USA > Massachusetts > Hampden County > Palmer > Town Annual Report of the Officers of the Town of Palmer, Massachusetts 1924 > Part 5
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2,827.25
Assistance,
5,381.50
Retirement,
264.25
Text and Referenee
Books,
201.98
Supplies,
258.40
Machines,
705.60
Sundry Items,
20.98
Continuation:
Superintendent,
55.00
Instructors,
3,603.46
Clerical Work,
210.00
Retirement,
184.00
Janitors,
610.75
Rent,
305.00
Equipment and Supplies,
969.70
Text Books,
69.72
Transportation,
394.75
Sundry Items,
266.19
Americanization:
Principal,
250.00
Instructors,
1,503.44
Janitor,
96.00
Transportation,
21.00
Playground: i
Attendants,
1,841.00
Janitor,
120.00
Equipment,
204.27
Supplies,
52.34
Transportation,
40.95
Sundry Items,
109.70
Repairs:
High:
Carpentry,
14.85
Plumbing,
12.41
98
Appropriations and Amount Reserve Fund Expended Balance
Department
Materials, Sundry Items,
18.45
38.98
Elementary:
Carpentry,
130.00
Plumbing,
174.99
Materials,
3,123.72
Sundry Items,
270.95
6.23
Total for Education, $182,006.01
NEW HIGH SCHOOL
Contract Work, 26,608.81
THREE RIVERS SCHOOL
Balance of Contract,
$ 785.26
Lumber,
301.74
Total,
1,087.00
LIBRARY
Young Men's Library Ass'n, $ 4,600.00
$4,600.00
UNCLASSIFIED
Memorial Day,
$ 200.00
191.82
8.18
Town Clock,
50.00
50.00
Printing and Distributing Town Reports,
1,200.00
922.50
277.50
Hampden County Tu-
bercular Hospital,
1,426.96
1,426.96
Agricultural Demonstration,
500.00
500.00
Workmen's Compensation
Insurance,
800.00
927.80
-127.80
Total for Unclassified, $4,019.08
99
Department
Appropriations and Amount Reserve Fund Expended CEMETERIES
Balance
Care and Maintenance,
$ 3,000.00
Transfer from Cemetery Com-
missioners' Interest Fund, 200.00
Secretary,
150.00
Labor,
2,556.31
Teams,
129.00
Tools, Equipment, etc.,
101.79
Loam and Gravel,
67.90
Shrubs, etc.,
124.40
Sundry Items,
91.63
-21.03
Total for Cemeteries,
$3,221.03
CEMETERY FENCE
Labor and Materials, $4,300.00
Wire Fence,
4,127.00
Labor,
110.00
Team,
24.00
39.00
CARE OF NEGLECTED GRAVES
Care of
Neglected Graves, $250.00
Supervision, Labor
Teams, 219.00 31.00
INTEREST
Temporary and General Loans:
Anticipation of Taxes,
$4,000.00
$4,106.34
-106.34
Maturing Debt, 13,052.50
High School Loan,
160.00
New High School Loan,
7,692.50
New High School Loan, Series "B" 850 .. 00
100
Three Rivers School,
. 2,150.00
Bondsville
Grammar School,
1,360.00
North Main Street,
840.00
Cemetery Perpetual
Care Fund, (Transfer)
695.28
Total for Interest,
$17,854.12
MUNICIPAL INDEBTEDNESS
Temporary Loans:
Anticipation of Taxes,
$250,000.00
General Loans: i
High School,
1,000.00
New High School,
11,000.00
Three Rivers School,
6,000.00
Bondsville
Grammar School,
2,000.00
Highway
Improvement Loan,
2,000.00
Total for Municipal Indebtedness,
$272,000.00
AGENCY AND TRUST
Agency:
State Tax,
$19,100.00
County Tax,
11,283.19
State Highway Tax,
8,795.36
Trust:
Cemetery Per-
1
petual Care Fund,
750.00
Total for Agency and Trust:
$39,928.55
Total Payments, Cash on hand, Dec. 31, 1924,
$707,884.50
130,137.82
$838,022.32
-
101
The figures below show the amounts transferred from the "Reserve Fund" to the following accounts :
Police Department,
$ 200.00
Bridge Repairs,
849.25
Sewers and Culverts,
463.29
Forest Fires,
1,006.91
Selectmen's Contingent,
300.00
Selectmen's Contingent
for use of Soldiers' Relief 1,087.50
This leaves a balance of $1,098.05
Submitted by HARRIETTE PAINE, Bookkeeper.
