USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Randolph > Randolph town reports 1852-1874 > Part 56
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Charles Estabrook, Express and cash paid, 10 60
66 For coffin, robe and expenses of funeral of Richard Wilkinson,
39 25
Adoniram Pendergrass, repairs on guide- boards, 2 20
James Foord, recording deed, 1 50
For distributing Town Reports, 4 50
Sundry bills for repairs, printing, books and expenses, 37 82
$1,585 88
The undersigned, Auditors of Accounts for the financia year ending March 1st, 1871, have attended to the duty assigned them, and report that they have examined the books and accounts of the Selectmen, and find them correctly kept and with proper vouchers.
ROYAL W. TURNER, - RICHARD STEVENS, Auditors. ELISHA MANN, JR.,
RANDOLPH, March 14, 1871.
24
ALMSHOUSE ESTABLISHMENT.
Appraisal of Stock, Furniture, Provisions, etc., March 1, 1871.
1 horse,
$250 00
1 Jersey heifer,
.
.
.
50 00
2 cows, .
.
-
150 00
18 hens, · -
.
.
15 00
8 tons hay, .
210 00
1 horse cart, .
.
100 00
1 farm wagon, -
-
120 00
Harnesses,
-
50 00
1 wheelbarrow, -
6 00
1 grindstone,
-
-
.
-
15 00
4 scythes and snaths,
-
.
6 00
5 rakes,
-
-
-
1 00
7 hay and manure forks,
-
.
.
5 00
7 shovels and one spade,
.
-
.
7 00
2 plows,
.
.
.
10 00
1 cultivator, .
-
.
-
10 00
1 iron bar and pick, -
-
-
3 50
1 sawhorse, -
.
.
75
5 hoes,
.
-
2 00
2 axes, hatchet, and bill-hook,
.
5 25
1 churn,
-
-
2 00
1 boiler,
-
12 00
10 bushels potatoes,
-
10 00
31 pounds hard soap,
2 50
1 pound coffee, -
-
25
9 pounds chocolate,
.
.
4 50
4 pounds saleratus,
30
1 pound cream tartar, .
.
.
35
5 gallons molasses, .
.
.
2 60
18 iron bedsteads, -
127 50
.
.
-
Amount carried forward,
$1,178 50
-
25
Amount brought forward,
$1,178 50
4 army blankets,
3 00
16 navy blankets,
-
-
32 00
18 blue mixed blankets,
27 50
7 colored bed spreads,
8 25
7 feather beds,
.
-
70 CO
18 under beds,
32 00
26 single sheets,
13 00
29 double sheets,
.
.
14 50
36 pillow cases,
18 00
20 feather pillows,
20 00
14 towels, -
1 50
Table cloths,
14 50
6 wooden trunks,
-
6 00
3 dining tables, -
-
16 00
6 light stands,
7 00
62 chairs, -
45 00
1 ash barrel, sifter, hod and shovel,
8 00
1 cooking stove and furniture,
82 00
6 flat-irons, -
3 25
1 hammer,
.
.
1 25
1 wood saw,
-
-
1 25
Steelyards, -
1 50
Crockery ware,
-
.
65 00
Wooden ware,
36 00
Tin ware,
-
23 00
1 horse sled,
7 50
3 cords wood,
20 00
6 tons coal,
60 00
450 lbs. pork,
60 00
20 lbs. beef,
2 00
50 lbs. lard,
8 00
15 lbs. butter, -
6 00
1-2 bushel beans, -
1 50
9 lamps, -
-
6 00
Amount carried forward,
$1,899 00
-
-
-
.
.
-
.
.
-
-
26
Amount brought forward,
$1,899 00
20 flour barrels,
-
.
4 00
5 barrels, -
-
4 00
2 wash benches,
2 00
$1,909 00
NAMES OF PERSONS SUPPORTED IN THE ALMS. HOUSE DURING THE YEAR ENDING MARCH 1, 1871.
