USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Randolph > Randolph town reports 1891-1900 > Part 44
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William Mahady
336 16
Joseph Donovan and others
168 33
Michael E. Leahy and others
137 30
Andrew J. Gove
20 93
John Welsh and others
42 27
Ernest Knights and others
28 01
A. J. Towns
7 00
Timothy Lyons
20 40
Selectmen
29 14
James Fardy .
79 75
Frank H. Langley
38 36
William Carroll
10 18
James Keenan
6 25
Richard Irving
5 00
Allan Roberts
3 00
Patrick Madigan
3 75
$3,287 83
Appropriation, $3,287 83
PAVING DEPARTMENT.
Paid Stillman B. Woodman, material and labor, $51 29
James Riley and team 72 31
William Gill, labor ·
. .
42 42
18
Paid William C. Barry, labor $38 67
John McGrane, labor 36 00
Joseph Riley, labor 32 49
Town team, labor 45 60
Thomas Duff, labor 36 22
James O'Brien, labor 29 55
George M. Johnson, labor
31 73
John Sheehan, labor
17 10
Sumner Thayer, labor
88
F. B. Curran, labor
18 00
John Lyons, labor .
3 10
Columbus Holbrook, sand
6 20
Edwin Tabor, stone
1 10
Frank H. Langley, material and labor
5 54
George B. Dench, labor .
2 00
Estate of Charles Prescott, material
90
sand
60
stone
40
$472 10
Appropriation, $500 00
Expended, 472 10
Unexpended, $27 90
MISCELLANEOUS.
Paid A. L. Chase, Inspector of Animals* $100 00
W. F. Barrett, teller 5 00
Royal T. Mann, teller
13 00
Frank H. Tileston, teller .
5 00
J. A. Kingsbury, dinners at election offices,
37 90
Edward T. Hand, teller 8 00 .
John E. McDonald, teller 5 00 .
19
Paid Edward O'Flaherty, teller $8 00
James E. Blanche, serving notices . 11 50
George R. Weaver, distributing reports
4 00
William W. Hurley, teller
5 00
George W. Wales, envelopes and postage 20 35
Dexter T. Clark, teller
5 00
Edwin M. Mann, wood
26 50
Frank J. Donahoe, police duty
16 50
William A. Croak, ballot clerk
8 00
Frank A. Long, teller
8 00
Ezra Holbrook, teller
8 00
Daniel H. Huxford, printing
494 20
Fairbanks Scales Co.
3 85
Arthur W. Alden, janitor
117 40
John P. Rooney, election
5 00
Greenough Adams & Co., stationery
1 15
E. W. Campagna, labor on pooling booths.
8 88
Nelson Mann, teller
8 00
Fred L. Belcher, teller
8 00
Frank W. Hayden, teller
10 00
John K. Willard, teller
8 00
Charles Doughty, lamps and lighting
15 91
Thomas Farrell, election officer
5 00
E. L. Burdakin. record of transfers . 10 00
Henry Campbell, painting signs
9 00
W. L. Pulson, labor on Clark building
1 75
Post 110, G.A.R. (order of John T. Flood),
20 00
Peter B. Hand, cash paid
13 88
Thomas Hearn & Co., binding books 2 00
James F. Sullivan, teller 5 00
Fred M. French, insurance 28 80
Dexter T. Clark, damage to fence
2 00
E. Lawrence Payne, police duty 2 05
Edwin F. Knight, police duty
7 50
20
Paid Fred A. French, stationery $0 90
M. F. Sullivan, police duty and serving warrants 22 50
Charles A. Payne, labor .
2 00
Joseph H. Foster, police duty and election officer 12 50
Lincoln Stetson, police duty
7 50
P. H. Mclaughlin, copying valuation list,
25 00
W. A. Croak, labor and material
1 30
James E. Blanche, police duty ·
7 50
Selectmen, sundry bills . 22 95
Thomas L. Stetson, ballot clerk
8 00
Counting Apparatus for votes .
5 00
Joseph T. Leahy, insurance
69 00
William B. Spear, teller
5 00
P. H. McLaughlin, cash paid
12 75
M. Wales Baker, labor
5 32
Henry M. Meek, assessors' blanks
6 25
Thomas J. Keirnan, police service
5 00
Charles H. Belcher
2 60
Fred H. Alden, teller
5 00
A. J. Gove, expressing and teams
32 50
Joseph T. Leahy, cash paid
15 47
Asa P. French, professional services
107 00
John H. Field, teller
5 00
Fred M. French, teller
3 00
Lyons' Express
23 95
Royal T. Mann, fertilizer
1 00
$1,495 94
Appropriation, $1,800 00
Expended, 1,495 94
Unexpended,
$304 06
21
TOWN OFFICERS.
