Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1906-08-14
ae,76s 4s 1896 SO 400 So 1851 AZ
AUGUSTA, ME-, Aug. 8, '06.


Gillicuddy has completed his tour among
the disabilities of the countryside in OK
ford County, advantage may be taken of
the lull in laughter to consider some OF
the eminent humorist's points" on
state issues.
| As an entertainer the Hon. D. j. ap-
pears to have ALT Martz and Comical
Brown and other rural "sunbeams of
fun" crowded off into the wings. Gusty
laughter still springs from peak to peak
in the Oxford hills and exclamation is
battered in echoes between Tumbledick
and Striped Mountain. But unfortunately
for the lasting effect of the Lewiston can
didate's humor hard. headed Maine men
do not vote as they laugh-not when they
know the facts. As the Hon. D. j. has
been the first to open his mouth and
spatter the air with figures colored with
Democratic hues, it is fair to presume
that he is empowered to pitch the key
for such tuneful Democrats as may fol-
low him on the stump.
1t is the same old Democratic wall OF
extravaganza in state expenditure "a
wall almost wordless as to details-sim-
ply sad, sad sound in the wilderness. 1t
makes folks prick up their ears for the
time-only so long as such orators as the
Hon. Daniel j. keep their heads thrown
back and the noise coming. Such argu-
ments as he makes scarcely deserve a
reply serious or seriatim, but in their
lusty vigor and confidence this year the
Republican campaign managers feel like
hitting with hard facts every Democratic
head that shows itself-and it happens
that the Hon. d. Us is the first one in
sight, bobbing above the flood of state
issues.
Here is a sample OF the molasses thai
the jocose Lewistonian has been feeding
to the Oxford Bears:
During the past 20 years he said the population
had increased IS $50 or about 1000 q year. The
valuation has increased during the same time
from $235, 900 900 to $685., 10000 While the pop
nlation and valuation have thus been growing
the expenditures have made an enormous juml
from $40 900 to 81 .ls!0es:
speaker. "Where Is this money going to any
way? The people who are working hard to pay
the bills ought to know"
Mr.. McGillicuddy couldn't tell the good
men of Oxford County where the m oney
had gone, and his query seems to hint al
an inability to tell them. After having
their curiosity thus piqued by the
humorist, who found it necessary to
hasten on his whirl-wind flight of fur
and leave them guessing, the farmers and
the taxpayers of OxfOrd-who are now
doubtless recovered from their hilarity
deserve to have few sober figures
gathered patiently from the states
books.
Here are facts for the taxpayers of Ok
ford County to sit down beside and
study. Humor lasteth for day, but
when men are making ready to vote it is
the hard, cold fact and the sobersided
"figger" that win out.
First of all Oxford County is interest.
ed in its own affairs and its own pocket
book. Those in control of state affairs
would like each taxpayer to do a bit OF
studying and then consider II Oxford
County needs any advice from the emf.
nent humorist of the AndroscOggin.
Voters know in general way that the
state turns back to towns certain sums,
but the majority of voters do not realize
how much these sums amount to. The
table appearing under the title "Oxford
County's Balance Sheet with the State
shows the total receipts for each town in
the county from the treasury of the
state, and lastly the amount of the state
town tax set off against that total. The
first town on the list is Albany, for ex.
ample. 1t receives total from the state
of S444 20. 1t pays to the state 1851. "a
1t therefore is 1926 "to the good" at
the end of the year. Other towns in the
county exhibit showing of yet greater
interest to the taxpayer.
The grand total of sums received from
the state is Sal 1854. The County of
Oxford pays to the state $35, 1891 .43. 1t
therefore receives back in regular dis.
bursements according to law S5,707. IL in
excess of what it pays into the state
treasury.
Already Mr.. McGillicuddy's humor
seems to be losing some of its edge, does
it not?
Let US 60 on with more of those flinty
facts aud cold "fggers"
Besides the sums detailed in the table
previously referred to, Oxford County is
getting its share of state pensions. In
1880, the favorite year Of Democratic
comparison, the veterans were lusty and
able to work. Now many are feeble and
old, and their earning capacity ia dimin.
ished or in many cases utterly departed.
A generous state remembers their service
gratefully. Hence the increase in the
amount turned into Oxford in state
pensions. In 1880 the amount was 1908,
paid to soldiers in twelve towns of the
county. In 1905 the amount was S..
| 145, paid to soldiers in twenty-nine towns
of the county. Hence we should add
s., l45 to the total which the county is
receiving from the state.
And this is not the end.
Last year Oxford got some special ap-
preparations after her people had ear
Mostly asked the legislature for the same.
Study tho table. The fertile wit of the
Menus of ADdroscoggin County might
find food in that bear bounty If the Hon.
Daniel j. were talking to others than
men who week after week find valuable
sheep slaughtered In their back pastures.
But he will scarcely jest at the pallid
sufferers of Names sanatorium, high on
the hills Of Hebron.
SPECIAL APPROPRIATIONS BY THE LRG.sLA.
TURE. OXFORD COUNTY, 1905.
Maine State Sanatorium Association. 10000 90
Insane State Benefciaries,. .. Hl8
$lO.654 70
And now for the grand total Of old OK
ford as contained In the summary. Study
that, last of all.
SUMMARY.