USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Douglas > Town Annual Report of the Officers of the Town of Douglas, for the year ending 1888 > Part 2
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66 James Wixtead 66
6 00
$2312 33
The Agent has loaned and paid out as follows :
1887.
Mar. 11. Loaned Caleb Hill
$100 00
66
15.
Paid Brigham Morse, Appraiser,
2 00
66
15. Orrin Chase,
2 00
15. Recording mortgage, 1 10
May 22.
Suel Logee, Agent,
10 00
July 19.
Discharging mortgage,
25
66 30. Loaned Joseph T. Arnold,
400 00
Aug. 1. 22.
Tax on Devise,
179 67
Sept. 17. Recording mortgage,
10
Nov. 8. Loaned Chas. S. Caswell,
300 00
.“ 8. Recording mortgage,
1 10
Dec.
12. Loaned Horace Batcheller,
200 00
12. Recording mortgage,
1 10
24.
Loaned Joseph StAndrew,
400 00
66
24. Recording mortgage. 1 10
1888.
Jan. 24. Discharging mortgages,
50
Feby. 21. Loaned John Vallier,
300 00
21. Recording mortgage,
1 10
28. E. H. Morse. Appraiser,
5 00
66 28. Orrin Chase,
7 00
66
28. Loaned Rebecca Morse,
500 00
66
28. Lischarging and recording,
1 35
28. Making and recording discharge,
50
28. Agent for services, 60 00
$2476 22
Discharging and recording,
35
30
NOTES DUE THE TOWN MAR. 1, 1888.
Date of Note.
Name.
Accrued Ict.
Prin.
July 30, 1887.
Joseph T. Arnold,
$14 00
$400 00
Nov. 8, 1887.
Chas. S. Caswell,
5 60
300 00
Dec. 12, 1887.
Horace Batcheller,
2 60
200 00
Feb. 28, 1888.
Rebecca Morse,
08
500 00
Dec 24, 1887. Joseph StAndrew,
4 40
400 00
Feb. 21, 1888.
John Valier,
45
300 00
Mar 11, 1887.
Caleb Hill,
5 85
100 00
July 1, 1876.
Alvin H. Brown,
20 00
500 00
Nov.23, 1859.
Adolphus F. Brown,
68 08
500 00
Dec. 4, 1866.
Thomas Wixtead, paid by James Wixtead,
26 86
200 00
Apr. 24, 1869.
Orrin N. Thurber paid by Eliza Williams,
15 30
300 00
May 18, 1857.
Ira T. Robbins, paid by Frank McCormick
1 50
150 00
July 7, 1875.
James McCormick,
48 50
350 00
Mar. 1. 1867.
John M. Putuam,
6 37
125 00
Dec. 2, 1854.
Joel Glover, paid by Sarah Dufo,
2 93
200 00
Feb. 20, 1869.
Simon P. Rawson, paid by John M. Rawson,
30 83
500 00
Apr. 21, 1870.
James Wixtead, paid by John Fitzgerald,
16 30
200 00
June 14, 1876.
Isaac Desotelle, paid by Frank Duval,
10 67
250 00
Apr. 12, 1877.
Amos A. Humes, paid by Martin and Geer,
19 78
350 00
May 3, 1875.
T. H. Barton, paid by Louise Jarvis,
9 56
200 00
Apr. 1, 1871.
Margaret Stearnes,
16 50
300 00
Mar. 26, 1870.
Rufus P. Johnson,
22 27
400 00
Apr. 16, 1886.
Peter Jarvis,
10 46
200 00
July 22, 1881.
Mary J. Willis,
18 17
500 00
Oct. 19, 1874.
Chandler Titus,
6 01
135 00
July 23, 1879.
Louise Jarvis,
6 62
100 00
July 7, 1879.
Michael Roberts,
19 42
500 00
Oct. 1, 1883.
Dennis Quinn,
8 75
350 00
May 8, 1872.
William M. Putnam,
20 68
425 00
Apr. 22, 1882.
