USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Fairhaven > Town annual report of the offices of Fairhaven, Massachusetts 1871-1872 > Part 1
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REPORTS
OF THE
SELECTMEN OF FAIRHAVEN
ON THE
FINANCIAL AFFAIRS OF THE TOWN,
AND OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE,
FOR THE YEAR 1871-72.
NEW BEDFORD : E. ANTHONY & SONS, PRINTERS, 67 UNION STREET. 1872.
REPORT
OF THE
SELECTMEN OF FAIRHAVEN
ON THE
FINANCIAL AFFAIRS OF THE TOWN,
FOR THE YEAR 1871-72.
NEW BEDFORD : E. ANTHONY & SONS, PRINTERS, 67 UNION STREET. 1872.
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2016
https://archive.org/details/annualreportofto 1871fair
REPORT OF THE SELECTMEN.
107/5.72
ACCOUNT OF THE COLLECTOR OF TAXES.
Uncollected taxes as per last report,
$7,373.29
Amount of tax bills placed in hands of T. Damon, Jr., for the year 1871,
25,013.47
School district taxes collected,
30.15
Interest on taxes collected,
301.24
Fairhaven National Bank tax,
3,986.82
$36,704.97
Amount collected by T. Damon, Jr., and paid :
State treasurer,
$4,600.00
County treasurer,
2,113.00
State treasurer, bank tax,
275.48
Town treasurer,
19,821.84
Abatement on taxes for prompt payment, 1,100.54
239.21
Taxes remitted,
554.68
School district tax, year 1869,
84.72
Treasurer and collector, commission,
Uncollected taxes, 1860,
66
66
1861,
66
1862,
66
1863,
288.54
66
1864,
254.55
66
1865,
143.00
66
1866,
195.20
66
1867,
257.95
66
1868,
359.54
66
1869,
1.079.82
1870,
1,220.32
66
1871,
2,825.97 $36,704.97
02/3.00
Discount on bank tax,
684.72
107.53
141.06
357.10
The Selectmen have examined the accounts of T. Damon, Jr., collector of taxes, and find them correct,
4
TUCKER DAMON, JR.,
IN ACCOUNT WITH THE TOWN OF FAIRHAVEN, DR.
To balance from old account, $2,089.46
To taxes received from collector, 19,821.84
To net dividend from Nat. Bank, Fairhaven, 46.00
To cash from town of Nantucket,
167.75
Town of Marion,
156.00
Town of Acushnet,
9.00
City of New Bedford,
72.10
City of Fall River,
164.64
Joseph Pope,
194.80
Manuel Noons,
45.45
Henry J. Howard,
6.00
Mrs. A. P. Willcox, book agent,
235.00
Fairhaven Savings Institution,
5,500.00
State aid,
644.00
State corporation tax,
662.41
State school fund,
203.04
County, dog tax,
136.95
Sales from town farm,
178.71
Jonathan Cowen, old school house,
35.00
Interest on loan,
8.91
Est. Mary Nolan,
8.77 $30.385.83
CREDIT.
By orders drawn on treasurer and paid for
account of highways, public schools,
support of poor and incidental account, $29,922.61
By balance on hand to new account,
463.22 $30,385.83
REPAIRS OF HIGHWAYS.
