Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1921-02-08

fAINE, TUESDAY, T
new division, but with the more evenly
balanced division as it is now.
What Would Be the Financial Effect7
Up to last March the town Of Paris
had no bonded indebtedness, and while
the tax rate has been gradually increas:
ing, there was no debt excepting the usu-
al debts Of the ordinary town expenses.
Last March the majority Of the voters
voted to bond the town for $4,000 for
a cement road from the Norway line to
the Park Street bridge At that time
the total borrowing capacity was $82,-
100000, which is fixed by law. It was
well known that West Paris and South
Paris both needed lot Of nancy for
school houses, and there was an article
in the warrant for the town meeting to
see if the town would appropriate $40,-
| 100000 for schoolhouse at West Paris.
After it was voted to build the cement
road, the borrowing capacity Of the town
was reduced 30 that it would not have
been possible to raise the money that
West Paris called for, and after the bat
tie was over, and the smoke cleared away
little, the sensible voters in all parts
of the town woke up to the fact that it
was not wise to make sudden change
from town treasury with no debts, and
with good credit, to treasury that was
in debt clear to the extreme limit Of the
law and with credit so low that future
additions, schoolhouses and roads, would
be impossible. An argument that is used
| by the promoters Of the proposed division
! is that they must have scho0lhouse, and
that South Paris will not allow them to
have one, consequently division is the
only way to get it. After tie borrowing
capacity Of the town had been reduced
by the $4,000 called for by the cement
road, we have left $34, 100000 that is pos
sible to be raised and keep within the
limit, providing the voters will vote for
it. In addition to this, there have been
running expenses for the present year
and also several funds that have been
left to tie town which amount to the still
further indebtedness of $16,000.00 that
must be taken care Of in some way, and
be divided between the two sections Of
the town, if the proposed division is made.
As the Western part Of the town is
practically $3.50 of the total valuation
and would have to assume their share Of
the debts and would have their share of
the borrowing capacity, We can easily fig
ure that they could bond the new part Of
the town for $3.50 Of the $34, 100000 that
we have left or $s,5O0.00. To be deduct
ed from this would be $3.50 Of the $16,
100000 indebtedness that they will have
to provide for, which if they do not wish
to assess for immediate taxes, they could
include with their bonds, and deduct $4,-
100000 from their So 100000, which would
leave them with credit Of $4,500.00 to
build the schoolhouse which they asked the
town of Paris to give the SAC, 100000 for.
They may have other means of fnanc-
ing, but every one knows that getting in
debt to the fullest extent possible, is
bad thing for an Individual, or a town,
and will only bring financial trouble in
the end.
The new valuation may change tie
above figures, and may make it possible
for a larger amount to be borrowed, but
it will also change the figures Of the
south end Of the town, and probably
much more than in the west end, 30 that
the possibility Of being able to raise the
money will be much better if the town re-
mains as it is now. It is safe thing to
do, for all parts Of the town, to vote to
stay as we are now, unless We can be
sure Of more benefits than we can see
now. There are several funds that have
been given to the town, which the town
has taken the money and spent, and is
paying interest every year, and the divisi-
on Of this Indebtedness would be very
puzzling and complicated matter, even If
the legality of such proceeding may be
above question.
There is another reason why I am
very much opposed to the division, and
am well aware that while many will agree
with me in the matter Of sentiment, and
pride of the town Of Paris, there are some
that will say that it should not be con-
sidered. Among my earliest memories is
the memory Of the large white tent on
Paris Hill, when tie town celebrated its
one hundredth anniversary. remember
sitting on the grass in front Of the stand
where the speakers stood, and listening
with boyish eagerness to tie stories told
of the early days Of the pioneers, and
their struggles and hardships to build a
town out Of tie forests that covered the
land at that time. heard the famous
men of that day tell Of other famous men
that had passed on before them, and OF
their life in this town and what they did
for it in its days Of small beginnings.
have always been proud of tie famous
men Of our town, and Of its place in his
tory, and of its governors Of this and
other states, its congressman, senators,
United States postmaster and vice-presi.
dent of our country. It has always made |
me feel sense Of gratitude that my home
was in Paris and that sense Of pride OF
the early days, and the great men that
have gone out from us, has increased as
+ grow older. I would be very sorry In |
deed for the sake of sentiment, to see this
town vote to divide itself, for 80 slight
reasons as have been set forth, and with
no more to be gained than can see, and
it is with most earnest wishes for the
good of the whole Of the town Of Paris, |
that I urge all voters, men and women
both, to carefully consider this matter,
if it progresses 30 far as to come before
the voters at the next town meeting.
GEO. R. NORTON.