USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Randolph > Randolph town reports 1875-1890 > Part 22
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With continued liberality of appropriations for their sup- port, intelligence and care in supervision by the Committee, well directed and faithful work by teachers and interested co-operation by parents, the schools will contribute incal- culable benefit to the town, and confer blessings upon many to whom a good common school education will prove their richest inheritance.
In regard to appropriations for the ensuing year, the Com- mittee have to say : That for repairs they are obliged to ask for an increased appropriation, in order to do what a wise economy would dictate. The roof of the house at the west corners, No. 3, needs to be shingled for the preservation of the rest of the building, at an estimated cost of one hundred dollars. Both the Prescott Grammar and Prescott Primary
40
(old house) buildings need new fences around them, the present fences being too far gone to be of any value in en- closing the lots, or of much value in refencing. Estimated cost of this work, with cedar posts, two hundred and fifty dollars, with stone posts, one hundred and ten dollars more. Other than these the Committee are not aware of any but the ordinary small repairs.
While the sums by appropriation and otherwise applicable to support of schools, have not been expended this year, as shown by the financial statement herewith, the Committee will ask for an appropriation of eight thousand seven hun- dred dollars, as follows : -
For teaching,
$7,000 00
ee
fuel,
350 00
ee
care of rooms,
450 00
repairs, 500 00
incidentals, 400 00
$8,700 00
TRUANT OFFICERS' REPORT.
To the School Committee of Randolph :
Gentlemen, - In accordance with the by-laws of the town under which we hold our offices by your appointment, we beg to report that we have visited the various schools from time to time to ascertain who, among the children of school age, were not enrolled as members, and, if unrolled, to know if they were regular in attendance.
By reports and statements of the teachers and our own observations, we found that most of those who should be are registered. Still, while we are able to report an improve- ment as regards wilful absence, and enforced absence through the action or carelessness of parents, we recognize the neces-
41
sity of greater fidelity and care on the part of parents in securing the more regular attendance of their children at school. We have not any cases of truancy to report where we have felt it necessary to proceed to the extremity of the law.
GALEN HOLLIS, THOMAS FARRELL, Truant Officers.
All of which is respectfully submitted.
WINSLOW BATTLES, JAMES MOLLOY, GEO. H. WILKINS, School Committee.
EXPENDITURES FOR SCHOOLS - 1880-81.
FOR TEACHING.
Paid Thomas W. West, 1 year, $1,000 00
Arthur C. Wadsworth, 1 year,
865 69
Sarah E. Shankland, 38 weeks, 450 00
Alice A. Smith, 38 weeks, 375 00
Isabelle G. Driscoll, 38 weeks, Kittie E. Sherridan, 38 weeks,
349 65
Mary A. Molloy, 38 weeks, 334 13
Sarah N. Wilde, 38 weeks,
325 00
Emma D. Stetson, 38 weeks,
3 .4 00
Mary E. Wren, 38 weeks, 304 00
Ellen P. Henry, 38 weeks,
317 81
Emma H. King, 38 weeks, 285 00
Minnie M. Babbitt, 38 weeks,
277 50
228 00
Mary D. Dooley, 38 weeks, . Minnie W. Corliss, 25 weeks, ·
.
200 00
.
356 58
42
Paid Kittie R. Molloy, 25 weeks, . $187 50
Isabel C. Beal, 24 weeks,
187 50
Annie Veazie, 12 weeks, .
123 16
Annie M. Belcher, 12 weeks,
111 18
Sarah Belcher, 13 weeks,
97 50
Total,
$6,679 20
FUEL.
Paid R. W. Turner & Co., for coal,
$301 00
Edwin M. Mann, for wood,
13 50
John Wales, for wood, . ·
15 50
Sundry person, for shavings and prepar- ing wood,
18 35
Total,
$348 35
CARE OF ROOMS.
Paid Margaret Riley,
$236 92
Galen Hollis,
80 00
Sarah V. Wilde,
47 00
Henry Piper,
35 00
George W. Bump,
22 50
John T. Wales,
20 00
Mary Shields,
10 75
Mary Feeney,
8 33
Mrs. James Riley,
5 00
Mrs. Gerald Garrity,
1 53
Total,
$467 03
.
FOR FURNITURE AND REPAIRS OF SCHOOL-HOUSES AND INCIDENTAL EXPENSES.