Mitchel Auger,
15 40
300 00
May 25, 1885.
Mary A. Hilton.
14 89
325 00
Apr. 22, 1880.
Phebe Young,
45 67
500 00
31
June 17, 1869.
Chandler Titus,
$7 53
$340 00
Aug. 6, 1883.
Thomas M. Remington,
6 80
200 00
June 26, 1882. Mary J. Murphy,
20 33
500 00
Apr. 19, 1880.
Phebe E. Johnson,
22 25
333 00
Mar.24, 1885. Allen Buxton,
5 60
100 00
Apr. 30. 1885.
John Labeau,
10 00
200 00
Feb. 25, 1887.
John Fitzgerald,
6 08
100 00
June 4, 1883.
Joseph Labeau,
11 08
250 00
Nov.29, 1886.
Abbie Thayer,
4 55
300 00
Aug.19, 1878.
Russell M. Peters
7 95
250 00
Oct. 24, 1874.
Lovell Southwick,
18 47
175 00
May 21, 1868.
Chas. F. Rawson,
9 30
200 00
Nov.27, 1886.
Selina Casey,
5 43
350 00
May 1, 1878.
Julius and Matilda Rivers,
20 00
400 00
May 27, 1879.
Mary Briggs,
21 10
200 00
June 4, 1886.
Amos G. Yates,
.6 65
150 00
Oct. 16, 1867.
Potter M. Bates,
3 35
150 00
Sept. 5, 1883.
Vesta H. Balcome,
11 66
400 00
Mar. 5, 1881.
S. H. Starr,
5 92
100 00
Feb. 15, 1886.
Alfred and Mary Reynolds,
81
325 00
Feb. 18, 1886.
Chas. H. Hilton,
40)
200 00
Feb. 10. 1885.
Aaron Aldrich,
31 67
500 00
$751 43 $15,783 00
Notes due the Town March 1, 1888.
$15,783 00
Accrued interest,
751 43
Cash in hands of Agent,
212 68
Value of Devise March 1, 1888,
-
$16,747 11
Net gain for the year,
627 80
Respectfully submitted,
AARON F. JONES, Agent.
GEO. P. B. CLARKE, Auditor.
REPORT
OF THE
Treasurer of Free Public Library.
1887.
DR
Mar.
1. Cash in hand of Treasurer,
$286 29
June.
1. Sales of catalogues and fines,
2 26
Sept. 5.
66 2 06
Dec. 5.
66
66
4 48
1888.
Feb.
22. Town Treasurer Dog Fund,
195 00
Mar.
1. Sales of catalogues and fines,
4 21
$494 30
CR.
1887.
Mar. 29.
Expense cleaning library,
$ 75
Apr. 23. For books by Agent, 66
7 50
May 1.
6: 4 75
18. Estes and Lauriat,
88 28
June. 1. J. F. Smith,
5 00
Catalogueing, printing by-laws and num- bering, 1 00
66 Mrs. A. L. Buffington, Librarian, 9 38
July 66
14. A. M. Bridgman & Co. for books, 5 00
23. Chas. Batcheller binding books, 17 40
33
Sept. 1. Postage, Stationary, etc.,
$1 00
..
6. Mrs. A. L. Buffiington, Librarian, 9 38
Oct. 3. Express on books,
95
Nov. 1. For books and express on same,
11 35
Dec.
5. Mrs. A. L. Buffington, Librarian, 9 38
1888.
Feb.
9. A. F. Jones for wood,
.75
Mar.
1. Housing wood,
25
66
1. Mrs. A. L. Buffington, Librarian,
9 38
1. Cash in Treasury, 311 80
$494 30
Respectfully submitted,
W. E. JONES, Treasurer.
1
TOWN CLERK'S REPORT.
BIRTHS.
Whole Number. - 30
males,
-
18
females, - -
12-
30
foreign parentage, -
15
mixed 66
12
American “
-
-
3-
30
MARRIAGES.
