USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Melrose > City of Melrose annual report 1885-1889 > Part 6
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The sinking fund stands at present date as follows :- U.S. bonds, 42 % . $3,500 00
City of Providence, 5 % 1,000 00 .
Town of Melrose, 4% . 11,000 00
Mortgages on real estate in Melrose . Cash
9,000 00
15 60
$24,515 60
Respectfully submitted,
DANIEL RUSSELL, - ROYAL P. BARRY, JOHN W. FARWELL,
Commissioners.
Melrose, January 1, 1886.
REPORT OF POLICE DEPARTMENT.
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen :
The report of the police department is as follows, for the year ending December 31, 1885 :-
Cases brought before the court.
1. Assault 4
2. Breaking and entering 1
3. Common drunk . 1
4. Drunks . .
. 13
12. Neglect to support minors . .
13. Neglect to support . wife ·
1
14. Selling mortgaged
property 2
15. Truancy . 3 16 .. Vagrancy 3
17. Threatening
19. Notices delivered . 63
10. Liquor nuisance 4 20. Disturbances sup-
11. Larceny . 3
pressed
.
.
8
Respectfully submitted,
FRANK M. MCLAUGHLIN,
Chief of Police.
2
5. Stubborn and diso- bedient children . 2
6. Disturbing the peace 5
7. Default warrant 2
8. Gaming on Lord's day 1 18. Lodgers . 67
9. Insane 2
THE MELROSE PUBLIC LIBRARY
1885.
DR.
Feb. 10, 2
To cash paid W. L. Williams, printing
$25 25
Dec. 19, 5
Feb. 10, 1
P. D. Meston, binding
119 85
Dec. 3, 5
66 Mass. His. Soc., books ..
6 00
66 66 " T. W. Ripley, reports .
3 00
Mch. 3, 2
‘. J. B. Holmes, books
9.75
Dec. 28, 5
Mch. 5, 1
66 De Wolfe, Fiske & Co., books
482 71
Dec. 30, 5
66
" J. A. Lowell & Co., engraving 13 00
2 00
Apr. 7, 2 66
66 G. B. Sargent, ribbons
1 75
Dec. 30, 5
66
W. W. Wheildon, books
2 35
66
1, 2
66
.6 Miss C. M. Worthen, librarian
255 20
Dec. 30, 5
66
66
A. S. Clark, books .
20 25
66
5,
66 Fords, Howard & Co., books
10 00
Dec.
3,5
..
66
Babb & Stephens, printing
20 00
16, 2
66
66
Eastman's Express 13 95
June 1.
2.
66 Mrs. C. Cochran, books
20 00
66
9,
66
66
N. J. Bartlett. 66
13 90
66
16,
6.
. 6 W. A. Greenough, books
2 00
66
18
66
C. C. Morse & Son, books
1 12
66 Little, Brown & Co., 66
1 67
Sept. 10, 21,
J. W. Lewis & Co., 66
3 50
Oct. 10, 2
66 King & Merrill, stationery 2 75
Dec. 30, 5
Oct. 24, 66
66
T. Y. Crowell & Co., books 5 00
Nov. 2,
66
Library Bureau for reading-room 152, 19
Dec. 29, )
66
.. E. Paul, painting 62 00
66
S. F. Oliver, gas fitting
14 00
66
11,
66
.' Lawrence, Wilde & Co., curtains “ 7 07
.
66
30,
. . T. S. Love, carpentering
28 69
H. N. Cass, frame
. 10 00
.6
30,
66
.6 Bubier & Co., umbrella stand 66 4 00
Feb. 10, 3 Dec. 30, 7
66 6. mucilage, P.O. box, keys, paper, ink, &c. 10 27 Balance on hand 1 38
$1,464 67
66
18, 66
14, 1 66
6.
U. S. War Department, “
2 67
May 14,
Dec. 30, 5
J. B. Alden, books .
7 40
66
10,
66
.. W. H. Beehler, 66
3 00
Nov. 19,
Dec. 10,
66 Small Bros. reading-room 120 00
66
19,
60
.6 C. C. Barry, books
2 00
66 26,
.
30,
60
Feb. 19,
26,
Mch. 12,
6. Town Weymouth, books
Apr. 11,
May 5,
. .6 S. A. Drake, 5 00
23,
.
IN ACCOUNT WITH E. H. GOSS, TREASURER.
1885.
