USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Attleboro > Reports of town officers of the town of Attleborough 1880 > Part 2
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DR.
To hay, stock, farming tools, provisions, etc., appraisal March 1, 1879, $1,487 98
To cash from Treasurer, 663 17
$2,151 15
CR.
By hay, stock, etc., appraisal March 1, 1880, $1,358 37
By expense of supporting almshouse, 992 78
$2,151 15
S. P. LATHROP, ) Overseers G. C. WRIGHT, S of Poor.
·
ANNUAL REPORT.
25
STATION HOUSES.
EAST STATION.
Fuel,
$21 74
Supplies,
8 55
Repairs,
4 50
Care of 1,346 tramps,
269 20
$303 99
NORTH STATION.
Fuel,
$9 25
Supplies,
IO 90
Repairs,
I 28
Care of 1,037 tramps,
207 40
$228 83
Total,
$532 82
3
5
I
2
3
26
ANNUAL REPORT.
SCHOOL DISTRICT EXPENSES.
Districts.
Paid for Teaching.
FUEL.
CARE HOUSE.
TOTAL EXPENSES.
I
$2,011 76
$102 25
$200 00
$2,314 OI
2
234 00
II 76
245 76
3
303 95
9 38
2 50
315 83
4
1,479 43
61 75
66 00
1,607 18
5
1,152 00
18 87
54 00
1,224 87
6
345 00
21 00
15 30
381 30
7
390 50
12 65
13 75
416 90
8
388 00
21 00
22 00
431 00
9
360 00
13 75
9 00
382 75
IO
334 00
7 88
II 00
352 88
II
840 14
52 00
50 00
942 14
12
184 00
7 87
191 87
13
206 25
22 00
7 00
235 25
14
357 00
22 00
14 00
393 00
15
471 00
30 75
21 75
523 50
16
350 00
6 00
356 00
I7
327 00
I 50
9 50
338 00
18
2,665 15
280 87
368 00
3,314 02
19
280 10
10 00
4 00
294 10
20
666 00
15 05
37 00
718 05
$13,345 29
$722 33
$910 80
$14,978 41
27
ANNUAL REPORT.
STANDING OF SCHOOL DISTRICTS.
MARCH 1, 1880.
Districts.
SCHOLARS.
CR.
DR.
BALANCE DUE.
I
312
$2,404 80
$2,314 OI
$90 79
2
25
340 00
245 76
94 24
2
19
315 83
315 83
3
208
1,665 43
1,607 18
58 25
5
I30
1,249 78
1,224 87
24 91
6
39
404 63
381 30
23 33
7
50
422 09
416 90
5 19
8
57
432 22
431 00
I 22
9
32
408 92
382 75
26 17
IO
25
367 17
352 88
14 29
II
1,178 97
942 14
236 83
I2
292 20
191 87
100 33
I3
328 69
235 25
93 44
14
396 56
393 00
3 56
15
527 92
523 50
4 42
16
375 66
356 00
19 66
I7
400 75
338 00
62 75
18
422
3,320 05
3,314 02
6 04
19
295 66
294 10
I 56
20
86
830 46
718 05
II2 41
1
1
İ
1
28
ANNUAL REPORT.
HIGH SCHOOLS.
Balance March 1, 1879, Amount of appropriation,
$115 00 $3,550 00
1879.
March 6. J. O. Tiffany, teaching, $100 00
April 19, H. J. Whittemore, music, 18 95
May IO. Annie R. Rice, teaching, 84 00
31. H. J. Whittemore, music teacher, 23 68
June 7. J. O. Tiffany, teaching, ",
balance to Feb. 28, '79, 276 25
" supplies, I 40
June 21. Annie R. Rice, teaching, 84 00
July 5. H. J. Whittemore, music teacher, 9 47
J. O. Tiffany, teaching, 405 30
Oct. II. Annie R. Rice, teaching, 72 00
Nov. 22. 72 00
J. O. Tiffany, 347 40
H. J. Whittemore, music teacher, 22 73
1880.
Jan'y 10. Annie R. Rice, teaching, 60 00
Feb'y 7. „ " 60 00
Feb'y 28. J. O. Tiffany, teaching, 120 39
Expenditures for East School, $1,757 57
29
ANNUAL REPORT.
