USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Randolph > Randolph town reports 1875-1890 > Part 21
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40 00
James Burke, ee
30 00
William Gibbons,
14 00
Daniel Leahy, ec
11 00
James Harris,
ce
10 00
Dennis McCarty,
10 00
Dennis Fox,
10 00
Total,
$285 00
REMOVING SNOW.
Paid Isaac N. Linfield and others,
$78 48
Thomas Moran
40 02
William White ce
40 86
James Riley ce
37 18
Martin P. Pike .
53 76
Thomas Good ce
22 30
Martin L. Eddy
ce
15 68
Total,
$288 28
17
FUNERAL EXPENSES.
Paid Ralph Houghton, undertaker, attending 73 funerals, . $232 00
Total,
$232 00
STATE AID.
Paid sundry persons (as per account State), $2,166 25
Total, $2,166 25
STATE AID UNDER LAW OF 1879.
Paid sundry persons (as per account State), $1,738 89
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
Paid sundry bills (see for items, Engineer's
Report), .
$3,173 24
ABATEMENT OF TAXES.
Paid Edson M. Roel, for year 1879, $455 70
TOWN OFFICERS.
Paid Auditors for year ending March 1, 1880, $10 00
Engineers of Fire Department to May 1, 1880, 48 00
Edson M. Roel, Collector of Taxes, 1879, 285 62
James A. Tower, School Committee, in-
cluding use of carriage, 1880, 50 00
Winslow Battles, School Committee, 1880-81, 105 00
James Molloy, ce 100 00
George H. Wilkins, ce 100 00 ce
John T. Flood, services as Selectman, As-
sessor and Overseer of the Poor, .
275 00
Sidney French, services as Selectman, As-
sessor and Overseer of the Poor, · 275 J
18
Paid Royal T. Mann, services as Selectman, Assessor and Overseer of the Poor, $275 00
$1,523 62
MISCELLANEOUS EXPENSES.
Paid Daniel H. Huxford, printing 1350 town reports, $237 25 Dan'l H. Huxford, pri't'g warrants, notices, &c., 82 50
Henry H. Francis, for labor and material, addition to Hall, 195 21
Night Police, 1879-80, . 172 29
Special Police, July 3d and 4th, 73 00
Frank P. Stevens, services as detective, . 50 00
J. White Belcher, for insurance, 93 50
Seth Mann, 2d, for insurance, ·
93 00
Turner Free Library, as per vote, .
500 00
Grand Amry Post 110, as per vote, 100 00
Brooks Adams, professional services in Rooney case, 95 50
William F. Rooney, for damage to carriage, 125 00
Witnesses in Deane case, 69 50
John Dooley, Jr., damage to horse, car- riage and harness, 25 00
Wales B. Thayer, damage to sleigh, 13 00
Thomas Farrell, services as constable, 29 20
Henry H. Francis, " 27 50
Colin Boyd, care of Selectmen's Office, . 25 10
Hiram C. Alden, copying valuation-book, 20 00
Cornelius McMahon, damage to property,
20 00
Jonahan Wales, professional services, . James N. Bullock, care of J. A. Tower's horse, 1878-79, 30 00
25 00
James N. Bullock, for horse-hire, . 26 00
19
Paid Wm. B. Hathaway, enter'm'nt of Town Officers, $22 95 Nathan'l Noyes, labor and material repairing safe, 18 90 A. J. Gove, labor, filling reservoirs, 20 00
H. H. Estabrook, for repairs on " Fire King" engine,. . 15 00
Peter A. Wales & Son, for pump and repairs, 31 50
Frank J. Donahoe, services as constable, 5 00
Daniel Howard, for sundry bills, · 7 88
Colin Boyd, for care of Hall Town Meetings, 7 50
Colin Boyd, for preparing wood, 6 25
Ward & Gay, for stationery and book, 8 85
Frank Porter, for stationery, ·
3 60
Doane & Greenough, stationery, . 2.50
Joseph Graham, for labor and material, .