Order in favor of Seth A. Mitchell for payment to
David Howe,
$40.70
Edward West,
22.00
Francis Hammond,
13.00
William P. Alden,
34.50
Peleg R. Drew,
21.10
Charles F. Blossom,
17.12
Jabez Delano,
17.60
Samuel Briggs,
60.50
Henry Jenney,
22.50
Roland Fish,
31.85
William Mann,
83.45
5
Daniel Kendrick, William Haney,
39.20
49.20
Joseph Peck,
20.20
Seth Alden,
44.65
Granville Taber,
24.80
City of New Bedford,
245.89
John Howard,
36.40
J. M. Wright,
42.96
A. D. Bourne,
.70
John H. Perry & Co.,
5.31
J. Lewis,
2.63
Joseph Greenwood,
3.20
James Terry,
51.20
John Courrin,
33.30
Jonathan Cowen,
18.78
Roland Smith,
1.55
R. W. Paine,
4.00
Thomas Perkins,
2.70
Thomas Clark,
3.00
Thomas W. Taber,
16.20
B. & F. H. Iron Works,
27.75
Elishub Allen,
2.00
Henry T. Howard,
2.50
William C. Ford,
71.88
Charles Jenney,
3.16
John A. Hawes,
1.00
George H. Taber,
9.45
Joseph B. Taber,
14.40
Thomas Seekins,
3.50
James M. Hall,
15.20
J. M. Howland,
3.95
Job Wilcox,
14.37
Henry Akin,
21.00
Welcome J. Lawton,
27.00
Amos Rogers,
2.40
John S. Taber,
6.00
Reuben Marshall,
9.80
S. B. Studley,
17.00
James Tripp,
1.20
Edward Jenney,
1.50
James R. Lawrence,
6.75
Alexander Tripp,
6.12
Reuben Reed,
5.50
Sylvanus Studley,
4.00
R. A. Dunham,
6.00
John Fisher,
58.30
Oliver H. Wilcox,
37.20
6
.
Manuel Rossa,
85.45
Benjamin S. Briggs,
13.00
Charles Stetson,
56.87
Josiah R. Howland,
76.30
Seth Delano,
29.00
Jabez T. Howard,
76.17
E. G. Grinnell,
33.37
George Atwood,
3.60
Joseph C. Jenney,
17.10
Edward Eldredge,
28.60
George F. Stevens,
5.69
Isaac Manchester,
17.22
Nicholas Hathaway,
4.60
George Swain,
41.94
Stephen Townsend,
76.25
Joseph Dwelley,
69.08
Hiram Eaton,
.55
B. Taber,
2.00
Elisha Babcock,
7.50
Benj. Tripp,
6.00
John M. Hathaway,
40.75
William J. Mackie,
67.87
Oscar Stetson,
10.85
John C. Godfrey,
7.87
Reuben W. Austin,
204.37
Rodney Wilcox,
8.00
Amos T. Peirce,
2.40
Calvin Hacket,
18.15
R. West,
1.60
Andrew Willcox,
.25
Ripley & Tripp,
5.28
George Jones,
2.60
Lot Besse,
7.20
Walter Howland,
44 05
George W. King,
9.34
S. Skiff,
2.00
William Dwelley,
49.90
N. S. Higgins,
8.00
New Bedford Gas Co.
2.00
Isaac Terry,
1.36
Marshall Briggs,
2.00
Seth A. Mitchell,
318.00
Malcom, McLane & Manchester,
2.25
$2,855.50
Balance unexpended to new account
104.92
$2,960.42
7
CREDIT.
By balance from old account, $124.02 By appropriation, 2,500.00
By amt. charged to incidental account, New Bedford bridge,
336.40
$2,960.42
SUPPORT OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
TEACHERS' SALARIES.
D. A. Caldwell,
$150.00
George E. Nichols,
1,000.00
P. B. Cathell,
548.75
Mary E. Minter,
1,126.94
M. A. Fairfield,
285.00
D. P. Rand,
401.75
E. S. Delano,
266.00
Dora C. Ewer,
266.00
S. R. Allen,
337.50
L. R. Heally,
201.00
M. A. Dunham,
82.50
H. M. Howland,
75.00
Kate Jenney,
50.00
Kate H. Eldredge,
233.00
Mary S. Wood,
135.00
Addie E. Burke,
266.00
Emma O. Briggs,
84.00
Sarah L. Snow,
84.00
C. K. Wood,
237.50
Emma S. Parker,
98.00
$5,927.94
CARE AND FUEL.