CR.
Feb. 2, Balance from account, 1884
$54 27
Mch. 4,
By cash from town treasurer, dog tax, 1884
573 85
June 3, 1
. 6
6. librarian, fines 66 05
Dec. 30,
.6 66 catalogues . 20 50
July 15, .6
Dec. 10, 5
.. ·· town treasurer, appropriation 750 00
$1,464 67
STATEMENT OF THE HORATIO NELSON PERKINS' FUND.
1885. DR.
Mch. 9, To cash paid G. P. Putnam's Sons, books $25 00
Oct. 28, 3
1886.
Jan. 1, Balance on hand 515 50 .
$540 50
1885. CR. Jan. 1, By balance in Melrose Savings Bank
$520 20
" interest to January 1, 1886 .
. 20 30
$540 50
Respectfully submitted,
Melrose. January 1, 1886.
E. H. GOSS, Treasurer.
MELROSE PUBLIC LIBRARY.
The trustees of the public library present their fifteenth annual report.
The year has been eventful.
In the early days of the library, from November, 1871, to March, 1872, the esteemed chairman of the board of trus- tees, Frederic Kidder, Esq., then in the fulness of his strength, was accustomed to devote two evenings a week, in company with his fellow trustees, distributing books, doing the clerical work and advising the boys and girls what to read.
The apparent delight this work afforded him is something long to be remembered, and among the pleasant recollec- tions of our friend will always be the picture of this man of studious habits, patiently serving the children of a younger generation.
Frederic Kidder was born in New Ipswich, N.H .. April 16, 1804, and died in Melrose, December, 19, 1885.
He served as the chairman of our board of trustees from the foundation of the library until March, 1884, when, on account of failing health, he relinquished the position and was succeeded by Mr. Thomas B. Peck.
After retiring from business in 1869, he devoted himself diligently to historical studies, and is well known as the author of several books, besides numerous magazine articles, all in his chosen department of literature.
His published works are as follows : -
Eastern Maine and Nova Scotia in the Revolution, 1867.
The First New Hampshire Regiment in the Revolution, 1868.
History of the Boston Massacre, 1870.
123
MELROSE PUBLIC LIBRARY.
The Expedition of John Lovewell, 1875.
The Swedes on the Delaware and their Intercourse with New England, 1878.
The Discovery of North America by John Cabot, 1878.
So long as health and strength remained he was of great service to the town, and will live in the memory of men by reason of his faithfulness in the discharge of duty.
As a writer he will be remembered for his patient and un- tiring investigation for historic truth, and his books will serve to illustrate his character.
Appropriate resolutions were placed on our records, pub- lished in the " Melrose Journal," and forwarded to Mr. Kid- der's nephew in New York.
The income of the "Horatio N. Perkins' Fund " has been expended in the purchase of the complete works of Alex- ander Hamilton, edited by Henry Cabot Lodge. Six vol- umes are already in the library.
At the town meeting in March, 1885, the sum of seven hundred and fifty dollars and the dog tax was appropriated for the public library and reading-room.
Mrs. Ruby F. Farwell was elected a member of the board of trustees.
In June, after some correspondence with the trustees, Mr. George W. Ellison, brother of our townsman Mr. Samuel Ellison, presented to the library his private collection of books. It consisted of fifty-eight volumes, in excellent state of preservation and very carefully selected. Under date of 3d of June, Mr. Ellison says, "These volumes have been a source of great pleasure and consolation to me, serving to while away many a happy hour. Long-continued ill-health admonishes me that I cannot expect to continue much longer to use them, and that it is much better they should serve as part of a public library than remain any longer idle on my shelves. They are all standard works, including history, biography, voyages, travels, poetry, &c."
124
MELROSE PUBLIC LIBRARY.
Is not this an example to be followed by many of our citi- zens ?
When, on March 27, 1871, the town voted to establish a " public library and reading-room " it was not anticipated that fourteen years would pass before the vote could be fully carried into effect.
It is with keenest pleasure, therefore, that we look back over the record of this year and mark the establishment of the public reading-room as an accomplished fact.
Your trustees met with unexpected difficulties in endeav- oring to secure the use of the room occupied by the school committee, and not until June was a favorable reply to our request received from the secretary of the board.
After the summer vacation other difficulties were encount- ered, but in November contracts were made for fitting and furnishing. By arrangement with the school board the room is used temporarily by both parties.