12 73
Edwin M. Mann, for wood, ·
11 00
Daniel Leahy, 3 00
Mary Campbell, for varnishing hearse,
15 00
T. T. Cushman, services for Board of Health, 11 00
Charles E. Higgins, for ventilators, ·
4 50
John G. Poole, for postage, 6 96
Thos. Fardy & Son, for repairs on snow plough, 5 00
D. B. White & Co., for supplies, . 7 12
Martin P. Pike, distributing town reports, 1880, 5 00
A. L. Chase, for examination of Geo. Beaumeister at Quincy, 3 80
Warren M. Babbitt, for examination of Geo. Beaumeister at Quincy, .
3 80
Thomas Ward, for labor, · .
3 00
William Cole, .
3 00
Thomas Groom, for tax-books,
2 25
G. L. Bates, repairing safe, . 2 15
John T. Flood, sundry bills for keys, repairs, &c., 2 00
20
Ephriam F. Belcher, for repairs,
$2 02
Robert S. Jones, for binding, 2 50
John B. Regan, repairing well,
6 00
A. J. Gove, expressage,
1 80
Total, .
$2,391 11
21
REPORT OF OVERSEERS OF THE POOR.
In the amount expended for the purpose of relieving the poor within the limits of our town, for the year ending March 1, 1881, there is very little perceptable variation from the average expense incurred for that object in the years past, or at least since 1875. True, some have been removed by death, a few are self-supporting, and others have availed themselves of the law of 1879, an act for the relief of poor and indigent soldiers.
Mr. Martin P. Pike and his wife still continue as Superin- tendent and Matron of our Almshouse. There is a general air of method and order about the whole institution ; a com- fortable home is provided for the worthy and respected, but unfortunate poor, both old and young. 'The children are obliged to attend our public schools regularly. Mr. and Mrs. Pike are untiring in their efforts to secure for the youth under their control all benefits requisite to lead them on to lives of respectability and usefulness. During the year an inspector from the State Board of Health, Lunacy and Charity, visited our Almshouse on his tour of inspection and classed the institution and its management among the best in the State, paying a very deserved compliment to the Superintendent and Matron for the order, neatness and very healthful appearance that prevailed in and about the place. Mr. Pike during the past year, by a vete of the town, has had charge of the picking of the stones on the highways, and the removal of snow in the various districts ; and in addition to his other labors has completed the widening of
22
North Street from the junction of Union and South Main Streets to the brook, near the residence of James Barry, 2d, in a workmanlike manner, and to the satisfaction of the citi- zens. The amount he has earned with the town teams, and paid into the town Treasury, from April 1, 1880, to March 1, 1881, is six hundred and twenty-three dollars and ninety- nine cents. The number supported at the Almshouse during the year ending March 1, 1881, in whole or in part, was twenty-four; the average number eighteen; a decrease of three for a full year.
Names of persons supported in the Almshouse for the year ending March 1, 1881 :
Polly Copeland.
Peter Reardon.
Ellen Kennedy.
Catharine Condon.
Lewis Linfield.
Elias Cole.
Frances McMath.
Michael Clark.
Ellen Buckley.
Angeline Buckley.
Mary Ellen Buckley.
Maggie MeLaughlin.
Teresa Long. Frances McLaughlin.
Margaret Quinlan.
Katie Quinlan.
Mary O'Brien .*
James O'Brien.
James Harris.
Jonathan Hunt.
George Weaver .*
Samuel Turner. t
Horace Holbrook .*
Jennie Sylvester.
SUPPLIES AND EXPENSES FOR THE ALMSHOUSE AND TOWN FARM.
Paid Martin P. Pike, Superintendent, one year, $600 00
Charles Prescott, for supplies, 429 38
J. White Belcher, for grain and meal, 253 58
R. W. Turner & Co., for coal, 160 60
* Discharged. + Refunded.
