Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1893-02-14
WIN m PAYf

IOOkIux ~ tx1c QocskiOu VI su0 tChuov-
al Of our county bulldlngs from pure.
~ financial stapdpoints i have beon led
to inquire what We were to lose and what
We are TO gain. Il u true South Paris
and Norway will derive material bene-
nc from having the buildings located In
their midst; beside this the benefits are
confined 20 q very few individuals. A
few lawyers and deputy sherifis would be
saved the terrible burden Of climbing
that terrible hill, but beyond these indi-
viduals the benefits to be derived are not
worth mentioning. And % far ~ have
been able 10 learn, these are the only
persons who are clamoring for removal.
All the committees who are running
the campaign, all the guarantors and
nearly all the active workers for remov-
al are from the above named villages,
with the exception OF few bank and
railroad msgnates whose property IL not
TO pay q single dollar toward the ex-
pense. Whether the new buildlngs cost
thirty or one hundred thousand dollars,
the million Of dollars In the savings banks
nor the railroads are to contribute any
considerable amount toward their con-
struction. Hence the officers OF these
institutions care nothing for the ex-
pense. Il would save q few lawyers
thirty-fve cents trip from South Paris
to Paris Hill aud return, but have not
seen single proposition that they Will
charge their clients cent less than they
now do.
All the benefits that the masses Of the
people are to derive Il the exalted privi-
iege of paying the bills so far a. can
see. But we are told that the cost will
be merely nominal-that CSC, 900 will not
materially increase any mans tax, and
that new modern buildings can be built
for that sum, therefore the expense 10
not worth considering. But l am OF the
opinion that their share Of even $50, 1000
amounts to something to large class OF
the citizens Of our county Who are oblig-
ed to deny themselves and their fami-
lies Of the comforts, and many or them
Of the necesssries Of life to pay the taxes
already assessed against them. Each
year a large amount OF real estate is sold
for taxes for the reason that the owners
or occupants are unable to raise the
money to pay the tax within the time
limited by law. But the law has merci-
redeem their property from such sale
within given time by paying the tax,
costs OF sale and from twenty to twenty
i've per cent Interest.
To this class an additional tax IL an
addition to q burden that Is already
grleyous aud hard to be borne. But In
INV Judgment the cry that $4,000 will
build new and suitable buildings for the
county Il a delusion and snare.
cannot understand how the county OF
Oxford can build suitable buildings for
90 much less money than any other coun-
ties are Obliged to expend for the same
purpose. Knox County has just complet-
ed jail alone at cost of about $4,000.
Somerset County are about to build
new jail at an estimated cost OF $4,000.
The entire county buildings In Andres
coggin County cost $4,000. let we
are told that Oxford County can build
new court house, with all the necessary
offices, fireproof vaults, library, jail and
jsil house and fit them all up, and
furnish them throughout for $4,000
or less! Are the people OF Oxford
County so much smarter or shrewGer
than those of other counties? l have
grave doubts about II.
But Il said that several OF the most In
fuentlal and wealthy citizens have guar
anteed Il. just how much newspaper
guaranty IL worth | will not undertake
TO saw, but think from careful ex-
animation of the wording Of that prop
osition any one can form pretty cor
rect estimate OF Its value to taxpayers
Of the county. IL II serves the purpose
for which IL was intended, OF Inducing a
few voters to vote for removal, who
otherwise would vote the other way II
will be Of some value to the agitators
and nothing more. Every sensible man
knows that when once we commence to
build we have got to finish at whatever
cost, and the taxpayers OF the county
have got to pay the bills. And II our
buildings cost less money than other
counties pay for the same, II Is because
we have got buildings of poorer quail
ity; We are not going to get a set OF ffty
or sixty thousand dollar buildings for
thirty thousand from the citizens OF
South Paris and Norway or from any
one else.
We are told that the valuable records
of the county are exposed to destruction
by fire, and that the Jail IL Insecure. We
heard that same cry some eight years
ago when South Paris was trying to get
new buildings built In their village but
we have heard nothing Of 1t since until
the present nightmare and II the pre-
sent furore blows over We shall hear
nothing more from II for many years to
come. They have stood the test for sew
enty years and are In as safe condition
to-day as ever.
But II safety OF the records and prls-
oners Is the object In view, a man, a
practical builder. stands ready to build
new vaults for the records, as near fire.
proof as modern skill can make them
and make the Jail as secure As any jail In
the state and steam heating apparatus II
desired for less than 81, 900, and this sum
can be spared from the funds OF the
county without one cent additional tax.
IL We move, We leave behind the court
house, Office building, jail, and house
and stable In good repair that cost the
county more than $1,000 for house and
stable alone, which with an outlay OF
$1,000 can be made safer and better than
any $4,000 set of buildings that can be
built.
when we build new, we want q Local
ton and buildings good for = hundred
years TO come; we want good buildings
ut whatever cost, and whoever votes to
build, relying on the generosity OF the
people of South Paris and Norway to
make up any deficiency will doubtless
make mistake. They have started by
charging $500 for u lot on which to
build, aud understand that II the sum
the county are to pay for the lot where
the commissioners have located. Let US
vote with understanding that II we build
we are to have good suitable buildings,
whether they are after the likeness OF
Coombs' picture or not, and then pay
the bills for that will be the sure result.
Another item Of expense, 1t will In
crease the running expenses OF the coun-
ty at least $1,000 per year for all coming
time, as they will have to employ a
janitor, mall carrier, etc.
II. c. DAVIS.
IAN UNKNOWN AND lNoefi-
MITE SUM-"
John A. Greenleaf, contractor and
q Al a.