USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Attleboro > Reports of town officers of the town of Attleborough 1894 > Part 8
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Cash, David A. 66
Chapman, Martin C. 66
Chase, Edwin E.,
Cobb, Edwin E.
Cummings, Edgar A. "
Cooper, Alvin N. Farmer.
Crocker, Charles B.
Cooper, Louis H., Newsdealer.
Cook, Wm. A., Salesman.
Chatterton, Alfred H. Teamster.
Draper, Charles T., Jeweler.
Dix, Walter C., Clerk. Dexter, Everett O., Mason.
Enbom, Julius R., Bicycle Dealer. Foster, Wm. E., Contractor. Forsyth, Charles E., Farmer. Fittz, Henry H., Jeweler. Gay, Thomas K. Gay, Frank E., Farmer. Gardner Richard F., Reporter.
Gustin, Charles M., Gentleman. Haslam, Adam, Carpenter. Hopwood, James T., Jeweler. Hill, Byron R., Clerk. Hall, Frank D., Jeweler. Hammond, Edward A., Jeweler. Heywood, Joseph Hodges, Wm. M
166
ANNUAL REPORT.
Huse, Fred A. 16
King, Walter L.
Knight, Abner M.
Luther, Herbert E.
Mowry, Mortimer H., Mason.
Macomber, Albert R., Electrician.
Marble, Robert P., Salesman.
Mason, George A., Livery.
Mathewson, Charles W., Jeweler.
Matthewson, Frank W., 66
Mott, Edgar E.
Nevins, David D.
Nye, Fred C.
Matteson, Charles A., Civil Engineer.
Parker, Warren, Janitor.
Robbins. Freeman, Jeweler.
Ryder, Josiah F.
Robbins, Fred N.
Randall, George, Reporter.
Aaron Shaw, Jeweler.
Skinner, Eugene M., Jewelers.
Smith, Alfred E.
Smith, Frank E. 66
Smith, Adelbert, Painter.
Smith, Laban P. Farmer.
Smith, Wm. H. Dodgeville, Farmer.
Smith, Wm. W., Stone cutter.
Stone, Wm. J., Jeweler. Sturdy, Albert W., Gentleman.
Sweet, Frank A., Civil Engineer.
Smith, Samuel W , Jeweler.
Thayer, Oscar S., Farmer. Torrey, Fred L., Jeweler.
Tucker, Almon H, Mason.
Thurber, Louis H., Jeweler Thornton, Abel C., Farmer.
167
ANNUAL REPORT.
Walden, Stanley B., Farmer. Watkins, Albion H., Salesman. Wetherell, Arthur H., Engraver.
Wheelock, Henry H., Jeweler. Woodward, Arthur S.
Wilmarth, Fred B. Winsor, Albert W., Salesman.
E. S. HORTON, CHAS. PHILLIPS, A. T. WALES, Selectmen of Attleborough.
SCHOOL COMMITTEE TOWN OF ATTLEBOROUGH.
1 894.
C. H. WHEELER, CHAIRMAN. J. O. TIFFANY, SEC . WALTER E. HAYWARD.
MRS. DR. L. V. G. MACKIE-
MISS LIDORA E. BRIGGS, DR. W. L. ELLIOT. S. M. HOLMAN. WILLIS H. STREETER. EVERETT S. CAPRON.
Regular Meeting, First Monday of each month, 7.30 P. M.
SUB-COMMITTEES.
COMMITTEE ON INCIDENTALS AND REPAIRS.
E. S. CAPRON, C. H. WHEELER, W. L. FLLIOT, W. E. HAYWARD, W. H. STREETER. COMMITTEE ON TEXT BOOKS AND SUPPLIES.
J. O. TIFFANY. MRS. DR. L. V. G. MACKIE. C. H. WHEELER. S. M. HOLMAN. COMMITTEE ON QUALIFICATIONS OF TEACHERS. WALTER E. HAYWARD, J. O. TIFFANY, MISS LIDORA E. BRIGGS, MRS. DR. L. V. G. MACKIE, and W. L. ELLIOT.
169
ANNUAL REPORT.
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS.
J. O. TIFFANY.
Office hours on Thursdays at High School from 3.15 to 4.45 p. m. The first two weeks of each term, office hours will be observed on Monday also.
TRUANT OFFICERS.