Whole number,
22
Foreign birth,
14
American birth,
30
Resident in Douglas, 66 elsewhere, -
-
- 27
-
17-
44
First marriage,
- 38
Second
6-
44
DEATHS.
Whole number, - 49
males,
-
28
females, -
-
-
21
49
foreign birth, -
7
American “ -
42 -
49
Number under 1 year,
11
between 70 and 93,
-
10
-
-
-
-
-
-
35
DOGS REGISTERED.
Number registered,
-
122
Males,
199
Females, -
-
-
3- 122
T. H. MEEK, Town Clerk.
1
REPORT OF
ROAD COMMISSIONERS.
Whatever amount has been used above the Appropriation has been done with the consent of the Selectmen.
Have paid Mr. Rixford for 4 horses and one man to work Road machine, $10 per day.
For double team, pair horses and man, $3 50 per day. Single team one horse and man, 2 75 66
One man, 1 50 66
One boy, 75 66 Commissioners, 2 00 .6
Paid E. T. Thayer for man and large coal cart with two horses, 4 00
Paid W. Wellman for large coal cart
with two horses. - 4 00
EXPENSES ITEMIZED.
REPORT OF SUEL LOGEE.
Will Rixford on road
machine. $108 00
Carting gravel, 3 40
A. J. Thayer, ox team and man, 58 20
A. J. Thayer, horse
and cart @@ 1.25 8 75
Jos. Thompson, team, 18 63
L. Taft, team. $1 93 Chandle Titus, team, 10 75 Gravel for road, 5 00 E. T. Thayer and team 14 80 Asahel Fitts, dbl. team 19 25 A. F. Jones. team, 60 43 B. Aldrich, dbl. team 14 35 W. Wellman, dbl. team, 16 40
37
R. Darling, dbl team. $41 96
G. Manahan, team, 75
Filling yard Mrs. Will- iard Taft, 6 00
J. M. Rawson, ox team, 9 73
P. M. Bates, ox team, : 60
C. F. Rawson and boy 3 45
Caleb Hill, 37 53
Michael McNally 2 25
Hiram Smith, 23 48
Elbridge Paine, 12 12
Louis LaFon,
05
Oscar Rawson,
05
Charles Geer,
95
James Wixtead, 25 40
Team of James Wixtead 5 63
Oliver Quivillion, 9 75
Louis Seymour,
3 45
Welington Young, team, 4 00
Miles Woodman, 1 45
H. N. Logee, 4 50
William Clarke, team
L. Stockwell, dbl. team, 2 00
Geo. Belding, 75
David Keith,
50
Frenchman. 1 50
Charles Blue, 9 30
L. Hannant, 9 00
Robert Hannant 12 95
1 old Axe. 50
Frank Chase, 7 90
Joseph Arnold, 20 70
Charley, 10 20
Henry Howard, 13 20
Joseph Stone, 20 25
Henry Josh, 50
Oliver Emerson. 11 70
Wm. Gazette, 7 20
Clark Stearnes. $14 70
George Casey, ) 75
Greenleaf Brown. 1 50
Stephen Taylor, 00
L. Traverse, 75
Luther Hill, 3 68
W. D. Jones. team, 15 00
Nelson Emmons, 22 20
David A. Wallis, team, 26 32
George Brown, 27 45
H. D. Walker 9 75
Pliney Richardson, 3 00 E. Young, 1 05
Jesse Chase, ox team, 24 99
Suel Chase, 7 35
Henry Chase, 4 50
A. Chase, 6 00
E. Chase, 5 85
Myron Chase, 7 35
A. E. Chapman, 35
O. F. Chase, running scraper and horses 20 35
E. Bigelow, gravel, 3 00
Mr. Man. 2 50
Willard Whipple, 13 84
Suel Logee, services, 172 60
66 . team, 12 00
Paid Wm. Jillson 200 00
S1298 37
CR.
By old bridge, $2 00 48 ft. piank, 1 44- 3 44
$1291 93
250 feet yellow pine plank on hand.
