USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Attleboro > Reports of town officers of the town of Attleborough 1879 > Part 2
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Cushman, Wilcox & Co. coal for M Powers 3 00
G N Crandall, aid to Nellie McMann 3 00
Knapp, Bates & Follett, aid to Mrs T Collins 21 00
do do Pat Tracy 18 00
E C Knapp aid to Vernal Stanley 4 00
Middlesex Co. House Correction, support of Elliot Barker 13 14
6 C HI Sturdy, coal for East look-up 9 25
6
66 Joseph Generous 3 75
6
66 Francis Freeman 2 00
6 Roscoe L Tucker, care 165 tramps East lock-up 31 40
6 William Walker, aid to Pardon Robinson 32 31
16 16 16 16 16 16 16 16 23 23 23 23 23 30 30 30
Feb
28
ANNUAL REPORT.
6 6
H D Parmenter Frank Saart
12 83
do supplies for East lock-up 30
6 Daniel A Clarke, coffin for Wm Butcher 7 50
6 do Delivering same 1 50
6 J. G. Barden, coal for North lock-up
6 50
6 do aid to Pat Tracy 14 00
6
do Mrs Michael Byron 7 50
6 Attle, Gas Lt. Co. gas for North lock-up 1 75
6 Frank L Staples, care of 90 tramps N. lock-up 18 00
6 S P Lathrop, aid to Mrs C Barrows
2 00
6 do do Joseph Davow 5 00
6
do do Mrs N Gardner
10 00
13 Holmes & O'Connor, aid to Mrs A Bishop 8 00
13
do do Chas W Bowen 3 00
13 Carpenter & Capron, do A P Macomber 12 00
13
do John Dolan
10 00
13 A H Robinson,
1 50
20
H E Rhodes,
20
S P Lathrop,
do Mrs L Whipple 4 00
do Mrs N Gardner 12 00
20
T E Hancock,
do Wm Coggswell
22 00
20 W A Wilmarth do
do E Westgate
1 37
20
do
wood for E lock-up 5 12
20
Attleboro Union Gaslight Co, coke for John Dolan
44
20 H G Hodges & Son, aid to J W Smith 12 CO
20
do do E Westgate 5 00
20
Chas S Cummings do Benjamin Bowen 5 00
20
Pierce & Carpenter M Carroll
3 25
20 do
do Jerry M Brown 6 50
20
‹lo
do John Brady 3 25
20
do
do Mrs Mary Kenin 3 25
20 do
do John McGee 3 25
20 Hebron Mfg Co.
do Mrs Mary Foran 19 85
20
do aid to Mys Mary Butcher
12 00
do Mrs C Barrows clo 3 75
20 20
do
Joseph Davow 6 00
do Chas W Bowen
1 75
20
29
ANNUAL REPORT.
27 E C Knapp aid to Vernal Stanley $4 00
27 L & S N Sweetland aid to Mrs T Collins 5 52
27 N B Follett do N H Morse 2 00
27 do do Mrs G H Brown 12 00
27 S P Lathrop do
£ Mrs S Haynes 4 00
27
do do Mrs C Barrows 2 00
27
Pierce & Carpenter do Josiah Sullivan 1 62
do coal for E lock-up 6 25
27 27 L Z Carpenter aid to William H Caswell 6 00 27 do do A P Macomber 5 00
27
do do John Brady
3 00
27
dlo E Westgate
14 50
27
do do John Moore 2 00
27° E S Williams do Mrs T Collins 10 25
27
G N Crandall pauper traveling expenses 1 50
do car fare for sick tramps 1 75
27 27 Cushman, Wilcox & Co aid to Michael Powers 3 00
J G Borden coal for North lock-up 6 75
27 27 Carpenter & Capron aid to John Dolan 7 00
do do Mrs R McCoy 2 00
Otis Martin taking sick pauper to almshouse 1 25
27 27 27 Napoleon Foucreau balance for almshouse supplies 411 54
Salary for one year
350 00
$4,759 95
30
ANNUAL REPORT.
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT OF ALMSHOUSE, MARCH 1, 1879.
CASH PAID.
