USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Douglas > Town Annual Report of the Officers of the Town of Douglas, for the year ending 1885 > Part 2
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ANNUAL REPORTS
OF THE
TREASURER AND LIBRARIAN
OF THE
DOUGLAS
FREE PUBLIC LIBRARY.
1883. DR.
Mar. 4. Cash in hands of Treas. as per last report, $6 88
66
4. Received Dog Fund, of Town Treasurer, 207 84
June
1.
Received of Mrs, A. L. Buffing-
ton, fines and catalogues,
9 38
Dec. 1. Recd. of Librarian. fines, 3 00
1885.
Feb. 1.
66
2 80- $229 90
CR. 66
27. Paid Estes & Lauriat, for 76 books, $92 61
66
27. express on books, 75
Apr. 26. 66 interest on note to H. O.
Lamson, 3 75
May 3. Mrs. A. L. Buffington, as 66 Librarian, 9 38
3.
66 postage,
16
66
66 3. packing wood, 25
66
10. binding 4 books, 60
66
10. 66
23 66 5 75
29
May 10.
Paid binding 23 books
$6 90
66 10. express on books, 1 20
June 1. 66 Mrs. A. L. Buffington, as Librarian, 9 38
Sept. 1.
66 Mrs. A. L. Buffington, as Librarian, 9 38
66
1.
66
Joseph Bowen, for steps in library, 1 50
. Dec. 1.
66
1.
66
for Treasurer's account and record book, 1 87
1885.
Jan. 2. 66
S. Russell, blank book and mucilage for Librarian, 70
Feb. 28. 66
Mrs. A. L. Buffington, as Librarian, 38
28. 66 express on books, 25
66
28. 66
getting in wood, 25
Amoun paid out, 165 44
Mar. 1. Cash in hands of Treasurer, $64 46
At a meeting of the Trustees, held Mar. 22, 1884, it was Voted that the Treasurer be requested to procure a record book and enter therein the several reports of the past Treasurers.
JOHN M. RAWSON, Treasurer.
REPORT OF LIBRARIAN.
Whole no. of books in Free Public Library, 1,016
issued from Mar. 26, 1884, to Mar. 1, 1885, 5,076
Average number of books issued per week,
105++
No. of books added to library during the year,
144
Amount of fines due from Mar. 26, 1884, to March 1, 1885, $9 53
Balance of fines due March 1, 1884, 11 06
Whole amount of fines due,
$20 59
Amount collected for fines,
$13 53
66 Mrs. A. L. Buffington, as Lrbrarian, 9 38
30
Received from sale of catalogues,
$1 65
Paid over to Treasurer, $15 18
Amount of fines collected,
$13 53
Balance of fines due March 1, 1885
$ 7 06
MRS. A. L. BUFFINGTON, Librarian.
TOWN CLERK'S REPORT,
BIRTHS.
Number recorded in 1884. -
50
males,
21
females,
29-1
50
Children of native parentage.
15
foreign parentage,
35-
50
MARRIAGES.
Number recorded in 1884, -
21
Parties resident in Douglas
-
20
elsewhere, -
22
42
First marriage
33
Second 66
-
-
8
Third
-
-
1-
42
Average age of groom,
29
66 bride, -
251/2
Native born
29
Foreign “
-
13-
· 42
DEATHS.
Number of deaths recorded in 1884,
42
males,
22
66 females,
20-
42
Average age,
331/2
Number persons 80 years and above
-
1
between 70 and 80,
3
66
66 60 and 70,
4
-
-
-
-
T. H. MEEK, Town Clerk,
LIST OF JURORS,
SELECTED BY THE SELECTMEN FOR THE ACCEPTANCE OF THE TOWN, MARCH 16, 1885.
William Abbott.
Stukely W. Potter.
Marcus M. Luther.
Wm. L. Church.
Joseph A. Richardson.
Edwin C. Esten.
Aaron F. Jones.
Arthur J. Dudley.
Edward B. Knapp.
George D. Adams.
Andrew K. Richardson.
Elbridge A. Buxton.