1879.
April 12. B. Porter, Jr., teaching, bal- ance, to March 1, 1879, $289 40
B. Porter, Jr., care of house, 18 00
April 19. H. J. Whittemore, music teacher, 18 95
May IO. E. K. Goss, balance of salary to Feb. 28, 81 43
B. Porter, Jr., teaching, 202 65
May 31. H. J. Whittemore, music teacher, 23 68
June 28. B. Porter, Jr., teaching, 202 65
"
care of house, 21 00
E. K. Goss, teaching,
168 00
July
5. H. J. Whittemore, music teacher, 9 47
Oct. II. H. M. Maxson, teaching, 1IO 00
Nov. 22. "
220 00
E. K. Goss,
144 00
"
H. J. Whittemore, music teacher, 22 73
1880.
Jan'y 31. H. M. Maxson, teaching, 220 00
Feb'y 7. B. Porter, Jr., bal. of salary, 22 47
Byron Blackinton, janitor, 13 00
Feb'y 14. E. K. Goss, teaching,
120 00
Expenditures for North School, $1,907 43
-- $3,665 00
30
ANNUAL REPORT.
INCIDENTAL EDUCATIONAL.
1879.
March 29. B. Porter, Jr., repairing organ of North High School, $5 50
B. Porter, Jr., supplies, 3 90
" graduation expenses, 2 96
April 29. C. M. Sprague, rent of hall for gradua- tion, 18 00
May 17. B. Porter, Jr., festival expenses, 7 75
June 7. Eliot Hunt & Co., school report blanks, II OO
advertising school
appropriations, 3 75
June 28. B. A. Razee & Co., books for teachers' desks, II 03
B. A. Razee & Co., books for indigent children, 7 60
W. H. Hardin, books for indigent children, 5 59
Methodist Society, church for gradua- tion, 10 00
B. A. Razee & Co., book, desk, No. 4, 50
" for indigent children, 4 77
Sept. 6. Carpenter & Capron, books for indi- gent children, I 25
Oct. II. Harper & Brothers, books for indigent children, 2 49
A. R. Chace, repairs school furniture North High School, 3 00
N. E. School Furnishing Co., pointers for North High School, 2 00
Oct. II. School Dist. No. 4, wood prepared for North High School, 3 00
Oct. 18. C. McBynes, cleaning North High school room, 8 00
3I
ANNUAL REPORT.
Nov. 22. J. O. Tiffany, supplies, East High, . $II 78
W. M. Hall, repairing stoves, N. High, 5 65
Byron Blackinton, janitor North High school, 24 00
Dec.
20. B. A. Razee, supplies N. H. School, 2 90
books for desks, 2 81
" for poor scholars, I 34
Byron Blackinton, janitor North High School, 7 00
Dec. 1880.
27. M. W. Phelps, books, poor children, I IO
Jan'y
3. Carpenter & Capron, books for teach- ers' desks, I 64
Carpenter & Capron, books for poor children, 8 48
Jan'y 31. Harper & Brothers, bill for Harpers' geographies, 303 63
H. M. Maxson supplies North High School, 5 86
Feb'y 14. H. J. Whittemore, book for teachers desk, 94
Feb'y 21. Eliot Hunt & Co., advertising school notice, I 50
W. H. Hardin, paper for applicants to High School, 75
W. H. Hardin, books for poor children, 3 5I
$494 98
32
ANNUAL REPORT.
GENERAL HIGHWAY ACCOUNT.
Appropriation, $8,000 00
Amount assigned to Districts,
$7,550 00
April 12. T. A. Barden, removing trees, 30 00
H. Richardson, bill, Mar. I to Apr. 7, 73 44
S. Manchester, " 69 84
Louis L. Read, " 79 47
April 19. C. E. Carpenter, snow bill, 2 70
Carpenter & Capron, powder, &c., S. Manchester, 9 63
" Arthur B. Torrey, snow bill, 10 87
Att. Machine Co., laying pipes Peck st. 100 62
J. R. Bronson, rent of house Peck st., IO 50 resetting fence Peck st., 3 60
May 3. Pierce & Carpenter, lumber, &c,, "
13 II
G. N. Crandall, books, road surveyors,
I OO
May 17. H. Richardson, road machine blade and charges, 7 05
May 19. Tisdale E. Fisher, snow bill,
I 50
May 31. C. S. Cummings, 8 65
June 21. L. Morse, rakes for use on roads,
I 8C
June 28. W. F. Shattuck, labor and material on Mechanics bridge, 3 50
J. L. Carpenter, paving gutters, North Main street, 17 00
Balance to credit, 5 72
$8,000 QQ
33
ANNUAL REPORT.