For Labor
$84 35
Provisions
509 10
Clothing and bedding
99 15
Blacksmithing
34 92
Tools and repairs
24 72
Grain and seed
157 04
Coal
9 78
Paint, oil, glass and putty
10 54
Tin and wooden ware
19 35
Soap and kerosene oil
24 25
Plaster and salt
25 75
Funeral expenses of Mrs. S. Newell
11 25
One express harness
24 00
Sundry small bills
6 80
Stove and repairs
12 40
Repairs on express wagon
10 50
Superintendent's salary
350 00
$1,413 90
CASH RECEIVED.
For Poultry and eggs
$99 54
Milk, cream and butter
102 72
Calves and pigs
116 10
Hay and straw
47 30
Labor off the farm
6 25
31
ANNUAL REPORT.
Wood
69 59
Dressed beef and pork
48 49
Sundry small bills
3 42
Vegetables
47 45
Baskets
11 50
Cash from Town Treasury
861 54
$1,413 90
March 1, 1879.
NAPOLEON FOUCREAU, Superintendent.
Average number of paupers 7 1-6.
Traveling paupers 174.
Number paupers at Almshouse March 1, 1879, 12.
Deaths during the year 1.
STATE OF ALMSHOUSE, MARCH, 1, 1879.
DR.
To hay, stock, farming tools, provisions, &c., on hand March 1, 1878 $1,798 95
Cash from Town Treasurer
861 54
CR $2,650 49
By hay, stock, farming tools, provisions, &c., on hand March 1, 1879 $1,487 98
By reduced valuation caused by depreciation of prices 170 00
By expense of supporting almshouse 992 51
$2,650 49
S. P. LATHROP,
Overseers
G. C. WRIGHT, of
G. N. CRANDALL, Poor.
32
ANNUAL REPORT.
STATION HOUSES.
EAST STATION.
Fuel
$41 62
Supplies
4 71
Repairs
2 70
Care of 1,037 tramps
205 80
254 83
NORTH STATION.
Fuel
24 65
Supplies
11 80
Repairs
11 25
Care of 744 tramps
148 25
195 95
Total
$450 78
33
ANNUAL REPORT.
SCHOOL DISTRICT EXPENSES.
Districts.
Paid for Teaching.
FUEL ..
CARE HOUSE.
TOTAL EXPENSES.
1
$1,700 15
$118 00
$149 00
$1,967 15
2
306 00
13 07
7 00
326 07
3
288 00
11 51
6 20
305 71
4
1,345 60
139 48
101 50
1,586 58
5
1,110 00
48 71
47 00
1,205 71
6
350 00
21 00
16 10
387 10
7
367 50
22 97
9 25
399 72
8
385 00
14 63
18 00
417 63
9
350 00
15 50
6 00
371 50
10
250 00
4 35
6 50
260 85
11
900 69
31 50
75 00
1,007 19
12
264 00
15 10
3 25
282 35
13
197 50
24 00
5 25
226 75
14
204 00
14 00
8 30
226 30
15
430 00
22 25
22 25
474 50
16
337 75
17 00
16 00
370 75
17
278 00
16 90
8 30
303 20
18
2,467 15
234 55
217 00
2,918 70
19
288 00
4 75
292 75
20
720 00
38 30
35 00
793 30
$12,539 34
$822 55
$766 65
$14,123 81
34
ANNUAL REPORT.
STANDING OF SCHOOL DISTRICTS.
MARCH 1, 1879.
Districts.
SCHOLARS.
CR.
DR.
BALANCE DUE.
1
252
$2021 95
$1967 15
$ 54 80
2
22
326 07
326 07
3
11
311 54
305 71
5 83
4
184
1587 01
1586 58
43
5
118
1230 49
1205 71
24 78
6
38
441 73
387 10
54 63
7
56
401 81
399 72
2 09
8
56
419 85
417 63
2 22
9
34
395 42
371 50
23 92
10
25
308 02
260 85
47 17
11
106
1261 16
1007 19
253 97
12
15
289 55
282 35
2 20
13
18
265 44
226 75
38 69
14
22
307 86
226 30
81 56
15
52
487 42
1174 50
12 92
16
30
406 41
370 75
35 66
17
15
433 95
303 20
130 75
18
388
2918 76
2918 70
06
19
17
298 41
292 75
5 66
20
87
972 76
793 30
179 46
35
ANNUAL REPORT.