Henry O. Lamson.
Noah H. Jones,
Reuben A. Place.
James M. Parker.
Marshall T. Potter.
John L. Somes.
Adolphus F. Brown.
Brigham Morse.
Isaac S. Balcome.
Francisco Bowen.
George E. Fairfield.
EDWIN MOORE, Selectmen GEO. H. WALKER, of ORRIN CHASE, Douglas.
Douglas, March 4, 1885.
John M. Rawson. Lucius S. Whipple. Suel Logee.
Charles S. Caswell.
George Abbott.
Nelson Emmons.
Edwin Moore.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
chool Committee
OF THE
TOWN OF DOUGLAS
FOR THE YEAR ENDING
MARCH 1, 1885
PRESS OF CHARLES J. BATCHELLER EAST DOUGLAS, MASS. 1885
SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
1884-85
CHARLES W. POTTER.
Term expires March 1, 1885
66
1885
N. W. PRESTON
1885
LEVI WHITE, M. D.
.6
..
66 1886
EDWIN C. ESTEN, ..
1886
STILLMAN RUSSELL,
6.
66
66
1877
C. S. CASWELL.
1877
EDWIN MOORE,
6 6
1877
Organized, ( JAMES WELLS, Chairman. F. H. BATCHELLER, Clerk.
JAMES WELLS, S. RUSSELL, N. W. PRESTON, (Spring) C. S. CASWELL.
Superintending Committee.
STILLMAN RUSSELL. Truant Officer.
TEACHERS :
A. H. K. BLOOD.
CHAS. S. CASWELL.
ABBIE M. LAPHAM.
HENRY ABERCROMBIE.
DORA S. RUSSELL.
IDA M. JOHNSON.
MAY F. KIMBALL.
EUNICE B. BROWN EMMA J. WILLIS. EMILY A. KING. ABBIE L. POTTER. GEORGIE E. HUMES
EMMA J. JEFFERSON KATE L. SIMMONS.
.6
66
1886
REV. JAMES WELLS.
..
66
F. H. BATCHELLER,
STATISTICS.
Whole number of children in town May 1, 1884, between the ages of 5 and 15 years, 436
Whole number attending school during the year, of all ages, 475
Average daily attendance in all the schools, Whole number attending school under 5 yrs of age,
300
over 15 " 26
10
66 66
between the ages of
8 and 14 years, 374
Aggregate of months all the schools have been kept during the year, 99m. 15 days
Average number of months the schools have been kept during the year, 8.32
Number of female teachers,
11
male 3
Average wages paid female teachers per month, $31.40
male 60 00
Appropriation for public schools, by the town, March, 1884, $3,900 00
Balance unexpended last year, 973 99
State School Fund, 182 84
Town School Fund, (interest,)
56 48
Total, $5,113 31
EXPENSE OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
Teachers' wages, $3,592 00
Rent of high school room, 100 00
Supplies, 65 70
6
Books, Fuel, care of rooms &c,
$536 95
89 35
$4,384 00
Value of new books on hand,
159 75
Cost of schools for year 1884,
$4,224 25
Balance unexpended March 1885,
$889 06
HIGH SCHOOL.
Teachers- ( A. H. K. BLOOD, Spring Term. C. S. CASWELL, Fall and Winter.
SPRING.
FALL. WINTER.
Length of school in weeks,
12
11
12
Wages per week,
$20
$15
$15
Whole number of scholors,
33
40
35
Average attendance,
30
36
30
Total expense, $741 35.
GRAMMAR SCHOOL,
- C. S. CASWELL, Spring. Teachers, 3 HENRY ABERCROMBIE, Fall. KATE L. SIMMONS, Winter.
SPRING.
FALL. WINTER.
Length of school in weeks,
11
11
11
Wages per week,
$10
$10
$10
Whole number of scholars,
39
36
38
Average attendance,
35
34
29
Total expense, $355 50.
SCHOOL NO. 1.
Teacher, EMILY A. KING.
7
SPRING. FALL. ·WINTER.