Paid Henry H. Francis, for labor and material, $170 64
William Ware & Co., for books, . 160 02 ·
43
Paid Lee & Shepard, for books, $95 35
Knight, Adams & Co., for books, . 89 55
Boston School Supply Co., for books, 74 07
C. A. Wales, for labor and material, 76 30
Robert S. Davis & Co., for books, 68 54
Blacker & Shepard, for mdse., 48 88
Thomas H. West, for labor on books, 50 00
Francis A. Stanley, for labor and material, 43 71
L. Prang & Co., for books, 35 97 ·
James E. Nash, for clocks, .. ·
39 50
Da .: '1 H. Huxford, for pr'nt'ng notices, &c., 31 75 Thos. Farwell, for services as truant officer, 25 00
Galen Hollis, ce
15 00
John B. Thayer, for labor and material, .
22 75
Francis A. Stanley, for taking census of school children, ·
20 00
Isaac N. Linfield, for labor and material, 18 79
Adam F. Jones, for posts,
19 00
Winslow Alden, for labor and material, .
23 45
Claflin & Brown, for mdse., . 19 74
A. J. Gove, for expressage, . 15 85
D. B. White & Co., for supplies, 15 85
Colin Boyd, for care of office, 12 00
H. Hybennett, for labor and material, .
12 27
Nathaniel Noyes, for labor and material,
17 43
Lawrence Hayes, for use of well 3 years, Maynard & Noyes, for mdse.,
9 00
9 00
Carter, Dinsmore & Co., for mdse., .
6 00
Patrick Feeney, for use of well, ·
6 00
Morrison M. Alden, for use of well 2 years, 6 00
Charles Higgins, for labor and material, 6 47
Winslow Battles, for horse and carr'ge hire, 5 40
Samuel F. Nichols, for mdse., 5 40
44
Paid Ginn & Heath, for mdse., $4 80
Galen Hollis, for labor,
3 00
Bogman & Vinal, for mdse.,
2 70
W. H. Faxon, for tuning piano,
2 50
Charles Prescott, for supplies,
2 50
George N. Lincoln, for glass,
2 00
Colin Boyd, for keys, .
·
1 35
Henry Piper, for labor,
50
John Wales, for use of well,
3 00
Total,
$1,297 03
Included in the above is cash refunded to the
Town Treasurer, for books sold,
432 29
Stock of books on hand, .
.
·
103 43
Uncollected bills,
100 00
Total,
$635 73
Expenditures less than appropriations, $617 55
TOTAL EXPENSES OF SCHOOLS.
Paid for teaching,
$6,679 20
for fuel, ·
348 35
for care of school-rooms, . .
467 03
for miscellaneous expenses,
1,297 03
Total,
$8,791 61
Paid for Stetson High School,
1,250 00
Total,
$10,041 61
.
Respectfully, WINSLOW BATTLES, JAMES MOLLOY, GEO. H. WILKINS, School Committee.
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
To the Selectmen of Randolph :
GENELEMEN, - The Engineers of the Fire Department of Randolph respectfully submit the following Report : -
ORGANIZATION.
The Department organized May 1, 1880, as follows : -
ENGINEERS.
John Dooley, Jr., Chief; Levi Wilbur, Louis Goeres : C. A. Wales, Clerk.
COMPANIES.
Steamer No. 1, A. J. Gove, Driver; W. P. Alden, Engi- neer; John T. Cartwright, Fireman.
Hose Co. No. 1,
20 men, James Farrell, Foreman.
Pioneer H. & L. Co. No. 1, 25 " Sam'l A. Foster,
Independence No. 3, 50 ce
James E. Neary, ce
Fearless No. 3, 50 ce Myron W. Hollis,
FIRES.
The number of fires the past year has been six, one less than the previous year, and in our opinion these have all been of incendiary origin.
The department has been called to the following fires : - March 5, 12.30 A.M. House on South street, owned by Mrs. Grant, damaged. Engines present : Steamer, Hose Co., Pioneer H. & L. Co. and Fearless.
March 7, 12.45 A.M. Store of James E. Nash, Main
46
street, damaged. Occupied by N. Rosenfeld, P. H. Sheridan, Dr. D. W. Leach and Dr. F. Morton. Engines present : Steamer, Pioneer H. &. L. and Hose Co.
April 6, 10.30 P.M. Barn on South street, owned by R. Adams, consumed. Engines present : Steamer No. 1, Hose No. 1 and Pioneer H. & L. Co.
August 28, 10.15 P.M. Barn of Edmund Eddy, West street, consumed. Engines present : Steamer No. 1, Pioneer H. & L., Hose No. 1, Independence and Fearless.
