USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Randolph > Randolph town reports 1875-1890 > Part 8
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60
Ralph Houghton, repair chairs,
1 25
J. N. Bullock, horse hire,
5. 00
James E. Nash, repairing clock,
5 35
W. E. Jewell, legal advice,
10 00
A. J. Gove, expressage,
12 05
Charles R. Piper, 1 broom,
40
Sundry persons, repairs,
1 78
James Sullivan, painting black-boards,
1 5€
Patrick Feeny, use of well and shovelling snow,
8 00
35
Paid S. W. Willard, use of well 2 years,
$6 00
Geo. W. Jones,
3 00
Lawrence Hayes,
3 00
Total,
$808 53
Included in the above is cash refunded to the town
$405 74
treasurer for books sold, Stock of books on hand,
103 45
Total,
$509 19
TOTAL EXPENSE FOR SCHOOLS.
Paid for teaching,
$6,314 50
Stetson High School,
1,000 00
Fuel,
410 07
Care of school-rooms,
412 25
Miscellaneous expenses,
808 53
Total,
$8,945 35
Respectfully,
JAMES E. O'BRIEN, A. M., Chairman, M. A. DONOVAN, WINSLOW BATTLES,
School Committee.
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
TO THE SELECTMEN OF RANDOLPH :
Gentlemen, - The engineers of the Fire Department of Randolph respectfully submit the following report.
The expenses of the department have been as follows : -
PIONEER HOOK AND LADDER, NO. 1.
For the Year ending May 1, 1876.
Paid 24 men, services one year, $7 each,
$168 00
13 " one hour labor, at 25c.,
3 25
20 two hours
66
10 00
12 66 three « 66 66
9 00
22
66 two " 66 66 66
11 00
24
66 one hour 66 66
6 0(
19
66 four hours 66 66
66
19 0(
10
66 one hour
66
66
2 5(
For the Year to March 1, 1877.
Paid N. E. Knight, steward's bill, 17 1:
$245 8
INDEPENDENCE ENGINE, No. 2.
For the Year ending May 1, 1876.
Paid 50 men, services 1 year, $7 each, $350 0
50 “ £ 1 hour labor, at 25c.,
12 5
50 66 2 hours “ 66 66
25 0
44 66 4 " 66 .. 66 44 0
37
Paid 40 men, 2 hours labor, at 25c.,
$20 00
50
66 66
31 25
47 66 1 hour 66 66 66
11 75
50 6 3 hours 60 66
37 50
40
66 1 hour 66 66 66
10 00
For the Year to March 1, 1877.
Paid Dan'l Twoomey, steward's bill,
15 75
John B. McGrane, “ 20 50 66
$578 25
FEARLESS ENGINE, No. 3. For the Year ending May 1, 1876.
Paid 49 men, services one year, $7 each,
$343 00
36 1 hour labor, at 25c.,
9 00
42 2 hours 66 21 00
30 3 66 66 66 66 22 50
42 2 66 66 66 66
21 00
41 66
3 66 66
30 75
41
66 1 hour 66 66 66
10 25
44 66 3 hours 66 66 66
33 00
18
66 1 hour 66 66 66
4 50
For the Year to March 1, 1877.
Paid Wm. A. English, steward's bill, 37 57
$532 57
FIRE KING ENGINE, NO. 5. For the Year ending May 1, 1876.
Paid 50 men, services one year, $7 each,
$350 00
50 " 4 hours labor, at 25c., 50 00
32 " 1 hour
.. 66
8 00
For the Year to March 1, 1877.
Paid John T. Cartwright, steward's bill, 26 20
Geo. B. Dench, 66 66
15 50
$449 70
38
INCIDENTAL EXPENSES.
Paid C. E. Higgins, painting Fearless engine-house, $73 87
Walter Cartwright, repairs, 10 60
Thomas Fardy, repairs, 9 50
J. McMath, painting sign, Fearless Co., 3 25
T. J. Hill, supplies,
7 09
Engineers' badges, 12 00
J. Clark, rent of land, Fearless house, 10 00
Mary Sullivan, rent of land, Independence house,
10 00
G. Keiley, lettering rubber coats,
5 94
Hyde & Co., torches,
7 50
American Rubber Co., 9 coats, 31 50
16 50
Wm. B Brown, pole for H. & L. and painting, 66 repairs on Fire King,
5 50
G. H. & C. Prescott, supplies,
96
G. A. Burrell, removing snow,
1 50
S. Belcher, wood for Fire King, 2 75
J. Clark, wood and labor, Fearless,
4 73
Engineers' for supplies,
2 00
D. B. White & Co., supplies,
22 65
Thomas Fardy & Son, repairs, 10 15
Hunneman & Co., repairs, 23 50
C. A. Wales, supplies,
5 55
Daniel Kelliher, removing snow,
1 37
Wm. Campbell, repairs,
12 00
A. J. Gove, expressing,
6 60
$297 01
Total expense, $2,103 40
RECEIVED FOR RENT AND PAID TO TOWN TREASURER.
