise OF Norway. lie
was willing to concede all that had been
said that was true concerning the pros
perity OF Norway, and he did not know
but most OF it was true. and yet, it did
not furnish any substs initial GROUND, any
good reason why the County seat should
be established or removed TO that place.
The statement about the freight to Nor
way was fair subject for criticism, but
he would not now cay 1t was untrue.
That Norway had two stages running to
Western towns. he was not prepared to
admit, because they started from So.
Paris. and he supposed So. Paris had
more interest in them than Norway.
There might be some doubt about The
capacity OF Norway hotels TO accommo-
date thousands; but he was unable to
discern how these things could OF them
selves afford any ground in favor OF the
removal of the County seat. Concerning
the county buildings, he was confident
that proof could, and would be presented
to the Committee that they were not IN
the condition represented by the petition
ers' counsel. |. would be shown to the
satisfaction OF candid men that there was
no necessity for change. The County
Buildings were convenient. and sufficient
ly commodious for all the business OF
Oxford County. Inasmuch as the bust
ness of litigation had not been on the in
crease, the buildings afforded very good
accommodation. 1t would be proved
that the Courtroom was sufficiently
large. the Judge was provided with a
convenient table-that the Clerk had q
convenient desk, that the Juries were
provided with good chairs, that the bar
was well provided with seats and tables,
and that the room was comfortably
warmed and well lighted. He would
not say The room was elegant, but was
ft and convenient for oil the needs Of q
Courtroom.
Concerning the Jail, which had received
the special attention Of the counsel for
petitioners, he would call the Inspector
Of Prisons for the State at the proper time
and by him would prove the true condi-
ton. Concerning the County Building
aud the offices of the Register OF Deeds,
Register OF Probate. the Clerk OF the
Courts, and Treasurer, they were in good
condition, ample in size and convenient.
The building contained eight rooms. was
built of brick, had hewed granite under
pinning and q slate roof. The offices
were in good repair, with furniture suili-
cient TO accommodate those having bust
ness in them.
Mr.. Wilson then referred to the location
and geographical position OF the County.
he stated that the roads throughout the
County had view TO accommodate the
County business at Psris.-that the por-
ton OF the County east OF the q. 1. Rail-
road contained majority of the inhabit
ants oil the County; that they were nearly
all of them better accommodated at Paris
than at any other place that il the Coun-
ty.seat were moved to Norway, nearly
all these towns would be compelled to
pass through Paris, on TO Norway, hve
miles farther: and since term OF the ).
j. Court had been established in Frye
burg, a removal OF the County-seat west
and south OF its present location would
be entirely Inconsistent with this action,
and especially discommode sll the towns
on the Audroscoggin south OF Rumford
"A measure likely TO produce dissatisisc
ton and render a division OF the County
necessary.
These are some OF the statements OF
Mr.. Wilson in his presentation OF the
case for the remonstrants. They do not
do him justice. but they may give some
general idea OF the proceedings OF the
counsel before the Committee.
Some witnesses were called by Mr.
S wasey-among them Gov .Perham Geo.
F. Hammond, and Senator Prince. The
last gentleman stated that he was prison
Inspector; that he had visited all the
tails in the State-and that the Jail in
Paris was in very fair condition, and
there we're three or four other jails 10 the
State not as suitable for prison.
This ended the first days proceedings.
The Committee met the next morning,
and after the examination Of two wit
nesses, each party was allowed thirty
minutes for argument. Mr.. Swassy oc-
cupied his time in careful considera-
ton OF the propositions in the Petitions.
He argued that the case as here present
ed by the petitioners had no foundation
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