EAST HIGH SCHOOL.
1878.
April 4 S S Blake, supplies, $ 2 97
18 H J Whittemore, inst. in music, 10 00
18 Annie R Rice, teaching, 48 00
18 Abbie S Hawes, 24 50
May 2 J O Tiffany, 66
120 00
2 J O Tiffany, supplies,
1 55
2 Annie R Rice, teaching, 24 00
2 H J Whittemore, inst. in music, 17 50
2 Annie R Rice, teaching, 48 00
June 13 J O Tiffany,
202 65
27 H J Whittemore, inst. in music, 16 16
27 Annie R Rice, teaching,
36 00
July 25 J O Tiffany, 202 65
25 J O Tiffany, supplies,
2 75
Oct. 24 Annie R. Rice, teaching, 72 00
Nov. 7 H J Whittemore, inst. in music, 16 59
21
JO Tiffany, teaching,
318 45
J O Tiffany, supplies,
65
21 Annie R Rice, teaching,
60 00
Jan. 9
60 00
9
H J Whittemore, inst. in music,
16 58
Feb. 28
Annie R Rice, 84 00
$1,885 00
36
ANNUAL REPORT.
NORTH HIGH SCHOOL.
1878.
Mar. 28 S S Blake, inst. in drawing,
$ 24 00
28
supplies, 40
April 18
H J Whittemore, inst. in music, 10 00
18 B Porter Jr, teaching, 234 75
18
care of house, 18 00
18 E K Goss, teaching, 74 00
84 00
2
H J Whittemore, inst. in music, 17 50
16 16
27
E K Goss, teaching, 84 00
27
Frank M White, care of house,
21 00
27
B Porter Jr, teaching,
260 55
Nov. 7
260 55
7 H J Whittemore, inst. in music, 18 94
21 B Porter Jr, teaching, 57 90
21
care of house, 16 50
21 C E Jordan, fuel,
3 75
21 E K Goss, teaching, 132 00
Dec. 19
B Porter Jr, " 86 85
1879.
Jan. 9 H J Whittemore, inst. in music, 16 58
23 E K Goss, teaching, 62 57
$1,500 00
.
May 2
June 27
37
ANNUAL REPORT.
INCIDENTAL EDUCATIONAL EXPENSES.
1878.
Jan. 6 F B Green & Co, advertising, &c. $ 8 25
20 J L Hammett, 3 Webster's Dictionarys, 25 90
July 11 Wm H Harding, books for teacher's, desks No. 18 1 15
11 Wm H Harding, books for ind. pupils, 10 50
Sept. 5 Carpenter & Capron, books for desk District No. 5 26
7 CM Sprague, use of Hall for gradu- ation exercises, 15 00
Nov. 21 B A Razee & Co. books for desk No. 5 6 75
Dec. 5 Frederic Fogg, lettering diplomas, 8 50
19 S W Squire, 2 setts Johnson's Nat. History for High Schools, $ 27 50
879. Jan. 23 Carpenter & Capron, books for indi- gent children, 1 96
23 B A Razee & Co, books for teachers, desks No. 4, 5 and 19 4 48
23 FB Green & Co. printing blank school reports 11 00
23 Wm H Harding, school books for poor pupils, 6 70
eb.
3 F B Green & Co. printing programmes, 4 50
3 Tibbitts & Randall, Webster's Dic- tionary for teacher's, desk No. 8 8 50
$140 95
38
ANNUAL REPORT.
" ADDITIONAL PAY."
Amount disbursed under the law of 1878, to soldiers and sailors. $221 53
RECAPITULATION.
By Pauper expenses $4,759 95
Incidental expenses 2,267 30
Current expenses
4,956 04
Road Commissioners, Highways
7,995 11
Special App'ns 6,469 84
Incidental Educational expense 140 95
District School expense
14,123 81
High School expense
2,885 00
"Additional Pay " to soldiers and sailors 221 53
Money borrowed 13,500 00
Interest on same
149 20
Paid 6 per cent bonds
16,600 00
Interest on 6 per cent bonds
788 50
State Aid to soldiers and their families
' 1131 00
County tax
4,485 38
State tax
2,590 00
Bank tax
243 12
Cash in treasury, March 1, 1879
6,356 47
$89,663 20
39
ANNUAL REPORT.