For Independence Hall, $3 00
Fearless Hall, 10 20
$13 20
39
ORGANIZATION.
The department was organized May 1, 1876, as follows : -
ENGINEERS. WM. H. WARREN,* Chief.
LEVI WILBUR, E. E. LOTHROP, LOUIS GOERES, Asst. Engineers.
COMPANIES.
Pioneer Hook and Ladder, No. 1, 23 men, C. A. Wales, Foreman. Independence Engine, No. 2, 50 men, Wm. Brennan,
Fearless Engine, No. 3, 50 men, Myron W. Hollis, 66 Fire King Engine, No. 5, 50 men, John Dooley, Jr.,
The death of Chief Engineer Wm. H. Warren, in August last, causing a vacancy in the department, John Dooley, Jr., was appointed an Engineer and Levi Wilbur was appointed Chief.
James H. Wales was chosen Foreman of the Fire King, vice Doo'ey, Jr , promoted.
The department has responded promptly to the following fires and alarms : -
April. Messrs Leonard & Lyons' mill; total loss ; insured ; cause not known. The whole department was present and worked.
April. A. G. Dean's bakery ; damage small; insured ; cause accidental. Whole department present ; Fire King worked.
May. Two alarms. Mrs. Morgan's house, on Howard Street, and Wm. Frizzell's saloon, on Main Street. Pioneer Hook and Ladder, Fire King, and Independence out.
June. Fire at East Stoughton. Fire King and Pioneer Hook and Ladder went and worked.
July. Fire on Warren Street, James Blythe's house. Total loss, insured. Cause, incendiary. Independence, Pioneer, Hook and Ladder, and Fire King present, and worked.
August. Fire, house of Thos. J. Turpin. Total loss. Cause,
* Deceased.
I
40
incendiary. No engines present. Independence and Fearless started.
September. Fire on Mount Pleasant Square, she.l of J. McCarty's. Cause, accidental. The whole department out. Fire King worked.
October. The collision on the Old Colony Railroad near the railroad station caused the calling out of the whole department. Fire King worked.
October. Fire at the depot some days after, car burned. Cause, incendiary. Fire King and Pioneer Hook and Ladder present and worked.
November. Fire in Holbrook. Fire King and Pioneer Hook and Ladder went and worked, Independence and Fearless responded.
December. Alarm, house on School Street. Fire King and Hook and Ladder out.
February, 1877. Alarm, no fire. Fire King and Hook and Ladder out.
CONDITION OF ENGINE HOUSES, FIRE APPARATUS, HOSE, ETC.
It has been the custom to paint one of the three houses each year, as by so doing, with other small repairs, they are kept in good condition.
FIRE ENGINES.
This year the Fire King and Independence engines should be re- paired and painted, for which we recommend an extra appropria- tion.
HOSE.
For years past the department have had a fair supply of hose, but wear and tear has reduced the quantity on hand, i. e., Inde- pendence to 350 feet ; Fearless to 350 feet ; in the Fire King house to 700 feet. Situated as we are on account of water supply, there should be 1,000 feet in the Fire King house and 450 feet on the other engines, for which an appropriation for 500 feet should be provided.
41
RESERVOIRS.
We recommend the renewal of the vote of the town, authorizing the construction of reservoirs on the payment of one half the cost thereof by the citizens in their several localities.
We also recommend the construction of a reservoir at the ex- pense of the town in the yard of Prescott School-house, as the town has some twenty-five thousand dollars in value of property in that vicinity, which it is liable to lose in case of fire on account of the scarcity of water in that locality.
The Fire-Alarm Bell provided for the department not proving as satisfactory as anticipated, we recommend the exchange of the same for one of larger size, and that it may be placed on the Fire King engine-house.
PAY OF MEN.
