Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-03-21

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and county treasurer all have ample accom-
mmlations for the next 20 years. The
office of the register of probate Will IN
time need to be enlarged, and some
changes made in the court house, to sup
nlv modern conyeniences IL desired. The
above would cost less than $4,000 by the
estimates of competent architect. Inc
records of our county are the oldest and
among the most valuable in the state,
and / think can assert without fear OF
successful contradiction that they arc abso-
lutely protected Now, Mr.. President.
think / have shown conclusiyely that the
property at Allied has cost the county
$50, 600. What becomes of this II some
other town is made the shire town OF the
county? 1t becomes absolutely worthless,
and the little town of Alfred is ruined.
Having examined the buildings, let us
direct our attention to the condition OF
business in the courts. In 1859 the Janu-
airy term of the supreme judicial court
was changed to Saco. Why was this
done? The dockets of that court at that
time numbered $50 actions. There We're
no railroad communications to Alfred.
Biddeford and Saco municipal courts had
limited jurisdiction to 90 only. The towns
around Alfred were small. Today the
docket of the supreme judicial court num-
her but 259 actions. The Portland a.
Rochester Railroad runs through the
central part of the county and the north
ern section is in communication with this
road. which passes through Alfred. and
by present arrangements the southwest
ern section of the county has ample rail-
road accommodations to and from the
county seat. Biddeford and Saco have
each a municipal court, presided over by
able and honorable men, before whom
may be tried civil suits to the extent OF
500, and for which the county pays an
nually s24OO Sanford, the most prosper
Gus and growing town of our county, is
only five miles from Alfred. 1t has cleo
trio lights, water works, and an electric
railroad, which have no doubt will be
extended to Alfred and from thence to
some town on the main line of the Bos-
ton g. Maine Railroad. Sanford, beside
having all the conveniences of modern
city, has 1850 voters, 1900 school children
and valuation of S2,351, 1855, almost as
large as Saco, yet in the eyes of our
friends, she should not be considered in
locating our county scat.
The population of the county in 1860
was GO, 1O7; in 1870, 80, ia; in 1880.
SO, 267 in 1890, SO, S27. From these figures
it will be seen that our population is 720
more now than in 1860. This gain can all
be accounted for in the town of Sanford,
and not in the cities of Biddeford and
Saco. Our county tax is $50, 600. We are
in debt $4,000. Times are hard, taxes
high, and there should be long and
earnest public demand before we burden
=, 10 f,,r n
in the county had tax rate of is mills
and over; 10 towns has tax rate of 90
mills and over; towns had tax rate of
25 mills and over; and 2 towns had a
tax rate Of 40 mills and over.
We should not only have to pay the cost
of these new buildings, which would far
exceed the amount asked for by the bill,
but it would cost from $500 to $4,000 more
annually to keep the buildings equipped
and repaired at Biddeford or Saco, than
at Alfred. The cost of the plant and in
terest on the money invested, together
with the amount of property to be con-
demned, means to the county of York not
less than 5000, 600. But the friends of this
movement say such an act of the Legisla-
ture as they ask settles nothing. 1t simply
calls for the people to vote on the matter,
Admitted, if properly presented to the
Legislature, and, if the people, who are
unavoidably absent, make such a request.
I submit that no such demand has been
made. There are 5000 voters in York
county, and after sending paid cmissaries
into nearly every town in the county, and
obtaining signatures under misapprehen-
sions, they present petitions of less than
r,1I t1xvf r.Av In
in and around Biddeford and Saco. The
question formed no factor in our election
no notice was given of such movement
previous to the session of the Legislature;
in fact many of our delegation were first
appraised of the idea when the bill was in
troduccd into this branch of the Lcgisla-
ture By curious combination of Cir
cumstances the sentiments of five of the
most flourishing towns in my senatorial
precinct are not represented in the other
branch of this Legislature hence the re-
port comes to you as it does
It would be unfair and unjust to put all
of our people to the expense and trouble |
incident to special election at the re-
quest of small minority. Our people |
will send representatives here two years
from now, after full discussion of the |
topic and an understanding of the facts,
who will vote and voice the wishes of
their constituents.
The bill itself is unfair: it only gives
the voters the option of voting for Biddc-
ford or Saco, providing they decide to
change the shire town. Why should not
every town in the county be allowed to
make bid if it is to be auctioned off? !
submit that the condition of business in
the county does not warrant the change
asked for, and that the people have not
asked to be allowed to vote on the matter,
consequently this Legislature will be re-
sponsible if it goes to the people.
Can we afford to pass such a measure
at this time? Has it been the policy of
this Legislature to ruin our country towns
to boom large cities? The cry has come
from Biddeford and Saco, and the lawyers
of both cities are pushing it, but can
vass of the members of the bar throughout
the county shows a large majority of that
profession to be against removal. Are the
Biddeford lawyers of any more conse-
quence than the honest farmers who pay
four-fifths of the taxes in our country
towns? If submitted to the people 1t is