The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1907-03-14
Annual Town Meeting

| Skowhegan was called to order by Town
Clerk Geo. Simpson TT ten O'Clock, last
Monday morning in Weston hall. The
usual motion was made to dispense with
the reading of the warrant, this being
especially ut cesssry this year on account
of the number of articles, everyone real
izing that the business could not be fin
ished in one day, unless time was econ
omized in every possible manner. L. L.
Walton, esq WAS chosen moderator by
ballot and was sworn to the faithful per-
formance of his duties, the oath being
administered by the town clerk Mr..
Walton has been the presiding officer at
eight of skowhegan's town meetings,
the present year being the fifth annual
meeting without break 10 the success
sion.
Upon his suggestion the meeting de-
cided to choose a committee of three to
receive, sort and count votes and upon
of the meeting sharp difference of
opinion appeared as to whether this COM
mittee should be appointed by the chair
or otherwise chosen, the former method
prevailing and (. F. Merrill. R Fl.
Townsend and j. w. Packard being des-
ignated. The attention of the press
representatives was called to the fact
that these gentlemen were all of the
Methodist faith but this was not deemed
to incapacitate them from rendering an
impartial decision, while it might be
looked upon as an unusual coincidence.
The chair then called for votes for
town clerk and the voters proceeded to
ballot with considerable enthusiasm,
the contest being between Geo. Simpson,
the present incumbent, and A. Gotta,
who had been placed in nomination at a
labor union mass meeting several weeks
since The whole number of votes
thrown WAS 464 and of these MI. Simp.
son received $50 to 1l3 cast for his OPP
ponent.
" lille the balloting was in progress
for town clerk l.. w. Weston made the
proposition to adjourn to the following
Monday, stating that E n. Merrill
would give the town the use of his hall
in the Merrill block on that date. Mr.
Weston called the attention of the meet
Ing to the fact that the hall was already
crowded to its fullest capacity and that
it seemed likely that several hundred
people would be unable to gain admit
lance to participate in the proceedings
Upon this consideration alone he be-
lieved adjournment to be advisable.
Every body could see the Inconvenience
of carrying onybusness in eston hall
but there wds sharp opposition to
postponing tie meeting for one week.
Consid cradle difficulty was experienced
in getting the meeting into form so that
fair division could be had and, during
the discussion, a motion was actually
made to adjourn to Island avenue and
poll the house by lining up on the two
sides of the street. but the vote was
finally taken by show of hands and
and the motion to adjourn was lost by a
decided majority. A motion was made
to adjourn to AImory hall in the Hesel.
ton block, but this was withdrawn on
on announcement by the chair that
Father Lacroix had offered the use of
Convent hall without charge for the
purpose of completing the meeting,
Father lacroix's offer being accepted
without division. 1t was exactly eleven
new place of meeting and at eleven fif-
teen theY-had made their way to the
hall on t e third floor of the Parochial
school building on Water street and Mr..
Walton called for order.
Promptly on coming to order in Con
vent ball the first and second selectmen
the meeting directing the Town Clerk
to cast ballot for K. Francls Parker
and Sheldon H. Bradbury who have
filled these positions on the board for
several years, Mr.. Patkers service com
mencing In 1901 and Mr. Bradbury
first election occurring in 1900
There were three candidates for third
selectman, A. h. Wyman, who has held
this position for six years; Chas A.
Burnor, the candidate of the Labor
Union mass meeting previously referred
to, and NJ. Shepherd Adams, who had
consented to be a candidate at the re-
quest of a certain portion of the trade
union people, suppleme nted by some of
the farming population. A. H. Wyman
made a motion that the check list be
used in balloting for third selectmsn
and this was seconded by E. F. Fair
| brother. The chair announced that this
motion would prevail if favored by one
third of those present, and, upon a show
of hands it was very evident that il was
favored by much more than this mum.
Der. The balloting with the use of the
check list was necessarily slow and,
while it was in progress, motion was
passed, that at the completion of the
ballot, the meeting adjourn for one
Continued on Serenth Page)
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Somerset Road Sold?
A rumor la abroad to the effect that