23
Paid Estate of William Campbell, for labor and
material, $147 18
Josiah Clark, for meat, 136 10
I. D. Page, for supplies, 91 69
George Fowkes, for harness and repairs, 55 85
Sidney French, for boots and shoes, 48 69
A. Rosenfeld, for indse., 46 27 ·
N. E. Buck, for tea, ·
25 49
Clark Fairbanks, for clothing,
22 92
Hill & Daniel, for crackers, . 20 56
John Carey, for fish,
17 88
Heirs of William Cole, for pasture,
16 00
A. B. Gilman, for labor, 15 00
Mr. C. Holbrook and others, for nursing, 13 00
A. J. Gove, expressage, 18 00
J. B. Rhines, for lumber,
15 22
John B. Thayer, for labor and material,
13 75
Joseph Breck & Son, for dressing, 12 25
Orin & Douglass, for mdse., .
12 54
N. H. Tirrell, for repairs,
12 00
P. H. Shendan (auction), for molasses,
10 25
E. A. Allen, medical attendance, . 10 00
Morss & Whyte, for screen, . 9 00
Walter Cartwright, for repairs, 8 00
C. A. Wales, for labor and material, 7 00
for removal of O'Brien hoy, 5 00
Burditt & Williams, for mdse.,
7 50
Peter A. Wales & Son, for labor and mate'l, 7 75
Gilbert & Dodge, for iron-work, 6 72
Mr. Bryden, for supplies,
5 61
C. A. Wales, for apples, 5 00
Frank Porter, for medicine, . 5 40
T. Fardy & Son, for repairs, 5 00
24
Paid D. Crolin, for horse-collar, $5 00
for oil and cotton-seed meal, 4 80
Ames Plough Co., for sled shoes, 4 63
Jordan & Marsh, for mdse., . 3 50
D. B. White & Co., for supplies, 3 19
Ephraim Mann, for labor, 3 50
George H. Sampson, for midse.,
2 85
Messrs. Hasting & Co., for doors, .
2 08
H. H. Libby, for labor,
2 00
Wm. F. Brown, for labor,
2 00
S. W. Willard, for tripe,
1 75
Seth Mann, 2d, for iron pipe, 1 75
Moses C. Beal, for plank,
1 50
C. Copeland, for supplies,
1 08
Thomas Whalin, for labor,
1 00
A. Thayer, for material, 80
58
Sundry bills,
26 76
Total,
$2,344 95
Cr. by cash paid Treasurer, for labor, $623 99
for pro-
duce, milk, &c., sold, . 26 85
by cash amount, included in bill, paid by town of Holbrook, 377 48 by bills due, 2 29
$1,030 61
Net cost, $1,314 34
H. H. Francis, for material,
25
RELIEF OF POOR OUT OF ALMSHOUSE.
ANN THAYER.
Paid Esther M. Thayer, for board, $100 00
EDWIN AND MARY CHESSMAN.
Amasa S. Niles, for board, . .
247 00
R. W. Turner & Co., for coal, 15 00
for Levi L. Holbrook, at State Lunatic
Hospital, . 188 91
for James F. Forrest, at State Lunatic
Hospital, .
207 30
*for Mrs. Edward Welch, at State Lunatic Hospital, . 72 16
for John Harris at State Reform School, . 52 00
*for Thomas Fencer, at
33 00
for Patrick Fencer at State Wor' House,
33 35
for Mrs. Hugh MeMahon and family,
203 80
for Mrs. John C. Kelliher and family,
191 45
for Mrs. Philip Kenney ·
172 04
for Mrs. Jonathan Hunt ce
184 03
for Mrs. William Grady
164 05
for Mrs. James Riley ce
115 70
for Mrs John Fencer and family at Brockton, 53 25
for Mrs. Thomas Donahoe and family, . 112 86
for Mrs. E. S. Pulson ٢ ٢
78 00
for Mrs. Gerald Ganity PP
·
80 75
for Mrs. Patrick McKay ce
49 50
for Mrs. Luke Riley "e
82 14
for Mrs. Shepard Wood
83 26
for Mrs. Bernard Purcell and child, 89 56
for Mrs. Bernard Gill, . .