"About one half the above expenditure was made under the combined direction of W. S. Jillson and S. Logee.
REPORT OF W. S. JILLSON.
E. H. Dudley, $3 30 | P. A. Dudley. $26 55
38
W. H. Brown, $22 32
John Blake, $4 10
John Robbins, 12 00
E. C. Parker, 4 50
Charles Balcome, 5 25
W. J. H. Dudley, spikes, 1 66
For dynamite,
3 00
Posts and polls, 2 50
Sharpening drills,
30
Jesse B. Thompson, 75
Wellington Balcome
14 51
Harley Baker, 15 45
Fred Wallis, 6 75
Gravel, 6 00
H. D. Wallis,
23 00
G. M. Wallis,
5 25
Silas Dudley, oxen,
6 30
David Keith, 1 80
bridge on Prov. Pike, 103 00
W. B. Moray, 4 50
J. A. Richardaon, dbl. team,
10 50
H. A. Dudley, team, 7 00
G. Parker, 8 25
Felix Lamay, 5 70
Retus Walling, 10 80
Edward Balcome, 10 50
W. S. Jillson 5712 days115 00
David Caswell, 4 50
Team, 28 days, 35 00
Chandler Titus, team, 2 75
Snow bill in 1886-87, 28 35
G. H. Brown, team, 6 55
J. Flagg, 75
$609 08
David Richardson,
1 65
Received of S. Logee, 200 00
Harley Brown, 6 60
Perry Bryant,
1 50
$409 08
REPORT OF N. S. CASWELL.
N. S. Caswell,
$161 25
O. Quivillion, $8 70
2 teams,
148 00
R. Darling, team, 6 30
Dbl. team,
2 70
M. Woodman, 41 55
W. S. Reynolds,
89 70
J. Wixtead,
2 25
W. Littlefield,
39 00
C. Hill,
7 50
H. Smith,
6 66
O. King,
6 45
John Littlefield,
18 00
W. Gazette,
15 00
B. Casey.
6 75
G. Manahan, team. 15 13
Geo. Casey,
15 45
Jos. Forn,
9 00
F. Allen, team,
45 13
G. Gapane, team,
9 00
Jos. Stay, 5 40
French Boy,
12 00
J. Rawson, ox team,
10 00
R. Darling, team,
31 08
John Hughes,
15 75
W. Paine,
1 00
Ed. Wixtead,
6 75
J. Muredd, 2 25
D. Jerman,
2 47
O. Chase, team,
47 88
E. C. Chatman, team, 7 08
John Caswell, team, 32 38
John Hilton, for stone
W. H. Parker, plank, 21 29
Sleepers, 9 00
W. H. Parker,dbl.team, 11 24
39
Fenis Laporson,
$ 1 35
L. Stockwell, team, $ 40 09
Eli Carbery,
3 90
A. Roberts, 20 10
F. Lacourse,
7 95
C. Dudley, 19 79
G. Seymour,
9 00
R. Dudley, 16 19
H. Seymour,
6 00
J. Peters, ox team,
9 90
C. Geer,
6 75
G. Blake, 3 00
G. Manahan, team,
3 50
F. Putnam, team, 3 30
P. Rivers,
16 00
W. Metcalf, 1 50
A. Fitts, team,
26 35
T. Latown,
3 00
Repairs, gravel, tools, 14 65
N. G. Dudley,
38 25
$1038 67
LIST OF JURORS,
SELECTED BY THE SELECTMEN, FOR THE ACCEPTANCE OF THE TOWN, MARCH 19, 1888.
William Abbott.
Francis N. Bird,
Henry Boardman,
William W. Brown.
Leonard C. Belding, Francisco Bowen. Alvin H. Brown. Walter E. Carpenter. Geo. P. B. Clark.
Orrin Chase,
Palmer C. Converse,
Stephen P. Copp.
Walter J. H. Dudley,
Cornelius Emmons.
William S. Jillson,
Walter E. Jones.