Sept. 11, 11 P.M. Barn of James Donavan, Cross street, destroyed. Engines present : Steamer, Hose 1, Pioneer H. & L., Independence and Fearless.
Oct. 3, 1 A.M. Barn of Daniel Kelliher, Warren street, consumed. Engines present : Steamer, Independence, Pioneer H. &. L., Hose No. 1 and Fearless.
EXPENSES FOR 1880-81.
Whole amount appropriated, $3,350.00, divided as fol- lows : -
For pay of men,
$1,800 00
" purchase of hose, . ·
1,000 00
" general expenses, .
550 00
$3,350 00
Paid for 144 men, $12,
$1,728 00
for hose,
900 00
for general expenses, ·
545 24
3,173 24
Balance less than appropriation,
$176 76
Expenses of each company, as near as it is possible to sep- arate them, are as follows : -
47
STEAMER NO. 1.
Paid 2 men, services one year to May 1, '81, $24 00 40
W. B. Brown, repairs,
T. Fardy & Son, " 2 50
2 rubber coats and caps, .
7 00
R. W. Turner & Co., coal, 27 00
A. J. Gove, drawing steamer, 55 00
W. P. Alden, cleaning steamer, fill- ing reservoir, &c., . 59 49
J. T. Cartwright, cleaning steamer, 2 50
J. T. Cartwright, taking care fire 20 weeks, '79-'80, .
20 00
J. T. Cartwright, taking care fire 16 weeks, '80-'81, 16 00
Total,
$213 89
RANDOLPH HOSE. COMPANY.
Paid 20 men, services for year to May 1, 1881, $240 00
2 rubber coats and hats, 7 00
J. T. Cartwright, steward, care hose and steamer, 52 80
Total,
$299 80
PIONEER HOOK AND LADDER COMPANY.
Paid 25 men, services for year to May 1, 1881, $12, $300 00
10 rubber coats and caps, ·
35 00
Bishop & Co., repair ladder, 5 00
T. Fardy & Son, repairs, 3 65
N. E. Knights, steward's bill and labor, 14 00
Total, $357 65
48
INDEPENDENCE NO. 3.
Paid 50 men, services for year to May 1, 1881, $12, $600 00
J. N. Bullock, drawing, 1879, 3 00
H. H. Francis, repairs, 1879, ·
75
C. O. Bennett, oil and chimneys,
84
Rubber coats and caps,
7 00
Mary Sullivan, rent of land one year,
10 00
J. B. McGraine, steward's bill, 1 50
James Meaney, ce
9 25
E. O. Leach & Co., oil for hose,
22 27
F. Howard, oiling hose,
5 00
Total,
$659 61
FEARLESS.
Paid 47 men, services for year to May 1, 1881, $12,
$564 00
W. B. Brown, axe-helve, 1 00 .
Josiah Clark, wood, 1879, .
.
1 50
Rubber coats and caps,
7 00
James Riley, rent of land one year,
10 00
E. O. Leach & Co., oil for hose,
22 28
F. Howard, steward's bill,
15 75
oiling hose,
5 00
Total,
$626 53
GENERAL EXPENSES.
Paid Richard Blanche, repair reservoir, Warren St. $3 00
Wm. B. Brown, screens and hose bunch, 5 75
Wm. F. Henry, repair of doors, 5 92
T. Fardy & Son, iron for engine-house, ·
2 69
49
Paid L. Wilbur, laying hose, filling reservoir, $5 00
L. Slade & Son, tank, 10 00
Dr. B. White & Co., supplies, . 10 36
Lewis Bulcher, shoveling snow, . ·
3 00
J. T. Cartwright, 6 00
C. A. Wales, lead pipe, sink, faucets, boiler, &c., ·
32 15
C. A. Wales, cash paid Hall Rubber Co., 50 feet hose and pipe, 12 65
Wm. Henry, Frank Taylor and others, extra labor after fire, 10 75
A. J. Gove, extra bill,
6 18
E. A. Perry, repairs, 1 00 .
H. M. White, well bucket and screws, 1 31
Total,
$115 76
RECEIPTS.
Received for "Fire King" engine, $400 00
ce for old leather hose sold, 45 00
ce for rent of Independence Hall, 1 00
ee for rent of Fearless Hall, and gallon oil, 6 25
$452 25
ENGINE HOUSES.
The houses at the present time are all in very good condition.
RESERVOIRS.