SETH R. BRIGGS, JOS. V. CURRAN, LEON STANTON, ALLEN L. BARDEN.
Report of School Committee
For Year Ending December 31, 1894.
To the Citizens of Attleborough :
In accordance with a custom sanctioned by long usage your Committee in charge of your Public Schools have the honor to submit herewith, for your consideration, its an- nual report, with reference to such matters pertaining to the discharge of its duties, and with such suggestions as are deemed to be of public interest.
ORGANIZATION OF THE COMMITTEE.
At a meeting called for that purpose the Committee or- ganized for its work as shown on preceding page. FINANCIAL EXHIBIT.
Following is a statement of appropriations and expendi- tures for the year ending Dec. 31, 1894.
EDUCATIONAL DEPARTMENT.
RECEIPTS.
Appropriation Dog Fund Tuition of non-resident pupils
$ 19,000.00
884.75
194.00
$20078.75
EXPENDITURES.
Teachers' Bills
$16,134.50
Janitor's bills Fuel
·1,720.72 1,362.60
Truant school
51 71
Unexpended balance
$ 19,269.53 $809.22
171
ANNUAL REPORT.
INCIDENTAL AND REPAIR.
Appropriation
$1700.00
EXPENDITURES.
Jas. W. Gifford Co.
Repairs at Sanford street
213 79
High school 37.99
City
2.35
Incidentals
50.28
$304.41
Jerome Patterson
Shingling So. Main street house
122.37
Work at High school
38.28
Pleasant street school
26.70
City school
25 40
Sanford street school
10 38
Dodgeville school 1.50
Black-boards for Perry school
17.50
$242.13
Daniel E. Adams
Painting High School House 193.00
South Main St. House 61.50
$254 50
E. R. Read Premium on insurance
331.75
N. Perry & Co.
Work at High school
$69.01
Briggs Corner school 41.98
Pine St. school 21.43
Sanford St. school
17.26
South Main St. school
1.20
George S. Perry & Co.
$150.88
172
ANNUAL REPORT.
School Furniture
Incidentals
$112.00 31.37
$143.37
Town of Attleborough Water Rates
143.00
Jobn Eden, work at High school
115.53
J. O. Tiffany
Pay as secretary of committee 25.00
Freight and expressage 24.69
Travelling expenses
19 45
Supplies
17.59
Postage
8.14
$94.87
Adams & Richardson
Kalsomining at So. Main St. 43.02
High school 20.50
Work on black-boards 2.36
$65.88
O. P. Richardson, premium on insurance 68.25
Wm. H. Goff, work at Sanford St. school 61.46
E. B. Andrews, oration at High School graduation Pike & Shaw, teams for drawing teacher 40.50 Bates Opera House, Use of House for graduation 37.50
50.00
George W. Horton, work at High school 30.20
E. E. Rhodes, taking census of school children 30.00
Attleborough Press, printing 38.75
L. P. Metcalf, lettering diplomas 14.10
Wm. H. Angell, plans for High school extension
E. A. Fuller, curtains and repairs 20.00
15.49
Attleborough Gaslight Co., gas at High school
30.86
Nelson Platt, repairs on High school furnace 16.68
T. E. Perrin & Son, cartage and freight 16.10
J. A. Thayer & Co., moving and repairing pianos 7.00
Baker, Chadsey & Co., lawn mower 4.75
173
ANNUAL REPORT.
A. H. Tucker
Work at Academy 5.45
Perry school 2.00
7.45
Geo. H. Snell, tools for steam boiler
2.05
Geo. M. Rex, Printing
1.50
Henry Maher, cleaning vault at Perry school
1.00
Cyrus King, work on So. Main street school
4.50
F. P. Cooper, work at Pleasant street school 1.86
Win. Webster, cleaning vaults 4.00
S. R. Briggs, services as truant officer 8.75
Chas. B. Jenks, ribbon for · diplomas
3.47
Jos. V. Curran, services as truant officer
6.00
H. E. Walker, programmes for graduation 3.50
Grant Brothers, repairs
1.30
Lysander Taylor, cartage
9.75
L. V. Stearns, work on blackboards
2.48
Wm. H. Smith, work at Dodgeville school
3.50
A. G. Slocum, repairing and cleaning clocks .87
Warren Parker, incidentals for Sanford street
2.55
Darius Briggs, work at Briggs Corner school 1.75
Wm. Barley, work at Turnpike school 4.95 Morse Wightman, work at City school 2.00
A I. Atwell, repairing City school organ 3.00
E. A. Wales, work on electric bells
2.75
Amos E Walton, cleaning clocks
3.00
Wm. M. Hall, piping closets at High school
25.24
Amount overdrawn
TEXT BOOKS AND SUPPLIES.