Herbert N. Logee,
John W. McMahon,
Hammond C. Metcalf. Henry D. Mowry.
John C. Morrell.
Joseph A. Richardson.
Byron A. Stockwell.
Chandler Titns.
William II. Wellman.
Edgar C. Parker. Stillman Russell. Andrew J. Thayer.
Henry A. Walker. James W. Wixtead.
B. W. ALDRICH, Selectmen I. S. BALCOME, of E. G. BABSON. Douglas.
1
ANNUAL REPORTS
OF THE
School Committee
OF THE
TOWN OF DOUGLAS,
FOR YEAR ENDING
MÁRCH I, 1888.
PRESS OF CHARLES J. BATCHELLER, EAST DOUGLAS, MASS. 1888.
SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
1887-88.
L. S. WHIPPLE,
Term expires March 1, 1888
.6
1888
CHAS. W. POTTER,
..
66
1888
LEVI WHITE, M. D.,
66 66
66
1889
E. C. ESTEN,
..
6.
6.
1889
STILLMAN RUSSELL,
1889
REV. JAMES WELLS,
6.
66
1890
JAMES WIXTEAD,
.6
66
1890
FRANCISCO BOWEN,
66
66
.6
1890
Organized, STILLMAN RUSSELL, Chairman. FRANCISCO BOWEN, Clerk.
JAMES WELLS, - Superintending Committee.
S. RUSSELL,
F. BOWEN.
STILLMAN RUSSELL,
FRANCISCO BOWEN, 5 Truant Officers.
TEACHERS :
M. H. BOWMAN.
KATE R. SIBLEY,
DORA S. RUSSELL.
ELLA M. PARKER,
JENNIE L. PARKER, EMMA J. PAYNE.
E. ALICE NEAL,
EMMA J. WILLIS,
PATIENCE BRECK,
W. O. CARTWRIGHT, ROXA A. DAWLEY. EVELYN E. SMITH. MINNIE F. DARLING, ADA E. BROWN,
MAY F. KIMBALL.
IDA M. JOHNSON. EUNICE B. BROWN.
N. H. JONES,
60
STATISTICS.
Whole number of children in town May 1, 1887, between the ages of 5 and 15 years, 419
Whole number attending school during the year, of all ages, 425
Average daily attendance in all the schools, 321
Whole number attending school under 5 yrs. of age.
over 15 " 32
66 between the ages of 8 and 14 years, 263
Aggregate of months all the schools have been kept during the year, 114 m 5 days
Average number of months the schools have been kept during the year,
82/3
Number of female teachers,
15
Average wages paid female teachers per month. 66 male ..
80 00
Appropriation for public schools, by the town, March 1, 1887, $4.000 00
Balance unexpended last year, 889 71
State School Fund, 177 69
Town School Fund, (interest,) 56 48
Repairs and purchase of books, 500 00
Tuition Fees, 33 00
$5,656 88
EXPENSE OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
Teachers wages, - - $3.930 00
Rent of High School room, - 100 00
Supplies,
-
313 38
.6 male 2
$30 15
6
Permanent repairs,
$114 11
Truant Officers, -
-
10 00
Care of rooms,
140 80
Purchasing agent, -
-
25 00
School books, -
379 65
Ira Wallis, rent of organ,
12 00
O. B. Young, repairing organ,
10 00
Fuel, etc., Superintending Committee, -
100 00
$5,326 12
New books on hand,
122 29
Cost of schools for year 1887,
$5,203 83
Balance unexpended March 1, 1888,
$453 05
HIGH SCHOOL.
Teacher. M. H. BOWMAN, Spring. WALTER O. CARTWRIGHT, Fall and Winter.
SPRING.
FALL.
WINTER.
Length of school in weeks,
13
15
12
Wages per week,
$20
$20
$20
Whole number of scholars,
31
30
26
Average attendance,
28
26
22
GRAMMAR SCHOOL.
Teacher, -PATIENCE BRECK.