Whatever the town sees fit to pay the men we do not ask for in the appropriation called for below, but it must be provided for by the town in addition. The department will probably consist of about 175 men.
APPROPRIATIONS.
In summing up, the amount asked for will consist as follows : - For pay of men to be provided for by the town.
Reservoirs to be provided for by the town.
Hose, 500 feet,
$600 00
Repairing and painting engines,
200 00
Incidental expenses,
300 00
Respectfully submitted.
LEVI WILBUR,
E. E. LOTHROP, LOUIS GOERES, JOHN DOOLEY, JR.,
Engineers of Fire Department.
12
TOWN OF RANDOLPH, IN ACCOUNT WITH
Dr.
March 1, 1877.
Paid Treasury Note
$5,000 00
Interest on Treasury Notes
2,566 00
Bank Tax .
2,504 77
State Tax .
2,466 00
Bank Tax .
29 45
× Turner Library, Dog Money, two years
806 47
Expense Account : stationery ; stamps ; T. Groom & Co .; Sextons, returning deaths; Town Clerk, collecting and recording births, marriages, and deaths; Town Clerk, on election returns 117 75
Treasurer's Salary
100 00
Town Orders, Nos. 1 to 483, inclusive
28,417 12
Corporation Tax
65 01
Balance
15,466 52
$57,539 09
The subscribers, Auditors of the Accounts of the Treasurer of the town of Randolph, for the year ending March 1, 1877, have examined the accounts of Hiram C. Alden, Treasurer, and have found the same correctly cast and properly vouched, with suitable entries.
FRANK MORTON. EDGAR HOWARD. FRANKLIN PORTER.
RANDOI PH, March 13, 1877.
43
H. C. ALDEN, TREASURER.
Cr.
March 1, 1877.
Balance
· $16,729 59
Received Tax Bill, 1876,
29,391 98
Bank Dividends .
96 00
of E. M. Roel, interest on tax, 1875 .
332 47
of H. B. Alden,
1874 .
157 56
of Richard Adams, interest
5 00
for Salt Grass
20 00
of County Treasurer, for Dog Licenses
379 33
for Rent of Fearless Engine Co.
10 20
for Rent of Independence Engine Co.
3 00
of State Treasurer, State School Fund
288 36
66 66
Corporation tax
1,745 88
66 State Aid
2,468 47
S 28 97
of School Committee, for school books sold
2 376 77
H. L. Pierce, rent of Punkapog Pond
1 00
S. L. Smith, for tax on real estate sold
13 31
E. M. Roel, additional taxes, 1875
78 40
for State Aid, overdrawn .
147 75
for Bills, refunded
20 00
of State Treasurer, National Bank tax
4,008 79
of town of Methuen, pauper
35 50
of town of Stoughton, pauper ·
10 00
of C. A. Wales, et al., G. Noonan
56 04
from Town Farm
293 55
from town of Holbrook
841 27
$57,539 09
4.1
STATE OF THE TREASURY, MARCH 1, 1877.
DR.
4 Notes to Commonwealth
$20,000 00
1
60 Randolph Savings Bank
5,000 00
1
66 Turner Library
5,000 00
6
66 Patrick McMahon
3,400 00
1
Lemuel Wentworth
1,600 00
1
66 Ebenezer Moulton
900 00
1
66 P. E. Wilbur
500 00
1
66 George H. Nichols
200 00
1
Jephtha Howard
2,000 00
$38,600 00
Estimated amount of interest unpaid
362 00
60
bills 66
100 00
Unsettled tax bill, H. B. A., collector
80 24
$39,142 24
CR.
Value Randolph National Bank Stock (8 shares)
$1,600 00
66 Salt Marsh (Quincy)
500 00
Due from E. M. Roel, tax collector, 1876
1,876 63
66 treasurer
12,170 13
State aid due
4,000 00
School books on hand
103 45
Due from other towns
258 90
66 poor farm, board of two persons
260 00
Richard Adams, note and interest .
809 00
Balance, or town debt, March 1, 1877
17,564 13
$39,142 24
STETSON SCHOOL FUND.