STANDING OF TOWN, MAR. 1, 1879
ASSETS.
Cash in Treasury, $ 6,356 47
hands of Collectors, 370 43
Uncollected Taxes, 9,626 12
Claim for State Aid,
1,270 00
on Towns for Support of Paupers, 282 00
State 360 00
"Additional Pay", 221 53
Personal Property at Almshouse,
1,487 98
Real (Poor Farm)
2,800 00
$22,774 53
LIABILITIES.
Bonds of 1878, (5 per cent.)
$16,600 00
Int. on same to Mar. 1, 1879, 365 00
Due for teaching in High Schools, 66 District
550 00
150 00
Rent of East High School room,
290 00
Support of Paupers in other towns, Balance, 4,669 53
150 00
$22,774 53
Estimated amount of uncollectable Taxes,
$1650 00
S. P. LATHROP, Selectmen G. C. WRIGHT. of Attleboro.
G. N. CRANDALL.
REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
OF THE
TOWN OF ATTLEBOROUGH.
For the year ending Feb. 28, 1879.
REPORT.
During the year we have employed in our district schools, for one term or more, forty-six teachers-four males and forty-two females. Of the number, sixteen were graduates of our High Schools, and eleven, at least, of Normal schools. Thirty-seven had had more or less experience in teaching, and twenty-two certainly had presided previously over the schools given them in charge.
We think they have aimed to be, without ex- ception, conscientious and faithful in their work. They have appeared to be diligent and reasonably in earnest in the discharge of their responsible du- ties. Some have exhibited more tact, and some more enthusiasm than others, but in reference to their literary and moral qualifications, we believe that none of them have been found wanting. They have been ready to receive our suggestions respect- fully, and to conform to any regulations which we have thought best to prescribe. They secured, in a good degree, the confidence, esteem, and affection of their pupils. We feel a measure of pride in the fact that we have had so large a corps of teachers. uniformly so exemplary in life and so consecrated to their calling.
44
ANNUAL REPORT.
Our schools have been more or less satisfactory to our ideal of what they should be. We cannot admit that any of them have entirely failed of good results, though a few among them have not suc- ceeded to our wishes, perhaps, not to our require- ments.
The success of a school depends largely, but not entirely, on its teacher. There may be ele- ments within and influences around which will ren- der fruitless the efforts of the most able, skillful and accomplished instructor. We have heard complaints, mostly indirectly, in reference to sev- eral of our schools. Sometimes the charge has been that the teacher was given to favoritism, either aiding some pupils more than others, or overlook- ing the obliquities of some, and not of others. This charge of partiality, in some form or other, has doubtless been heard ever since public schools have been in existence. We have looked into the matter covered by this charge so far as we were able, in the localities in which it has been preferred, and become satisfied that there were really no grounds for it.
A complaint in which there has been more of truth, has touched the quality and the methods of discipline. A very few of our teachers have been criticised for undue severity, but none of them have been censured on account of laxity of discipline.
The precise degree of order and quiet that should be demanded in the schoolroom, is a difficult question to decide. We have known suc-
45
ANNUAL REPORT.
cessful teachers who allowed considerable latitude in this particular, where there was to us an un- pleasant bustle in the room, but the pupils were wide awake in their studies, and the progress made highly commendable.
We have been a unit in our estimate of the importance of good discipline, and have endeavored to the extent of our ability to bring our schools under complete subordination to their teachers. But we are frank to say that all our schools have not been entirely satisfactory to us in this particular. With young and inexperienced teachers we have thought it our duty to be forbearing, in the hope that with practice they would improve in this regard. In relation to others we have been im- pelled to say to their prudentials that we did not feel the best interests of their schools would be likely to be subserved by their engagement for sub- sequent terms.
Though the teachers in our district schools are hired by the local committees, it is in our power to dismiss them summarily at any time, if we deem them incompetent to their work, or unfaithful to their trust. We have not exercised this right, for though all our schools have not been what we de- sired them to be, or felt they ought to be, the abrupt termination of a school on occount of in- subordination, has a demoralizing influence on it. Besides, a change of administration is not neces- sarily for the better. It takes time for a new teacher to become acquainted with the capabilities.and.dis-
46
ANNUAL REPORT.
position of his scholars and for them to become familiar with his peculiarities, of methods of teach- ing and ways of government.