Paid C. G. Hathaway, M. F. Cunningham, Red- mond P. Barrett, Auditors ·
$15 00
TOWN TREASURER.
Paid Joseph T. Leahy 300 00
SELECTMEN, ASSESSORS AND OVERSEERS OF THE POOR.
Paid Peter B. Hand 400 00
Patrick H. Mclaughlin
350 00
M. Wales Baker
350 00
SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
Paid Asa P. French
125 00
Royal T. Mann
100 00
Thomas A. Kennedy
20 00
Michael A. Donavan
90 00
REGISTRARS OF VOTERS.
Paid Joseph T. Leahy, Clerk .
75 00
James Fardy .
50 00
Herbert W. Pratt
50 00
Otis L. Soule
50 00
COLLECTOR OF TAXES.
Paid Fred M. French, collecting taxes 1895
6 30
Fred M. French, collecting taxes 1896 55 00
Fred M. French, collecting taxes 1897 85 00
Fred M. French, collecting taxes 1898
165 00
22
ENGINEERS OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.
Paid Charles A. Wales . $20 00
William A. Croak, Clerk 30 00
Daniel J. Brennan . 20 00
Cornelius Desmond 20 00
James E. Blanche
20 00
$2,396 30
Appropriations, $2,500 00
Expended, 2,396 30
Unexpended,
$103 70
STREET LIGHTING.
Paid Charles Doughty
$3,289 50
Appropriation, $3,300 00
Expended,
3,289 50
Unexpended,
$10 50
INTEREST ON TOWN DEBT.
Paid Joseph T. Leahy, Treasurer
$3,425 45
.
Appropriation
. $2,500 00
Interest on taxes
1,058 68
Interest on bank deposits,
56 72
$3,615 40
Expended
3,425 45
·
Unexpended .
$189 95
23
SPECIAL POLICE.
Paid Edwin F. Knight
$122 00
John Haney .
320 00
$442 00
Appropriation, $500 00
Expended, 442 00
Unexpended,
$58 00
INSURANCE, TREASURER'S BOND.
Paid C. D. Fullerton $120 00
Appropriation, $120 00
DECORATION OF SOLDIERS' GRAVES.
Paid Capt. Horace Niles Post, No. 110, G.A.R., $100 00
Appropriation, $100 00
LIQUOR LICENSES.
Paid E. P. Shaw, State Treasurer . $0 50
No appropriation.
ABATEMENT OF TAXES.
Paid Fred M. French, taxes 1895
$225 80
Fred M. French, taxes 1896 215 00
Estate of Thomas Buckley .
9 90
$450 70
No appropriation.
24
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
Paid sundry bills (for items see report of the Engineers of Fire Department) . $2,237 51
Appropriation, $2,085 00
Overdrawn,
152 51
HIGHWAY PLANT.
Paid for Harrisburg steam road roller (12 tons), crusher, bins, elevator, belts, platform, etc., portable engine and boiler (15 horse power), buildings for housing rol- ler and engine .
$5,130 63
Appropriation, $5,143 85
Expended,
5,130 63
Unexpended,
$13 22
WATER WORKS.
Paid Water Com'rs, water for hydrants, etc.
$2,000 00
Water Commissioners, sinking fund
·
3,000 00
$5,000 00
Appropriation, $5,000 00
STATE AID. (CHAPTER 301, ACTS OF 1894. )
Paid sundry persons $2,593 00 .
To be refunded by the State. No appropriation.
25
MILITARY AID. (CHAPTER 279, ACTS OF 1894. )
Paid sundry persons
$562 00 .
One-half paid by the State $281 00
By Holbrook . 53 67
By Randolph .
227 33
$562 00
Appropriation, $250 00
· Expended,
227 33
Unexpended,
$22 67
BOARD OF HEALTH.
Paid Ralph Houghton, fumigating
$5 00
Peter B. Hand 20 00
Patrick H. McLaughlin
20 00
M. Wales Baker
20 00
$65 00
Appropriation, $100 00
Expended,
65 00
Unexpended,
$35 00
COUNTY TAX.