54 00
.
* Discharged.
26
Paid for Mrs. Almira Giles at Braintree, $92 08 for Mrs. Lucinda Holbrook (Jason, Jr., N.H.), 50 00
for Mrs. Hiram Wilson,
113 95
for Mrs. Margaret Deneil at Weymouth, .
21 00
for Mrs. Ellen McMath at Cambridge, .
1 42
¡for Ozias D. Daniels, .
177 00
tfor Richmond Jones and family, . ·
159 60
for Asa Morton,
89 50
for Hiram Holbrook and family,
104 00
for Michael MeGraine "
57 03
for J. Wales Sylvester and family, part at Stoughton and Boston, 88 60 ·
for B. W. Sylvester and family, 12 00
for Hiram Wilson, ·
17 38
for George F. Eddy and family,
160 63
for L. B. Holbrook and wife at Quincy, .
78 52
for Alexander Holbrook and family,
42 00
for James Butler,
34 50
for Paul T. Clark, 48 00
for James Upham at Stoughton, 42 40
for Thomas Smith at Holbrook, .
25 00
for Luther F. Thayer at Boston, ·
30 00
for Luke O'Riley and wife, 28 00 .
for George H. Abbott,
17 10
for David McKay,
11 75
for James D. Fox at Weymouth,
10 00
for Bartholomew Bunberry, part at Worcester, 9 00
for Mrs. John Hollis,
15 00
for George W. Cook, · . .
8 00
for sundry bills for aid,
32 29
t Deceased.
27
Paid for sundry bills for aid refunded, .
$41 82
$4,280 58
RELIEF OF POOR WHOSE SETTLEMENT IS IN RANDOLPH AND HOLBROOK, THROUGH MILITARY SERVICES.
Paid for Lewis N. Weathee, at State Lunatic
Hospital, $190 23
for Winfield Scott Weathee, at State Workhouse, 25 00
for John O'Brien, at State Reform School, 12 00
for James O'Brien, at State Reform School, 10 00
for Mrs. William H. Simpson and family,
260 20
for Mrs. Christiania Sloan and family, 169 68
for Mrs. Rose Murphy and family, . .
95 75
for Mrs. Thomas F. Hand and family, 106 85
for Mrs. John Mann and family, . 102 70
for Mrs. Lysander C. Morse at Brockton, 34 28
for Mrs. C. V. Sloan at Brockton, . .
10 20
for Mrs. O'Gorman at Boston, .
44 91
for Mrs. Mary Mullin at Boston, ·
52 00
for Mrs. Jeremiah C. Buckley at Weymouth,
81 07
for Albert W. Stetson and family, .
185 90
for Mrs. Walter A. Jones and family, 75 00
for John Crosby and family, . 103 50
for Albert Howard and family, 63 47 .
for L. F. Leavitt at Quincy, . ·
88 08
for Mrs. Francis Boyle and family, . 55 50
for William Tilson, 7 50
Total,
$1,773 82
*
28
One third paid by Holbrook. Additional expenses in the Almshouse paid by Holbrook.
POOR OF OTHER TOWNS.
Paid for Frederic Fowler, Jr., and family,
Easton, . $153 88
for John F. Clark and family, Stoughton, 217 34
for James O'Sullivan and family, Stoughton, 23 90
for Bridget Hoye, Taunton, . 69 50
for Lucius Hollis and family, Holbrook, 141 71
. for I. N. Pendergrass and family, Holbrook, 6 50
for Lysander Miller and family, Holbrook, 2 25
for Stephen Farnum and family, Methuen, 81 25
for Elizabeth Farnum and family, Methuen, 78 15
for Edmund Burke and family, Foxboro, 29 05
for Mrs. Alphenia Carey, Lowell, . 90 00
for Mrs. Susan Meaney, Boston, .
