The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1903-06-11

anu papers III oulCes Vi ItRlStSf VI ueeuS,
register of probate and clerk of courts
would be catastrophe. He referred to
crowded condition of rooms occupied for
the law library and its Inconvenience,
also the crowded condition of vaults.
Business of the county had grown and
must grow. Ii is the duty of commits
sioners to put vaults in safe condition
and we must have place for the law
library.
Hon. George G. Weeks of Fairfield
said the enlargement of the Court House
and rebuilding of vaults was matter of
the greatest importance to Somerset
county and its servants, the officers.
He referred to the history of the legisla-
ton of two years ago and last winter.
Somerset delegation agreed in 1901 as
totthe necessity of enlargement of the
Court House but were divided in regard
to referring it to the people to vote upon,
5 being In favor of the referendum and A
against. The Senate sustained one side,
the House the other and thus it failed.
The people of his part of the county, he
said, were in favor of the project, 10
favor of good broad policy.
Hon. Turner Boswell of Scion said he
was always in favor of Improvement.
The prime evil of the present situation
is the insecurity of the records. The
expense of providing secure vaults
would bear no comparison to the dam.
age of destruction of records. There is
no room for library nor for attorneys to
confer with clients.
L. L. Walton, Esq, had good word
to say for the Somerset court room,
stating that it was much better than
that 10 the new court house at Bangor.
Later he said the legal profession in
Skowhegan were a unit for the enlarge
ment and advised that the commissioners
allow a committee of the attorneys If
the comfy to confer with them in re-
gard to changes, etc.
W. R. Jordan, ESQ.,, of Bingham said
he had heard of no opposition in his
section of the county to rebuilding the
court house. All agreed that something
must be done.
Augustine Simmons, Esq, of North
Aason said the law library was a nui
sance and laughing stock for all who
came here from other counties. The
demand for safety of records and papers
is imperative. You cannot estimate the
damage, litigation, Inconvenience and
sorrow their destruction would cost.
All expect the county commissioners
will proceed to rebuild.
W. T. Seekins, Esq, clerk of courts,
said he had been informed by competent
judges that the record vaults are not fire
proof. Later he stated that county at
torney, county treasurer and sheriff
have no offices at the Court House. He
also spoke Of its defective ventilation.
g. o. Small, ESQ.,, of Madison said the
interest Ia the matter was not confined
to attorneys, jurors and, other citizens
having business at the Court House real
lied the situation.
j. W. Manson, Esq, of Pitts1eld said
that people in his vicinity expect the
commissioners are going to make ex,en-
sive renovation and addition to the
Court House and are generally much in
favor of 1t. Safety of records is mat
ter of duty. Somerset should have as
good a court house as other counties of
its size and wealth In the State.
j. F. Holman, ESQ.,, of Athens said
people in his section think something
should be done. The probate office,
when the grand jury room is opened into
it is the only office In the Court House
adequate to its requirements. The neces-
sity of Improvement is great.
F. L. Ames, Esq, of Norridgewock
said he had heard the matter discussed
very little In his town, but the people
expect the enlargement of the Court
House and are in favor of 1t.
Mr.. Lewis Anderson of Skowhegan
said there was evidently a necessity for
Improvement In the Court House. The
vaults should be made safe beyond per-
adventure. The county is unwilling to
be behind other counties 10 substantial
and convenient public buildings. The
people at large will justify 1t.
Mr.. E. F. Fairbrother Of Skowhegan
said he would be glad to see $4,000 ex-
pended on the Court House. The present
structure is disgrace to the county.
Daniel Lewis, ESQ.,, said he was in
favor of putting the Court House in
shape 80 it would be adequate for county
business for 30 years. He believed the
vault In present structure unsafe.
Mr.. C. S. Humphrey of Madison was
impressed with the crowded condition of
the register of deeds Office He estimated
the expense of renovation of the Court
House would be $40, 900 or more.
Mr.. Joseph o. Smith of Skowhegan