Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1902-04-22
THE SCHOOL HOUSE QUESTION.

| EuttOT DeMOCTut.
Imay not be able to attend the towI
meeting, and as you have allowed opin
ions to go into your paper, please allow
me word there.
l am astonished at the recklessnes,
with which voters are called upon tt
give, grant and raise moneys which are
not strictly necessary with the practice
of good economy, all over the country
and especially in the good old town OF
Paris. III there is not suitable room fol
the great number of scholars at South
Paris, in the school houses now, there
should be more, but let it be done with
due care to the interests Of the town.
The plan to make an addition to the
brick house is consistent, safe and
| prudent, but to take that down and build
on the spot new is reckless waste; and
to build new on a new lot and sell the
old house and lot is loss of any reason
able assistance, as the amount realized
would be so small.
Now believe the addition plan the
most advisable and for the interest of
the town, but can it be done under the
article in the warrant? 1t looks to me as
| if it could not, and the conditions,
whether intentional or not, to prevent
such alterations and additions as are
necessary, are sharp, cunning legerde-
main, not worthy place in town war
rant. What can be done must be done
in the manner of the call therein, and
we must take the whole dose or repudiate
it ALL
If accepted, we have this unprecedent-
ed and singular muzzle placed therein:
"Said new house to be erected accord
ing to the plans herewith presented to
the town, approved by the Superintend-
ing School Committee" giving the town
no chance to direct or sharp,
cunning, surely.
Well, the town voted to build new
house, but did not vote to raise the
money for that purpose, and it will not
be done without funds, SO l say, voters
of Paris, let it not be raised. There are
only two ways for the town to adopt
reconsider the vote to build, then pass
over all of that article which seems TO be
filled with plans and funds, and prevents
the town from having fair voice, after
the word village, and have only the first
lines to act on. The article would then
read, ''To see what action the town
will take in relation to providing addi-
tional school room in South Paris vii
lage," and this would give the town
chance to act.
The other would be to pass over all of
that article and wait for future time,
and if there is not possible way to have
high school otherwise, accept the offer
of Paris Hill Academy and have school
this year there, as $500 was raised for
that purpose, and let me say it is no
farther for scholars to go from South
Paris to Paris Hill than from Paris Hill
to South Paris, and the rest of the town
can be convened best on the Hill, and the
town relieved of this great expense.
Voters of Paris, do you fully realize
what this means, to build new house
under that article, which says "by the
plans here submitted? The cost by
them was $4,000, and certainly would
reach $4,000, and your tax and mine
would be nearly doubled in town. feel
not to do it, and rebel and say to all,
rally and let US dispose of these unpleas-
ant and embarrassing matters, and let all
go to the adjourned meeting with fair
ness and considerate judgment, and stay
till the matter is settled.
II. G. BROWN.
West Paris.