Ebenezer Holbrook,
Ebenezer Brewer,t
Jonathan Mann,
Patrick Kiley,
Ebenezer Thayer,
Anna Estelle Bagley,
Susan Thayer,
Patrick Kiley,
Polly Copeland,
Fannie Veazie,±
Eunice Delano,
William Stetson,
Sarah Crane,
Ellen Kennedy,
Betsey M. Eddy,
Willie Jones,
Mary Mullins,
Nellie Jones,#
Timothy Mullins,
Peter Rierdon,
John Mullins,
Keilah H. Kennedy,
Lydia Smith,*
Willie Veazie,
Gideon Howard, 3d,
Clarence B. Veazie,
Sarah M. Jones,
Mary F. Veazie,
William Smith,
Alletta B. Veazie,
Samuel Linfield,+
Nellie Veazie.
Kate A. Veazie,
* Dead. + Refunded. * Discharged.
27
ESTIMATE OF EXPENSES FOR 1871.
The following estimate of expenses for the ensuing year is presented for the consideration of the town :
For schools (estimate of School Committee), $10,750 00
Repairs furniture and incidental expenses, 1,700 00
Highways,
5,000 00
General Town expenses, 17,000 00
Reduction of Town Debt, 5,000 00
Fire Department, 3,000 00
Building new road as laid out by the County Commissioners from E. Porter's to Weymouth, 3,500 00
Building new road as laid out by County Com- missioners from Main to South Street, and land damage, 1,000 00
Building West Street and land damage, 1,500 00
48,450 00
The Selectmen report that the several places at which guide posts are erected and maintained, remain the same as last year. (See General Statutes, Chapter 45.)
Respectfully submitted,
J. WHITE BELCHER, Selectmen HORATIO B. ALDEN, of
JOHN UNDERHAY, Randolph.
Randolph, March 1, 1871.
STETSON SCHOOL FUND.
The Stetson School Fund amounts to the sum of ten thousand and six hundred dollars ($10,600), invested as fol. lows, viz .:
10 shares Elliot National Bank, Boston, (par)
$1,000
10
Webster,
66
1,000
10
Hide and Leather
66
1,000
10
Shoe and Leather
66
1,000
10
Exchange
66
66
1,000
10
Boylston
66
1,000
10
Tremont
66
66
1,000
20
Old Boston
66
1,000
13
Shawmut
66
66
1,300
13
66 Randolph
.66
1,300
$10,600
With a cash balance on hand of two hundred ninety-nine dol- lars and forty cents ($299.14%) as per the account herewith presented, detailing the receipts and disbursements of the last financial year. The school year of 1870 and 1871 opened in April last with forty-six (46) pupils, and the average attendance has been 426, thus evincing a marked apprecia- tion of its advantages on the part of its beneficiaries. While the Trustees cannot expect to escape the criticism that always awaits those having charge of the important interests of free education, and fully sensible of their responsibility to the citizens of Randolph, they disclaim any other purpose than that of making Stetson School useful, and assert their wishes to carry out the intentions of the honored donor, accepting the latitude of his conditions, and attaching to the character of the school those features inaugurated by the various votes of the town in making it meet the require-
29
ments of a High School. To accomplish these ends, and to ensure the usefulness of any school, it must be admitted that continuous attendance and a proper classification of pupils are essential ; and in evidence of the truth of this assertion, the Trustees have only to call attention to those who have graduated after uninterrupted membership, as compared with others whose names have appeared but transiently on the register of the school. If called upon to assert the claims of Stetson School, the Trustees are confident that the most earnest attestants of its usefulness are those parents and guardians whose children and wards have been longest con- nected with it, and feel that such testimony should outweigh the opinions of others who pay no personal attention to its operations. The question of one or two daily sessions, has been often discussed by the Trustees, and they are met by arguments on both sides, from parents and pupils, worthy of consideration ; and while having individual opinions on the subject, they do not wish to continue the present practice of a single daily session, unless convinced that it meets the views of the majority of those most interested in the physi- cal and intellectual welfare of attending pupils. Finally, the Trustees declare their desire to make Stetson School "useful,"- their wish that by its grade and administration the youth of the town may, in the language of the Hon. Amasa Stetson, in this school "enjoy advantages which the other schools of the town do not offer." The Trustees refer with satisfaction to the examination exercises at the close of the year, on the 10th instant, and announce that the new school year will commence on Tuesday, April 4th, at nine o'clock, A. M., at which time applicants for admission are requested to present themselves.