Paid C. H. Smith, County Treasurer
.
$1,875 00
Appropriation, $1,875 00
STATE TAX.
Paid E. P. Shaw, State Treasurer
. $1,260 00
Appropriation, $1,260 00
26
STETSON HIGH SCHOOL.
Paid Trustees ·
Appropriation, $2,200 00
Bank tax, 122 10
$2,322 10
$2,322 10
SCHOOLS.
Paid sundry bills (for items see report of School Committee) . $10,091 47
Appropriation, $9,300 00
Dog license, 424 28
State school fund, 294 43
Coddington fund,
64 00
$10,082 71
Overdrawn, 8 76
$10,091 47
27
REPORT OVERSEERS OF POOR.
The Overseers of the Poor submit the following report for the year ending December 31, 1898.
The almshouse is still in charge of Mr. and Mrs. George R. Weaver, and is kept to the satisfaction of the Overseers, notwithstanding the criticism of the agent of the State Board of Charities ; the inside of the building has been newly painted throughout, and everything is neat and orderly, and we would invite any citizen to call and examine the building at any time; good food is provided and plenty of it, and the house is kept warm and comfortable. The only just criticism of the agent, and which we allow, is in regard to the location of the water closets; they are at present in the building and should be remedied.
The amount expended for outside aid has been in excess of the previous year, as greater demands have been made on the Overseers for aid; also bills amounting to $270, which should have been paid in 1897, were not presented in time for payment in that year, so came into this year's account ; then the amount expended for the insane, which seems to be increasing every year, we having thirteen per- sons in the asylums, costing $1,939, makes large inroads into our appropriations, and at present the indications are that the expenses will be somewhat decreased during the coming year.
The following have been the expenditures :
28
ALMSHOUSE.
Paid George R. Weaver, salary $500 02
George R. Weaver, supplies 48 65
John Wallace, supplies 47 00
Walter M. Howard, fish . 58 43
P. H. Mclaughlin, supplies 25 45
Henry A. Belcher, supplies
27 43
B. C. Tirrell, supplies 21 95
Charles D. Hill, supplies 90 34
H. M. White, supplies 96 98
Richard McAuliffe, supplies
34 65
M. Wales Baker, material and labor 13 58
E. W. Campagna, material and labor 13 55 .
N. E. Buck, supplies 93 05 .
Charles H. Belcher, supplies 110 68
Robert McLennan, material and labor 10 80
Daniel B. White, coal
225 41
Frank A. Long, supplies
28 45
William A. Smith, supplies
47 01
S. Austin Thayer, grain .
94 20
Frederic Snell, horse
75 00
J. W. Palmer, supplies
62 09
F. W. Hayden, supplies .
180 71
Charles Prescott & Co., supplies
44 02
Thomas L. Stetson, supplies
4 80
George H. Eddy, supplies
48 22
. James Fardy, material and labor 12 20
. Lincoln Stetson, cow 35 30
M. E. Leahy, labor 2 75
Frank H. Langley, material and labor 75 93
E. G. Furber, supplies
9 16
Joseph Donavan, labor 20 00
James Riley, labor . . .
3 00
.
29
Paid David Cunningham, labor
$2 50
M. J. Collins , labor
41 50
S. B. Woodman, labor
6 00
Charles A. Payne, labor
1 13
Royal T. Mann, milk
27 90
Smith Bros., supplies
5 60
A. J. Gove, expressing
9 65
$2,255 09
DR.
Stock on hand December 31, 1897 . $2,322 65
Salary and supplies 2,255 09
$4,577 74
CR.
Stock on hand December 31, 1898 . $2,292 82
Labor of town teams
365 01
Produce sold .
101 85
Use of derrick
19 00
Net expense .
1,799 06
$4,577 74
PERSONS SUPPORTED IN THE ALMSHOUSE FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1898.
Lewis Linfield
52 weeks
William A. Doyle
52
Catharine Heney
52
Bartholomew Gill
52 ..
Clark Fairbanks
52
Mabel Fairbanks
52
Aletta Veazie
52
Abby D. Bradley
46
Alton Bradley
46
Timothy Sullivan
52
30
Emory Holbrook
52 weeks
Elizabeth French
.
114 "
Adelia H. French
114 "
ALMSHOUSE AND TOWN FARM.
APPRAISAL OF STOCK, FURNITURE, ETC., DECEMBER 31, 1898.