The doors of the reading-room, were thrown wide open to the people Wednesday evening, December 16, 1885, with congratulatory remarks by the chairman of the board of trustees, Mr. Goss, and a cordial letter from the chairman of the selectmen, Mr. Levi S. Gould.
The room is sunny, attractive and homelike.
The heavier articles of furniture, including magazine case, reading desk, paper rack, &c., of ash, were made to order by Small Brothers ; the chairs, tables, binders, &c., were furnished by the Library Bureau. The decorations of walls and ceiling was by Edward Paul. The carpentry by Mr. Love.
The trustees acknowledged with pleasure the valued ser- vices of Mr. H. E. Davidson of the Library Bureau, who as a citizen gave his personal attention to carrying out the plans for fitting up the reading-room and spent much time in arranging the files for magazines and papers. His sugges- tions were of much value to the trustees.
.
125
MELROSE PUBLIC LIBRARY.
The room has been open (excepting the two evenings in each month, and an afternoon, occasionally, when it is used by the school board) every evening during the week, and Wednesday and Saturday afternoons.
The attendance in December averaged two hundred per week ; and on Saturdays all the available facilities are taxed to meet the requirements.
It is pleasant and inspiring to see the use that is made of the magazines and papers, especially those of a scientific character. It is noteworthy that the " Scientific American " attracts more readers than any other paper.
No sooner had the reading-room opened than gifts were presented ; and scarcely a week goes by without the addition of some attractive and appropriate memorial of the good-will of the townspeople.
The first gift was an engraving of "The senate of the. United States of the time of Henry Clay " from Mrs. Char- lotte Cochran. In its antique gilt frame, setting off the admirable likenesses of well-known statesmen, it is very acceptable.
Mrs. Georgia Boardman, conceiving the idea of identifying the young people of the town in a practical manner with the new reading-room, devoted the net proceeds of an enter- tainment, given under her direction in the town hall, to the purchase of a handsome marble " Howard " clock, which was carefully placed in position for presentation Wednesday, January 20. It bears this inscription :
"Presented to the Melrose Public Library, by the children of the Mother Goose Club, Jan. 20, 1886."
At the appointed hour the club marched from the upper hall, in gay array, and filled the reading-room.
The clock was presented by Miss Annie E. Whelden, in a neat address, and was accepted, with thanks, by Mr. Goss, on behalf of the trustees.
126
MELROSE PUBLIC LIBRARY.
Scarcely had the applause died away when Rev. D. P. Livermore, with introductory remarks, presented to the library, as the gift of his esteemed wife, our townswoman, Mrs. Mary A. Livermore, the bust of Hon. Samuel E. Sewall, by Anne Whitney, sculptor.
The letter accompanying the gift was as follows : -
To the Trustees of the Melrose Public Library :
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, - Miss Whitney, the eminent sculptor of Boston, has made a very beautiful marble bust of Hon. Samuel E. Sewall, of Melrose, for the Memorial Hall of Lexington, Mass.
It was the costly gift of a woman who was grateful to Mr. Sewall for the eminent service he had rendered to women during the last fifty years.
At my request she has made a copy of this bust in plaster, of which I beg your acceptance, hoping that you may regard it worthy of a place in the new reading-room of our public library.
The noble character of our townsman, the unflinching integrity of his long life, and the worth of the services he has rendered the community, have won him our gratitude and regard, and make him a model for our young men to emulate.
Respectfully and sincerely yours, MARY A. LIVERMORE.
The bust stands on an elegant ebony pedestal, while the background of maroon velvet reveals the clear-cut and life- like lineaments of one who, in following steadfastly the promptings of duty, has won the confidence and esteem of men and women.
The gift is complete, appropriate and very acceptable.
During the same week, Mr. P. M. De Wolf presented a rare collection of Thanksgiving and Fast-day proclamations. Hon. Henry B. Peirce, our secretary of state, supplemented this collection by filling in the gaps, and adding those of former years, so that now we own a volume of which its duplicate is probably not in existence. It will be entitled " Proclamations : Thanksgiving and Fast Days, 1807-1885."
Our townsman Mr. Robert Burlen is now binding the collection in handsome shape as his part of the gift.
