Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1907-03-12

urer. and Alfred Fl. Jackson collector,
each on single ballot. The collectors
compensation was fixed at one and one
half per cent.
For chief engineer Charles W. Bowker
received 80 of 80 votes cast, the others
being scattered.
For first assistant W. A. Porter had Is
votes, and there were 4 scattering.
For second assistant P. NJ. Walker had
10 votes, and there were 3 scattering.
Appropriations were made under the
several articles as given at the head OF
this column, there being no lengthy dis
cussion over any of them.
When the article regarding the light
ing of the streets was reached, the
moderator stated that he had brief
message to present from Mr.. Young, the
superintendent of the Norway and Paris
Street Railway. This was 10 effect that
owing to his illness he had not been able
to prepare a proposition, but that he
hoped to do so within two weeks, also
that there was a possibility of an all
night service being available. 1t was
then voted that committee of three be
appointed to confer with Mr.. Young
and report at an adjourned session, with
instructions that the service shall be an
all-uipht service. On the suggestion
that It might be possible for the cor
poration under it's charter to purchase
power of the Mason Manufacturing Co.
or the Paris Manufacturing Co., the
committee was also instructed to look
into the feasibility of that plan. The
moderator later appointed "a that com
mittee, II. G. Fletcher, A. E. Shurtletf,
and J. j. Emeley.
With regard to making a contract
with the Norway Water co. for water
and hydrant service, A. W. Walker from
the committee to confer with the Water
Co. reported that thu company was not
vet ready to submit proposition, and
probably could not until after they had
closed with Norway village. Mr.. Walker
and William j. Wheeler were continued
as a committee to act with the corpora
ton assessors in this matter. In re-
Spouse to motion made by Mr.. Wright,
vote expressed the sense of the meet
ing that the committee should insist up
on free water for the park and cemetery,
as under the old contract.
When the article regarding employ
meut of police was reached, 1t was pass
ed over just as quick as the motion
could DO made and put, with single
vote in opposition. The same fate later
bsfell the article regarding arrangements
for ringing the curfew.
The raging discussion of the meeting
came on the article regarding the estab-
lishment of fire alarm system. Mr..
Wright made motion to pass over this
article, as an unnecessary expense. The
motion was defeated, and in the rather
informal and somewhat mixed debate
which followed, 1t developed that the
special thing which is asserted to make
our fire alarms inefficient is the arrange
ment of the ropes ON the bell at the
Methodist church. The large rope,
which swings the bell, is kept up in the
loft, and the small rope, which operates
the tolling hammer. is left down IN the
vestibule for fire alarms. 1t is asserted
by Chief Engineer Bowker and Others
that the tolling Of the bell BY this ham,
mer is insufficient to wake up the tiremen,
az has been demonstrated in recent fires.
On the other hand, George F. Farnum,
one of the trustees of the Methodist
church, who had special charge OF hang
ing this bell, stated the reasons why the
ropes were left "a they were. In brief
they were that the manner in which the
bell was hung, and the fact that 1t was
used for the town clock, made 1t in
advisable to leave it to be swung by any
| mex perienced person who might be the
| first to get at it. 1t was considered, he
said, that q man of full strength could
give as good an alarm with the tolling
hammer as he could by swinging the
bell.
The debate waved warm at times, but
the only action taken under the article
was to authorize the chief engineer to
make arrangements to have the rope left
down which swings the bell.
| Interest and discount on taxes were
arranged as for some years past, and tho
meeting adjourned to meet again at New
Hall in four weeks. This date will be
April 2, and the only business then In
order will DO the article regarding the
lighting Of the streets, which was laid on
the table at this meeting.