Trial Balance
Dr.
Cr.
J. A. Hawkes, Taxes 1913 $ 362.05
J. A. Hawkes, Taxes 1914
12.48
J. A. Hawkes, Taxes 1915 1,519.02
J. A. Hawkes, Taxes 1916 2,348.76
J. A. Hawkes, Taxes 1917 2,965.26
J. A. Hawkes, Taxes 1913-1917 1,352.87
J. T. Brown, Taxes 1921 25.02
J. T. Brown, Taxes 1922 163.95
J. T. Brown, Taxes 1923 1,734.22
J. T. Brown, Taxes 1924 37,732.02
4.18
J. T. Brown, Street Sprinkling 1923
27.78
Street Spr., Assessment Revenue 1921
20.64
Street Spr., Assessment Revenue 1922
24.68
Street Spr., Assessment Revenue 1923
173.36
Overlay 1913
374.41
Overlay 1915
1,393.37
Overlay 1916
1,119.80
Overlay 1917
2,252.85
Overlay 1921
908.62
Overlay 1922
1,087.86
Overlay 1923
2,410.63
Overlay 1924
2,973.73
C. of Mass. War Bonus
840.00
C. of M. Mothers' Aid
133.94
C. of Mass. Charities 165.01
Support of Poor, (Worcester) 13.00
C. of M., B. of H. Subsidies
77.13
Support of Poor (LaCroix)
46.00
Sidewalks, E. Main St., Three Rivers 52.80
Sidewalks, Bridge St., Three Rivers 129.76
Sidewalks, Main St., Three Rivers
59.80
J. T. Brown, Street Sprinkling 1921
J. T. Brown, Street Sprinkling 1922
29.35
Cemetery Dept. Bills Receivable 10.00
103
Sidewalks (1923)
550.71
Sidewalks, No. Main "A"
725.75
Sidewalks, High St., "A" (John Chiss)
47.00
Hampden R. R. Br. Rep.
127.86
Town of Monson, Hamp. R. R. Br. Rep. 18.07
State Aid
309.83
Reserve Fund Account Abatements
7,857.97
Estimated Receipts
55,147.43
Dept. Rev. 1922
494.29
Dept. Rev. 1923
560.71
Dept. Rev. 1924
5,549.59
Revenue 1924
27,542.31
Excess and Deficiency
60,201.86
Selectmen's Other Expenses
2.57
Selectmen's Contingent Account
128.57
Assessors' Other Expenses
63.29
Auditing and Accounting
90.00
Collector's Salary
450.00
Collector's Salary 1921
85.00
Collector's Salary 1922
75.00
Collector's Salary 1923
90.00
Collector's Salary 1924
300.00
Collector's Bond and Other Expenses
16.68
Town Clerk's Other Expenses
62.19
Law Department
786.68
Swift River Counsel
500.00
License Commissioners' Expenses
8.25
Treas.' Dept., Bond and Other Expenses
48.84
Election and Registration
410.58
Town Offices
52.95
Town House Repairs
2.50
Memorial Hall Insurance
11.20
World War Record
208.58
Department of Police
141.74
Day Patrolman
300.00
Special Police
372.00
Police Expenses and Reimbursements
1.30
Police Equipment
7.00
Illegal Sales
150.00
Lockup, Care, Rent, etc.