TO THE SELECTMEN OF THE TOWN OF RANDOLPH : -
The undersigned, trustees of Stetson School Fund, beg leave to submit the following report. The fund remains invested as fol- lows, viz. : -
10 Shares Eliot National Bank, Boston (par), $1,000
10 Webster National Bank, Boston (par), 1,000
10 66 Hide and Leather National Bank, Boston (par), 1,000
10 Shoe and Leather National Bank, Boston (par), 1,000
10 66 Exchange National Bank, Boston (par), 1,000
10 66 Boylston National Bank, Boston (par), 1,000
10 66 Tremont National Bank, Boston (par), 1,000
20 66 Old Boston National Bank, Boston (par), 1,000
13
66 Shawmut National Bank, Boston (par), 1,300
13
66 Randolph Bank, Randolph (par), 1,300
$10,600
At the commencement of the school year, April 10, 1876, there were thirty-six applicants, nineteen of whom - nine boys and ten girls - were admitted upon written examination. At the opening of the September term one boy and two girls were admitted, being, upon examination, found qualified to enter existing Class No. 1, making the whole number of pupils for the year sixty-eight, - thirty-one boys and thirty-seven girls, - the attendance averaging 62-5%. The school has been in session forty weeks, the full time prescribed for the year. Mr. V. H. Deane remains in charge, as principal, with the same degree of success that has attended his labors during all the many years in which he has occupied that position. Miss Clifton having resigned the position of assistant at the close of the last year, Miss Mary L. Prescott accepted an offer of the situation, which she filled ably and with entire satisfaction, till a tender of an increased salary elsewhere proved sufficiently
46
tempting to compel her resignation three days only before the Sep- tember term would have commenced, causing, however, a delay of only one week in the opening of the school, the trustees having the good fortune, during that time, to secure the services of Miss Min- nie E. Jones, of Milford, who now occupies the position. Miss Jones is a young teacher of marked ability, possessing great energy of character, as clearly evinced in the progress made by those pupils coming almost entirely under her instruction. A gradual though marked improvement has been noticeable in the deportment of the pupils throughout the year, as well as in general thorough- ness and proficiency in the studies pursued, which has considerably raised the standing of the school ; and although there is much yet to be done to restore it to the position it occupied before the prac- tice of admitting pupils regardless almost of qualifications, which prevailed for several years previous to the last two, and which resulted very detrimentally, was adopted, we feel confident that the patient, persistent labor now being performed by the teachers will result in its restoration to the former status, which it is now rap- idly approaching.
The trustees regret that they have not the means at command to enable them to provide for musical instruction, to any extent, in the school, even if the time could be profitably taken from that now devoted to other branches of instruction, usually considered more essential in a school of this grade and character, though this branch is not altogether neglected, as a small, though very good organ, has been purchased and placed in the room, and singing is daily engaged in, under the direction of the assistant, who, being an accomplished musician and teacher, both vocal and instru- mental, voluntarily imparts such instruction in music as her other duties will permit, usually giving a short lesson each day ; so that, notwithstanding the disadvantages labored under in this regard, a degree of proficiency has been attained by the pupils which renders their musical exercies very creditable to all concerned, and gratify- ing to the trustees and others who have listened to them.
Annexed hereto is a correct financial account of the receipts and expenditures for the year, which, we regret, exhibits a balance
47
against the treasury of two hundred and ninety-eight 1% dollars, but which, as usual, has kindly been advanced by our treasurer, to meet the exigency, consequent, partly upon the decrease in income from our investments (which is but a realization of our appre- hensions expressed in our last report), and in part from the refusal of the selectmen to defray a portion of the expense of the insur- ance on Stetson Hall, as has been their custom in years past, but discontinued in the present instance for reasons which we are unable to give.
The expenditures for carrying on the school are about the same as they were last year ; and whilst the trustees have no doubt of their ability to keep them from any essential increase the ensuing year, they do not see any practicable means whereby they may be reduced, with justice to the educational interests of the town. With the foregoing facts in view, and the probabilities that the dividends on our stock will be less the ensuing year than they have been the present, we are obliged to ask the town to appropriate the sum of one thousand dollars, which seems to be the least amount, in addition to the reasonably expected income from the fund, that can afford the means of paying the indebtedness of the treasury, the expenditures necessary for the repairs on the build- ing, and for carrying on the school.
Here, perhaps, it is proper to add that the expense incurred in the maintenance of Stetson School is very much less than the cost of any similar school within the knowledge of the trustees, and they are not unadvised in the matter, but led to believe that the comparison will hold good in regard to any other in the State. The school for the ensuing year will commence on Monday, the 9th of April next, at 9 o'clock, A. M., when applicants for admission will be examined.