JOHN L. FRENCH, Trustees of
JOHN F. PORTER, Stetson School
SIDNEY FRENCH, Fund.
SETH TURNER, Secretary.
RANDOLPH, March 11, 1871.
30
Having, as required by the terms of the Hon. Amasa Stet- son's letter of donation, examined the account of the "Trus- tees of the Stetson School Fund," the subscribers hereby certify that they have found the same correct, and that their Secretary has in charge the proper certificates of bank stock as stated,and amounting at par value to ten thousand and six hundred dollars ($10,600.) They further report a cash bal- · ance on hand of two hundred ninety-nine dollars and forty cents ($299.40).
J. WHITE BELCHER, HORATIO B. ALDEN, JOHN UNDERHAY, Selectmen of Randolph.
RANDOLPH, March 11, 1871.
DR.
THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES IN ACCT. WITH THE STETSON SCHOOL FUND.
CR.
1870.
To Balance of last year's account,
$118.57
May
By paying
Baker & Thayer, bill sundries,
$7.00
March 14. April
.. Dividend of Tremont Bank,
$50
7.90
Exchange
R. W. Turner & Co., 2 tons coal and sundries,
22.10
Boylston
70
375.00
60
June
40
July
J. L. Brown, bill glass and setting,
5.25
R. W. Turner & Co., 4 tons coal,
5 4
50.00
Old Boston
:
50
Oct.
V. H. Deane, 3 months' salary,
€0.00
Sept.
Rent of Randolph National Bank 6 months, 75.00
Nov.
W. H. Smith, bill for charcoal,
4.00
Oct.
Dividend of Tremont Bank,
$50
Shawmut
65
1871.
Baker & Thayer, bill repairs,
1.40
Jan.
V. H. Deane, 3 months' salary,
375.00
Boylston
70
375.00
Shoe & Leather Bank, Webster
40
36.00
Eliot
: 0
31.00
Hide & Leather
40
Lowell
new policy,
76.00
Old Boston
( 0)
Randolph
78 - 573.00
Trustees and Secretary, for services 1 year,
20 00
Town appropriation,
300.00
Dec. 1871.
Rent of Randolph National Bank,
75.00
March
Cash of sundry parties for the use of the Ilall during the year,
471.00
$2,175.57
$2,175.57 |
V. H. Deane, 3 months' salary,
Shoe & Leather Bank, Webster
37.00
Eliot
50
Hide & Leather
40
375 00
Randolph
78 - 563.00
care of room 1 year,
2.00
R. W. Turner & Co., coal sieve,
Exchange
60
March
bill sundries, Norfolk Insurance Co., renewal, Quincy
31
1870.
5.37
M. M. Alden,
V. H. Deane,
Shawmut “ 65
Balance to new account, 299.40
10.55
CR.
Treasury Note due State of Massachusetts.
¿ C0,000.00
Value Randolph Nat. Bank Stock,
$1,200.00
Randolph National Bank,
10,000.00
Balance Tax, 1870,
779.21
Patrick McMahon,
3,600.00
Non-Resident Bank Tax, 1870,
270.30
Lemuel Wentworth,
.
,600.00
Balance Treasurer's Account, .
·
4,495.53
John Fitzgerald,
1,000.00
State Aid due, .
·
·
8,165.00
Buelah Hunt,
1,000.00
State Pauper Account,
48.00
Ebenezer Moulton,
900 00
Due from other Towns,
18.00
P. E· Wilber,
500 00
Balance Due on Note, ,Balance,
.
Washington Thayer,
500.00
Bradfor l Thayer,
400.00
Esther Thayer, ·
.
500.00
Samuel S. Mann,
1,800.00
Estimated amount Interest due, 600.00
$82,900.00
$82.900.00
Liabilities reduced during the year
$11,252.30
.
.
.
550.00
.
67,373.96
Geo. HI. Nichols, Anna Thayer,
200.00
300.00
32
DR. [STATE OF THE TREASURY, 1871.