Charles F. Jenney, wood,
$8.59
Sylvanus Skiff, care,
8.75
C. D. Hunt,
7.50
Jonathan Cowen, wood and supplies,
20.69
John W. Lawton, care,
76.41
N. S. Taber, care,
131.00
W. H. Howland, care,
17.45
W. S. Bryden, care,
7.50
D. C. Wilson, care,
5.00
Luscomb & Tilton,
5.60
Charles G. Taber,
2.70
James Luther, care,
6.00
L. H. Delano, care,
3.52
Oscar H. Stetson, care,
9.00
8
C. H. Rand, care,
5.00
W. H. Studley,
31.40
Roland Fish, coal,
178.44
B. J. Briggs, charcoal,
31.86
William H. Whitfield, wood,
21.45
Alfred Jenney, wood,
6.75
S. E. Studley,
4.80
Sullings & Kingman,
8.48
F. M. Fuller,
6.19
Charles Hazeltine,
4.00
F. W. Reeves, care,
9.00
Charles Hathaway, care,
12.00
I. L. Gillingham, care,
7.00
Joseph King,
8.66
William P. Sullings,
33.20
S. S. Swift & Co.,
1.80
679.74
Balance to new account,
1,013.70
$7,621.38
CREDIT.
By balance from old account,
$1,781.39
By amount of appropriation,
5,500.00
By amount received from State,
203.04
By amount received from county, dog tax,
136.95 $7,621.38
SUPPORT OF POOR.
Orders drawn for support of poor :
In the alms-house,
$383.93
Out of the alms-house,
593.16
State Lunatic Hospital,
616.06
Union store,
345.72
Coggeshall & Co.,
10.00
Roland Fish, coal for alms-house,
59.10
Roland Fish, coal for families,
151.10
James S. Robinson,
89.51
S. S. Swift & Co.,
60.12
J. B. Taber,
39.00
Est. Rufus Allen,
26.00
F. M. Fuller,
125.50
Walter G. Smellie, shingles,
36.75
G. B. Blackmer, lumber,
11.44
Ripley & Tripp, lumber,
50.76
$6,607.68
9
Stephen Kempton, labor on barn,
43.64
Stephen Hathaway, labor on barn,
59.50
George W. King, blacksmith,
38.82
C. K. Turner, horse-rake,
45.00
State Nautical School,
18.85
John M. Howland, mowing,
30.00
A. Vincent,
17.25
Nathaniel Bonney,
150.00
O. A. Sisson, ashes for farm,
56.00
Hatch & Co., express,
3.50
Town of Middleborough,
7.14
Town of Sandwich,
4.15
A. Nye,
135.07
$3,207.07
Balance unexpended to incidental account,
296.15
$3,503.22
CREDIT.
By amount of appropriation,
$2,500.00
By cash from City of New Bedford,
72.10
City of Fall River,
164.64
Henry T. Howard,
6.00
Joseph Pope,
194.80
Estate Mary Nolan,
8.77
Manuel F. Noons,
45.45
Town of Nantucket,
167.25
Town of Marion,
156.00
Town of Acushnet,
9.00
Sales from town farm,
178.71
$3,503.22
PRODUCTS OF THE TOWN FARM.
The principle products of the year, with their estimate value, have been as follows :
15 tons hay, at $34,
$510.00
ton oat straw,
10.00
46} bushels shelled corn, at $1.00
46.50
175 bushels potatoes, at 80 cts.,
140.00
4,645 lbs. salt hay,
27.87
11 bushels buckwheat,
11.00
700 lbs. pumpkins,
10.50
200 bushels turnips, at 40 cts.,
80.00
800 lbs pork, at 8 cts.,
64.00
18 hams and shoulders, at 10 cts, per lb.,
17.60
450 lbs. beef, at 8 cts.,
36.00
B
10
5 bushels beans, at $3.20,
16.00
6 bushels onions, at 65 cts.,
3.90
208 lbs. butter, at 35 cts.,
72.80
20 bushels oats, at 75 cts.,
15.00
5,482 quarts milk,
332.47
5 calves,
38.51
358 lbs. fowls,
70.61
81 quarts currants,
9.79
Garden vegetables,
90.00
191 dozen eggs, at 29 cts.,
55.39
$1,657.94
AMOUNT SOLD FROM FARM.