Length of school in weeks,
11
11
11
Wages per week,
$9
$9
$9
Whole number of scholars,
41
35
30
Average attendance,
39
33
21
Total expense, $318 10.
SCHOOL NO. 2.
Teacher, ABBIE L. POTTER.
SPRING.
FALL.
WINTER.
Length of school in weeks,
11
11
11
Wages per week,
$7
$7
$7
Whole number of scholars,
20
19
12
Average attendance,
18
12
9
Total expense, $244 01.
SCHOOL NO. 3.
Teacher, DORA S. RUSSELL.
SPRING.
FALL.
WINTER.
Length of school in weeks,
11
11
11
Wages per week,
$6
$7
$7
Whole number of scholars,
38
40
43
Average attendance,
31
35
30
Total expense, $233 70.
SCHOOL NO. 4. Teacher, GEORGIE E. HUMES.
SPRING.
FALL.
WINTER.
Length of school in weeks,
11
11
11
Wages per week,
$7
$7
$7
Whole number of scholars,
15
19
21
Average attendance,
12
11
16
Total expense, $255 88.
8
SCHOOL NO. 7.
Teacher, EMMA J. JEFFERSON.
SPRING.
FALL.
WINTER.
Length of school in weeks,
11
11
11
Wages per week,
$7
$7
$7
Whole number of scholars,
18
12
12
Average attendance,
10
7
10
Total expense, $245 70.
SCHOOL NO. 8. Teacher, ABBIE M. LAPHAM.
SPRING.
FALL.
WINTER.
Length of school in weeks,
11
11
10
Wages per week,
$7
$8
$8
Whole number of scholars,
21
20
18
Average attendance,
16
17
15
Total expense, $285 26.
SCHOOL NO. 9,
Teachers ( MAY F. KIMBALL, Primary. EMMA J. WILLIS, Intermediate.
PRIMARY.
SPRING.
FALL.
WINTER.
Length of school in weeks,
11
11
11
Wages per week,
$6
$7
$7
Whole number of scholars,
53
49
42
Average attendance,
40
32
29
INTERMEDIATE.
SPRING.
FALL.
WINTER.
Length of school in weeks,
11
11
11
Wages per week,
$8
$8
$8
Whole number of scholars,
36
36
39
Average attendance,
33
31
33
Total expense, $562 98.
9
SCHOOL NO. 10.
Teachers IDA JOHNSON, Primary, EUNICE B. BROWN, Intermediate.
PRIMARY.
SPRING.
FALL.
WINTER
Length of school in weeks,
11
11
11
Wages per week,
$7
$7
$7
Whole number of scholars,
49
37
30
Average attendance,
31
30
20
INTERMEDIATE.
SPRING.
FALL.
WINTER.
Length of school in weeks,
11
11
11
Wages per week,
$8
$8
$8
Whole number of scholars,
36
24
29
Average attendance,
27
27
25
Total expense, $525 50.
PRIVATE FRENCH SCHOOL.
Teacher, H. M. LEGARE.
Number of scholars, 20.
Tuition received, $250 00 Length of school in weeks, 46.
GENERAL REMARKS.
Your committee deem it proper to begin their report by re- cording the very sudden and lamented death of their very ac- ceptable chairman, N. W. Preston, by whose death, so early in the year, deprived them of his very efficient services. It is difi- cult to speak of the personal merits of teachers, or of the stand- ing of particular schools, without making invidious comparisons. We believe our teachers have been as faithful and successful as
10
in former years ; and that our schools the present year, compare favorably with those of the previous year ; though we do not doubt but that, under more favorable circumstances, there would have been greater success. There are greater or less hindrances to complete success in most, if not all our schools ; and generally from those who should feel the deepest interest in their success. There is not that full and hearty co-operation on the part of some parents which there should be, and which is absolutely necessary for the greatest proficiency. Teachers are often blamed and censured for what the parents are most responsible. Children who are not regular in their attendance cannot make the progress they would if prompt and timely. And no one can do so much to promote punctuality and regular- ity in attending school as parents. It depends chiefly upon them. One committee says : "Nothing is working a greater evil than tardy and irregular attendance of some scholars." Another says : "From ample opportunity of observation we are convinced that, in a large majority of cases, truancy is a sure in- dication of bad management at home."