DR.
TOWN OF RANDOLPH IN ACCT. WITH H. C. ALDEN, TREASURER.
CR.
March, 1871.
March, 1871.
Balance,
Received for Treasury Notes, ·
·
$6,533.38 20,800.00 48,622 89
Interest on do.,
6,566.80
7,900.00
Bank Dividends, ·
·
96.00
Non-resident Bank Tax,
270.30
Interest on Taxes, 1869,
·
48.25
of County Treasurer, for Dog Licenses, . " C. Fairbanks, License,
11.00
" T. Groom & Co., 3.65; Printing, $4.50; Stamps, Stationery, &c., $12;
20.15
" Rent of Engine Houses, Fearless, $15, Relief, $90; Aquarius, $79.50, Independence, $9. .
193.50
" State Treasurer, School Fund, .
497.45
*Balance,
.
.
.
.
.
The subscribers. Auditors of the Accounts of the Treasurer of the Town of Randolph for the year end- ing Feb. 28, 1871, have examined the accounts of Hiram C. Alden, Treasurer, with care, and have found the same correctly cast, and properly vouched, with suitable entries.
" " Dartmouth,
16.50
" Abington,
27.75
" N. Bridgewater, do. ...
41.00
Schooling
48.40
" Westford, Pauper,
17.90
" W. Bridgewater,
·
33.64
" Weymouth,
27.00
" Gloucester,
49.00
" Town Farm, " R. Adams on acct. Note,
·
·
564.48
RANDOLPH, March 14, 1871.
$88,646.29
$88.646.29
33
.
.
.
700.00
252.28
Bal. Tax, 1870,
·
·
779.21
Error in Tax bill, 1869,
42.00
Extra Poll Taxes, .
42 50
Quincy Mutual Fire Ins. Co.,
·
8.12
Bill refunded,
33.08
" City of Boston, Pauper, ·
74.00
" Town of Stoughton,
6.50
R W. TURNER,
RICHARD STEVENS,. ELISHA MANN, JK
Auditors.
·
·
50.00
.
$35,105 10
Treasury Notes, ·
.
31,828.00
" Tax Bill, 1870,
State Tax,
322.51
Expense acct., Sextons returning deaths, and Town Clerk, recording Births, Mar- riages and Deaths, $81.20
Salt Grass, ·
451.97
101.35 100.00
" Treasurer's Salary,
$6,774.74
Corporation Tax, ·
3,839.39
State Aid,
5,700.00
Bank Stock, ·
$800.00
205.80
Note,
"E. M. Roel, Bank Tax, 1898, . " 1859, .
.
Cash, Bills, &c.,
·
4,495.53
$6,774.74
·
·
.
·
Paid Town Orders, .
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
SELECTMEN OF RANDOLPH, GENTLEMEN :-
The Engineers of the Fire Department of Randolph re- spectfully submit the following report. The expenses of the Department have been as follows :-
AQUARIUS, No. 1. For the Year ending May 1st, 1870.
Paid 41 men's services one year, at $7.00 each, $287 00
For the Year to March 1st, 1871.
Paid John King, Steward's bill, $12 69
$299 69
INDEPENDENCE, No. 2.
For the Year ending May 1st, 1870.
Paid Steward's bill, $16 87
66 43 men's services for one year, at $7.00 each, 301 00
For the Year to March 1st, 1871.
Paid Dennis Ryan, Steward's bill, $26 75
J. Meaney, 66 5 50
$350 12
35
FEARLESS, No. 3.
For the Year ending May 1st, 1870.
Paid S. Howard, Steward's bill, $12 00
37 men's services for one year, at $7.00, 259 00
For the Year ending March 1st, 1871.
Paid Steward's bill, $7 79
E. L. Payne, Steward's bill,
19 74
$298 53
RELIEF, No. 4.
For the Year ending May 1st, 1870.
Paid 43 men's services for one year, at $7.00, $301 00
E. Whitcomb, Steward's bill, 5 00
For the Year to March 1st, 1871.
