Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1881-12-20

Baptist church, SATURDAY evening. 1nere
win be tree, music, rccitations by the
children, &C.
Christmas services will also be held In
the Universalist church the same evening,
and tree will be loaded with presents.
Mr.. o. A. Thayer makes quite display
Of holiday goods In his store. He has q
nice line OF box papers, fancy china, toys,
and children's books. S. u. Hawkes. will
open his goods early this week. lie has
his usual line OF goods, and an extra lot Of
nne fancy box papers. Hutchinson & New
ell do not propose to go into the business
very extensively. They have put In LOT
OF box papers, and will sell out their stock
on hand at very low figures.
"Forty thousand sleds have been manu-
featured at Paris HILL" says the Wilton
Record, and Brother Swim wants to know
II similar enterprise would not be q pro-
ftable one on the Wilton water powers
The Paris sleds,-like the Concord wagons
have gained reputation not easily over
come by ''side shows. "-Norcay Adrer-
| tiser.
TOWN MEETING.
A small but highly entertaining town
meeting was held at the town house, las,
Thursday. II was called by the Selectmen
on petition, to see about certain disputed
claims for work on highways. Mr.. john
Black, Constable, called the meeting TO
order, received votes for Clerk pro tenn,
and swore in Mr.. VIM. X. Greene, who
was elected. Mr.. ii. +. Hammond was
chosen Moderator. Capt. Pratt, chairman
OF the Board OF Selectmen, stated that q
large number OF individual claims had been
presented for breaking roads, last winter
and that the road appropriation had all
been expended. As the Selectmen had
been instructed to comply fully with the
law and not expend dollar above the sum
appropriated for any purpose, aud rs some
OF these bills had not been endorsed by the
surveyors, they proposed 10 lay the matter
before the town at March meeting. The
parties felt aggrieved because they were
not promptly paid, aud petitioned for this
meeting. There was an immense amount
OF loose talk made over the matter, and
Mr. J. X. Hammond was selected 10 audi,
the claims, aud the Selectmen were in
structed 10 pay such as he allowed, from
any unexpeuded balances on hand. The
discussion developed the fact that 1t has
been the custom for owners OF teams TO
break out roads at their own discretion,
after the district tax has been expended,
present their bills 10 the Selectmen and get
cash order in settlement. This has
grown 10 be quite little town industry,
and the Selectmen state that IL will take
about 81, 200 TO settle the claims presented.
II must be remembered that this is in adj
dltiou 10 the tax OF s., 600 usually raised
TO be worked out on the roads. 1t Is an
Illegal custom, and an inefficient aud ex-
travagant method OF opening the roads.
We are glad that the board OF Selectmen
have decided to put stop to II, and we
trust that they will strictly follow the law,
Notwithstanding the handful Of voters
present voted to proceed and keep the
roads open as usual. or course the roads
must be kept open but there Is legal
method OF procedure which should be
strictly followed in order 10 avoid eIiray-
sgant abuses. There is a general feeling
that those who followed the custom and
worked on the roads last winter, should
have moderate compensation Tor work
done; but not dollar should hereafter be
paid for work done without instruction
from the district surveyors or Selectmen.