Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1909-02-12

county in the State all eager to listen
to the arguments, pro and con upon
the question Of removing the county
seat from historic old Alfred to some
other town in the county. In the jury
box to listen to the testimony brought
ont were the members OF the YORK
county delegation. Applause was ire
ouent during the hearing and ceased
suddenly when Senator Hamilton,
temporarily installed as chairman dur
ing the absence of Senator Gowell,
warned the people that there must be
no demonstration.
Hon. George W. Haley of Biddeford
opened the case of the proponents. He
stated that the real question was not
whether the court house should be in
Saco, Alfred, Kennebunk or Sanford,
hut whether the people should have
right to vote on it. -t,
Judge Willis r. Einmons or Saco
presented figures to show what the
saving to the county would be II the
iail was in Saco. Judge John p. Deer
ing of Saco stated that at Alfred there
were but six or seven trains daily as
opposed to % at Saco, and In the sum-
mer 40 or so. George c. Emery or Saco
said that his experience as county at
tcrney of York county was at that 1T
cost much less to try his criminal dock
ct at Saco than at Alfred. William
Wells of Wells, said the people of his
town wanted a chance to vote on the
question. George =. Morrison, State
inspector of factories and workshops,
said he found the people wanted
chance to vote on the question. Will
liam J. Mayberry of Biddeford declar-
cl the present buildings inadequate.
Mayor Cornelius Horrigan of Bidde-
ford was in favor of the referendum
and thought the court house should
be changed because the accommoda-
tons were inadequate. eff the build
ings are repaired the coast towns VIII
have to bear the expense" he said.
Mayor Harry A. Weymouth OF Saco
wanted the question submitted to the
voters of the county and settled once
for all. Judge B. F. Cleaves said that
nc could so to Boston easier than he
could to Alfred
The case of the remonStrants was
conducted by Hon. Frank N. Higgins
Of Lime rick. He denied that there was
legitimate demand for vote on the
J matter or for a change. No man be-
lieyes, said he, that the change can
be consummatcd for $4,000. I wan.
to call your attention to the county
court house addition right here ri
Nennebec that cost 100000, and it is
| not a large addition"
Hon. Fred j. Allen OF Sanford said
| that the business men of Sanford wer2
| opposed to removal and that Sanford
| was not candidate for shire town
| honCrs.
| Edwin a. Hobson of Hollis, mem
Der of the board of county commission
ers, stated that the buildings We're in
good repair and that the only need OF
room was for the register of deeds and
probate, and this could be done at
small expense. Prison Inspector z. P.
Mayo of Waterville stated that the
Jail was in good condition and ample
for the number of prisoners confined in
it. Other speakers for the remonstrants
were County Attorney Frederic A.
Hobbs OF South Berwick. E E. Haley
of Keiinebunk and E. P. Spinney OF
Berwick. The closing arguments were
made by Hon. James o. Bradbury Of
Saco for the proponents and Hon.
| George c. Yeaton of South Berwick for
| the remOnStrantS.