4,482 quarts milk,
$271.87
161 dozen eggs, at 29 cts.,
46.69
3583 lbs. fowls,
70.61
81 quarts currants,
9.79
5 calves,
38.51
13,035 lbs. English hay,
180.96
2,900 lbs. Swale hay,
17.40
4,645 lbs. salt hay,
27.87
10 bushels rye,
11.20
Sundries,
289.41
52} lbs. butter,
24.59
$988.90
Paupers and indigent persons supported or relieved for the year ending Oct. 1st, 1871 :
Whole number of paupers supported in alms-house, 7
Average number of paupers supported in alms-house,
Supported at insane hospital, 2
Whole number partially supported out of alms house, 88
Whole number of travellers lodged at alms-house, 37
Number of state paupers assisted,
3
INCIDENTAL ACCOUNT.
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
Engine Company No. 3, $190.00
Engine Company No. 5, 386.24
George F. Clark, engineer, 150.00
George F. Clark, fires and supplies,
14.58
11
O. H. Willcox, years 1868 and 1869, 11.67
Aaron Savery, repairs,
3.30
Reuben Fitch and others, watching,
2.50
Charles H. Morgridge, supplies,
2.75
H. S. Kirby, repairing flag,
7.50
Allen & Brownell, repairing hose,
15.50
N. B. Gas Company, coal,
5.87
Purrington & Taber, supplies,
2.37
A. T. Peirce, repairs,
1.05
William C. Ford, use of horses,
5.50
W. H. Hoeg, labor,
7.00
John P. Winslow, Keys,
2.65
R. A. Dunham & Co., horses,
4.00
Hatch & Co., express,
4.00
Albert F. Allen, suction hose,
108.92
W. Dwelley, use of horses,
7.00
R. Fish, coal,
4.25
F. M. Fuller, supplies,
4.97
B. & F. H. Iron Works, repairs,
11.21
N. S. Taber, supplies,
1.75
Raymond & Webb, repairs,
7.36
Benj. F. Drew, care,
17.60
James S. Robinson, wood,
.65
Roland Smith,
5.00
$985.19
STATE AID.
State aid furnished families,
$888.00
TOWN DEBT.
Paid notes in favor of F. H. Institution
for Savings,
$7,000.00
Paid interest on town debt,
3.910.23 $10,910.23
SCHOOL BOOKS.
Amount paid for school books, $365.25
NEW BEDFORD BRIDGE.
209 tons broken stone, at $1.25,
$261.25
80 tons gravel, at 90 cts.,
72.00
.40
A. D. Bowen, repairs, Stone and gravel,
2.75
$336.40
12
LIGHTING BRIDGE.
Charles Hammond, labor,
$13.50
Francis P. Sherman, labor,
31.50
S. S. Swift & Co., lamps and oil,
27.74
Perkins & Smith, repairs,
3.00
F. M. Fuller, oil,
.59
Purrington & Taber, glass in lanterns,
3.50
$79.83
SCHOOL INCIDENTALS.
Ann M. Luscomb, cleaning,
$11.10
Mrs. Wilson,
9.10
J. W. Lawton,
15.00
Roland Fish, lumber,
37.79
Marshal Briggs, whitewashing,
23.90
Ripley & Tripp, lumber,
92.50
Purrington & Taber, painting and glazing,
81.50
Isaac Terry, supplies,
3.72
Walter F. Wheaton, printing,
11.00
A. D. Bourne, repairs,
76.78
W. C. Ford, carting,
2.13
Perkins & Smith, Shingles,
9.00
Reuben Reed, labor,
6.00
I. F. Terry, land rent,
15.00
Alexander Tripp, glazing,
6.89
Joseph L. Ross, desks,
56.50
B. N. Brant & Co., desks,
30.00
Charles H. Morgridge, stoves and pipe,
18.29
F. M. Fuller, supplies,
1.63
B. &. F. H. Iron Works,
4.10
George W. King, iron work,
15.01
N. S. Taber, stoves and pipe,
363.63
D. K. Hathaway, glazing,
5.58
John Alden, repairs,
61.81
Caleb Maxfield,
2.96
Sullings & Kingman, supplies,
1.17
C. D. Hunt,
2.60
F. H. Union Store,
9.46
William Dwelley,
1.00
John E. Akin, labor,
.75
Harvey Caswell, pump,
14.87
Jonathan Cowen, supplies,
14.12
$1,004.89
13
NEW SCHOOL HOUSE.