2 horses
$150 00
1 cow
60 00
2 hogs
36 00
60 fowls
50 00
8 tons hay
120 00
1 ton rowen
12 00
1 ton bedding
8 00
1 road scraper
75 00
1 two-horse wagon
70 00
1 farm wagon
50 00
1 swing drag
30 00
1 mowing machine
40 00
2 gravel screens
8 00
1 two-horse cart
75 00
2 horse carts
100 00
1 pair double harnesses
30 00
2 cart harnesses .
30 00
1 carriage harness
10 00
1 two-horse sled
40 00
1 tool chest
5 00
1 hay cutter and feed trough
5 00
6 draught chains
12 00
1 carriage jack
2 00
.
1 carriage .
15 00
1 stone boat
5 00
.
31
1 grindstone
$5 00
Baskets
1 50
1 cultivator
9 00
2 plows
12 00
1 harrow
5 00
Forks and shovels .
11 00
Iron bars and picks
5 00
1 stone roller
5 00
1 wheelbarrow
3 00
2 axes
1 00
1 tobacco cutter .
1 50
2 scythes and snaths
2 00
Hand saw, plane and square
4 00
Iron vise and bit stock, etc. 25 drills
20 00
2 stone hammers
3 00
2 striking hammers
2 00
45 empty barrels .
4 50
8 cords wood
56 00
13 tons coal
78 00
Vegetables
60 00
4 barrels flour
20 00
4 barrel crackers
1 50
5 pounds butter .
1 25
10 pounds lard
75
3 gallons molasses
1 50
51 gallons vinegar
9 00
25 pounds sugar
75
8 pounds tea
1 60
Spices .
1 50
2 pounds tobacco
70
Grain and meal
3 50
30 gallons kerosine oil
2 40
1 kerosene barrel
75
.
5 00
32
1 stove
$4 50
1 oil stove
.
1 00
2 wood saws and horses 4 00 .
2 clocks 5 00
2 mirrors
2 00
Crockery ware
40 00
1 sewing machine
10 00
1 ice chest 35 00
Wooden and tin ware
15 00
Lamps and lantern
10 00
1 street lamp
5 00
6 cuspidors
3 00
¿ bushel beans
62
6 iron bedsteads
30 00
14 iron bedsteads
40 00
4 feather beds
25 00
20 mattresses
50 00
50 sheets 22 00
30 blankets .
30 00
40 pillowcases
10 00
15 white spreads
12 00
6 comforters
6 00
40 pillows
20 00
12 towels
2 00
3 table cloths
3 00
4 tables
4 00
1 walnut table
3 00
1 extension table
8 00
5 rockers
5 00
2 wool carpets
50 00
50 chairs
12 50
6 cane-seat chairs
4 00
4 brooms
1 00
1 churn
2 00
33
2 coal hods and shovel $2 00
1 fire extinguisher
.
20 00
150 feet hose
8 00
5 flat irons .
3 00
Soap powder .
1 50
Soap
2 00
1 hospital bed
30 00
8 snow plows
150 00
1 derrick and anchor chains
120 00
1 sleigh
10 00
2 robes
5 00
2 blankets .
4 00
1 lawn mower
5 00
Cooking range and boiler
75 00
Ladders
6 00
$2,292 82
POOR OUT OF ALMSHOUSE.
Paid for Susanna Buckley
$60 00
Arthur Neary
39 00
Julia Ainsley and family
178 75
James B. Riley .
104 00
Mary A. Chandler 84 25
Mary E. Smith and family .
253 55
Mrs. Jedediah French and daughter
126 00
Rosc Campbell and family . 51 25
Mary A. Carroll and family
102 00
Mrs. Charles F. Howard and family 60 00
John Treanor family . 100 58
Mrs. Jonathan Hunt . 78 80
Stillman Orcutt
19 50
Mrs. C. A. Allen and family
·
87 25
34
Paid for Frank Sutton $10 15
Mrs. Cornelius O'Keefe and family 187 55
George N. Wilbur and family 7 25
Margaret Ward, at State Almshouse
146 00
William F. Wills, at State Farm
146 00
Emma C. Lincoln, at Medfield Insane Asylum
146 00
Mark E. Purcell, at Medfield Insane Asylum 146 00
Thomas Kiely, at Medfield Insane Asylum, 146 00
Timothy Donahoe, at Medfield Insane Asylum
146 00
Horace E. Holbrook, at Taunton Insane Hospital
169 46
William R. Farquhar, at Westborough Insane Asylum 169 46
Joseph H. Crosby, at Taunton Insane Hospital .