RECEIPTS.
Appropriations Cash for books sold
$ 1300.00 7.28
$2435.18
$735.18
$1,307.28
174
ANNUAL REPORT.
EXPENDITURES.
George S. Perry & Co .. General Supplies 278.99
Ginn & Co., Text and Writing Books 260.37
American Book Co., Text Books and Drawing Supplies 249.58
Leach, Shewell & Sanborn, books 82.59
D. C. Heath & Co., books 62 02
G. F. King & Merrill, paper, pencils, sponges, etc. 52.90
Edw E. Babb & Co , paper and supplies 52 75
Thompson, Br wn & Co., books and bookkeeping supplies 41.33
Boston School Supply Co., text books and supplies 36.95
Houghton, Miffiin & Co., books
Henry Hot & Co, books 29.84
22.34
D. Lothrop Co., books
21.34
University Publishing Co., books
21.04
Maynard, Merrill & Co .. books
21.20
J. L. Hammett, books and supplies
16.83
A. H. Babcock, boxes and paper
14 45
H. J. Whittemore, sheet music
13 95
Eagle Pencil Co., pen holders, pens and pencils
11.00
Wadsworth & Howland, drawing supplies
IO 14
Wm. Ware & Co., books 7.50
Silver, Burdett & Co., singing books and readers
33.17
H. P. Childs, supplies for laboratory 6.10
W llard Small, books 4.95
4.50
Louise M. Goodrich, supplies for drawing
3.85
Lee & Shepard, books
3 67
Beale Publishing Co., supplies for cyclostyle
2.75
Hayward & Sweet, card board
3 86
M. S. Mead, supplies for laboratory
95
S. P. Clark, supplies for laboratory
1.73
L. Z. Carpenter, supplies for laboratory
.53
Amount overdrawn
$1,373.17 65.89
Allyn & Bacon, books
175
ANNUAL REPORT.
SUPERINTENDENCE OF SCHOOLS.
Appropriation
$ 1,200.00
Paid superintendent of schools
1,200.00
TRANSPORTATION OF PUPILS.
Appropriation 640.00
Paid T. E. Perrin & Son
360.00
" Senec : Cole 280.00
$640.00
RECAPITULATION.
RECEIPTS.
Educational Department $20,078.75
Incidental and repair 1,700.00
Text book and supply
1,307.28
School superintendence
1,200.00
Transportation of pupils
640.00
$ 24 926.03
EXPENDITURES.
Educational department $19,269.53
Incidental and repair 2,435.18
Text book and supply
1,373.17
School superintender ce 1,200.00
Transportation of pupils 640.00
Unexpended balance
$24,917.88 $8.15
NEW PRIMARY HOUSE AND HIGH SCHOOL EXTENSION.
The building of the new Primary house and the High school extension having been given by the town into the charge of the School Committee to carry forward the work to completion, the full School Board organized as a Build- ing Committee by the choice of Everett S. Capron, chair. man, Dr. W. L. Elliot secretary.
*76
ANNUAL REPORT.
The committee are fully convinced that no mistake has been made in the location of the Carpenter street house. One large school has already gathered there, composed of scholars, for the most part, living in nearness to the house and, without doubt, it will be necessary to open the second school there in the spring.
The contractors work has been well done and all ma- terial used fully equal to the requirements of the specifi- cations. The system of heating and ventilating, so im- portant a feature in school house construction, works ad_ mirably.
Altogether we claim it to be a substantially built house, especially well adapted for the grades for which it was in- tended and in the very location to accommodate the great- est number of lower primary grade scholars.
The extension to the High school house has provided for that building two very pleasant and commodious recita- tion rooms, having large windows on three sides. It has also extended the room in the basement, used for a chem- ical laboratory, to the size of the recitation rooms above, thereby supplying a long felt need. Both teachers and scholars are highly pleased with the increased facilities and the Committee believe that the carrying out of the Exten- sion plan has been a wise expenditure of money.