Levi Blossom and others, lot of land,
$80.00
William M. Stetson, lumber and labor,
905.97
Philip Reed, stone work,
97.00
A. G. Tripp, plans,
3.00
B. N. Brant, desks and chairs,
171.93
Railroad, freight,
8.07
A. Gomley, carting,
2.25
Charles H. Morgridge, stove and pipe,
15.79
William M. Stetson, wood house,
118.21
Wm. H. Whitfield, building committee,
10.00
Isaac Terry, 66
8.00
R. A. Dunham & Co., horse and carriage,
2.50
Joseph King, labor,
2.25
Jonathan Cowen, supplies,
14.18
Jonathan Cowen, building committee,
12.00
W. J. Lawton, carting,
3.00
$1,454.15
SALARIES.
Selectmen :
Bartholomew Taber,
$200.00
George H. Taber,
60.00
William H. Whitfield,
50.00
$310.00
Overseers of Poor :
Bartholomew Taber,
$50.00
George H. Taber,
25.00
William H. Whitfield,
25.00
$100.00
Assessors :
F. M. Fuller,
$140.00
George H. Taber,
102.00
Seth Alden,
54.00
$296.00
School Committee :
Isaac Fairchild,
Jonathan Cowen,
$55.00
William P. Sullings,
50.00
Cyrus D. Hunt,
50.00
Isaac Terry,
-
$155.00
Fire Wards :
James A. Lewis,
10.00
William H. Hoeg,
10.00
$20.00
Constables :
Thomas S. Butman,
23.00
William Webb,
10.25
James Davis, for year 1869,
12.00
$45.25
$ 26.2
14
Committee on Accounts :
George F. Tripp,
Job C. Tripp,
Town Clerk, Treasurer, and Collector :
Tucker Damon, Jr.,
Register :
Tucker Damon, Jr.,
2.00
2.00
$4.00
$684.72
1699.5 991.8
$24.55 2076
INCIDENTALS.
E.Anthony & Sons, printing and advertising, $135.75 Fessenden & Baker, advertising, 86.00
Roland Fish, coal, 4.50
F. M. Fuller, copying valuation books,
40.00
Charles Drew, professional services,
3.50
Est. John Allen, land rent,
5.00
A. Borden, legal services,
17.75
Phoenix Hall, rent of hall,
20.00
Phoenix Hall, rent of office,
55.00
Stephen Hathaway, repairing cemetery fence,
7.00
Roland Fish, lumber,
2.57
A. T. Peirce, care of clock,
25.00
F. M. Fuller, stationery and atlas of B. county, 11.73
R. A. Dunham & Co., horse hire, 4.00
F. M. Fuller, expenses in Boston, 3.00
Walter F. Wheaton, printing by-laws, 23.00
George H. Taber, travelling expenses,
13.70
F. S. Peirce, committee on school houses, year 1869, 4.00
Town of Acushnet, bank tax,
124.64
Harvey Caswell, town pump,
2.85
B. Taber, stationery, postage stamps, re- cording deeds, telegraphing, and travelling expenses, 14.07
Tucker Damon, stationery,
7.06 $18,273.38
Abatement on taxes for prompt payment,
1,100.54
Taxes remitted,
554.68
$19,928.60
CREDIT.