CHAS. H. HOWARD, DANIEL HOWARD, T. T. CUSHMAN,
Trustees Stetson School Fund.
SETH TURNER, Secretary.
RANDOLPHI, March 15, 1877.
48
THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES IN ACCOUNT WITH
1876. March.
DR.
To Exchange Bank,
dividend for April,
$60 00
Shoe and Leather Bank, “
66
30 00
Shawmut
66
39 00
Eliot
66
66
30 00
Hide and Leather 66
66
30 00
Boylston
60
66
66
40 00
Old Boston
66
66
66
40 00
Tremont
66
30 00
Randolph
66
66
66
78 00
Aug. 29.
Town appropriation, in part,
500 00
Oct.
Exchange Bank, dividend for October,
60 00
Shoe and Leather Bank, «
66
66
30 00
Hide and Leather
25 00
Old Boston
66
66
40 00
Boylston
66
66
30 00
Webster
66
60
66
20 00
Shawmut
66
66
39 00
Eliot
66
60
66
20 00
Randolph
66
66
78 00
Dec.
Balance of town appropriation,
500 00
29. Tax on bank stock refunded by State, Rent of bank room,
41 00
" " hall during the year,
163 50
$2,061 66
Balance against the Fund,
298 10
$2,359 76
66
138 16
49
THE STETSON HIGH SCHOOL FUND.
1876.
CR.
March.
By balance against the fund for the year
.$73 53
April.
paying Seth Mann, 2d, for nsurance 39 50
66 P. Reynolds for use of organ the year 18 00
66 Major Knapp & Co., for 50 diplomas 25 00
June.
66 Masou, Hamlin & Co., for organ .
·
123 30
28.
V. H. Deane, salary, 3 months
300 00
30.
Mary L. Prescott, salary to July 1st
144 00
66
Colin Boyd, labor and sundries
25 90
Aug. 25.
66
R. W. Turner & Co., 10 tons coal 75 00
300 00
23.
66 H. B. Libby, labor and material
32 39
Nov. 25. 27.
66
Miss Minnie E. Jones, 11 weeks' salary
132 00
Colin Boyd, labor and material
19 16
1877. Jan. 3. 66
V. H. Deane, 3 months' salary
300 00
66 66 bill, sundries
12 75
66
Chas. A. Wales, bill sundries
9 47
66
Chas. H. Howard,
3 50
66
T. Fardy & Son,
4 25
March.
66 Colin Boyd, bill, services
17 16
10.
66
D. B. White & Co., bill sundries 12 85
66 V. H. Deane, bill, 3 m'ths' salary and repairs 300 50
Miss Minnie E. Jones, 16 weeks' salary 192 00
66 Trustees and secretary, bill, services for one year 20 00
" S. A. Hayward, insurance in September
150 00
$2,359 76
The undersigned, selectmen of Randolph, having made examination of the accounts of the trustees of the stetson School Fund, as reported, find them correct. The balance against the fund is two hundred and ninety-eight and ten one-hundredths dollars ($298 10). No change has been made in the past year in the investment, it being in the same bank stock as reported by the trustees, and at its par value amounts to $10,600, the certificates remaining in the hands of the secretary.
JOHN T. FLOOD, SETH MANN, 2D, SIDNEY FRENCH,
Selectmen of Randolph.
RANDOLPH, March 15, 1877. 4
Oct. 5.
66
66
V. H. Deane, 3 months' salary chart and easel
11 25
23. Feb. 27.
66 Chas. H. Howard, bill sundries
18 25
50
TRUSTEES TURNER FREE LIBRARY, 1876-77.
SETH TURNER, President. J. WHITE BELCHER, Vice-President. ROYAL W. TURNER, Treasurer. GILBERT A. TOLMAN, Secretary.
REV. JOHN C. LABAREE, REV. JAMES E. O'BRIEN, REV. JOSEPH C. FOSTER.
JOHN T. FLOOD, SETH MANN, 2D, SIDNEY FRENCH, Selectmen of Randolph, ex-officio.
JOHN L. FRENCH, BENJAMIN DICKERMAN, DANIEL HOWARD, JOHN V. BEAL, NATHANIEL HOWARD.
Librarian, CHARLES C. FARNHAM.
PUBLIC LIBRARY.