149 03
Alice E. Hill, at Taunton Insane Hospital, 67 32
Mary Morgan
12 25
Elizabeth Burke and family
47 00
Mrs. John Leahy
70 00
Mabel E. Beyette
10 00
Thomas Riley
250 00
Mrs. Robert McAuliffe and family
184 50
William Shields and family ·
32 00
Charles E. Linfield 9 00 .
John F. McKay
12 00
David J. Foley
42 75
Bridget Kennedy and family
98 87
William Keefe 16 00
John Desmond, Jr., and family
192 86
Manus Gallagher 204 34
Mrs. G. Bacigalupo and family ·
26 03
.
.
35
Paid for Patrick Mannix $20 00
Aid rendered to sundry persons . 40 79
Aid rendered to sundry persons, re- funded* 357 05
$4,606 59
*Less aid refunded
357 05
$4,249 54
Appropriation, $4,000 00
Overdrawn, 606 59
$4,606 59
Aid refunded,
357 05
Net expense,
$4,249 54
SOLDIERS' RELIEF, MILITARY SETTLEMENT IN RANDOLPH AND HOLBROOK.
Paid for Elvira Holbrook $60 00
Hiram S. Faunce and family 9 00 .
Thomas F. Hand 60 00
George F. French
10 00
Mrs. John E. Mann, at Stoughton 185 02
Christiana Sloan, at Canton
56 00
Lawrence Leavitt and family, at Quincy,
104 40
Lysander Morse, at Canton
5 60
Richard Adams
18 75
George Kiley, at House of the Angel Guardian 90 00
George W. Cook and family, at Newton,
164 52
Lewis Weathee, at Taunton Insane Hos- pital 169 46
Margaret Morrissey, at Brockton .
12 00
.
36
Paid for Mrs. C. V. Sloan and family, at Stoughton, $7 00
Lorenzo Eddy . 2 00
Albert Howard, at Brockton .
48 00
John A. Sylvester
.
8 50
$1,010 25
Appropriation, $500 00
Paid by Holbrook, 336 75
Overdrawn, 173 50
SOLDIERS' RELIEF.
Paid for Ellen French $20 50
Hugh Currie and family
23 50
Elizabeth Green
128 75
Charles H. Abbott, at Hospital for Epileptics ·
169 46
Abby M. King, at Brockton ·
35 00
$377 21
Appropriation, $300 00
Overdrawn, 77 21
POOR OF OTHER TOWNS.
Paid for Almira Fowle, Milton $122 73 .
Frank E. Wilder, Boston 25 60
John Lang, Taunton . 53 00
Olive M. Jones, Braintree .
60 00
Timothy Mullins, Brockton
4 90
Mrs. John C. Welch, Weymouth
6 00
George W. Thomas, Cambridge . 3 25
Elizabeth Hennesey, Boston ·
9 00
No appropriation.
$284 48
37
BURIAL OF INDIGENT SOLDIERS.
Paid for Burial of Oliver H. Bowman
$35 00
Burial of Michael Newman . . 35 00
Burial of Matthew Moran .
35 00
To be refunded by State. $105 00
LOCKUP.
Paid Arthur W. Alden, keeper of lockup $100 00
Arthur W. Alden, supplies
30 50
Charles Doughty, electric lighting 24 00
C. H. Belcher, supplies
12 61
D. B. White, coal .
26 50
Frank S. Smith, charcoal
3 30
F. W. Hayden, supplies .
30
Supplies
60
$197 81
Appropriation, $250 00
Expended, 197 81
Unexpended, $52 19
MEDICAL ATTENDANCE.
Paid Dr. A. L. Chase ·
$50 00
Visits made Mabel Fairbanks 3
Mrs. S. D. Bradley 3
Barrows family 5
Mary A. Chandler 25
James B. Riley 2
Manus Gallagher 39
Elizabeth Burke 1
38
Paid Dr. F. C. Granger . $50 00 . Visits made John Treanor 25
Mrs. Charles Linfield 32
Paid Dr. C. C. Farnham 39 00 ·
Visits made Christiana Sloan 19 .
William Doyle 2 .
Mabel Fairbanks .
2
Mrs. G. Bacigalupo
13
Lockup inmate
3
Paid Dr. D. F. Kinnier . .
