Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1893-02-14
lupos WooosuRY,s VIEWS
REaARpmo IN. NATTER OF COUNT
BUILDINGS.

Editor Democruf.
have read with interest the discus-
sions In relation TO the county buildings,
and Was especially interested In the Ar
guments before the Commissioners.
regret that any III feeling II eugendered
and that any appeal has been made Ia
the farmers 40 . class. Arraying one
occupation or profession against another
is impolitlc and unwarranted.
The subject presents Itself ~ simple
business transaction, and appeals TO
every taxpayer, whether he be farmer,
mechanic or professional man. IL Is
admitted that there must be an outlay OF
money to repair the old buildings, or
erect new ones. The County Commits
sioners have the opinion that Il ls the
part Of wisdom to erect new buildings,
and TO locate them near the railroad sta.
ton at South Paris. Ii Is for the voters
Of the county to carefully consider this
matter and give their votes as they be
lleve will be for the best interest OF the
county.
The Commissioners must do something
to secure reasonably fireproof vaults to
keep our records OF deeds and probate
papers, and II the voters decide not 10
remove the buildings to South Paris, l
much mistake the men n they undertake
to patch up the brick building on the
Hill. In my judgment they will feel
compelled to take Il down and build new.
II the voters decide to accept the loca-
ton ut South Paris, we have guarantee
from thirty Of the wealthlest men OF
South Paris and Norway, that suitable
buildings shall be erected, finished and
furnished. aud the grounds bought and
graded, to the satisfaction and accept
snce of the commissioners, and that the
county shall In nowise be called upon to
pay more than thirty thousand dollars
s30, OOO). In the event Of repairs an
indefinite sum will be expended by the
commissioners.
The men making the guarantee are
above the lnslnuatiOn OF erecting cheap
buildings. Their self-interest, rs we'll rs
their good name, Ii at stake. They are
among the heaviest taxpayers In the
county, and they say to US, tax our
property Its proportional part Of $50
600, aud II the commissioners fall to
complete such buildings rs they approve
for that amount, We will personally pay
the deficiency.
The valuation OF the county by the re
turns Of the state assessors for 1892 was /:
estates, sll, O3i, $50; wild lands, sSl3,-
III; timber and grass on public lots,
sls,,9l; total valuation, sll,s6G,s9S.
$4,000 assessed on this sum would give
q percentage Of .0O253 and fraction.
We will call Ii .002jl. $1,000 will pay
(s2.5l) two dollars and fifty-four cents.
100000 will pay s25i.Oo.
But IL Is not necessary to pay this sum
at once. The bonds Of the county can
be negotiated on twenty years, at four
per cent, and that would require an as
sessment Of o., 800 principal yearly. and
81, 100 interest the flrst year, 81 40 the
second. l,Os0 the third, thus decreasing
from year TO year. The first year the sum
Of Sa,70O would be required TO be as
sessed on the valuation Of the county,
which Il a sum so Insignificant no tax
payer would notice IL; one thousand
dollars paying about twelve and one-half
cents.
Having passed the 18th milestone, self
interest would prompt me 10 vote No.
hut the interests Of Oxford County,
which has % generously honored me, and
which honor aud respect, demand OF
me that vote les, and counsel my fell
low citizens to follow my advice and do
likewise.
f. W. WOODBURY..
Bethel, Feb. s, 1898.