Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1905-03-17
It had none; it gave them no relief

& Power Co. went on and built ana
maintained their power house, after
finding that the water supply was not
sufficient to do the necessary hsntihs
and furnishing of power in the villages
of Norway and South Paris. They
had found that the water supply was
insufficient to supply the needs OF the
business which they had built up.
They had in the past made an ar
rangement for the furnishing OF light
10 the village of South Paris at what
was considered n fair and reasonable
rate: and it was. 1 admit, for good ana
sufficient lighting. but the people OF
South Paris were not satisfied with the
lighting; they felt it was insufficient
and they objected. But year after year
the contracts were renewed at the OLD
price of SOS a year for the arc hght.
running until II o'clock on the dark Oh
the moon, which was a high price 1or
such service and IS cents a month, or
312 year for incandescent lighting UNI
der the same service.
This ran along until a little more
than two years ago. when the same
service of arc lights jumped to $50 IA
wear. the same insufficient lightlng
with which the village corporation had
become dissatisfied and they refused
to take any more light at that rate.
Now then, there is where we come
in. say that we cannot. or the people
of South Paris village cannot afford to
nav SIS a wear for the poor light OF
that syseln They will refuse to do it.
and now ask the privilege of having
the right to light their own streets and
do their own commercial lighting.
The village of South Paris lies adja-
cent to Norway. All of that which is
done in South Paris at the present time
is the bringing in of some Of the lights
for commercial purposes. They have in
addition to their original plant an cleo
trio railway, for which this company
is furnishing the power. They are al
so now selling power. or have been UNI
til recently, to a shoe factory, and to
the pumping station; and to show at
the present time that this company is
unable to meet the requirements upon
its power they have been obliged with
in the last few months to cut off the
power 10 the shoe factory and pump
ing station. SO at present they are I'M
able to furnish sufficient power to light
the streets of South Paris. and do the
other lighting sufficient for their plant
Now to get at the other reason we
are asking for this. In the first place,
we would not come in here and ask the
Legislature to take away the powers OF
this Oxford Light & Power Co. if it
would do them any material damage.
agree with those who have spoken on
this subject that it is not good policy
to injure invested capital; but if you
will look carefully into this you will
soc it will not in any way injura vest
ed capital in that locality.
1t is said they have expended n,0O(
on this plant. This company bought OF
the Wallaces their rights and privileges
and paid for it in bonds at an exhor
bitant figure Now. the Wallaces arr
not going to be injured. provided thi:
matter is carried. because they tool
that privilege and right knowing the
objections which the South Paris peo
pie had. and consequently they took il
and must abide by the consequences.
Furthermore the State gives then
this privilege: they took it away from
South Paris; the Wallaces have re
ceived an exorbitant Price for it il
bonds If the bonds are reduced
which I claim they Will not be. thel
who shall suffer only those who hav'
had exceptional privileges. and hav'
beer well repaid for them. Now, tina
takes care of :he Wallaces.
Now upon other matters.-upOn thu
railroad there has been issued a GER
tain amount ce bonds. but the railroad
is paying Investment. and will con
tinue so to do. That will take care o
itself
Then. further. the people of Soutl
Paris have prepared themselves t.
supply their village with electric lights
Ten Of their patriotic citizens bOugh
water power four miles above Pari
village for thousand dollars. which i
sufficient to light the village of SOut,
Paris and do it's commercial lighting
This they are ready TO turn over 4
the citizens. not for 4 profit, but a
cost that municipal lighting plan
nay be established il order that the.
may have their own service under thei
OWE control. This they are prepared t
do, AMI ready TO see it is installed
once. They do not wish to take ava
anything from the Did company. bu
they are willing to pay the old com
rany for all the property that lie
within their town.
Those who have spoken before m
have said that the Oxford Light i
Power Company hace offered to b
fair. and offered to compromise. Wha
is that offer? Here is a plant wort
$4,000 located over in the town y
Norway. with only about $4,000 wort
Of property located in South Paris
Now they say YOU may have it--yo'
may take the wOhle plart-we will sci
II. or you may leave it tn arbitration
to decide wha. it is worth.
Gentlemen OF the Senate. if you vii
look over the several water district
along this river. and see what the Stat
was obliged to pay to the corporations
and then look at this little village O
South Paris, and ask them to pay no
only what these people claim it
worth. but also the value of this fran
chise. which they claim is more tina
the value of the property itself An
this, too. located in a town not thei
own, over which they would have n
right OF control in the way of taxation
That is very fair propositions; don
you think so?
Now further the South Paris vii