Thence a frequent change of teachers is to be depreciated, and it has been our policy, when a school has not been in all respects as we would like to have it, to do all in our power to improve it under the existing teacher, rather than to try the doubtful experiment of a change. Our judgment may have been at fault in some instances, but we have been conscientious in our course.
And it may be said in regard to all our schools, with one or two exceptions perhaps, that there has been unanimity among us in reference to our line of action concerning them. It is believed that every member of the board has been conscious of his individual responsibleness, and true to his con- victions of what was best. But majorities rule in republics, and in the few cases in which we have differed in judgment, the minority has gracefully deferred to the will of the majority.
We are warranted to conclude that many of the rumors floating in the air derogatory to our schools have had no foundation in fact, because we suppose that we have been as familiar with what has been going on in our schoolrooms, as others not directly or specially interested. We have visited them often, when expected and when not expected, and when we have seen or heard any- thing which did not meet with our approval, it has been both our duty and our privilege to inquire into
47
ANNUAL REPORT.
the matter,-a liberty which none but officials would be likely to take. We are none of us conscious of having been influenced by favoritism in reference to schools or teachers, or of not having been disposed to use the best materials and methods in the care of our schools. We do not doubt but that they will greatly improve and come nearer to the standard of excellence in the estimation of us all, when parents and friends shall visit them frequently and cordially, and when they shall favor the teachers with their sympathy, confidence and counsel. When may we look for the welcome day?
Educational institutions, like everything else good and useful, must be amply provided with the "sinews of war," that they may fully accomplish their mission. The quality as well as the length of a school depends largely on the appropriation it receives. The general law, in reference to all avocations, is that the best informed and most skill- ful workmen will obtain the largest compensation for services rendered. We suppose that teachers, as a class, are not an exception to this rule. Though the profession, like some others, is crowded, in a sense-the supply exceeding the demand-the number of every way competent and thoroughly accomplished teachers is comparatively small. This class will command generous remuneration, for, if remarkably successful in any locality, their reputation will extend abroad and their services
48
ANNUAL REPORT.
will be sought and secured where a liberal salary is paid.
Are we paying our teachers more than we need, or more than we ought to pay them? In our report of 1877 we compared our town in this particular with other towns in this Commonwealth, showing that in none of the towns and cities in the State having a population of five thousand or more, with a solitary exception, have the principals of the High Schools a smaller salary than the principals of our High Schools receive. Since then we have reduced the pay of our High School teachers about one-twelfth. And though we are not directly responsible for the compensation which our common school teachers receive, since they are employed by the district committees, it was shown in that report that, in the fifty-three cities and towns in the State having five thousand inhabitants or more, there were but nine where the average pay of the female teachers was less than the average compensation of our female teachers. Since that time a number of our female teachers, especially in the north part of the town, have had their wages reduced about one-tenth. Can we hope to retain within our limits our experienced and successful teachers unless we offer them the pecuniary recom- pense which they can receive elsewhere?
So in regard to the length of our schools. We hear on the one hand that we have too much school, and on the other that we have too little. In the report to which we have referred, it was
49
ANNUAL REPORT.
stated that the schools in the cities and towns of the Commonwealth that exceed our town in popula- tion and valuation, without exception, average longer than ours. And this last year our district schools have averaged two weeks less than when the com- parison was instituted. Do we wish to fall behind other municipalities of our rank in the educational facilities which we furnish for our children and youth ?
We are aware that the spirit of unrest and dissatisfaction is abroad in reference to "men and measures "-in relation to all public interests. There is, especially, a stirring call for retrenchment in pecuniary appropriations. The air is full of it all around us. It is certainly wise to lessen the burdens of taxation, if we do not thereby cripple invaluable public enterprises.
Are not some of our citizens oblivious of the fact that we are a somewhat rapidly growing munic- ipality, alike in population and resources, and that more schools have to be often added to the existing number to answer our needs?
