Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1893-01-24
THE COUNTY BUILDINGS.
FULL REPORT or the HEARING AZ
PARIS HILL oEFoRe THE
COUNTY COMMISSIONERS.
OF ASss csaassl.--Whas 10
WIN Csss fsr Nsw Dsiiai>ss, sHa
what Il VIII Csst 70 Pat he OLD
n.aai.ss IN Better ce.aitis. than
TAsy Ever Were.

rAsy Ever Were.
II was an Intelligent aud Interested
audience that gathered la the pleasant
court room at Paris I'LL last Thursday
TO listen to able and eloquent arguments
on subject Of importance to every citi-
zen OF the county.
Recognizing Its importance and the
desire OF many citizens OF the county 10
attend the hearing who were unable 10
do so, the Democrat has at considerable
expense afforded all the opportunity by
employing Mr.. j. A. Hayden OF Port
land, one Of Malne's m0st expert stenog-
raphers, to come to Paris and make the
stenogrsphic rerort which follows. y.
The Supreme Court room MAS well
warmed by the cheerful open fires which
cracked In the CRATES, aud Was fairly
we'll filed by interested citizens OF the
county, though the number In attend
ance Was not 80 large as anticipated, ana
the room was by no means crowded.
The newspapers were well Represent
ed by Mr.. j. n. Chase Of the Boston
Globe and Portland Argus, Mr.. Staples
of the Lewiston Journal, Mr.. y. w. San
born Of the Oxford County Advertiser,
and Mr.. J. A. Hayden OF the Oxford
Democrat.
Many came early aud took the Oppor-
tunity to look over the much-talked-
about buildings, as the Democrat has
often advised and still advises all to DO.
At the specified time County Commits
sioners WIN. woodsum Of West Peru,
WIN. W . whitmsrsh Of Norway and
Joseph r. Stearns of Lowell took seats
at the side, Of the clerks desk just front
of the witness stand.
Judge Wilson then proceeded to open
the case for the petitioners. He said;
J~dss yvilss.'s ArG~.ssss.
Nay t please this Honorable Court:
will read to you the petition, which
YOU have undoubtedly read, which IL
the foundation Of this proceeding:
To the HoSoRABLE. ran CouRr % COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS foR riE COUNTY of oS'
fORD;
Your petitioners would respectfully represent
that the present condition Of our County build.
ings Il such as to require the expenditure OF
large sums of money 10 make the" sale anu
That our County records. including tho.e Of
the Registry of Deeds. Probate once and Clerk
OF Courts, are not property prosectet from ne'
That We have no suitable room In which "
hold probate court.
That our jail has been condemned by the Jail
OF the state.
That the present location OF the buildings
renders then, announcement Of access by the great
majority Of the citizens of the County.
That ID would be unwise b expeni any more
money on the buildings as az present located.
That the present nnAmhl e:n.litlon OF tne
mo.lioas and convenient buildings, al q moier'
ate snd rea-onable cost.
Wherefore, your petitioners, citizens OF OK
FORD County, would respectfully ash Your Hon.
Drs. after due consideration, 10 decide upon The
erection Of new County buildings, nc some point
In the town Of Paris, near "a anil easily accessi.
bic from the railrosd station In south Fan. VII
age. and give notice of your Intention. and the
10 the Municipal Oaicers OF each town In the
county, 90 the end that the voters Of each town
AN psss upon the same al their next annual
meeting.
will not attempt to read the names
u the petitioners, because that would
Ne mere form and ceremony; but i
all say, In substance, that quite
portion Of the citizens OF
Oxford County have signed this petition
md the same has been deposited with
Tour IIonors In court, notice has been
given and this hearing follows.
I will read from the statute that
'ection which relates to the powers and
lutles Of County Commissioners, namely,
ection II Of chapter IS:
They shall. In the shire town Of their county.
'royiie AMI keep In repair, court houses; ,ail.,
riminal-: and hre-proof buildings Of brick or
tone for the safe keeping Of recoris and paper. |
elOnging % the Offices OF register of deels AMI
Q probate. and Of the clerk OF courts, with sep |
rate ireproof r.oms and suitable alcoyes. |
ases or boxes for each ONCE, and also any other
ecesssry buildings"
That relates to the duties OF County |
Section IL reads as
ollows:
be shire town, or erect new one Instead OF
lore than half q mile from the former location, |
Iithout irst giving notice of their Intentions
nj OF the place where they. propose TO locate u,
D the municipal officers Of each town In the |
ounty; who shall present the same 10 the town |
; lie next annual meeting for choice OF state or
,wu officers, AMI receive, sort AMI count the |
otes, Tor AMI against the proposal; and they AMI
he clerks shall certify and return such votes %
yamins them and act according 10 the decision
Q q msjority."
Section II reads;
.rhey may obtain loans % money for the use
q their county. and cause notes or obligations,
Iith coupon. for lawful interest. to lie Issued Tor
ayment thereof &C such time. a. they deem eN.
e.lient. but such loans shall not exceed ten
housand dollars. without flrst obtaining the
ob.snt Of the county. substantially Is provided
n section fourteen"
I understand from my Brother KIM
all that the limit Of $4,000 given In
his last section has been changed, by
m amendment, to $4,000. have not
ooked up the amendment, but presume
hat IL correct. That point may be left
or subsequent consideration.
You will have noticed from the
tatute which have read that Ii Is your
luty to do certain things. That IL, you
re to ''provide and keep In repair, court
louses: jails, with apartments Tor
Iebtors separate from criminals; and
Ireproof buildings Of brick or stone for
he safe keeping OF records and papers
,elouging to the offices III register OF
leeds aud Of probate, and of the clerk OF
ourts, with separate flreproof rooms
md suitable alcoves" etc, for each office. |
his, your petitioners allege, Is not the
ondition of things at the present time.
That Il, In taking up the allegations In
he petition, which Ia In the nature or
orm Of en- indictment, the first allega-
Ion set forth In the general statement
.rhat our County records. Including those Of
he Reristry OF Dee-is. Probate once and Clerk
q Courts. are not property .protected from IRE,
'ut are hourly In danger OF destruction there
~"
Now I would say In regard to this
natter that there has been, as you see
rom the presentation OF the petitions
,ere, sort Of feeling OF unrest
Oxford County In regard to
he present situation OF our records, aud
I also presents, In the nature OF sec
,ndary degree, the present situation OF
,ur county buildings. Certain commit
ees have been organized 10 the various
owns throughout the county to take up
his matter and consider 10. A COM
nlttee was organized In the village OF
south Paris, of which was made n
In following out what they
rave believed to be their line or duty,
hese committees have endeavored to
.scertain the present condition as to the
ireproof qualities Of these county build
ngs and the vaults wherein the records
II the county are stored. And In 20
Icing they have called to their assistance
men OF standing throughout the state,
Of known ability and character
ipou whose word reliance can be placed.
md whose names are q guaranty that
he reports which they give are given 10
rood faith.