Following is a statement of appropriations and expendi- tures of the Building Committee.
Appropriation of High school extension
$ 2000.00
The following bills have been approved and the work completed.
W. H. Goff, per contract $1,162.00
N, Perry & Co.
10.74
J. W. Gifford Co.
139.33
N. Perry & Co.
9.76
O. D. Case & Co.
31.17
W. L. Elliott 3.10
177
ANNUAL REPORT.
John Eden
46.05
N. Perry & Co.
49.92
W. H. Goff, work not in contract
257.27
The Herenden Mfg. Co.
296.76
$2,000.00
Appropriation for new house and lot
$6250.00
Bills approved.
E. S. Horton
$ 1 200.00
H. E. Carpenter
5.00
F. J. Sawtelle
111.00
Karl H. Hyde
6.50
J. E. Wilbur
.52
W. H. Goff
500.00
Barstow Stove Co.
15.00
W. H. Goff
1000.00
O. D. Case & Co.
34.41
W. H. Goff
I 500.00
W. L. Elliot
3.55
E. O. Dexter
110.18
Geo. S. Perry & Co.
120.90
A. G. Slocum
4.50
Barstow Stove Co.
162.81
Jerome Patterson
18.98
J. W. Gifford Co.
6.60
T. E. Perrin & Son
4.59
E. A. Fuller
.40
E. A. Fuller
7.50
W. H. Goff, bal. of contract
1240.00
W. H. Goff, work not in contract
140.10
$6,192.54
Balance
57.46
--
$6,250.00
178
ANNUAL REPORT.
INCIDENTAL AND NECESSARY REPAIRS OF SCHOOL
BUILDINGS.
Our school property has grown to that extent which renders imperative an annual expenditure of no inconsid. erable amount to keep the property in proper condition.
During the year the High school building and the South Main street house have been painted two coats on the exterior and the interior walls and ceiling of the latter kalsomined.
Numerous minor repairs have been made on other buildings amounting'in the aggregate to no small sum.
In this department of its work the committee have been embarassed by the meagerness of the appropriation and have been compelled to exceed the amount set apart for that use, but which has been made good by the unused balance of the Educational department. Your committee have pleasure to report the good condition of the school buildings of the town with the exception of a few houses lying remote from the main village.
That the teacher may accomplish the best work it is ne- cessary that the school room should be made comfortable and cheerful as may be. No doubt great influence is ex- erted on the pupils by¿their surroundings.
The importance of proper ventilation and warming of the school room is not likely to be overestimated. In order for the school committee to provide those benefits to pupils which shall keep this town abreast of, and in rank of other towns of the state of equal wealth and intelligence, it is hoped that you will respond liberally in the future, as you . have in the past, and insist upon the maintenance of a high standard of our public schools.
What more inspiring sight than that on the morning of the first day of our recent bi-centennial celebration. Thir- teen hundred scholars in line each bearing the national emblem ; bright, happy and intelligent faces coming, for
179
ANNUAL REPORT.
the most part, from thrifty and Christian homes, where les- sons of truth, honor and patriotism are taught. Does it not only become our duty as citizens, but also repay us well to see to it that the needs of our youth are wisely and carefully provided for ? Surely, the future safety of the state and nation depends upon the character of the ris- ing generations.
The school committee feel highly appreciative of the efforts of those of the bi-centennial committee having in charge the school children's parade, for furnishing to the taxpayers of the town with so forceful and pleasing an ob- ject lesson of the purpose for which their generous con- tributions for school uses are employed.
The school property now carries an insurance of $67,- 200. This requires an annual average expenditure of $ 300. According to a plan in use when the water works were operated by the Fire District, that department since com- ing under the direction of the town has been paid from the school appropriation for water furnished to the school houses. It is now recommended by the water commis- sioners that in the future the whole amount received by the water department come in the form of the annual ap- propriation for that department. If this plan is carried into effect the school department will be relieved to the amount of about $200.
NEEDS OF THE SOUTH WEST SECTION OF THE TOWN.
The same condition of affairs exists in the South-west section of the town as formerly, the needs of that locality are constantly becoming more and more grave.
The house now doing service there for a large district is in wretched condition, insufficient in size and a dis- credit to the town, its unfitness bei' g made more appar- ent by its nearness to those communities just across the state line where modern, commodious and healthful s. hool houses are provided.
186
ANNUAL REPORT.