The time was-and it was many years this side of the memory of the " oldest inhabitant"-when, in District One, one school met its wants, now it has four and another is to be added to the number next term; then District Four had one school, now it has four; District Five, one teacher, now three; what now comprises District Eighteen, two schools, now six. Thus where there were but five schools
A
50
ANNUAL REPORT.
when those who are now in the vigor of life were pupils, there are to be the coming school year, nineteen-almost a quadruple. Nor has the number of schools in the rural parts of the town diminished.
Further, during some of the last few years drawing and music have been taught in our large schools, more or less by professional teachers- which have increased the running expenses of those schools.
Another point should not be overlooked. For- merly, the expense of the care of the schoolrooms was merely nominal. Last year the bills of the janitors amounted to seven hundred and sixty-six dollars. When all these considerations are taken into the account, will it be thought extravagant or unreasonable if we ask for an appropriation of fourteen thousand dollars, together with the dog fund, for our district schools, the coming year?
With the present reduced salaries of our High School teachers, we think that thirty-five hundred dollars will cover all expenses, but for several years past there has been a deficiency of about five hundred dollars, so that about this amount has to be taken from the new appropriation, from year to year, to wipe out arrearages. If the appropriation for the High Schools this year shall be made four thousand dollars, it may be believed that five hun- dred dollars less will suffice for coming years.
For the last few years, the apportionment of the school money has been entrusted to the School
51
ANNUAL REPORT.
Committee. We have given much time and thought to the subject, and have aimed to be, so far as possible, impartial and just. But there are complications which make the task perplexing, if not vexatious. The object at which we have aimed has been, of course, to run all the schools to the utmost extent within our means. But a school of ten pupils costs nearly as much as one of forty pupils. Shall the former have as many weeks of school as the latter, when a pro rata apportionment would give it but a quarter as much money? Obviously not. And yet because a child has the misfortune to live in a sparsely settled district, shall his opportunities for schooling be very largely decreased ?
Two schools have each about the same num- ber of scholars, but one prudential pays his teacher twelve or fourteen dollars per week, the other eight or ten dollars. If they receive the same appropria- tion, which would seem to be just, the length of one school would very considerably exceed that of the other. Again, two schools are about the same size, their teachers receive the same compensation, but in one of them a drawing or music teacher is employed and not in the other. These illustrations suggest some of the difficulties attendant on the apportionment of the appropriation, and should the town wish to take the business into its own hands, we do not suppose that the coming school board would be grieved, or feel slighted. Some of the
52
ANNUAL REPORT.
schools that have local school funds have been lengthened by the income from those funds.
Prof. Whittemore has been employed as a teacher of music in our High Schools and in most of our larger districts. He has been faithful and successful in his work. Considerable enthusiasm has been awakened among the pupils in this delightful art, and so far as we have learned, though there has been some opposition by parents and tax-payers, the general verdict has been in commendation of the measure. Near the close of the winter term, two musical Festivals, one in the East, and the other in the North part of the town, were given by some two hundred of our pupils under the supervision of the musical director. The selections rendered were mostly from the great masters of song, classic in character and difficult of execution, but artistically, the exhibitions were a fine success, and richly enjoyed by those who were fortunately in attendance. Our grateful acknow- ledgements are tendered to those in charge of the entertainments who labored gratuitously, faithfully and cheerfully in the enterprise.
Our High Schools have remained under the care of the teachers who have so long had them in charge, with the exception of the assistant at the east. At the beginning of the school year, one who had had large experience in a similar position took the place of her who exchanged the duties of the school-room for the more pleasant relations, we trust of conjugal life. The services have been
53
ANNUAL REPORT.
satisfactory to us, and so far as we know to all interested. Early in the year, we reviewed care- fully, in connection with the Principals, the curri- culum of study and made some changes in it. The branches taught are nearly the same in all the High Schools in the State, so far as we have had oppor- tunity to post ourselves in the matter, though the order in which they are arranged is somewhat different. In truth most of the studies are pre- scribed by statute. In high schools generally, ours included, two courses of study are marked out, the one to fit for college and the other for business life.
In looking over the list comprising one hun- dred and sixty-eight graduates whom our schools have sent forth into the world, though there are a few of whom we have lost sight, and of whose present standing in society and reputation for moral worth we cannot of course speak advisably, we are authorized to say that the many compare favorably with graduates of other similar institutions in respect to intelligence and position, enterprise and probity. The graduates of last year were
EAST HIGH SCHOOL.
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