STANDING OF HIGHWAY DISTRICTS.
Districts.
SURVEYORS.
Appropriation.
Expended.
Balance Due.
I
H. Richardson
$500 00
$467 46
$32 54
2
C. E. Jordan
475 00
473 21
I 79
3
H. Richardson
200 00
180 36
19 64
4
H. Richardson
600 00
564 52
35 48
5
H. Richardson
400 00
400 22
22
6
G. B. Draper
350 00
349 76
*24
7
W. H. Carpenter
275 00
274 15
85
8
L. L. Read
225 00
225 00
9
G. A. Whipple
650 00
650 00
IO
L. L. Read
200 00
152 17
47 83
II
L. L. Read
350 00
346 74
3 26
12
C. C. Monroe
400 00
389 57
IO 43
I3
Ezra Perry
300 00
296 84
3 16
I4
C. S. Cummings
350 00
349 98
02
I5
A. S. Barney
375 00
373 42
I 58
I6
Alfred Briggs
350 00
350 00
I7
T. E. Fisher
100 00
100 00
18
J. L. Carpenter
950 00
949 80
20
19
L. Morse
300 00
245 44
54 56
20
L. L. Read
200 00
195 35
4 65
$7,550 00 $7,333 99
*Overdrawn.
HIGHWAY EXPENDITURES.
General Highway Account,
$444 28
District Account,
7,333 99
Total,
$7,778 27
34
ANNUAL REPORT.
EXPENDITURES UNDER SPECIAL APPROPRIATIONS.
Drinking Fountain,
$156 31
East Attleboro Sewer,
171 75
Powder House,
52 04
Lanesville Road,
234.00
$614 10
"ADDITIONAL PAY."
Paid amount of orders in favor of George H. Hatten,
$18 00
MILITARY AID.
Amount paid under law of 1879, $203 58
RECAPITULATION.
Pauper expenses,
$4,762 30
Current expenses,
4,722 48
Incidental expenses,
600 13
District School expenses,
14,978 41
High School expenses,
3,665 00
Incidental Educational expenses,
494 98
Highway District expenses,
7,333 99
General Highway expenses,
444 28
Lanesville Road expenses,
234 00
Drinking Fountain,
156 3I
Attleboro Sewer,
171 75
Powder House,
52 04
Military Aid,
203 58
"Additional Pay,"
18 00
35
ANNUAL REPORT.
Money Borrowed,
$ 10,000 00
Interest on same, "
III 04
" Bonds,
950 00
County Tax,
4,559 45
State
1,295 00
Bank
210 25
State Aid,
729 00
Interest on Starkey Fund,
36 00
Tax refunded per order,
2 50
Cash in Treasury March 1, 1880,
14,144 78
$69,875 27
36
ANNUAL REPORT.
STANDING OF TOWN MARCH 1, 1880.
ASSETS.
Cash in Treasury,
$14,144 78
Uncollected Taxes and Cash in hands of Collectors,
7,773 86
Claim for State Aid,
729 00
on Towns for Support of Paupers,
250 00
State
445 00
66 66 for Military Aid,
IOI 79
" "Additional Pay," 18 00
Personal Property at Almshouse,
1,358 37
Real (Poor Farm),
2,800 00
$27,620 80
LIABILITIES.
Bonds of 1878 (5 per cent.),
$16,600 00
Interest on same to March 1, 1880,
52 50
Due for teaching in High Schools, District Schools,
350 00
300 00
Rent of East High School room,
141 66
Support of Paupers in other Towns,
65 00
Due George N. Crandall as Town Officer, 300 00
Balance,
9,81I 64
Estimated amount of uncollected Taxes,
$700 00
S. P. LATHROP,
B. PORTER, JR.
$27,620 80
Selectmen of Attleboro
37
ANNUAL REPORT.