54 00
for Mills Moore, Boston, 41 15
for Isaac J. Tully, Boston,
28 25
for Alva M. Nightingale, Duxbury,
16 50
for Mrs. Robert E. Weaver and family, Medway, 19 15
for George C. Currie, Canton, ·
8 00
for James Lewis, Newburyport, .
8 00
for' Samuel Turner, Foxboro,
75
Total,
$1,069 33
STATE PAUPERS.
Paid Colin Boyd, for lodging 197 tramps in lock- up, $140 00
29
Paid Colin Boyd, for bedding and repairs material, $10 00
D. B. White, for supplies, 12 36
R. W. Turner & Co., for coal, 6 50
John McLean, for John Hanley,
1 50
C. C. Farnham, for medical aid, 2 00
Henry M. White, for Joseph Talbot,
1 00
Total,
$173 36
Paid for Francis Blanchard and wife, 221 58
Total,
$394 94
Included in the expenses of poor in the Almshouse, poor out of the Almshouse, poor whose settlement is in Randolph and Holbrook, poor of other towns and state paupers, are the following sums of money paid to the physicians for medi- cal aid rendered for one year, ending April 4, 1881 :-
Dr. Charles C. Farnham,
$75 00
Dr. Thaddeus T. Cushman,
75 00
Dr. Emory A. Allen, 75 00
Dr. Warren M. Babbitt,
75 00
Dr. Augustus L. Chase,
75 00
Dr. Frank C. Granger,
75 00
Total,
$450 00
The undersigned, auditors of accounts, elected at the annual town meeting in April, 1880, respectfully report that they have examined the accounts of the selectmen, and find them correct, with proper vouchers for all orders drawn upon the treasurer.
ROYAL W. TURNER, JAMES BURKE, JR., CHARLES G. HATHAWAY, Auditors of the Town of Randolph, 1881.
RANDOLPH, March 18, 1881.
30
ALMSHOUSE ESTABLISHMENT. APPRAISAL OF STOCK, FURNITURE, PROVISIONS, &C., MARCH 1, 1881.
2 horses,
$400 00
2 cows,
80 00
5 hens,
3 75
4 tons of hay, English,
100 00
1 ton of fresh hay,
10 00
1 farm wagon,
65 00
2 horse carts,
150 00
1 swing drag,
50 00
1 pair wheels, with pole, 50 00
1 mowing-machine, 60 00
1 carriage, 100 00
1 stump and rock extractor and hook. ·
30 00
4 harnesses, 50 00
1 new double harness. 50 00
4 draft-chains, ·
10 00
1 sled,
3 00
1 new 2-horse sled, with shafts and pole,
50 00
1 grindstone, .
10 00
1 wheelbarrow,
3 00
3 scythes and snaths,
4 00
3 rakes,
1 75
7 hay and manure forks,
5 00
7 shovels, 1 spade,
6 00
3 ploughs,
25 00
1 cultivator,
7 00
1 iron bar, 1 pick, 2 50
2 axes, 2 hatchets, 1 bill-hook,
5 00
4 hoes,
1 25
1 saw-horse, .
.
75
1 snow-shovel, .
50.
.
31
1 churn,
$2 00
1 boiler,
2 00
45 bushels of potatoes,
40 00
10 bars of soap,
1 00
1 gallon of molasses,
50
12 pounds of sugar
1 50
¿ barrel of flour,
5 00
5 pounds of chocolate,
2 00
18 iron bedsteds,
100 00
28 colored blankets,
20 00
25 white blankets,
20 00
5 colored bed spreads,
4 00
5 comforters,
7 00
7 feather beds,
56 00
19 underbeds,
25 00
57 sheets,
24 00
10 double sheets,
5 00
36 pillow cases,
15 00
16 feather pillows,
9 00
20 towels,
2 50
table cloths,
5 00
6 wooden trunks,
3 00
3 dining-tables,
12 00
5 light-stands,
3 00
60 chairs,
30 00
Ash-barrel, sifter, hod and shovel,
4 00
Cooking-stove and furniture,
25 00
6 flat-irons,
2 25
1 hammer,
75
1 wood-saw,
1 25
1 clothes-wringer,
5 00
1 steelyards, . ·
.