Major W. Irving Ellis has contributed a file of the Na- tional Tribune for 1885. This is a soldier's paper, giving
127
MELROSE PUBLIC LIBRARY.
reminiscences of the war, and, especially, news from the various G.A.R. posts in the country. It is now being bound for the reading-room. This paper (on our list), full of war news, will be read with keen interest by the veterans of the army.
The last donation reported is from Mr. George Emerson, and consists of an oil painting of the "Joe Lynde Farm House," at Fells, by William Pearson, artist. The picture was painted in 1881, and gives a perfect view of the old white house as it used to look before the recent radical changes in this growing section of our town.
Mr. Pearson, the artist, a resident of Oak Grove for some years, took many sketches of the attractive scenery in and about Melrose, and the town is fortunate in becoming the owner of this picture.
The following list of magazines and papers will give a clear idea of the reading-room as an educational centre.
To our donors of books and papers we extend our sincere and hearty thanks.
Edinburgh Review. British Quarterly.
Cornhill Magazine.
The Spectator.
The Eclectic. Chambers' Journal.
North American Review.
Atlantic Monthly.
Littell's Living Age. The Chautauquan. Literary World.
Magazine of American History.
Bay State Monthly.
Journal of Education.
Harper's Magazine.
The Century. Overland Monthly.
English Illustrated Magazine Popular Science Monthly. Science.
English Mechanic Weekly.
Musical Herald. Cassell's Magazine of Art.
Art Amateur.
American Naturalist.
American Agriculturist (Illus.).
Outing. St. Nicholas.
Harper's Young People.
Cottage Hearth.
Youth's Companion.
Chautauqua Magazine for Young Folks. Woman's Journal.
Our Message (W.C.T.U.). The Nation.
London Times (weekly).
The Pilot.
Springfield Republican.
New York Tribune. Cincinnati Commercial Gazette.
Chicago Inter-Ocean.
128
MELROSE PUBLIC LIBRARY.
The Electrician.
The Scientific American.
London Punch.
Illustrated London News.
Harper's Weekly.
Harper's Bazaar.
Die Gartenlaube.
Alta California. Louisville Courier Journal.
Charlestown News and Courier. The National Tribune (Illus.), G.A.R. The Melrose Journal (all the local news).
GIFTS OF PAPERS AND MAGAZINES TO THE READING-ROOM.
Scientific American, Youth's Companion,
North American Review, Melrose Journal (2 copies) , Journal of Commerce,
William L. Williams.
Journal of Education,
The Electrician,
Bay State Monthly, The Dial,
H. E. Davidson.
Atlantic Monthly,
George Lowell Austin.
Woman's Journal,
Mrs. Mary A. Livermore.
Our Message,
The Literary World,
Cottage Hearth,
Daniel Jefferson. F. P. Shumway, Jr.
We annex the statistics for the year.
It will be noticed that the papers selected are representative of the life of the nation : New England, the Metropolis, the South, the Southwest, the Central States of Ohio and Illinois, and the Pacific Coast.
The magazines and periodicals embrace general literature, sci- ence and art. The old world and the new alike contribute to fur- nish a feast of good things. All, young and old, are welcome to partake.
DONATIONS. Pamphlets.
Number of pamphlets reported last year
Annual report of the Boston Public Library
1
" " Chicago "
.
1
" Holbrook " 66
1
66 " " Lancaster "
1
66 66 " Malden 66
1
66 66 " Manchester (N.H.) Public Library 1
" Newton
1
66 66 " " Watertown
66
1
66
1
4. " Woburn
707
129
MELROSE PUBLIC LIBRARY.
History and Dedication of the Sawyer Free Library at Gloucester, 1 Chairs of New England Governors, Rev. E. F. Slater 1
The Indian Evangelical Review 1
Historical sketches of the Universities and Colleges of U.S., Dr. F. B. Hough 1
The Early Northern Lights in New England, S. A. Green 1
The Tuftonian
12
Official Gazette of the U.S. Patent Office
62
Number of pamphlets now in library
795
Books.
Donors.
Private Library of G. W. Ellison, Esq., 58 v. G. W. Ellison.
The Theatre J. W. Leeds.
Melrose School Committee Report
Rev. Clifton Fletcher.
Tenth Census of U.S., 4 v.
L. Z. Bowman.
Woman Suffrage Defended
Rev. D. P. Livermore.
Divine Law of Cure
Mrs. T. W. Ripley.
Primitive Mind Cure
Prayer Book of Episcopal Church
of Confederate States,
W. L. Williams.
List of persons whose names have been changed in Mass.