TREASURER'S REPORT.
RECEIPTS.
Cash in Treasury, March 1, 1879,
$6,356 47
Rec'd of B. Porter, Jr., Collector of Taxes,
17,291 47
John Thacher,
18,969 63
Elisha G. May,
8,500 00
Thomas A. Barden,
2,820 69
State Treasurer, Corporation Tax,
1,80I 23
National Bank Tax,
228 93
State Aid,
1,037 00
State School Fund,
254 II
State Pauper Acct.,
353 89
County Treasurer from Dog Fund,
770 04
Money Borrowed,
10,000 00
City of Taunton,
aid to Paupers, 16 50
" Springfield,
23 00
" Fall River,
12 65
Town of Blackstone,
71 50
Templeton,
36 00
Mansfield,
54 00
66
Canton,
39 25
Raynham,
209 50
Norton,
47 14
Freetown,
78 42
For Auctioneers' License,
14 00
Pedler's
24 00
Billiard Tables, "
108 00
Bowling Alley, "
10 00
Hall Exhibition, “
145 00
Thomas G. Sandland,
132 66
38
ANNUAL REPORT.
Tuition of Non-resident Scholars in North High School, $116 00 Stove sold from N. High School, 10 00
Bricks sold from East lock-up, I 00
Books sold by Town School Com. 65 57 E. R. Read, care of prisoners E. lock-up, 6 00
Support of Mrs. Sadler at Hos- pital, 166 30
Support of Ruth C. Monroe at Hospital, 105 32
$69,875 27
EXPENDITURES.
Paid Bills approved by Selectmen,
$37,837 25
Money Borrowed, 10,000 00
Interest on Money Borrowed,
III 04
Interest on Bonds, 950 00
State Aid to Soldiers and their families,
729 00
State Tax,
1,295 00
Bank Tax,
210 25
County Tax,
4,559 45
Selectmen, Interest on Starkey Fund,
36 00
Horace Tifft, abatement of tax,
2 50
Cash in Treasury March 1, 1880,
14,144 78
$69,875 27
LIABILITIES.
The funded indebtedness of the Town is Sixteen Thou- sand Six Hundred Dollars ($16,600), 5 per cent. Bonds, payable June Ist, 1881. Interest paid to December Ist, 1879, except Fifty-two, 50-100 Dollars that has not been called for.
39
ANNUAL REPORT.
SCHOOL DISTRICTS.
Rec'd of B. Porter, Jr., Collector Dist. No. 1, $2,200 00
T. A. Barden,
No. 4, 52 57
No. 5, IOI 67
John Thacher,
" No. 18,
4,765 19
No. II,
774 09
Elisha G. May,
" No. 9,
20 00
" No. 2, 55 00
No. 20,
90 00
$10,858 52
Paid T. A. Barden, Treasurer Dist. No. I, $2,200 00
T. R. Jones,
" No. 4,
2,852 57
John F. Mackinson,
" No. 5,
IOI 67
J. W. Capron,
" No. 18,
4,367 37
S. W. Carpenter,
No. 18,
397 82
O. A. Read,
No. II,
774 09
E. D. Horton,
No. 9,
20 00
W. H. Dana,
"
No. 2,
55 00
Joel Burdick,
" No. 20,
90 00
No. 4,
2,800 00
$10,858 52
FIRE DISTRICTS.
Rec'd of T. A. Barden, Collector District No. I, North Attleboro, $132 34 B. Porter, Jr., Collector District No. I, North Attleboro, 4,700 00
40
ANNUAL REPORT.
John Thacher, Collector District No. I, Attleboro, $2,927 87
$7,760 21
Paid S. S. Ginnodo, Treasurer District No. I, North Attleboro, 132 34 E. R. Price, Treasurer District No. 1, North Attleboro, 4,700 00
E. S. Capron, Treasurer District No. I, Attleboro, 2,927 87
$7,760 21
IMPROVEMENT DISTRICTS.