THE By-Laws of the trustees of the " Turner Library " provide that the "president shall annually make to the town, before the spring meeting, a full report in writing of the condition of the TRUST, the BUILDING, LIBRARY and FUNDS, with the estimates and recommendations as he shall deem best." In compliance with the article quoted attention is called to
THE TRUST.
Of the donation forty thousand dollars was applied to the build- ing and its general preparation for use, and ten thousand dollars placed in the hands of the trustees, who appropriated one half of the same to the purchase of books, etc., and the necessary furni- ture ; the remainder was made a permanent fund and invested in a note of the Town of Randolph, bearing interest at six per centum per annum.
51
THE LIBRARY.
The library contains reference numbers, as catalogued, up to 4,523, and recent additions will make nearly 5,000 volumes in all. The selection of books has been made with great care, and their use has quite conclusively determined the satisfaction of patrons, the whole number of deliveries from the date of opening (March 22, 1876) to the 10th instant having been but a few volumes less than 22,000. The daily average has been nearly 80, while fre- quently the issue, especially on Saturdays, has exceeded 200 vol- umes, instancing the 10th of March, when 271 books were taken. Cards have been issued to 1,348 persons, nearly equally divided be- tween the sexes. The records show that very much the larger portion of the books called consist of " Fiction," the proportion being some- thing as follows : about three fourths " Fiction," the balance nearly equally divided between " Art,"" Biography," "History," "Travel," and "Poetry." The trustees wish they could report a more favor- able division, though they are confident other similar institutions disclose corresponding facts. They are satisfied in some measure in the reflection that the light literature upon the shelves is of the better class, and the general selection of books composing the library commended by many skilled in such matters.
The By-Laws demand an annual examination of the library, the condition of its books, etc., etc., in January, which has been com- plied with by the committee during a recess of two weeks. It is a pleasure to say that, while many volumes of a popular character disclose much hard usage, the number requiring rebinding is not unreasonably large, every volume but one having been returned to the shelves, and that " duly accounted for." The expenses incident to the equipment and operation will appear further on, in connec- tion with the treasurer's statement. Before leaving this subject, it should be stated that in early February, after much skill and labor on the part of Mr. W. E. Foster, a complete catalogue was furnished and offered to the public at very moderate prices ; and the trustees take this opportunity to express their hearty apprecia-
52
tion of Mr. Foster's ability in the premises. One thousand copies have been printed, of which one half are bound in three different styles, quite familiar to all; and it is hoped that readers of the books will not forget that, in the purchase of catalogues for refer- ence at home, they provide in the purchase money aid in making accessions to the library. The temporary appointment of Dr. C. C. Farnham as librarian has been made permanent.
The building needs but a few words, only trifling repairs having been required, and the trustees anticipate very inconsiderable expenses under ordinary circumstances.
FUNDS.
Under this head the treasurer's statement following will best treat the subject. The accounts are made up to January 1, 1877, and cover all transactions since the payment of $10,000 was made to the trustees. The cash on hand at the date mentioned was $880.94, of which more than $500 has been used on catalogue account, and nearly the entire balance in current expenses. The town will learn from the condensed statement of the treasurer the character of the expenses, and judge from the use of the library whether any aid it may vote will be worthily appropriated. Many outlays for the last year will not occur again, while others are con- tinually arising, and possibly where least anticipated. The trustees hope from various resources to be able to add. from $500 to $1,000 worth of books the current year, and beg the voters to remember that a reading public is never ready to cry " Enough !" In behalf of the trustees, an estimate of receipts for 1877 is presented : -
From Rents,
$600
Interest, 300
Dog tax (about), 400
- $1,300
They also ask the town to make an appropriation of $500, and further desire that any unexpended balance of the appropriation of
53
1875, made to furnish a portrait of the late Col. Royal Turner for the hall, may be placed in the trustees' hands to increase their pur- chasing power. Mr. R. M. Staigg has been engaged as artist, and it is expected the portrait will be in place about May 1 next.
It is not proposed to extend this already long report by any essay upon libraries, their uses and abuses, yet it could not but be a duty to present quite fully in this initial year the management by the trustees of the charge confided to their care, and it is hoped the earnest efforts made to satisfy the town have not been wholly unsuccessful. The experience of the year has better enabled them to understand the wants of the public, and all may feel assured that constant desire will be exercised to accomplish a faithful discharge of the duties imposed upon them in the future. A condensed statement of the treasurer's "Receipts and Expend- itures " is here presented.
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