By amount of appropriation, $6,000.00
By appropriation for new road, 700.00
By appropriation for new school house, 1,200.00
By loan from F. H. Inst. for Savings, 5,500.00
By cash from State aid, 644.00
926. 71%.
15
By cash from State for corporation tax, 662.41
By cash from net dividend of F. H. bank, 46.00
By cash from Mrs. A. P. Wilcox, book agent, 235.00
By cash from sale of old school house, 35.00
By cash from interest on loan, 8.91
By balance from last year,
1,845.42
By overlay on taxes,
1,152.99
By amount from poor account,
296.15 $18,325.88
Balance to debit in new account,
1,602.72
$19,928.60
TOWN DEBT.
Loans from Fairhaven Savings Bank,
$42,500.00
Loans from individuals,
12,132.00
Interest on loans,
1,156.00
Outstanding bills,
344.00 $56,132.00
DEDUCTIONS.
Due from state, state aid,
$1,036.00
Due from town of Nantucket,
55.50
Due from town of Marion,
60.00
Due from city of New Bedford,
65.09
Due from city of Fall River,
100.62
23 shares National Bank of Fairhaven,
1,840.00
Uncollected taxes, 7,230.58
Cash in hands of treasurer,
463.22 $10,851.01
Total debt of the town,
$45,280.99
SCHOOL BOOK AGENCY.
To balance on hand March, 1871, $4.63
To books on hand March, 1871, 214.61
To Books purchased during the year,
370.91
To advance on books sold,
37.76 $627.91
16
CREDIT.
By books on hand March, 1871,
$213.15
By cash paid town treasurer,
235.00
By cash paid by agent,
21.60
By expenses obtaining books,
5.03
By books furnished schools,
90.81
By agent's commission,
37.76
By books returned to S. Hutchinson,
16.30
By cash on hand,
8.26
$627.91
Respectfully submitted.
BARTHOLOMEW TABER, GEORGE H. TABER,
Selectmen.
We the undersigned have examined the foregoing accounts and believe them to be correct.
GEORGE F. TRIPP, { Committee on JOB C. TRIPP, Accounts.
Fairhaven, March 20, 1872.
REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
OF THE
TOWN OF FAIRHAVEN,
For the Year 1871-2.
NEW BEDFORD : E. ANTHONY & SONS, PRINTERS, 67 UNION STREET, 1872.
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
.
To the citizens of Fairhaven :
The close of the fiscal year devolves on your committee the duty of rendering a statement of the condition of the schools. They also offer such suggestions as their obser- vations and experience demonstrate will promote the edu- cational interests of Fairhaven.
The Primary and Intermediate schools have been taught nine and one half months, the Grammar nine and three quarters, and the High school ten months. The Spring term commenced earlier than usual, that the schools might be brought to a close in season to make up the usual report and accompanying statistics, and admit of longer summer vacations by a corresponding reduction of those of the winter. No male teacher has been employed except in the High school, experience having satisfied your commit- tee that even the Grammar school can be better taught by a competent female than by such a male as could be pro- cured for the salary the appropriation would admit of pay- ing. Competent male teachers are in demand, even at increasing salaries. To employ such an one as could be secured would provide only an immature, inexperienced youth, engaging in teaching merely for the means it af- forded to advance to some higher position, without that interest in the work that can alone make a successful, efficient teacher. But the success that has attended the substitution of a lady teacher for a male teacher in the Grammar school has been so apparent by the marked pro-
3
gress and improved deportment of that school that no one who has visited it questions the benefit of such a change.
Twenty-two scholars entered the High school, and four graduated of a class of cighteen which entered four years ago. The total number was 52, and the average attend- ance 45.5.
The progress of this school has been satisfactory for the past year, during which there has fortunately been no change of teachers. The closing examination evinced thorough- ness of study and the efficiency of the teachers, while the pleasant relations between teachers and scholars was ap- parent in the alacrity and cheerfulness with which the former complied with the requirements of the school. Though there was no exhibition at the close of the term, yet there was a thorough review, which was highly appre- ciated by the friends of the school who were present on the occasion.
