Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1893-02-14
Bethel, Feb. 4, 1898,
THEIR MOTIVE.
IT Is NOT GREED, SAYS Mr.. fOGG, THAT
ACIUAIEs TIE PEOPLE Of SOUTH
PARIS AND NORWAY.


I desire to say few words through
the columns Of your paper concerning
the attitude Of the people Of South Paris
and Norway In regard TO the county
building movement.
The impression prevails among some
OF the citizens of the county that the
movement was conceived aud begun by
the citizens of these two towns aud that
their motives were greed, selfishness
and grasping motives. Statements to
this effect have been circulated In GER
tain sections Of the county and some OF
the good citizens OF the county have
been deceived by these assertions.
Such statements and representations
are entirely false and wholly without
foundation, and have been made either
msliciously, through Ignorance or sim
ply for the effect they might have In the
matter.
In answer TO these statements, l feel
safe In saying, without fear Of contra
diction, that the people Of South Paris
and Norway are average citizens. No
better and no worse than the citizens OF
any other towns I'm the county. They
are not so imbued by the contemplate
desire Of gain as to precipltate a move
ment upon this county which will In
yolye the expenditure Of $4,000 or any
part Of Ii. And l assert that the peo-
pie Of these two towns are above the
base desire Of greed or personal az
grsndizement.
Now In regard to the commencement
Of the present movement. IL was not
started because Of selflshness, greed and
grasplng motives on the part of any one,
or of any number Of towns. IL was not
the evil design Of any person or persons,
nor WAS Il conceived by any one person
from any one particular locality. But
IL Was and 10 movement suggested and
begun BY citizens Of this county repre-
senting at least three towns outside of
Norway and Paris. And these citizens
are those who are responsible and re
spected men. Men who are proud OF
their county, OF which they have right
to feel proud, II being one of the Oldest
counties In the state, a county whose
prestige IL sufficient heritage; a coun-
ty with a valuation Of sll,55i, $40; q
county whose citizens are industrious
and prosperous, the most Of whom are
property owners.
Living In such q county, q county
whose records are OF untold value, these
men feeling that our records were In
secure, deemed II necessary that some
step must be taken mt once toward a
better and safer condition Of things.
IL was considered unwlse to attempt
TO remodel or reconstruct the present
buildings at great cost, because when
YOU attempt to remodel old buildings
YOU never know where or when to stop.
You expend large amount Of money,
much more than WAS expected and when
YOU get through you are dissatisfied
and disguised, and think nearly all
who have had personal experience In re-
pairing an old building will agree with
ihis fact that II IL, as rule, unwisc to
attempt to repair an old building es-
pecislly where there Il but little to start
with.
Consequently It was thought best to
build anew, and barring the question OF
location, I think the citizens OF this
county would nearly all agree that new
buildings would be the business like so
luton OF the problem.
In regard TO location IL WAS CONSIDER
ei to be folly to build 1t Paris Hill, three
miles from any railroad accommodation,
because at the present time all business
seeks the line Of some railroad. Scarce
ly any citizen of this county would adj
vocAte locating new buildings at Paris
Hill. Then II We are not to build ut
Paris hin some new location must be
sought.
south Paris was the spot selected, not
because Of personal motives, but because
this location would the best convene the
people Of the county ~ whole.
Those who are opposed TO the move
meut have suggested Bethel a. the place,
especially n they were talking to one
who was Interested In Bethel. Others
have suggested Bryant's Pond and still
others have said Rumford Falls. But
the practical business and professional
men OF these places, while they are
loyal and true to their own towns, deem
Il TO DO for the best interests OF the
county a. Q whole that new buildings
should be built 1t South Paris and are In
favor Of the present movement.
8. l.. F0GG.