1 50
3 hammers and 33 drills,
.
45 00
.
.
32
Crockery ware,
.
.
$40 00
Wooden ware,
20 00
Tin ware,
12 00
1 clock,
4 00
1 cord wood,
6 00
1 road-scraper,
30 00
2} tons of coal,
20 00
325 pounds of pork,
36 00
1 washing-machine,
8 00
95 pounds of lard,
10 00
9 lamps,
4 50
10 flour barrels,
1 00
8 yards of calico,
80
3 yards of crash,
24
150 pounds of ham,
15 00
Grain,
8 00
Total,
$2,028 29
ESTIMATE OF EXPENSES FOR THE YEAR 1880-81.
The following estimate of expenses for the ensuing year is presented for the consideration of the town : - For schools (see report of School Committee),
repairs, furniture and incidental expenses, $8,700 00
highways,
4,000 00
general town expenses,
10,000 00
reduction of town debt, .
5,000 00
fire department (see report of Engineers), 2,300 00
Total,
$30,000 00
Respectfully submitted, JOHN T. FLOOD,
SIDNEY FRENCH,
ROYAL T. MANN, Selectmen of Randolph.
.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
OF THE
TOWN OF RANDOLPH.
1880-81.
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
In accordance with the requirements of law and of custom the School Committee hereby present to their fellow citizens of the town their Annual Report.
The number of public schools maintained during the year covered by this Report, and subject to the supervision of the Committee, is the same as it has been for several years past, requiring the same number of teachers, to wit, two male and fifteen female teachers. Among these three have left the service during the year : Mrs. Annie M. Belcher, Miss Isabel C. Beal and Miss Annie Veazie. The first two from choice for other duties ; the last mentioned from reduced strength and ill health, induced by the severity of her school work, most successfully performed for a series of years. The complement of teachers was supplied by the election of Miss Minnie W. Corliss, Miss Kittie R. Molloy and Miss Sara E. Belcher.
The schools have been in session thirty-eight weeks, excepting the few single holidays that occurred in term time, and have been conducted, to the extent possible, in the light of improved methods and plans, which have borne the tests of trial. Generally speaking, the schools are in good condi- tion, and are worth to the town their money cost. . In them honest, faithful work is done by teachers and pupils, with varying results, as is usually the case in all departments of human efforts. The teachers have shown intelligent dis- crimination in the adoption of plans and methods in carrying on their work, and dispositions to reach out for all the aids possible in labors to bring their schools up to the highest points of excellence.
36
At the fall meeting, 1878, of the "Association of School Committees and Superintendents of Norfolk County," a Committee was chosen for the purpose of examining the children of the County who had been in school four and eight years, respectively. The examination was made in the following spring, under the direction of Mr. George A. Walton, Agent of the State Board of Education, by invita- tion of the above-named Committee, whose report thereon was made to the State Board by request, and published in the forty-third report of the Board, issued since the School Committee's last report was presented. While your Com- mittee do not recognize this examination as a complete and wholly reliable test of the condition of the schools of the County, of the qualty of work done in them by teachers and pupils, as no one hurried examination, as this must have been, could be, nevertheless, "it was as fair for one as for another," they refer to it for the purpose of giving to the citizens of the town the result of the examination, such as it was, in fixing the position of this town when compared with the other towns of the County in regard to the proficiency of schools.