SPRING.
FALL.
WINTER.
Length of school in weeks,
11
11
11
Wages per week,
$10
$10
$10
Whole number of scholars,
30
34
33
Average attendance,
25
31
28
-
191 18
SCHOOL No. 1.
Teacher .- KATE R. SIBLEY.
SPRING.
FALL.
WINTER.
Length of school in weeks,
11
11
11
Wages per week,
$9
$9
$9
Whole number of scholars,
36
39
34
Average attendance,
30
32
29
SCHOOL No. 2.
Teacher,-ROXA A. DAWLEY.
SPRING.
FALL.
WINTER.
Length of school in weeks,
11
11
11
Wages per week,
Si
$7
$7
Whole number of scholars,
13
17
12
Average attendance,
11
13
1
SCHOOL No. 3.
Teachers § DORA S. RUSSELL, Spring, EVELYN E. SMITH, Fall and Winter.
SPRING.
FALL.
WINTER.
Length of school in weeks,
11
11
11
Wages per week,
$7
$7
Whole number of scholars.
44
44
28
Average attendance.
38
34
24
SCHOOL No. 4.
Teacher, -ELLA M. PARKER.
SPRING.
FALL.
WINTER.
Length of school in weeks,
11
11
11
Wages per week,
$7
$7
$7
Whole number of scholars,
17
17
17
Average attendance,
14
15
15
8
SCHOOL No. 5.
Teacher,-MINNIE DARLING.
SPRING.
FALL.
WINTER.
Length of school in weeks,
10
11
11
Wages per week,
$7
$7
$7
Whole number of scholars,
6
7
6
Average attendance,
5
5
5
SCHOOL No. 6.
Teacher,-JENNIE L. PARKER.
SPRING.
FALL.
WINTER.
Length of school in weeks,
11
11
Wages per week.
$7
$7
Whole number of scholars,
9
7
Average attendance,
6
6
SCHOOL No. 7. ª
Teacher,-ADA E. BROWN.
SPRING.
FALL.
WINTER.
Length of school in weeks,
11
11
11
Wages per week,
$7
$7
$7
Whole number of scholars.
21
22
27
Average attendance,
14
16
15
SCHOOL No. 8.
Teacher,-EMMA J. PAINE.
SPRING.
FALL.
WINTER.
Length of school in weeks,
11
11
11
Wages per week,
$7
$7
$7
Whole number of scholars,
14
13
11
Average attendance,
12
9
8
1
9
SCHOOL NO. 9.
PRIMARY. Teacher,-MAY F. KIMBALL.
SPRING.
FALL.
WINTER.
Length of school in weeks,
11
11
11
Wages per week,
$7
$7
$7
Whole number of scholars.
69
75
47
Average attendance,
53
54
30
INTERMEDIATE.
Teachers E. ALICE NEAL, Spring. DORA S. RUSSELL, Fall and Winter.
SPRING.
FALL.
WINTER.
Length of school in weeks,
11
9
13
Wages per week,
$9
$9
$9
Whole number of scholars,
26
37
36
Average attendance,
16
28
23
SCHOOL No. 10.
Teachers
PRIMARY. SIDA M. JOHNSON. Spring. EMMA J. WILLIS, Fall and Winter.
SPRING.
FALL.
WINTER.
Length of school in weeks.
11
11
11
Wages per week,
87
$7
$7
Whole number of scholars,
52
41
31
Average attendance,
38
31
25
INTERMEDIATE.
Teachers EUNICE B. BROWN, Spring. { IDA M. JOHNSON, Fall and Winter.
Length of school in weeks,
11
11 11
Wages per week,
$8
$8
$8
Whole number of scholars,
26
20
20
Average attendance,
16
17
16
REMARKS.