The reservoirs are all full and all in good condition, with one exception, which may need some repairs. We think the citizens have seen the great advantage of those already built, and one at least should be built each year in some part of
50
the town, so that in time there would be very few buildings but what could be reached from some reservoir. We think reservoirs could be built, except where buildings are very near each other, at a cost of $400, large enough for all com- mon fires. We would also call the attention of the citizens to the recommendation made last year, in relation to keeping water in one of the ponds on Main Street, as there is quite a large amount of property below the ponds that must depend almost wholly on them for water in case of fire. In case of a large fire in the centre of the town, we should have an inexhaustible supply the greater part of the year. Also as in case of fire in Allen's block, to immediately fill reservoir at head of Warren Street, or the one in front of Town House. We do not think the expense would be over $100.
HOSE.
The amount of hose in the department at the present time is 1100 feet of leather, 1000 feet of canvas hose purchased with the steamer, and 1050 feet of canvas hose which was purchased of American Fire Hose Manufacturing Co., for the sum of $900, although the price had advanced since the previous year, and which has given general satisfaction to the Firemen and Engineers ; this was all the hose we con- sidered necessary for the past and also for the present year.
ENGINES.
The steamer has as in the previous year given general satisfaction. And we have been fortunate in still securing the services of Mr. A. J. Gove as driver, W. P. Alden, engineer, and John T. Cartwright, fireman, whom we have always found promptly on hand and reliable. During the year we have disposed of the "Fire King" engine to the town of Douglas, through the agency of H. H. Estabrooke, of
51
Boston, for the sum of $400, warranting it in good order, but on the first trial in that town one of the brakes was broken through a flaw ; we felt in duty bound to make good the loss, which amounted to $15.00 ..
We wish to call the attention of the citizens to the ex- pense account of the department, and before doing so we wish every fireman to remember that we have no fault to find with any company or member, or of the good work which they have done in the past. It will be seen that the expenses for the year ending March 1, 1879, were $2,943 95 ce ce er 1881, " 2,273 34 a difference of, $670 71 which will more than pay the interest on $4,985.97, the amount expended for steamer, hose-carriage, hose, and re- pairs on engine-house. It will also be seen that the expense, of running either of the hand-engines is nearly three times as much as the expense of steamer, which has been to every fire, or over $100 more than the expenses of steamer and hose com- pany combined. The principal expense of running hand- engines is the amount paid for men, and no engine can run with less than fifty. Now, we do not wish to deprive any fireman of the $12 a year which he receives for his services ; as any one who has had any experience as a fireman knows that $12 is small pay in comparison with the danger from accident and exposure. The disadvantages which hand-en- gines labor under at the present time are that they are often obliged to run long distances in all kinds of weather and travelling, and any reasonable man knows that three men are not able to stand and work at the brakes for a very long time. The buildings are being built nearer and larger, and will continue to be so ; wells are being built under cover and in places where it is harder for engines to get at.
52
For the benefit of every citizen and tax-payer, for the pur- pose of reducing the expenses of the department, or if not, of rendering it more efficient by the aid of newly-invented fire apparatus, and for the better protection of buildings which cannot be reached from reservoirs, and from the experience gained in the use of the steamer at different fires during the past year, the engineers, after carefully considering the sub- ject, would recommend that the town purchase a chemical extinguisher, to be used in place of one of the hand-engines, which can very easily be disposed of if necessary.
The reasons in favor of an extinguisher are that it can be run with less men ; being so much lighter, it can get to fires sooner ; is all ready for work as soon as it arrives; never gets tired ; does not damage buildings as with water; and we think the difference in the cost of running would more than pay the interest on the cost. We have not been able to get the price of, or the expenses of running for a year.
The town of Brockton has four in use, the town of Quincy has purchased one the past year, Milton and other towns have voted to purchase this year.
PAY OF MEN.
The pay of men we leave for the town to take action on.
APPROPRIATIONS.
In making our estimate for the ensuing year, we ask for the following amounts ; the number of men necessary to run the department the same as last year, with full companies, would be 147, to which we wish to add four fire police, who shall be appointed by the Selectmen and Engineers, and re- ceive the same pay as firemen : -
53
151 men,
Incidental expenses,
$550 00
In the incidental expenses we have not included the ex- pense of filling reservoirs, which depends on the number of fires, and new reservoirs which the town should vote to build. These expenses should be included in the general expenses of the town.
We respectfully submit the above report.
JOHN DOOLEY, JR., Chief, LEVI WILBUR, LOUIS GOERES, CHARLES A. WALES.
54
DR. TOWN OF RANDOLPH IN ACCOUNT WITH
1881.