·
50 00
Visits made John Desmond, Jr. 37 ·
Timothy Mullins 43
Thomas F. Hand
27
Paid Dr. E. A. Allen 47 00 ·
Visits made Thomas Donahoe family
41
Almira Fowle 6
Paid Dr. W. M. Babbitt ·
50 00
Visits made Timothy Mullins .
36
Emily Sloan . 1 ·
Robert Agnew ·
13
$286 00
Appropriation, $300 00
Expended, 286 00
Unexpended, $14 00
STATEMENT OF CASH RECEIVED BY THE SELECTMEN AND OVERSEERS OF THE POOR, FROM VARIOUS SOURCES.
From labor of town teams $365 01
produce sold 101 85
use of derrick . .
19 00
·
39
From aid to sundry persons refunded $187 05 State, on account of salary of inspector of cattle 50 00
loam and scrapings sold (highways) 11 10
labor removing snow
1 50
sale of Braintree Records
4 00
licenses
5 00
N. E. Telephone Co.
4 50
$749 01
ESTIMATE OF EXPENSES FOR 1899.
For schools (see report of School Committee) . $8,870 00 Stetson High School (see report of Trustees), 2,200 00 town officers 2,500 00
miscellaneous .
1,800 00 ·
repairs of highways .
3,500 00
highway plant
500 00
paving
500 00
removing snow 2,000 00
poor in almshouse
1,800 00 .
poor out of almshouse
3,800 00
soldiers' relief
400 00
soldiers' relief, Randolph and Holbrook
600 00
military aid
250 00
electric street lighting
3,300 00
interest on town debt (and in addition there-
to the interest on taxes and bank deposits ), 2,700 00
Treasurer's bond 120 00
Pay of Physicians
300 00
Board of Health
100 00
lockup and tramps
250 00
40
For Fire Department (see report of Engineers), $2,120 00 Water Works (see report of Water Com- missioners) . · . 5,000 00
REPORT OF AUDITORS.
RANDOLPH, MASS., February 8, 1899.
The undersigned, Auditors of the Town of Randolph, re- spectfully report that they have examined the accounts of the Selectmen and find the same correct, with proper vouch- ers for all orders drawn on the Treasurer.
C. G. HATHAWAY, M. F. CUNNINGHAM, R. P. BARRETT, Auditors.
41
LIST OF JURORS.
The following is a list of jurors for the consideration of the town at the annual meeting, March 6, 1899 :
Alden, F. Wayland
Arth, Ernst
Batchelder, Harland P.
Retired.
Tinsmith.
Brennan, William
Laborer.
Campion, John P. Clark, Dexter T.
Surveyor.
Casey, Peter
Laster.
Clark, Hugh
Retired.
Clark, S. Melvin
Agent.
Cole, Charles H.
Farmer.
Corliss, Simon B.
Farmer.
Croak, William A. Curran, John
Laborer.
-Dennehey, Daniel D. Devine, Edward J.
Cutter.
Tinware dealer.
Donovan, Michael A. English, Nicholas Elliott, George A.
Shoemaker.
Laster.
Foster, Joseph H.
Machine operator.
French, Fred A. Fancy goods dealer. Insurance.
French, Fred M.
Retired.
Cigar manufacturer.
Baker, M. Wales Beal, Clarence E.
Florist.
Farmer.
Carpenter.
Mechanic.
42
Frizzell, William Forrest, Richard Gibbons, William Good, William Holbrook, Columbus Holbrook, Albert H.
Jones, Rufus
Carpenter. Farmer.
Carpenter. Shoemaker.
Insurance.
Farmer.
Carpenter.
Boot and shoe"dealer.
Farmer.
Farmer.
Retired.
Mahady, William
Laborer.
May, John
Retired.
McGaughey, Moses
McLaughlin, Patrick H.
Molloy, James
Montsie, Frederick W.
Niles, Amasa S.
Cigar manufacturer. Retired.
Niles, Isaac
Auctioneer.
O'Connell, Michael J.
Shoemaker.
Palmer, James W.
Grocer.
Poole, Marcus M.
Storekeeper.
Porter, Franklin
Druggist.
Porter, William
Farmer.
Roberts, William R. Reynolds, George A.
Poultry dealer.
Farmer.
Riley, Thomas
Retired.
Farmer.
Scanlan, Maurice E. Snow, Hiram
Retired. Laster.