Geneology of the Early Settlers of ) New England and others, M. S. Page.
Dedication of Crane Memorial Hall and address of Chas. F. Adams, Quincy, S
STATISTICS FOR THE YEAR 1885.
Number of volumes in library January 1, 1885
5,905
purchased this year .
583
donated
71 654
Number of volumes in library January 1, 1886
6,559
Number of persons using library January 1, 1885
1,907
cards issued this year 311
relinquished
19
292
Number of persons using the library January 1, 1886 2,199
Largest number of volumes issued in one day 499
130
MELROSE PUBLIC LIBRARY.
Smallest number of volumes issued in one day (Monday.
44
Average
66
.6
. 6 on Saturdays
365
Whole ..
in March
2,801
in May
2,614
.. 66 .6
.. in November
2,670
66
.6
66
in December
2,581
.6
٠٠
.. this year
30,663
Increase in circulation this year
1,216
Books replaced this year
73
rebound “
465
The library has been open Wednesday and Saturday afternoons and evenings and Monday evenings, with the exception of the cus- tomary holidays.
Both the library and reading-room are under the care of
Miss Carrie M. Worthen, Librarian.
Miss Rose Silva,
Miss Rose Gibbons,
Assistants.
Miss Helen Eastman,
During 1886 it will be necessary to expend considerable money in the library room.
The ceiling, which is in a damaged condition from water, will need repairing and whitening. A new alcove for books must be built without delay, and proper accommodation made for pamphlets which are not in condition for general use.
The reading-room expenditure for periodicals, papers, as- sistant, janitor, &c., though now extremely reasonable, must necessarily increase from year to year in proportion to the growth of the town.
One of the problems which the citizens of Melrose must solve within a year or two is the erection of a public library building, either in the nature of a memorial hall, or other- wise, as may best serve public use.
Nothing conduces to the growth and perpetuity of free
.
66
66
on Mondays
91
..
.6
131
MELROSE PUBLIC LIBRARY.
institutions to so great a degree as the constant contempla- tion, by young and old, of the brave and patriotic deeds of their fathers, and, in the absence of any other monument to the soldiers who died in the war of the rebellion, nothing more fitting, it seems to me, could well be done than to erect a building which shall serve for all time as an inspiration and education both of heart and head.
For the year 1886 the trustees request an appropriation for the library and reading-room of seven hundred and fifty dollars and the dog tax.
Respectfully submitted in behalf of the Trustees,
CHARLES C. BARRY,
Secretary.
ELBRIDGE H. GOSS, / THOMAS B. PECK, CHARLES C. BARRY, RUBY F. FARWELL, HANNAH LYNDE, L
Trustees.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
OF THE
TOWN OF MELROSE,
FOR THE
YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1885.
MELROSE: PRINTED BY T. W. RIPLEY, 1886.
SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
1885-1886.
ORGANIZATION.
CLIFTON FLETCHER -
Chairman.
MRS. S. W. BRADBURY - - - Secretary.
MRS A. K. MILLER
- Supply Agent.
COMMITTEE.
THOMAS W. RIPLEY -
-
Term expires 1887.
MRS. S. W. BRADBURY - -
-
66
66
1886.
MRS. J. G. ADAMS -
- -
-
66
1886.
S. R. WINCHELL - - -
66
1888.
MRS. A. K. MILLER
66
66
1888.
66
1887.
CLIFTON FLETCHER -
-
-
-
We beg leave to submit the following report :- -
FINANCIAL.
School Funds and Expenses for 1885.
Appropriation
- $16,000 00
Balance -
442 53
From State - - -
- 65 22
From Tuition
- -
-
-
49 00
Total
$16,556 75
Expended -
- - 16,269 60
Balance left
- -
-
-
-
$287 15
Contingent Appropriation
$3,250 00
Balance -
-
4 56
Received for Books - -
-
4 78
Total
$3,259 34
Expended -
4,188 34 -
Deficit
$929 00
Balance from School Fund
287 15
Total Deficit - $641 85'
Estimated Expenses for Ensuing Year.
Salaries of Teachers
$14,500 ·
" Janitors -
1,200
66 " Committee -
375
Salary of Supply Agent -
125
Free Text-Books, Stationery, &c.