Paid Town Orders.
$36,496 16
Treasury Notes,
· 13,200 00
Interest.
2.451 49
Turner Library Fund, amt. rec'd for Dog Licenses,
350 34
State Treasurer, balance Corporation Tax, 1879,
33 00
State Treasurer, balance Bank Tax, 1879,
9 91
State Treasurer, State Tax. 1880.
2,055 00
State Treasurer. Bank Tax, 1880,
2,517 25
Books. Paper. Postage, Stationery. T. C. and Treas.,
30 50
Town Clerk expenses Stoughton Election Returns,
3 50
Town Clerk and Sexton, collecting, recording and re- turning births, marriages and deaths,
84 90
Teasurer's Salary,
100 00
*Balance,
4,310 67
.
$61,642 72
*Cash in hands of Treasurer.
2,557 95
$4,310 67
RANDOLPH, March 18, 1881.
The undersigned, Auditors of Accounts, elected at the annual town meeting in April, 1880, respectfully report that they have examined the accounts of the Town Treasurer and find the same correctly kept. with proper vouchers for all payments.
ROYAL W. TURNER. JAMES BURKE, JR. C. G. HATHAWAY.
$1.752 72 Due from E. M. Roel on Tax. 1880,
55
HIRAM C. ALDEN. TREASURER.
CR.
Balance received of C. C. Farnham, ·
$4.825 19 .
Balance due from E. M. Roel on Taxes. 1879.
2.363 55
Received on account of R. Adams' note.
200 00
6.
Tax Bill, 1880,
32.474 19
6. of E. M. Roel. interest collected on Taxes of 1879. .
176 07
.. for Salt Grass,
20 00
.. for Dog Licenses - County Treasurer,
350 34
6. from State Treasurer on acct. of State School Fund,
173 43
..
from State Treasurer on account of State Aid,
2.202 50
from Supt. School Committee for books sold,
432 29
..
from Engineers for old hose.
45 00
from Engineers for rent of engine house,
7 25
from Fire King Engine.
400 00
.. for Flag Pole,
1 00
of E. M. Roel, extra taxes, 1879,
33 51
of H. Jacobs. License Pedlar.
11 00
of J. Spear Estate. bill refunded.
28 50
of H. L. Peirce, rent Ponkapog Pond.
1 00
of State Treasurer, Corporation Tax, 1880, .
2.521 87
of State Treasurer. Bank Tax, 1880.
4.200 68
of State Treasurer, Indigent Soldiers and Sailors,
156 93
..
of Town of Leicester. pauper,
76 80
..
of Town of North Brookfield, pauper.
3 10
..
of Town of Mansfield, pauper,
12 00
..
of Town of Medway. pauper.
54 25
of City of Taunton. pauper. .
.
73 00
of Town of Stoughton, pauper,
179 90 .
..
of Town of Foxboro', pauper,
35 50
..
of Town of Brockton, pauper
89 67
.6 of Town of Easton. pauper. .
203 30
..
of Town of Holbrook. pauper.
1,345 74
..
from Town Farm. labor and produce sold. .
650 84
from sundry persons, aid refunded,
11 82
$61,647 22
.
.
for Treasury Notes,
8,000 00
Dividends of Randolph National Bank,
80 00
.
.
of Town of Methuen. pauper,
157 50
of Town of Quincy, pauper,
15 00
56
STATE OF THE TREASURY MARCH 1, 1881.
DR.
Notes Payable :
1 note to Commonwealth. due March 1, 1882. 6 per cent.
$5.000 00
1 note to Commonwealth. due July 1. 1883, 4} .. 7.000 00
1 note to Randolph Savings Bank on demand. 6
..
5.000 00
1 note to Randolph Savings Bank .. 5 .. 5,000 00
1 note to Turner Free Library ..
6
5.000 00
6 notes to Patrick McMahon ..
6
.. 3.400 00
1 note to Lemuel Wentworth ..
6
1.600 00
1 note to Ebenezer Moulton ..
6
900 00
1 note to Lucy A. Wilber . .
6
..
500 00
1 note to Jeptha Howard ..
6
.. 2.000 00
$35.400 00
Estimated amount of interest amount due March 1. 1881.
350 00
Estimated amount of bills unpaid.
600 00
$36.350 00
CR.
Coddington Fund. - 8 shares Randolph Nat. Bank. $1.600 00
Seth Marsh. Quincy. 500 00
$2.100 00
Due from E. M. Roel. tax collected on tax. 1880.