Examinations at the close of each term are found to be highly beneficial. These examinations are practical tests of the attainments of the pupils, and exhibit the result of the labors of teachers and those consigned to their care. They have been an incitement to effort on the part of both teachers and pupils, and have secured the presence of parents to witness the results of their chil- dren's labors. It is encouraging to see an increased inter- est in the schools, but there is opportunity for a great reformation in this respect. The registers show the num- ber of visitors to the schools, exclusive of the committee, to have been for the year, to the North Fairhaven, 22 ; Oxford Village, 12 ; North Primary, 23; Centre Primary, 12; Centre Intermediate, 4; Grammar, 114; South Pri- mary, 8; Naskatucket, 16; New Boston, 14; Sconticut Neck, 8.
The above, as a whole, shows an increase over last year, but still exhibits a lamentable neglect on the part of
4
parents to the most important duty they owe their chil- dren. No effort in after life can retrieve the loss of early opportunities. Would that parents might fully realize this, and require a faithful performance of the duties dele- gated to committees and teachers ; but if they are dere- lict, how can they expect others to be faithful with less responsibility ? While no one is justified in neglecting the performance of a duty, he who sets the example can find no fault with those who imitate. Parents should know from personal observation that their children are receiving the benefits of good discipline and proper mental training. No question is of more vital importance to society than that of education, and nothing will more sensibly affect the welfare, prosperity, and happiness of your children, than the improvement or neglect of the opportunities which our schools afford. Taxes are laid and collected, and the necessary funds appropriated to maintain them for the benefit of each and every child, and all should receive, either voluntarily or compulsorily, such an education as will qualify for the intelligent discharge of those duties that devolve on the citizens of a republic where the char- acter of the rulers, the policy of the government, and even the perpetuity of its civil and religious rights depend on the intelligence of the people. But it is a mistake to suppose that a certain allotted time spent in the schools secures such an education as every American should pos- sess, and every one brought up in this State should blush with shame to be without.
Parents seem too anxious to have their children admitted to the High school, and many have been allowed to enter too young, or before properly qualified to comprehend the more advanced studies of that school. Your committee have sometimes yielded to the earnest requests of parents who were over-anxious to see their children advanced to a higher grade. It would be much better for the child if
5
retained in the Grammar school until he could easily un- derstand the more difficult branches of the High school. Let him enter there before fully competent and the studies will be beyond his comprehension, and after a few weeks of unprofitable, disappointed labor, the child becomes dis- heartened, then discouraged, and finally gives up in dispair.
The results of the last few years indicate some radical defect, and it is easily explained on the above hypothesis. Only four graduated at the close of the last term out of a class of eighteen which entered four years ago, and that was about the average for the last three years. Had those who entered the High school four years ago remained in the Grammar school another year, under a good teacher, that year would have been profitably employed, and their minds sufficiently developed to have been capable of com- prehending and mastering the studies of the High school. Under such circumstances a much larger proportion of those entering would have remained through the course, and graduated with credit to themselves and satisfaction to their friends. Children, as well as adults, like those things that are easy and pleasant; and studies are easy and pleasant when within their comprehension. The year spent in the Grammar school, even after the child is nearly qualified for the High school, would be a profitable one, and might establish in his mind a love for study that would go with him through life, while the premature ad- vance might result in a distaste, and finally a positive dislike for all study.
With this view, your committee have sought to make the Grammar school better than it has been in the past ; one where your children might remain a year longer than has been customary, with as much profit as if in the High school. They are satisfied this is a correct view, and trust parents will concur with them after a proper consid- eration of this subject. The same may be said of the
6
Primary and Intermedial schools, in their relations to the Grammar school. The prevalent tendency seems to be to press forward and gain admission into the school above, without a proper regard to the qualifications necessary to such an advancement. Too much attention is paid to the higher schools, to the neglect of the lower, which in the opinion of the committee are equally important. But few children, comparatively, graduate from the High school, while nearly all gain admission to the Grammar school. The Grammar school, then, is important, and to it and those preceding it we must look for the education of the great body of the people. It is these schools that formed the character of the present adult population of Massa- chusetts. It is not without some misgivings that we wit- ness the tendency of the age to undervalue the elementary schools, and give too much prominence, both in expendi- ture and in attention, to the High school.