The building of the works of the Howard-Bullough Manufacturing Company in that locality we cannot but think will lead to an early increase of families and school population there, in which case it will be utterly im - possible to provide for them with our present schoolhouse capacity, to say nothing of its unfitness for school occu- pancy. The school committee would not consider itself faithful to its duties without earnestly urging the impor- tance of at once proceeding to erect a two room house there, on a site to be selected as most desirable, the cost of house and lot not to exceed $5500.00
We therefore urge an appropriation in accordance with the recommendations.
MANUAL TRAINING.
The fact that all municipalities having a population of twenty thousand or over are required by law to maintain instruction in manual training has led other towns of lesser numbers throughout the state to provide such instruction to its pupils, and with gratifying results. It is hoped that this town ere long may adopt some form of manual train. ing, similar to that, perhaps, now in use in the City of Northampton and so highly commended by the State Board of Education.
PHYSICAL CULTURE.
We have constantly accumulating evidence that the subject of physical culture is taking a strong hold on the minds of the leading educators of the country. That it should be considered an important part of every-day school-room work is conceded by progressive thinkers. There has previously been, it is believed, a too wide sep- aration made between the culture of the mind and body. More satisfactory results would be attained, it is thought, if greater attention was given to the training and culture .of the body, and that a strong mind in a strong body should be the ideal sought.
181
ANNUAL REPORT.
The Swedish system of gymnastics seems to be the most generally approved method of imparting physical culture in the public schools of the state, and it is be- lieved that its adoption in our schools would result in great benefit.
Just how to adopt its use without incurring additional expense of employing a teacher for that branch of in- struction alone is yet an unsettled question.
Relative to its benefits we beg to quote from the prin- cipal of an institution where it is now in use. "More than a year's experience with it has fully confirmed our antici- pations of the benefits to be derived from the regular systematic drill in this system. Beside the general physi- cal benefits derived from it, and the habits of attention and prompt obedience cultivated, many stooping shoul ders have become erect and the gait and carriage of the pupils have been improved."
GENERAL CONDITIONS.
Under the untiring efforts of our Superintendent and the faithful performance of duty by our teachers, sub stantial educational progress has been made during the year.
If parents and teachers would keep themselves in closer touch, no doubt, still greater good would be accomplished.
It is believed that our schools compare favorably in scholarship with the schools of other towns of the state of equal rank.
For a more detailed account of the condition of our schools your attention is directed to the report of the Sup- erintendent.
For the purpose of fencing the Carpenter and Pine street lots, building needed walks, adding necessary school furniture, and for other purposes above the usual require ments, an increased appropriation is asked for in the Inci- dental and repair department. Believing that the time
182
ANNUAL REPORT.
has come when this town should pay for the superintend- ency of its schools at the same rate that other towns pay for like service, we ask for the sanction of the town to in- crease the pay of that officer, if necessary.
We again have to acknowledge the generosity of the 'Trustees of the Richardson School Fund whereby we have been able to continue work in the drawing depart- ment which has now become an important feature of our schools.
APPROPRIATIONS RECOMMENDED
The following appropriations are recommended by your Committee for the present fiscal year for the support of the Public School;
Educational Department, $21,000.00
Incidentals and Repairs,
2500.00
Text Books and Supplies,
1400.00
Transportation, 640.00
Superintendent, 1500.00
$27,040.00
CHAS. H. WHEELER,
J. O. TIFFANY, LIDORA E. BRIGGS,
E. S. CAPRON, WILLIS H. STREETER,
W. L. ELLIOT,
WALTER E. HAYWARD,
S. M. HOLMAN, LAURA V. G. MACKIE.
Superintendent's Report.
To the School Committee of Attleboro :
This report, the eighth since the division of the town, is here- with respectfully submitted.
Your attention is called to the following summary of statistics; Population of the town in
1890
7,575
1893
1894
Children between 5 and 15, May 1,
8 and 14, May 1,
770
865
Scholars enrolled on registers,
1,659
1,674
Average membership,
1,204
1,260
attendance,
1,072
1,134
Per cent. of attendance,
89
90
Number of teachers,
37
39
schools,
26
27
.“
school houses
14
11
1,272
1,465
The census list when delivered to me last spring reported the number of children to be 1,285, which is only 13 more than returned in 1893. I had it compared with all the school registers and as a re- sult added 180 names. This represents the number of children be' tween 5 and 15 years of age 193 greater than that of the previous year. The census of 1893 returned 1,272, which was the same as re- ported by the census of 1892. There was manifestly an error in the census of 1893, and the increase of 193 reported last May should be assigned to two years rather than to one. The gain of 96 scholars in each of the last two years is gratifying and gives evidence of a rapid growth of the town, and shows that the School Board has not been too urgent in calling for increased school accommodations.