Rec'd of T. A. Barden, Collector Union Improve- ment District, $604 38 B. Porter, Jr., Collector Union Improve- ment District, 2,000 00 John Thacher, Collector Improvement District, 2,554 82
$5,159 20
Paid F. S. Draper, Treasurer Union Improve- ment District, $2,604 38 S. W. Carpenter, Treasurer Improvement District, 2,554 82
$5,159 20
.
41
ANNUAL REPORT.
WATER SUPPLY DISTRICT.
Rec'd of John Thacher, Collector Water Supply District, $5,188 61
Paid George A. Dean, Treasurer Water Supply District, 5,188 61
GEORGE PRICE, Treasurer.
Attleborough, March 1, 1880.
42
ANNUAL REPORT.
COLLECTORS' REPORTS.
REPORT OF E. G. MAY, COLLECTOR OF TAXES, SOUTH DISTRICT, 1879.
DR.
To uncollected taxes in my hands March I, '79, $1,364 71 Sept. 1, 1879, taxes committed, 9,046 91
Added,
II 50
" Interest,
120
36
$10,543 48
CR.
By cash paid Town Treasurer,
$8,500 00
Taxes abated, 1877,
53 40
1878,
148 22
1879,
42 55
Uncollected taxes,
1,799 31
$10,543 48
E. G. MAY, Collector,
Attleborough, March 1, 1880.
43
ANNUAL REPORT.
REPORT OF JOHN THACHER COLLECTOR FOR THE EAST DISTRICT.
DR.
To uncollected taxes and cash in my hands as per last report,
$3,732 37
Taxes committed for the year 1879,
18,806 98
Interest received, 203 50
Taxes added,
23 75
$22,766 60
CR.
By cash paid Treasurer,
$18,969 63
Taxes abated, 574 87
Uncollected taxes and cash in my hands, 3,222 10
$22,766 60
JOHN THACHER, Collect or.
Attleborough, March 1, 1880.
REPORT OF JOHN T. BATES, COLLECTOR 1872.
By Cash on hand,
$18 00
Uncollected, Jesse F. Richards' tax, 65 28
$83 28
JOHN T. BATES, Collector.
Attleborough, March, 1, 1880.
44
ANNUAL REPORT.
REPORT OF B. PORTER, JR., COLLECTOR NORTH DISTRICT, 1879.
DR.
To amount of tax bill for 1879, Additional Taxes, Interest collected,
$ 19,406 40 107 00
91 50
$19,604 90
CR.
By cash paid George Price, Treasurer
$17,291 47
Taxes abated, Uncollected taxes,
1,582 30
Cash in my hands,
562 63
$19,604 90 B. PORTER, JR., Collector.
Attleborough, Mass., March 3, 1880.
REPORT OF THOMAS A. BARDEN, COLLECTOR OF TAXES FOR THE NORTH DISTRICT.
DR.
To uncollected taxes, assessed 1876, $38 05.
66 ..
1877, 443 34
"
1878,
3,129 42
Cash on hand March 1, 1879, III 81
Interest received, 227 55
$3,950 17
CR.
By cash paid Town Treasurer,
$2,829 69
Abatements,
595 24
Uncollected taxes,
372 18
Cash in my hands,
152 06
$3,950 17 THOMAS A. BARDEN, Collector. Attleborough, Feb. 28, 1880.
168 50
45
ANNUAL REPORT.
REPORT OF THOMAS G. SANDLAND, COLLECTOR OF TAXES NORTH DISTRICT FOR 1874 AND 1875.
DR.
To uncollected taxes and cash in my hands,
per report dated Feb. 28, 1879, $1,093 57
Interest received to date, 30 69
$1,124 26
CR.
By abatements,
$991 60
Cash paid George Price Treasurer in full, 132 66
$1,124 26
Respectfully submitted,
THOS. G. SANDLAND, Collector.
Attleborough, March 2, 1880.
The undersigned Auditors of the Town of Attleborough, respectfully report that they have examined the accounts of the Selectmen, Treasurer, Collectors, Town Clerk and Road Surveyors, for the year One Thousand Eight Hun- dred and Seventy-nine; and find them correctly entered and properly vouched.
HENRY K. W. ALLEN, ¿ Auditors. EDWIN J. HORTON,
46
ANNUAL REPORT.
ASSESSORS' REPORT.