- 1,250
Contingent Expenses
- 2,500
New Schools
-
-
- 500
Coal, Wood, &c. - - -
- 1,200
Total
-
- $21,650
-
-
-
- -
-
-
4
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
EXPENDITURES.
We are obliged to announce that the school appropria- tion has been exceeded by a few hundred dollars. A part of this deficit actually belonged to the previous year. At the first Board meeting in Jan., '85, bills that had been laid over were approved, amounting to nearly eight hundred dollars. But there were other causes for the present deficit. Among these was an underestimate of school supplies; only $1,250 was judged necessary, and only that sum was appropriated for free text-books and all other school material. The actual amount paid out has been $1,739.89. Another cause was the unexpected outlay for essential improve- ments, which had not been fully anticipated or provided for. Previous to the summer vacation, the sanitary condition of several school-buildings, especially the Centre, became ex- ceedingly offensive. Vigorous measures were immediately taken to remedy the evil. At the Centre, the water-closets were removed from the basement and placed in a new build- ing in the rear, with what is believed to be the best modern improvements. The expense, for which there was no appro- priation, was a little less than $500.
At the Vinton and Lynde Street buildings other sanitary improvements were made, amounting to $300 or more. At the High-School building, the basement was recemented, the hard-wood finish in the halls, rooms, and stairways thoroughly oiled, and several other changes made; the whole cost was not far from $300. For rent of school-room at the Fells, $200 was expended ; and for new furniture, re- pairs, expressing, and other items, various sums, amounting to several hundreds of dollars.
Some important things were necessarily left to be cared for during the incoming year. Among these, the painting of the Grove-Street School-house; concrete walks at the Franklin School; a new furnace, or other heating arrange- ment, at the Centre, and possibly elsewhere ; better sanitary accommodations at the High School, and other usual outlays.
5
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
There will also be required new furniture for one or more school-rooms, and considerable expense on the steep walks and grounds at the new school-building at the Fells.
INCREASE OF PUPILS.
The maximum number in all our schools has been eleven hundred and sixty-one. Ten years ago, the maximum num- ber was seven hundred and forty-two; an increase in the ten years of four hundred and nineteen, and of the last year seventy-four, or nearly enough for two new schools. Probably the whole number of children of lawful school age in our town at the present time is not far from twelve hundred. Some of these attend private schools, some little ones are taught at home, and perhaps a few, by reason of sickness, poverty, or the cupidity of parents, remain un- taught. The maximum number in our High School, the past year, has been one hundred and fourteen,-a gain of six during the year, and of forty during ten years. At the end of the next ten years, it will doubtless number one hundred and fifty pupils, and the whole number of school children in the town be nearly two thousand. It is quite certain our Town cannot afford to do less than furnish the best facilities for all its educational interests.
TRUANCY.
In regard to truancy, there have been, as in years gone by, a few inveterate cases. Two boys, who proved to be wholly incurable,-leaders in desertion, falsehood, and mis- chief,-were brought before the Police Court at Malden, and sentenced to one and two years' service in the Reformatory School at Lowell. In that Institution they will not only be compelled to adopt habits of neatness, industry, and truthful- ness, but to attend school a portion of each day. While we sympathize with the grief of the parents, we feel sure that the best good of the lads, as well as of the town, will be pro- moted by their remaining and working out the full term of
6
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
their sentences. The rough, rowdy, and dangerous element of society is the ripened product of bad boys. The only sure means of diminishing the number of future criminals is to take good care of wilful truants,-boys who want to loaf on the street day and night, and hang around places of bad resort. An ounce of prevention is a pound of wisdom.
PRINCIPALS.
During the year, certain changes and innovations have been introduced, with the hope of adding somewhat to the harmony and value of the school work. Experience alone will decide whether these innovations are beneficial or otherwise. One of these is the following : At a Board meeting it was moved and voted : "That in each school-building containing two or more schools the teacher of the highest grade be re- quired to act as principal. That the duties of said principal shall consist in exercising a partial oversight, kind and judi- cious, of the work done in all the rooms; in seeing that proper order is maintained in halls, corridors, basements, and play-grounds ; that janitors be properly informed in re- gard to any oversight or delinquency of duty ; that, under continued neglect, complaint be promptly sent to the Com- mittee; that all needed repairs of doors, locks, closets, seats, desks, etc., be reported to the proper sub-committee." The above regulations are designed to give a responsible head to each school-building, and harmonize in a greater degree the work of the different teachers.
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