Retired. Farmer. Shoemaker.
King, Evander F. Leach, John Leahy, Joseph T. Lewis, Wellington Libby, H. Frank
Long, Frank A.
Mann, Edwin M.
Mann, Lucius H. Mann, Nelson
Shoemaker.
Dry goods dealer. Retired.
Sole leather cutter.
43
Stetson, Francis E. Spear, William B.
Taber, Edwin A.
Willard, John K.
Farmer.
Painter.
Farmer.
Tallow dealer.
PETER B. HAND. PATRICK H. MCLAUGHLIN, M. WALES BAKER, Selectmen, Assessors, and Overseers of the Poor.
45
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
To the Citizens of Randolph :
By no means the least important duty devolving upon us as a town is the discipline and training of the youth in whose welfare we are all so deeply interested, and upon whose proper development and mental equipment in early years the future stability and prosperity of our community and State largely depend. It is incumbent upon the committee, to whose supervision this work is committed, to make each year such a report of the performance of their duties as shall give to parents and tax-payers a sufficient idea of what the schools of the town are doing, and what they lack. Some years' experience upon the Board has convinced the writer that, however great the interest may be which the individual citizen, - father or mother, -may take in the schools, there is, perhaps, too great a reliance placed upon the School Committee, particularly in respect to the opportuni- ties for observing matters of criticism in teachers, or in methods of study and discipline. It not infrequently hap- pens that censure of one or the other comes to the attention of the committee in the shape of vague rumor, or neighbor- hood gossip, rather than by specific and formal complaint. Such uncertain rumors we cannot, of course, act upon or recognize. It is unquestionably the privilege and duty of every parent, believing that he or she has ground for com- plaint, either as to the treatment or instruction administered to a child, to come directly to the School Board with the grievance, real or supposed, and have it investigated. Any
46
such suggestion will be treated, if desired, in absolute con- fidence, and carefully inquired into. The committee, when visiting the schools, naturally see the teachers and scholars at their best, and if there be any carelessness or impropriety of conduct, it is not likely to be exhibited in their presence.
In marked contrast with this over-reliance in the direction referred to, there seems to be a tendency in other ways to question the wisdom of the Board in certain matters which are, and should be, left by the law wholly to their discre- tion, and where, however unpleasant the exercise of such discretion may be in its consequences to the individual, the motive is clearly an honest attempt to improve the con- dition of the schools. The success of our educational insti- tutions depends more upon the qualification of the teachers than upon anything else. It should be our first endeavor, therefore, to employ well trained and skilful instructors, and to pay them as liberally as we can. There should, consequently, be no hesitation for politic or charitable reasons to exercise the disagreeable duty of dispensing with the ser- vices of a teacher, irrespective of his or her length of service, or circumstances, if the efficiency of the schools clearly demands it. This power should certainly not be arbitrarily or hastily exercised by the committee, but it is essential that it should be resorted to without fear or favor when it is deemed expedient.
If it be admitted, as it must be, that the condition of the schools depends more upon the teachers than upon any other factor, then our schools cannot have materially changed since our last report. Except in the High School, no new teacher has been employed. The only important change has been the closing, at the beginning of the school year, of the North Street School. Early in September, the committee were informed that Miss Helen A. Belcher, who had taught in that district for several years, desired to resign her posi-
47
tion. The number of pupils in the school had dwindled to fourteen, and the committee, after consulting with the par- ents in the neighborhood, voted to discontinue the school on and after September 10th, pending the determination by the town of the question whether or not it should be perma- nently closed, and arranged to convey its pupils to and from the graded school in District No. 10, by means of the elec- tric cars, free of expense to the parents. This action the town subsequently ratified at a special meeting held Septem- ber 22, 1898, at which it was unanimously voted "that the School Committee are hereby authorized to close the ungraded school on North street in district No. 5 for such time as in their opinion it is desirable that instruction there should be discontinued ; and that they are further authorized and em- powered to make such arrangements as are necessary to con- vey the pupils in said district to and from the public school building on Belcher street, and to expend such sums as said committee may deem requisite therefor out of the moneys raised and appropriated by the town for school purposes at the last annual town meeting."
As a result, there is considerable saving to the town, and the children in the North district have the unquestionable advantages of a graded school. The cost of transportation for each child is five cents per diem. We recommend the continuance of this arrangement for the present, and shall ask for a special appropriation for transportation during the coming year.
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