It is to be much regretted that there are some parents who neglect to avail themselves of the privileges which our Common- wealth has so wisely and so generously provided for the educa- tion of their children. And it is to protect itself against the evils which result from neglect, that our State legislators have enacted compulsory laws, of which, perhaps, some are ignorant.
Sec. 1, Chap. 47 says : "Every person having under his con- trol a child between the ages of 8 and 14 shall annually cause such child to attend for at least 20 weeks some public school in the city or town in which he resides." "And for any neglect of such duty the person offending shall forfeit to use of the pub- lic schools of such city or town a sum not to exceed twenty dol- lars." "It is the policy of the Commonwealth to offer to every child the advantages of a good education. It is supposed that every parent will voluntarily accept this offer." "But if in any cases, the offer is not accepted, the school authorities must take advantage of our compulsory law." "Every child must be in school for at least 20 weeks of the year, from the time he is eight until he reaches the age of 14."
"It is the imperative duty of the truant officer of a town, act ing under instructions from the school committees, to secure the attendance of all children between the ages of 8 and 14 upon some approved school, for at least 20 weeks in any year." We have quoted. the above that no parents can plead ignor- ance of the law. It is also important for the highest prosperity
11
of our schools that rooms in which they are kept be not only comfortable and healthy but pleasant and inviting.
The most of our school houses are in good repair and have been newly seated. The school houses in Dists. No. 2 and 4 need new seats and some repairs for the greater comfort of teachers and scholars. No. 10 has been re-seated the present year, and No. 1 painted inside and furnished with new recita- tion seats and teacher's desk, No. 7 repaired and painted out- side and painted inside. Our predecessors recommended the consolidation of the three intermediate schools in East Douglas into two. Instead thereof. a Grammar school has been estab- lished with two intermediate schools, which we think will meet a much felt want, and be a benefit to the High school.
It is a question with some whether sufficient attention is given in our schools to moral instruction. We believe the statutes of our Commonwealth, wisely declare : "It shall be the duty of all instructors of youth to exert their best endeavors to impress upon the minds of children and youth committed to their care and instruction, the principles of piety and justice and a sacred regard to truth ; love of their country, humanity, and universal benevolence ; chastity, moderation and temperance ; and those other virtues which are the ornament of human society and the basis upon which our republican constitution is founded."
And we would close with the language of another committee : "The influence of our schools, the influence of our homes, should be such as to inspire in the hearts of the young the love of all those virtues which adorn and embelish every walk in life, and establish in their deportment all those habits of diligence and punctuality, of undeviating truth and incorruptible honesty which are indispensable in every station in life."
SUPERINTENDING COMMITTEE.
BOOK REPORT.
Amount Expended for books, $536 95 - Value of new books on hand, 159 75
.
Cost of books for year ending Mar. 1, '85, $377 20
12
NUMBER OF BOOKS IN USE.
NEW.
IN USE. 47
Physical 66
2
2
Primary
4
51
U. S. Histories,
3
53
Smaller 66
-
-
-
1
13
Complete Arithmetic,
61
37
Brief Course
61
35
Primary
26
21
Fifth Readers,
5
38
Fourth 66
24
38
Third
66
-
19
28
Second
-
-
18
40
First
66
25
52
Spellers,
29
105
English Grammar,
8
18
Intro.
-
-
15
34
Language,
6
8
Rhetoric,
-
-
-
1
20
Classics, (Readers)
63
Geometry,
12
Caesar,
-
-
-
66
Readers
2
Writing Books,
225
Splling Blanks,
23
Slates,
4
Dictionary,
1
First Year in Latin,
1
Com. Blanks,
54
Small Writing Books,
-
72
-
-
-
38
Algebras,
-
-
-
-
-
Latin Grammar,
2
French
1
-
-
-
-
15
Physology,
-
-
-
C. S. Geographies,
-
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