Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1911-01-31
Once More the Sewer.
WEST PARIS, Jan. 20, 1911,

The sewer question at South Paris is
of so much Importance 1t does not easily
down. 1t has been so long before this
town and so extensively discussed, that
it is hard to enlarge, but the communi-
cation of E. Z. Field places it in such a
light that South Paris people too well
understand what good citizens ought to
do.
The good people of South Paris, many
of them are opposed TO forcing this large
expense on our town and oppressively
grinding those not living Immediately
there with so heavy and burdensome
taxes for matters that really benefit only
class, and are not called for by the
public good. This is special class action,
as outside OF South Paris no one can say
it is demanded, and largely of no benefit
to citizens there.
The statutes say that towns may, not
shall, when necessity and public con-
venience require il, construct public
sewers, ard defines how and when, but
not until the town votes TO raise the
money therefor, and not then unless
necessity calls for il. This town has for
six years voted not to construct sewers
there, and the voice of the town fairly
given is against it and should have been
accepted, or else the voice of the people
for government is fallacy. But at the
las, annual meeting the weather was
terrible, and people living out in back
parts of the town could not get to town
meeting, and South Paris by old Tam
many methods cosxed and drove in
schemirgly enough to get vote to raise
thirty-five hundred dollars to construct
South Paris sewer, and did other
things marvellous TO relate, thus plung
ing our town further into debt, making
taxes heavier and more burdeusome and
oppressive.
Mr.. Field says a party at South Paris
said to him that an article should be put
into the warrant till the town could be
forced TO build sewer lat South Paris,
of course). This calls to mind the story
of Uncle Scion Chase, though do no,
know who the party may be, but the re
tort will well apply. In the Greenbacs
days Uncle Scion was an inveteratt
Greeubacker, and stumped about tb'
country on "too much hog in the dol
lar" But after the question was settled
in favor of hard money, Uncle Scion
went west to speak for Mckinley in the
campaign. In great meeting while
speaking, he was interrupted by growl
er who said, "Seems to me you have
changed your mind since you were here
before" Uncle Scion said, "Yes, mel
sometimes change their minds, bu
mules and asses never" This fellow a
4 - 70 10 ~ m
repentance smooths his way of citizen
ship.
Many of the good citizens of South
Paris are opposed to making the towr
help few persons put in their sewers
and We feel grateful for their candor anC
unselfishness; and when we think o
W hat has been named and Others to b'
crowding on, can they not see the in
Justice done to those having no interest:
If a party chooses to build a house 10
a mud hole or pot hole, is the towr
under obligation to grade up and put IL
sewerage to make his property valuable
Not at all. Then to think that thes'
parties who are the movers for this sewe
are able to make all needed ones assis
in crowding on the poor and unfortunate
is lamentable. Look at the poor widow
left perhaps without ample means, hard
" able to keep the wolf from the dool
and struggling on for her little ones, tc
hold them in her little home, and thu
unfortunate and humble homes of thos'
who have hardly the uecessaries Of life
and are able to get along only by the ut
4 most economy, and women having N
/ &c m sol vAg
Yet these suffer by such Oppressive
ways, and the votes of dozens of mel
who can be rallied in and about Sout
Paris who pay only poll tax, to buil'
sewers for the benefit of the favore'
ones. | must and can say envy not tn
head or heart of any one that will do 1t
When the struggle was on to chang
the place of town meetings | felt an
feared these difficulties, and oppose,
changing from Paris Hill. We wer
told by residents of South Paris that tn
cost for hall to hold town meeting
would be only a trifle-not over fiv
dollars a meeting, and only two or thre
a year, but we see the bill paid for las
year was 800.
Other things are equally wondrou'
Fifty dollars per year for water fountain
The Croker fund of one thousand do
lars left to the deserving poor in the car
of the town. expanding the fair income
snapped of for q western railroa
security that was worthless, and had
be made good by the town.
The sewer now being constructed b
the same questionable methods Is
harmony with the other schemes, s
that the dear wealthy ones can have vi
ter to drink and wash In, and be waite
q away to the sea, and their health an
lives can be heightened for the gener'
good. Better 60 to Jordan and see th
. Good Samaritan, and to Jericho and CON
up with more broad and liberal view
and remember the poor and those
4, bonds, IS bound with them.
am In favor of Mr.. Fields position
Resciud the last years vote on prices
enter the sewer, and have fair ar
reasonable price made and q modificatie
= of the sum raised. And say let all 4
terested be at our annual March NEE
ing and act as we feel Is right and jus
!. and then abide like men.
!. q. G. BROWN.