Valuation of Real Estate, North District, $ 1,260,540 00
East 1,179,130 00
66 South 627,970 00
Total,
$3,067,640 00
Valuation of Personal Estate, North Dist.,
$519,121 40
East 518,318 00
South 206,671 00
Total,
$1,244, I IO 40 2,635
Total number of Polls,
Number acres of land,
25,975
dwelling-houses,
1,628
horses,
892
66 sheep, 15
Rate of taxation, One per cent.
Total amount of taxes assessed, $47,260 39
S. P. LATHROP, Assessors of
B. PORTER, JR. ) Attleboro.
66
cows,
1,039
REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
OF THE
TOWN OF ATTLEBOROUGH,
For the Year Ending Feb. 28. 1880.
SCHOOL REPORT,
The system most desirable for the education of our youth, has, for the past few years, been a subject of much discussion. Education, has, by no means, escaped the attention of the uneasy spirit of alleged reform in its course. At such times, in this, as in all other matters, to many critics a change necessarily implies a reform. As a natural consequence, the then existing system, is often undeservedly attacked, and made the parent of all kinds of sin, of omission and commission. A sweeping change is then demanded as the proper remedy to be applied. Even the time honored public school system of education, dear to every New Englander has been severely criticised, abroad and at home, and crime in its different phases declared to be the legitimate fruit of this system. The moral status of Virginia with her system of parental education is compared with that of Massachusetts, and from the fact that the number of prison convicts is greater in the latter state, the conclusion is at once reached by these critics, that our public school system is all wrong, and is the main cause of crime and immorality in our community.
Thanks to Hon. Carroll D. Wright (chief of Massachu- setts Bureau of Statistics of Labor), the slander has been ably and fully answered. We allude to these facts, to simply show, that it does not necessarily follow, that the
52
ANNUAL REPORT.
conclusion arrived at by even able critics, are always cor- rect. For the past two or three years a determined effort has been made by a few citizens to create a feeling of distrust in reference to the condition of our schools in Attleboro. To accomplish this the public press has been sought and freely used. Bold assertions have been made, the principal merit of which, is, that they are assertions. It is certainly an easy matter to criticise, but often diffi- cult to substantiate criticism by actual proof. Though statements derogatory to our schools have frequently ap- peared in the local press, and perhaps have been received by some as actual facts, yet your committee have not felt it their duty to answer them or attempt to prove a negative, especially since no evidence of their truthfulness was offered and even the source of criticism concealed. The assertion made at our last March Town Meeting, that the standard of our public schools in Attleboro, is below the average standard of public schools in the state, we deny, and await the proof of the allegation. We do not believe that better primary, intermediate, grammar or mixed schools, can be shown, outside of this town and under the same system. We feel forced to notice these criticisms, not because of the reflection on the School Committee, but for the sake of truth, justice and equity.
It must be remembered that the School Committee are laboring under the many obstacles of the district system, the abolition of which, would, without doubt, greatly in- crease the efficiency of our schools. The question of the adoption of a system best calculated to educate and unfold the abilities of our youth is indeed a serious one, and demands commensurate study and consideration. Yet however nicely we may theorize upon this question, it is certainly patent, that a system based upon the best of principles and theories will not in itself assure an educa- tion.
.
53
ANNUAL REPORT.
From the history of the lives of our ablest men of. the past, is seen the fact, that the best facilities are not neces- sarily requisite to the acquisition of an education. In many instances the very absence of these facilities, has been the means of producing some of our greatest and best educated men.
Three essential points must be observed in the conduct of a school under any system in order that it may enjoy continued prosperity.
FIRST. The employment of efficient teachers and their tenure of office.
SECOND. The attendance and zeal of the scholar.
THIRD. The interest and influence of the parents.
First. The employment of efficient teachers and their tenure of office.
Under the district system, as is well known, the teacher is employed by the Prudential Committee and examined by the Town Committee. We have full authority to dismiss a teacher for inefficiency, or disqualification, but however well adapted or competent that teacher may be, or with whatever success his or her efforts may be attended, we have no voice in the question of the retention of the teacher. In this one thing exists one of the greatest if not the greatest of evils in the district system. In the best of regulated schools, personal jealousies and unavcid- able circumstances will arise and when the child of the influential citizen is concerned, the result is often injurious to the whole school. Thus oftentimes are the interests of the scholars in general jeopardized by circumstances affecting only individual cases. This is all wrong and should be avoided.