There are twenty-four towns in the County. Of these nine achieved a higher percentage in the examination than Randolph did, one stood at the same, leaving thirteen at a lower percentage. In this latter number are to be found all the towns bordering upon this town that are in Norfolk County. Though a mortification that the schools of Ran- dolph are not found in the foremost rank of excellence, by this test even,- and it is not well to rest contented with any- thing short of the best,- it is, at the same time, extremely gratifying that they hold so honorable a place in comparison with the schools of surrounding towns, which have been
37
subject to about the same outward influences and expenditure of money.
During the year just ended monthly meetings of teachers and Committee have been held, when methods of instruction, modes of presenting subjects to the youthful mind so as to rivet the attention and awaken interest, general management and discipline of schools were discussed in a spirit of earnest - ness shown only by those interested in their work. The Committee feel that good has come of these meetings, and they anticipate much benefit to the schools from their con- tinuance in the future.
At the time when so much is spoken and written upon the subjects of schools, their short-comings and their merits, methods of teaching and general management, there has come, as might be expected, an awakening of public interest in them which demands of the teaching fraternity more in- telligent work and more unerring leadership in guiding the young into and along the paths of " useful learning," by processes of training and development that shall produce the best results to the individual and the community in a useful culture, so far as it can be carried on in the common schools.
Efforts, in response to the demands of the changed con- dition of things in management and instruction, have not been wanting in the schools during the year just closed. Still, despite all efforts, there are some schools not yet equal to the best ones. Barring whatever natural causes there may be for this, it is believed by the Committee that this difference can measurably be removed. In the first place it is not all due to the teacher. All that makes a good school is not to be looked for in the teacher or in the Committee. Children cannot be taught when not in school ; or, if there, when in an unteachable condition. These considerations lead the Committee to urge upon the parents and guardians
38
of children of schoolable age, first, that their children shall be more punctual and regular in their attendance. Tardiness and absence are hurtfully prevalent in nearly all the schools. In some, to such an extent as to well nigh paralyze all at- tempts to carry classes along in any systematic course of study and improvement. This evil to the school, as such, and great injury to individual children, loudly calls for abate- ment, and, if to be overcome, it must be by an appeal to the good sense of the parents, stimulated to right action by the concern they should feel in the children's welfare ; not forgetting that in the quick flight of time these children will soon be men and women. The opportunity for youthful training in education once lost by advancing time is seldom regained, and those from whom are withheld the privileges of common school education are, in after life, often doomed by illiteracy to circumstances less felicitous and elevating than would have surrounded them had they not been denied the means for culture when young. Children are not capable to select for themselves what is best. The thoughtful parent will select and determine for his children ; and can he do better than to give them the full, unbroken course of instruc- tion the schools afford ?
Secondly. The Committee have to remark that the relation between the parent and teacher is not always what it should be -- that of mutual interest. In certain instances there is apparent a spirit of antagonism between the two, which never exists without injury to those whom each should be emulous to serve and help. Teacher and parent have, or should have, a common object - the development of the child, intellect- ually and morally. In the accomplishment of this noble purpose, there should be unity between the home and the school. There must be, if the school is to be useful in the proper degree. The right-minded teacher solicits communi-
39
cation with the parent in all reasonable manner concerning the children at school, and is never disinclined to receive suggestions based on knowledge of the children's characters. Both parents and teachers have feelings and rights that are to be carefully observed in all intercourse in connection with the schools, and whenever this fact is disregarded, and a spirit of opposition or antagonism is allowed to grow up at home, sooner or later trouble is sure to come between the teacher and the children at school. In this connection the Committee feel warranted in inviting the parents and all friends of the children to a more intimate knowledge of the schools through more frequent visitations. Go and see what is being done and how it is being done; observation is a great enlightener, and a slight explanation sometimes will serve to avoid very unpleasant complications. The Com- mittee confidently trust, that, in these two particulars - the matters of absence and tardiness, and the relation between parents and teachers - the next year will show an improve- ment.
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