Perhaps to many of the voters in any town, the most interest- ing portions of the town report, are the figures which express receipts and expenditures. But there are interests, connected with our schools, which cannot be estimated by figures or dollars and cents. Yet, to secure these interests, money is needed and the want of a few hundred dollars ought not to stand in the way of a greater efficiency in our schools ; nor in the way of making our school-rooms pleasant, comfortable, and healthy,
The ventilation of our school-rooms is sadly defective. "A sound mind is a sound body," was never more true than it is to- day. Scholars cannot do good work if they are hived in a hot foul atmosphere ; the noxious germs with which the air is filled, pollute the blood and clog the brain. If the harm ended here, the culpability of the town would not be so great ; but it does not end here, many a child has gone out from some of these school-rooms with impaired health and weakened constitution.
The teachers are not at fault, they are watchful and careful and do all that lies in their power to counteract the effects of a faulty construction of buildings. Under existing conditions, they must expose the children to one of two evils-either a direct draught of cold air, or the poisonous influences of a foul, overheated atmosphere. The sanitary arrangement, too, of many of our schools, are simply abominable. New and comfortable outbuildings are imperatively demanded for many of the schools.
The time seems to have arrived when the town ought to build a school-house to accommodate the High and Grammer schools. Such a building should have all modern improvements, suit- able dressing rooms, chemical and physical labratory, recitation rooms, for future needs, etc. Such a school-building, fitted for the present and future needs of the town should be erected.
11
All know that some of our schools are quite small ; which makes it more expensive to the town, than it would be if they could be united.
Thirteen schools have been maintained during the year and we think it has been fortunate for our schools that there have been so few changes among our teachers. Changes may sometimes be beneficial but "continuety of progess is impeded by application of dissimilar methods of instruction employed by different teachers." But to retain first class teachers, it must be in the power of the committee, sometimes to make an advance in wages.
One of the greatest drawbacks to the efficiency of our schools is the irregularity of attendance. This is largely the fault of the parents. Many of the absences and dismissals are needless, we believe ; by a little planning parents could often arrange the duties of the children so as to require less frequent absenting themselves from school. We are sorry to have to report that there have been a few persistent truants, which have given not a little trouble to the truant officers. We begin to think there are some parants who do not do what they might to prevent it. There is a law for "habitual truants ;" and if the truancy is con- tinued, it would be best for the truants and the schools to which they belong, that the law should be enforced, by sending them to the truant school which the town has designated by vote.
Taking all things into consideration we think our schools have not been in a better condition for many years. We have been glad to see the general attention paid to writing in our schools and the neatness with which the books have been kept, and those attending the examinations have seen some excellent spec- imens of writing on slates, by some of the smallest scholars. Some have made commendable progress in drawing.
If parents of pupils and friends of public instruction would pay more frequent visits to the schools, we are thoroughly con- vinced that both teachers and scholars would be spurred to new efforts and the practical value of our schools be enhanced. Children gauge their own efforts, oftentimes, by the interest of their friends, and judge of that interest by its manifestations in personal visitation.
Many of the lower grade schools have now only thirty-one weeks schooling in the year. We think that no portion of the town ought to be more favored than any other in this respect, and therefore recommend that thirty-six weeks be given those schools that now have but thirty.three.
Three years ago, a Grammar school was established, which
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has just graduated its first class consisting of fifteen. All pres- ent at the examination have felt that the whole school, and es- pecially the graduating class, acquitted themselves with credit, alike to themselves and their teacher. The school has certainly proved a success. If it can be continued in its present prosper- ity, it will be an excellent feeder to our High school.
The High school has had to submit to a change of teachers during the year, for teachers are human and will sometimes yield to the temptation to better themselves. But we have been very fortunate in securing the services of so faithful and efficient a teacher, as Mr. Cartwright, to take the place of Mr. Bowman. We think it would be of a very great benefit to the school, if he. or as good a teacher could be retained long enough to take a class from beginning through to graduation.
In closing, we would recommend for support of schools $3,300 ; High school, $1,200 ; text books and repairs, $500 ..
Respectfully submitted,
JAMES WELLS, STILLMAN RUSSELL, FRANCISCO BOWEN,
Superintending Committee.
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