It is the duty and pleasure of the School Committee in such cases, to see that justice is done to all parties con- cerned. We appeal to the Prudential Committees of our several districts, and the resident citizens, to earnestly
54
ANNUAL REPORT.
endeavor to avoid this evil wherever it may exist. For the past year special attention has been given to the quali- fications of our teachers, and when we consider the exist- ing system, we feel that the town is indeed fortunate to secure the services of so many able and competent teach- ers, many of whom we believe to be above, and not a few superior to the average standard of teachers in the state.
Second. The attendance and zeal of the scholar and Third. The interest and influence of the parent.
We shall speak of the second and third points con- jointly, as they are closely allied. The result of instruc- tion depends largely upon the application and zeal of the student and whatever tends to increase his interest in his work, is indeed an essential subject of consideration. The aim, and as we believe, the tendency of the public school system, is to create men and women independent in thought and action ; a people of a character requisite for the maintenance of free government and Republican institutions. The strong argument in favor of this system, is that while the scholar is receiving the advantages of a good school, he is at the same time surrounded by the influence of home, and the parent and teacher can jointly labor for his education. The parents' influence must exist or evil results may follow. How often is the teacher, surrounded by the perplexities of the school-room, sub- jected to the displeasure of some parent whose influence has been solicited. The parent who takes no active inter- est in the education his child is receiving at the public school, seriously imperils that child's future life. Let us see what the record of some of our largest schools, for the past winter term, discloses in reference to this point.
East High School, No. of Male Parent Visitors, O
North High School,
66
3
Dist. No. 1, Intermediate, 66 66 I 66 High Primary, " 66 O
55
ANNUAL REPORT.
Dist. No. 1, Low Primary, No. of Male Parent Visitors, 0
" No. 4, Intermediate, O
No. 18, Low Intermediate,
3
High Intermediate, 6
I
High Primary,
I
Grammar,
2
The above tabulation is sufficient to show a lack of in- terest, which certainly ought not to exist. In justice to the mothers of our community, it may be said that their record of visitation is much better and we trust it will still improve. In the smaller district schools the presence of home influence is more evident, and the result has been very beneficial. For the past year we have been pleased to observe a marked improvement in many of our schools. The result of personal examination has been such as to convince us that hard efficient work has been accomplished by both teachers and scholars. A higher degree of effici- ency is seen in the scholar of to-day, at the age of thirteen years, than was formerly attained by the scholar of fifteen years. From this fact, although the requirements for admission to our High Schools, have been steadily in- creased, we find that scholars are successfully passing the examinations, at too young an age. To meet this diffi- culty, we have seriously discussed the feasibility of requir- ing the completion of the studies of Arithmetic, Grammar, History and Physiology in the Grammar Schools. By so doing the High Schools would be relieved of those branches of study, and the course of the Grammar Schools would be lengthened one year. It will require an increase of appropriation for our schools, to accomplish this, for in that event, assistant teachers must be employed, or sub- grammar schools established. We trust that the school appropriation for the coming year, will be sufficient to admit of this change.
56
ANNUAL REPORT.
The criticism' has often been made in reference to our High Schools, that the grade is too low and that a benefit commensurate with the amount of money expended is not received. In answer to this criticism, we feel justified in saying that the grade of our High Schools, will undoubt- edly compare favorably with the grade of High Schools in a majority of the towns in the state. In the arrange- ment of the course, the requirements of the statutes have been fully met, and the course of study in a large number of similar educational institutions carefully considered. It is indeed a lamentable fact, that the number of gradu- ates is by far too small. What is the cause? Is it because the grade of the school is too low ? Certainly not. Large classes have frequently entered our High Schools, but when the real hard work of the course is reached, then the perseverance of the scholar is fully tested. It is at this critical point, when the scholar, failing to receive the encouragement of home influence, succumbs to the very first obstacles of early life, and leaves the school to meet the more trying experiences of the future. In this one thing lies the secret of so many scholars leaving our High Schools.
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