Ellsworth American

If you will allow me a little space in your paper I would like to harp my share upon the Town Hall string. It is hardly necessary to enumerate the irksome and provoking inconveniences we are subjected to by the want of such a Hall, nor to point out the great advantages that would result from its erection. No one will pretend, I suppose, that town affairs can be so well discussed, or correctly decided in the miserable old shell we now use, as in a large, handsome, comfortable Hall. The passing humors influence us all mightily, and a raw, chilling wind, or dreary storm beating in through the broken windows, and howling about our ears has more effect upon the deliberations. Then, too, we have no public offices for town business, but we have to inquire yearly and poke round the village to find where our officials do business. The Selectmen are compelled to hire an office where they can,—the Clerk may have his office at any distance, and the Treasurer still farther off. It is difficult to feel that we have a town government when its offices are so scattered. Why should not the enterprising town of Ellsworth have at least, large and convenient offices where its books and records can be kept, so that its citizens and others may know where to transact business with the town?

The past winter we have realized most vividly, that we have no place at all suitable for the many social and charitable entertainments we enjoyed. The want of a Hall is a serious and difficult obstacle when any public assembly or amusement is proposed. In summer it is none the less provoking, when we wish for conventions, religious and political, to assemble here. During the coming summer, are to be argued and contested, principles that underlie the very foundations of our theory of national government. The principles finally approved and the policy finally settled next Fall will fix the course of the government for the next half century. It is of the utmost importance that the whole political question should be thoroughly discussed by the people before the November election. Unionists and Democrats have alike the deepest interest in the subject and are anxious to procure the widest dissemination of their doctrines. In all towns of importance the parties have regular meetings for political discussions, but in Ellsworth we have no place fit, but must have our meetings in the open air.

The present heavy debt of the town is the only objection that is urged against building a handsome Town House the next summer. Individuals always provide themselves with comfortable and convenient offices and shops for their business, even where their debts equal their assets. They consider it no extravagance so to do. Ellsworth is far from bankruptcy and can easily afford to provide a decent place for the transaction of municipal business. A shapely, commodious Hall in this village would secure the assemblage of many conventions, which now are reluctant to come and thus a greater influx of people will result, Ellsworth by having a large central Hall would add still more to its character and influence in the county. Norombega Hall is a public benefit to Bangor socially and financially, and most of our citizens could not fail to profit by the erection of one here. Anything that draws people here, will benefit our merchants, lawyers, farmers, mechanics and innholders.

To obviate in some degree increased taxation, the following plan is suggested— that a sort of joint stock company be formed for the building of a Town House, with the shares at fifty or one hundred dollars— Let the town take a certain number of shares and have the preference and free use of the Hall and offices and to keep them in repair. The remaining shares can be taken up by the citizens of the village who shall have a voice in the building and management of the Hall. During the greater part of the year, the Hall will be in great demand for Lectures, Balls, Entertainments, Conventions, &c., and will undoubtedly command a handsome renting price. The rents would give the share-holders a yearly per cent on their investment and perhaps pay the interest on the cost.