Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1893-01-17
JUDGE WILSON
HAS SOMETHING or IMPORTANCE TO
SAT- CONCERNING THE VAULTS AND
THE PROTECTION or THE PROBATE
RECORDS.

Editor Democrat:
Your Issue Of Jan. Sd contained
communication on the question Of our
county buildings from Hon. George +.
Emery of Portland. Mr.. Emery Is q
native Of Paris, an able man, and his
writings are always interesting. AL his
recollections, however, cluster around
his birthplace on Psyis Hill, and It 10 not
strange that he should look with dis
pleasure upon any attempt to secure the
erection of new buildings elsewhere.
In his article he alludcs TO my atti-
tude on this question as affected by the
position which hold a. Judge OF Pro-
bate In this county. II IL, think, un-
necessary for me to state that l am not
acting or attempting TO act In any official
character In this matter. i have my
views as what would be best and adyisa-
BILE for the county to do, and do not
hesitate to express them, but so far they
have been my personal and not my OFF,
cial views.
However, as I was alluded to As Judge
of Probate, 1 desire, laying aside for the
time being any question OF the removal
of the buildings, to say few words to
the citizens Of Oxford County as to the
condition of Its Probate Office and
Probate records. In most of the dis
cussion on the erection Of new buildings,
reference has been had almost entirely
to the safety Of the records In the office
of the Registry Of Deeds. Granting all
that has been said on this point, believe
that II applies with more force to the
records In the Probate Office. IL Is
often stated as u matter OF Judgment,
that on an average all the property In
the county passes through the Probate
Office once In thirty years. III this Is
correct, when we consider that the taxa
BILE valuation Of property In this county
Ii nearly Sill 900, 900, we are impressed
with the Importance OF preserving such
records and rendering them rs absolute
by human ingenuity.
Every person interested In any estate,
either as heir or creditor, every widow
whose meager plttance for future sup
port Is dependent upon the correct set
Element of accounts, every orphan whose
money Il In the hands Of guardian, has
an immediate and direct interest In the
safety of these records; for while most
persons retain their deeds after they
have been recorded, all the papers con-
nected with the Probate Office are on file
In the office, so that In the event of their
destruction there could be no possibility
Of restoring them. How many OF the
persons interested In estates, trust es-
tates, provisions for widows, estates OF
persons under guardianship, estates OF
minors, etc, can give the names OF the
sureties on the bonds Of those In charge
Of such estates, or can give the exact
amount for which such persons should
be charged. venture to say not one IN
twenty-five.
Now have never been Of the opinion
that our vaults for storing the records
are fire-prOof, and ! am sorry to say
that the opinion of some OF the ablest
architects In the state confirms me In
this position. I have not kept this
opinion to myself during the past few
years, hut have often claimed to the
proper authorities that something should
be done to increase the safety OF the
records. The accommodations for hold
ing the court are matter for discussion,
aud I will say nothing about them, but
this question Of the safety OF the records
Is not matter for discussion, but n mat
ter for action.
say to the people Of Oxford County,
with q due appreciation, | hope, OF my
responsibilities, that this matter must
not be allowed to rest now, whatever
NAV be your decision as to locality, am
pie and suitable provision must be made
for the safety OF the records In the Pro-
bate Office. have my own personal
views as to what sound common sense
would dictate that provision should be.
and on proper occasions do not hesitate
to express them, but for this occasion ]
conilne myself simply to the question OF
safety. As Judge OF Probate l have no
preference whether the solution OF that
question takes the form Of n new build
Ing Mt South Paris, or new building Mt
Paris Hill. Ordinary care demands one
or the other.
GEORGE A. WILSON.