Paid E. Whitcomb, Steward's bill, $15 00
$321 00
FIRE-KING, No. 5.
For the Year ending May 1st, 1870.
Paid 50 men's services for one year, at $7.00, $350 00
" L. White, Steward's bill, 13 00
For the Year to March 1st, 1871.
Paid G. A. Burrill, Steward's bill, $23 25
'$386 25
36
PIONEER HOOK AND LADDER CO., No. 1.
For the Year ending May 1st, 1870.
Paid 25 men's services for 4 months to date, $58 66
" L. White, Steward's bill, 4 50
For the Year to March 1st, 1871.
Paid G. A. Burrell, Steward's bill, 8 50
$71 66
INCIDENTAL EXPENSES.
Paid W. H. Willis, painting Fearless engine hall, $13 00
For repairs on Independence house, 5 64
" " Wood Fearless Co., 3 50
E. G. French, rent of land for Aquarius house, 5 00
" E. A. Perry, repairs on Independence house,
50
" F. A. Stanley, door springs for Fire-King house, 5 00
John Loring, repairs on Hook and Ladder Carriage,
11 00
" S. G. Cheever, rope for Hook and Ladder carriage,
8 00
Six buckets for “ "
27 00
66
Rope for Relief Engine,
10 50
Repairing hose Relief Engine, 3 35
Pipe for Fearless Engine, 23 00
6 6
Repairing hose Fearless, 3 50
66
Repairing hose Fearless,
3 50
Repairing hose Independence,
3 75
66
Pipe for 23 00
Amount carried forward,
$169 24
Bell 20 00
37
Amount brought forward, $169 24
Paid S. G. Cheever, Swivel and screw, Independence, 6 00
66 Repairing hose, 6
3 50
66
Repairing hose, 2 75
John Alden, neat's-foot oil for the Depart- ment, 17 25
" J. Whiting, drawing Aquarius Engine to fire, Aug. 31st, 2 50
S. D. Chase, repairs on Relief Engine, 4 82
repairs on Relief Engine, 4 00
Engineers' bill,refreshments at fires,
44 10
A. H. Stark, painting on Hook and Ladder Carriage, 11 75
" T. Fardy, work on Hook and Ladder Car- riage, 29 50
" T. Fardy, work on Fire-King Engine,
4 25
" T. M. Ware & Co., 43 gallons neat's-foot oil, 55 90
" L. R. Peterson, work on Relief Engine house, 6 59
" C. McCarty, supplies to Independence Co., 3 50
C. H. McCarter,repairs on Aquarius Engine, 4 25
J. T. Southworth, supplies Aquarius, 1 45
W. Cartwright, repairs for Fire-King, Fear- less, and Hook and Ladder, 5 85
F. A. Stanley, repairs on Aquarius Hall, 7 37
R. W. Turner & Co, supplies to Fire-King, Independence and Fearless,
16 65
" Fire-King Company, filling reservoir after fire, Sept. 23, 37 50
Fearless Company, filling reservoir after fire, Sept. 23, 30 00
" W. Campbell, repairs on Fearless, 3 00
S. A. Vining, 4 gallons neat's-foot oil, 8 00
Amount carried forward, $479 52
38
Amount brought forward, $479 52
Paid J. Loring, work on Fire-King and Hook and Ladder Carriage, 3 55
W. H. Warren, supplies, 2 79
A. F. Jones, wood for Independence, 3 25
Engineers' bill, refreshments, B. L. Wales' fire, 5 40
J. T. Southworth, shovel for Aquarius, 1 25
E. C. Dodge, repairs "
1 25
" Engineers' bill of expenses,
41 00
S. Mann, 2d, rent of land Independence house, 8 00
' C. Estabrooks, expressing, 5 25
' W. Campbell, repairs for Relief Engine,
6 50
" Entertainment of Companies, June 17th, Abby A. Mann, rent of land Fearless house, J. B. Thayer, labor and material on reser- voir Independence, 7 75
C. Estabrooks, expressing, 11 12
2 25
6 H. Belcher, labor on Aquarius, Baker & Thayer, furniture,
1 67
C. Estabrooks, 4 lanterns,
1 00
Snell & Atherton, repairs on Relief,
6 75
Gilmore White, labor, grounds and reser- voir Relief, 30 61
Engineers' bill, refreshments for firemen,
6 00
F. Porter, supplies to Independence, 3 05
$692 16
RESERVOIRS.