The gain of 56 in average membership,fand of 21 in average at- tendance, and as a result of this the increase of the per cent. of aver- age attendance from 89 to 90 are also evidences of progress. The average per cent. of attendance in the state as shown by the report of the Secretary of the Board of Education last year was 90. The report just issued gives 91 for the average for the state. Our town
184
ANNUAL REPORT.
certainly ought not to rank below the average in the state, and it ought to show a year hence an average not below 91. I think the School Board can do much towards bringing about this result by a more rigid enforcement of the laws governing school attendance.
TRUANCY.
Of all the evils that beset and hinder the schools from accomplishing what they might and all they ought, truancy is greater than all others combined. The extent and the results of its influences are truly appalling. Ninety per cent. of attendance simply means that 10 of every 100 scholars are absent from school every day when the schools are in session. It means that out of 1,260, which number represents the average membership of our schools, the aggregate of absences is equivalent to 126 for the entire year. While a comparatively small fraction of these absences is due to actual truancy, for a very great majority there is no reasonable excuse. I believe the time has come for a radical departure from the present method of trying to enforce the 'chool attendanee law. Au efficient truant officer should receive a salary sufficient to pay him for doing the work thoroughly. He should be so situated that his services can be called into requisition at any minute. He should be in constant communication with all the teachers in the town. He should visit all the schools in the central village at least twice every week, personally inspect the records of attendance, carefully investi. gate every case of absence not accounted for by a reasonable excuse. He should keep watch of the streets and the haunts of truants, and should take every child of school age whom he finds abroad during school hours directly to his school. The laws give him full authority to do this. Through his discretion, wisdom and efficiency he should be such a terror to absentees from school that they will come to feel that their school room is the pleasantest place for them during school hours. He should visit the homes of the absentees and try to enlighten those parents who do not realize the loss their children sustain through their absence, reason with those who are indifferent to the consequences, and remonstrate with those who persist in defying the laws. Into some homes where children are unable to attend school through poverty he should go not so much to exercise his authority as to devise means of relief. In many of these families a very little help would enable the parents to keep their children at school. He should be able to feel that any suggestion of his in behalf of these poor made to the dispensers of the town's charity would not go un- heeded. Above and beyond all this he should under the direction of the School Board see that the law is enforced as far as it can
185:
ANNUAL REPORT.
be by sending truants to the Truant School and by bringing those parents who persist in defying the laws into court.
The difficulties attending the enforcement of the law governing school attendance were so great that many of the school authorities. in the state joined in petitioning the Legislature of 1894 for the en- actment of a more stringent law. I append this law and recommend' its careful study to all who are, and all who ought to be, interested in this important matter.
AN ACT RELATING TO SCHOOL ATTENDANCE AND TRUANCY. Be it enacted, etc., as follows :
SECTION 1. Every person having under his control a child be- tween the ages of eight and fourteen years, and, in cities and towns. where industrial training is taught, between the ages of eight and fifteen years, shall annually cause such child to attend some public day school in the city or town in which he resides, for at least thirty weeks if the schools are kept open that length of time, with an al- lowance of two weeks' time for absences not excused by the superin- tendent of schools or the school committee; such period of attend- ance shall begin within the first month of the fall term of school, and for each five days of absence of any such child thereafter, in excess of the above allowance, before the completion of the required annual attendance of thirty weeks, the person having such child under his control shall, upon the complaint of the school committee or any truant officer, forfeit to the use of the public schools of such city or town a sum not exceeding twenty dollars; but if such child has attended for a like period of time a private day school approved by the school committee of such city or town, or if such child has been otherwise instructed for a like period of time in the branches of learning required by law to be taught in the public schools, or has already acquired the branches of learning required by law to be taught in the public schools, or if his physical or mental condition is. such as to render such a tendance inexpedient or impracticable, such penalty shall not be incurred .- [Approved March 31, 1894.
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