2,557 95
Due from other towns and State. Pauper accts.,
1.130 35
Due from Commonwealth on account of State aid,
2.525 75
Due from Commonwealth on account of State aid, acct. 1879.
995 57
Due from treasurer. cash in his hands.
1.752 72
Due from Supt. School Committee, books.
203 44
Due on Richard Adams' note, March 1, 1881,
755 58
$12.021 36
Balance net town debt.
24.328 64
$36,350 00
57
STETSON SCHOOL FUND.
To the Selectmen and Inhabitants of the Town of Randolph :
The Trustees of the Stetson School Fund, having attend- ed to their duty, beg leave to submit the following Report of the manner in which they have performed the work assigned them. Though no opportunity has been offered to change the investments of the fund so as to increase the income therefrom, the Trustees feel that they have reason to con- gratulate themselves, and the town as well, that, during all the years of financial doubt, distrust and uncertainty through which the country, generally, has passed since they have held the securities, no loss of principal has occurred, while the interest realized yearly has, at least, been re- spectable.
The following list comprises the securities : -
10 shares Eliot National Bank, Boston (par), $1,000
10 ee Webster National Bank, Boston (par), 1,000
10 ee Hide & Leather Nat'l Bank, Boston (par), 1,000
10
ee Shoe & Leather Nat'l Bank, Boston (par), 1,000
10 Exchange National Bank, Boston (par), 1,000
10
ee Boylston National Bank, Boston (par), 1,000
10
ee Tremont National Bank, Boston (par), 1,000
20
ce Old Boston National Bank, Boston (par), 1,000
13 Shawmut National Bank, Boston (par), 1,300
13
"e Randolph National Bank, Randolph (par), 1,300
$10,600
58
The annexed financial account is an itemized statement of the receipts and disbursements for the year. Certain im- provements, the need of which has for a long time been felt by the patrons of Stetson Hall and citizens of the town generally, have been made, by raising the roof of the L, on the south side of the building, and by other labor in different parts thereof, tending to the desired end, at an expense to the fund of one hundred and ninety-four dollars, the Select- men having appropriated a like amount in aid of the object. Knowing very nearly what the expenses must, at least, be for the ensuing year, as well as the extent of income from the fund, the Trustees are obliged to ask of the town an . appropriation of twelve hundred and fifty dollars, which is the least possible sum that can meet the needs of the same.
STETSON HIGH SCHOOL.
At the annual commencement of the school, April 6, 1880, under the charge of Mr. E. N. Lovering, principal, and Miss Augusta Bunker, assistant, there were fifty-one applicants for admission, forty-two of whom, twenty girls and twenty-two boys, being found qualified upon examina- tion, were admitted, making the whole number in the school at the commencement, seventy-four. The average attend- ance during the year, 65-26, and the school has been in session thirty-eight weeks. The school works in admirable harmony with the others in town, filling the place and performing the duties which the law makes incumbent upon a High School in the educational system established by the State. The Trustees find reason to deprecate the tenacity with which some parents insist upon sending their children for admis- sion to the school before they have finished the course in the schools below, and regardless of the advice of the School Committee to the contrary, under the mistaken idea, per-
59
haps, that it will be beneficial to the pupils to gain admission if, by any mistake even, they can do so, not seeming to understand that the adoption of the course of study pursued was based upon the presumption that the pupils are proficient in the lower branches before they enter here. It is quite unreasonable to suppose that very young pupils can pursue a course of High School study to anything like the advan- tage that those of mature age can derive therefrom ; therefore the Trustees implore the parents not to insist upon sending such, or those that have not passed through the grammar course, though they may think that they have the right to do so by the terms of the Stetson donation, which view it is very doubtful if the facts sustain, when it is considered that the donor expressed the intention to furnish the youth of the town with the means of acquiring an education beyond what the other schools of the town afford, and made the Trustees the sole judges of the qualifications of the pupils to be admitted.
Mr. Lovering, the principal, is a young man of education and culture to a degree which readily inspires confidence in his ability to perform the work that he undertakes. He is a graduate of Harvard College, and has had experience in teaching in the High School of Lexington, Mass., from whence he came here, bringing high testimonials as to char- acter and qualifications, from various credible sources, and whither he has since been solicited to return, and accept the position of principal in said school, at a salary considerably in advance of that for which he has served us the past year. Having adopted the profession of teaching, he proposes to make it his life work, devoting his attention and energies thereto. Acquaintance and experience with him having verified that which his credentials promised, the Trustees have secured his services for the ensuing year, as well as
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