Paid G. A. Tolman, and others, one-half cost of re- servoir on South Main Street, $109 44
" George Wilde, and others, one-half cost of reservoir on South Main Street,
90 32
M. M. Alden, covering reservoir, 10 06
Amount carried forward, $209 82
54 00
10 00
39
Amount brought forward, $209 82
Paid N. F. Roel, labor on reservoir on Warren St.,
168 00
" D. Kiley, and others,
66 01
" J. B. Thayer, labor on reservoir at Relief Engine house, 140 45
$584 28
HOSE.
Paid S. G. Cheever, 400 feet leading hose,
$714 60
AQUARIUS ENGINE HOUSE.
Paid H. K. Mockler, labor and paint,
$41 28
E. Gill setting posts,
7 50
" M. M. Alden, labor and material, 83 44
$132 22
RECEIVED FOR RENT OF HOUSES.
Received for rent of Aquarius Hall,
$79 50
" Independence Hall, 9 00
" Fearless Hall,
15 00
" Relief Hall,
90 00
$193 50
40
RECAPITULATION.
Aquarius,
-
$299 69
Independence,
.
350 12
Fearless,
-
-
298 53
Relief,
321 00
Fire-King,
386 25
Pioneer Hook and Ladder,
71 66
Incidental,
692 16
Reservoirs,
.
584 28
Hose,
714 60
Aquarius Engine House, -
132 22
$3,850 51
Less received for Rent of Houses,
193 50
Whole amount,
$3657 01
During the past year the Department has been called out as follows : -
March 15th, 1870. - Shop belonging to J. A. Littlefield, on School Street. Damage light, fully insured. Engines present, Pioneer, Hook & Ladder, Fire-King.
June, 1870. - Shop belonging to Washington Bates. In- sured. Cause, incendiary. No alarm.
August 31st. - House and shop of M. Lee, on North Street. Insured $600. 'Cause, accidental. Engines present, Pioneer, Hook & Ladder, Fire-King, Independence, Fearless and Aquarius.
September 9th. - House and Stable of Asa Morton, on Center Street. Insured $225. Cause, accidental. No alarm.
September 11th. - House of Eugene Dean, on West Street. Insured for $600. Cause, not known. Engines present, In- dependence, Pioneer, Hook & Ladder and Fire-King.
September 18th. - Alarm on Warren Street, Chimney burning. Engines present, Pioneer, Hook & Ladder, Fire- King, Independence.
.
-
.
41
September 23d. - Building belonging to John Long, damaged. Fully insured. Cause, incendiary. Engines present, Pioneer, Hook & Ladder, Fire-King, Independence, Fearless and Aquarius.
November 19th. - Shop belonging to W. Wentworth, on South Main Street. Extinguished with slight damage. Cause, accidental. Engines present, Pioneer, Hook & Ladder, Fire- King, Independence and Fearless.
November 29th. - House on South Main Street, belonging .to B. L. Wales. Insured. Cause, incendiary. Engines present, Pioneer, Hook & Ladder, Fire-King, Independence and Fearless.
February 5. - House on North Street, belonging to F. Smith. Damage slight. Cause, accidental. Engines present, Pioneer, Hook & Ladder, Fire-King.
All the engines have companies attached, each of which are interested to make themselves efficient in the Depart- ment, and their promptness to respond when called upon we trust will be acknowledged by every citizen.
The Engineers, seeing that the Hook & Ladder Co., were a great addition to the Department, have caused additions to be made to their apparatus, making the whole Department doubly effective.
The Fearless engine should be owned by the town, and we recommend that the town take measures to purchase it of the owners.
We also recommend the town provide a Fire Police, as their presence at fires is greatly needed for the protection of property to be removed, and the keeping of good order.