Your committee would recommend that some arrange- ment be made with the Pease district, by which the school interest of that section may be under the control and supervision of the committee, the same as other portions of the town.
The amount raised for school purposes the past year was . . $5,500.00 Received from State treasurer, 203.04 Received from County treasurer, 136.95
Unappropriated balance from last year, 1,781.39
Total, $7,621.38
Expended for teachers' salaries, fuel, and care, 6,607.65
Leaving balance unappropriated, $1,013.93
ISAAC FAIRCHILD, Chairman. C. D. HUNT, Secretary.
7
TABLE I.
SUMMER TERM.
WINTER TERM.
Attendance between
Attendance under 5.
Attendance over 15.
Average attendance.
Whole attendance.
Attendance between
Attendance under 5.
Attendance over 15.
Average attendance.
Whole attendance.
North Fairhaven,
27
1
0 23.5
28
|29
0
0 23
29
Oxford Village, .
48
2
1 40.4
51
52
0
247
54
Grammar School,
75
0
5 59
80
74
0
6 65
80
Centre Intermedial,
.
50
0
0 38.55 50
46
0 0 37.17 46
Centre Primary,
5 30
0 24.6
35
431
0 23.8
35
North Primary, .
34
2
0 28.2636
28
0
1 22.67 29
South Primary, .
48
0
0 37
48
52
1
039
53
Naskatucket,
·
26
0
1 19
27
20
0 719
27
New Boston,
33
2
0 28.5
35
35
0
432.6539
Sconticut Neck,
24
0
0 16.71 24 29
0
3 24.0932
High school,
40
0 14 48
54 40
01245.5 52
Whole number of children between 5 and 15, 461.
SCHOOLS.
5 and 15.
5 and 15.
8
TABLE II.
SCHOOLS.
North Fairhaven,
Summer, K. H. Eldridge, Kate Jenney, Hattie M. Howland,
$25.00
1 mo.
25.00
2 mos.
25.00 3 66
Winter, Amanda F. Sears, 28.00
Oxford Village,
Summer, Lizzie R. Healy,
32.00
3
6 6
Grammar school,
Summer, Mary E. Minter,
80.00
64
33
Do. Assistant,
Summer, Deborah P. Rand,
30.00
Winter, Deborah P. Rand,
30.00
Centre Intermedial, Summer, M. A. Fairfield,
30.00
6
Centre Primary,
Summer, Ella S. Delano,
28.00
6
32 "
North Primary,
Summer, S. R. Allen,
25.00
6
South Primary,
Summer, Dora C. Ewer,
28.00
6
3} "
Naskatucket,
Summer, Addie E. Burke,
28.00
6
New Boston,
Summer, Emma O. Briggs,
28.00
3
66
Sarah L. Snow,
28.00
3
66
Winter, Emma Parker,
28.00
25.00
6
Sconticut Neck,
Summer, Katie H. Wood,
25.00
3₺
High school,
Summer, George E. Nichols,
120.00
64 66
Winter, George E. Nichols,
120.00
34 "
Do. Assistant,
Summer, P. B. Cathelle,
35.00
6₺
Winter, P. B. Cathelle,
35.00
32 "
33 4
K. H. Eldridge,
32.00
3
Winter, K. H. Eldridge,
32.00
33 “
Winter, Mary E. Minter,
80.00
Winter, M. A. Fairfield,
30.00
3} "
Winter, Ella S. Delano,
28.00
Winter, S. R. Allen,
25.00
Winter, Dora C. Ewer,
28.00
Winter, Addie E. Burke,
28.00
Winter, Katie H. Wood,
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