The Department have always labored under disadvantages on account of the scarcity of water; but there is evi- dently a feeling among the citizens to furnish a supply where needed, and the drouth of the last season having caused much anxiety on that account, measures have been taken to secure a supply in some localities. By the advice of the Selectmen, money has been subscribed and paid in ; the bal- ance has been paid by the Town, as will be seen by the re-
42
port. But there are other localities in which reservoirs are needed, and we recommend that some provision be made by the Town to that effect.
In the thickly settled portion of the Town, much anxiety was felt about fires, during the extreme dry season, more es- pecially as we had not a large supply of hose to convey the water from the one reservoir in town. It was thought advis- able by the Selectmen and citizens interested to purchase a quantity of hose, as will be seen under the head of hose in the report.
The engineers also recommend a change in the pay of firemen, the men to receive fifty cents for each monthly meeting, and twenty-five cents per hour while in service.
It is estimated that it will be necessary to raise for the Fire Department, the ensuing year, the following sum :
For pay of engine men, repairs, and incidental expenses, $3,000 00.
Respectfully submitted,
WM. H. WARREN, Chief Engineer.
LEVI WILBUR,
E. E. LOTHROP,
S. D. CHASE,
CHAS. MCCARTY,
EDWARD BELCHER,
Assistant Engineers.
E. E. LOTHROP, Clerk.
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE
FOR THE
TOWN OF RANDOLPH.
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
In accordance with the requirements of the Statute, the Committee respecfully submit the following Report :
Presuming each individual and family interested in any school to be well informed about it, either by visiting it or by information from or observation of its pupils the Committee will speak only of the general conditions of the schools. Compared with those of other towns of similar population and resources, we believe ours rank among the best ; but tried by the standard of the results which would come from a well-devised system and well- directed and sufficient efforts, we think our schools may be made much better and more satisfactory. During the closing year, with one or perhaps two exceptions, the schools have maintained the degree of efficiency and success before reached. We are happy to record the fact that some of them, and those too, whose circum- stances were considered least favorable, have gained much ; and that the teachers under whose charge this gain has been made will continue in those schools.
To retain these teachers, it has been found necessary, in some instances, to increase their pay ; but when our estimate of a school is confirmed by the almost univer- sal expression of the parents interested therein, "we have the best school we have had for five years," the Committee considered the increase of a dollar per week to be justified and judicious for the town. We found established the practice of payment of the same wages to all teachers in the same grade, but we have thought best to pay them according to the results they return to the town. Another practice has been to pay teachers of the higher grades higher wages than to those of the lower grades, but we have found instances where a primary school is of as much value to the people as any other can be, and to the teacher of such school we have paid as high as to any lady teacher, save one or two.
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Of our higher schools, the Committee can say much in praise. The teachers, with one exception, are the same as last year, and have shown during this year, an earnest and commendable fidelity to their charge. We think the course of studies in each might be somewhat changed for the advantage and advancement of the pu- pils, particularly that of the High School ; and suggest that great benefit will arise to the students and parents, if early action upon this is taken by the next Committee. We have to announce the peremptory resignation of the teacher of the High School, Mr. John V. Beal. That gentleman has passed by promotion as teacher through three grades of schools, and to the highest in his native town, and when we add that he is now in the full favor and affection of his present students and their parents, as well as with those from whom he went up, it would seem to be all that can be said. To the Intermediate Schools substantially the same suggestions as the above apply. Except in one or two instances, there has been a gain in the quality and quantity of their work, partic- ularly in some of the outlying districts.
For our Primary schools, in general, we have more solicitude than for those of any other grade. Many cau- ses exist to produce this. Of the whole number of ladies desiring employment, (and only a lady ought to be employed in a primary school,) very few are fitted by nature and acquirements for the successful teaching of a primary school. Then the competition for these posi- tions is much greater than for those for any other grade. Any young lady who has passed through our High Schools supposes she may carry on, at once, a primary school, successfully, and is willing to undertake it at small pay. Knowing this the people do not justify the payment of proper wages. Without compensation, teachers of tact, fitness and of experience, are unwilling to labor, and are not obliged so to do, situations where they are properly paid, being always open to them. Hence we have primary schools which are the legitimate result
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