157.88
Police Office
101.10
Support District Court
500.00
Ins. and Care Auto Fire Truck
351.69
Sealer's Other Expenses
32.61
104
Tree Warden
100.00
Preservation of Trees
21.45
Planting Trees
6.00
Moth Department
.45
Vital Statistics
142.00
Board of Health Clerical Assistance
79.15
Board of Health Inspections
233.10
North Main Street Sidewalk
148.47
General Highway Repairs
292.21
Snow Removal
405.83
Bridge Repairs, Burleigh's
. .
11.05
Bridge Repairs, Fay
10,000.00
Bridge to Prospect St., Art. 51
12,879.11
South Main Street
25,000.00
Orchard! Street, Palmer
542.40
Sidewalks, Main Street, Three Rivers
1,621.49
Street Sprinkling
100.45
Street Lighting
152.86
Overseers of Poor, General
3,471.25
Wing Memorial Hospital
317.11
Three Rivers School
1,453.23
High School
5,113.74
Educational Total
6,23
Memorial Day
13.18
Workmen's Compensation Insurance
127.80
Town Reports
277.50
Reserve Fund
1,698.015
Care of Cemetery
21.03
Neglected Graves
31.00
Cemetery Fund
39.00
Interest on Temporary Loans
106.34
George E. Clough
2.68
Three Rivers School Loan
2,000.00
New High School Loan
190,000.00
Bondsville Grammar School Loan
31,000.00
High School Loan
3,000.00
North Main Street Loan
12,000.00
Three Rivers School Loan
35,000.00
Net Bonded Debt
302,000.00
Trust Funds
22,931.09
Cemetery Perpetual Care Funds
20,446.00
Cemetery Perpetual Care Income Acct.
683.81
Merrick Fund
850.00
Thompson Fund
951.28
105
Sewer, Pine and Brown
1,434.38
Sewer, Squier Street
151.87
Sewer, North Main Street
517.44
Claim, So. Main St., and Monson Rd.,
1,000.00
War Bonus Funds
5,045.11
Poor, Town of Ludlow
190.00
Sidewalks, Converse Street
238.92
Sidewalk, Church Street.
155.48
Sidewalk, Pleasant and Walnut
53.29
Sidewalk, South Main Street
145.95
Sidewalk, Main Street
452.21
Sidewalk, Four Corners Road
2,295.36
Sidewalk, Pleasant 'Street "C"
330.67
Sidewalk, Main Street, Three
Rivers
535.88
Accrued Interest
30.81
Fay Bridge Loan
7,000.00
South Main Street
22,000.00
Cash on Hand, Dec. 31, 1924
130,137.82
$541,788.55 $541,788.55
Sealer of Weights and Measures
Subsequent Report
NOTE :- The following is part of the Sealer of Weights and Measures Report which through an oversight was not sent in with the main part of the report and is inserted here per order of Selectmen. See Page 33 for other part of report.
Reweighings of Flour
34
Reweighings of Dry Commodities
85
Reweighings of Ice
4
Reweighings of Fruit and Vegetables
16
Reweighings of Bread
88
Inspections of Clinical Thermometers
28
Inspections of Hawkers and Peddlers' License
2
Inspections of Platform Scales
34
Inspections of Gasoline Pumps
8
Inspections of Milk Cans
28
Special Scales Inspection
3
330
LOUIS LEVEILLEE, Sealer Weights and Measures.
Auditors' Report
We have examined the books and accounts of the Treasurer, Tax Collector, Town Clerk, Sealer of Weights and Measures, and Secretary of the Cemetery Commis- sioners for the year 1924, and beg to submit the following :
TREASURER'S ACCOUNTS
Balance on hand, January 1st, 1924,
$66,052.21
Receipts during year, 771,970.11
$838,022.32
Total paid out on warrants and orders during year,
707,884.50
Balance on hand December 31, 1924,
$130,137.82
ACCOUNTS OF J. A. HAWKES, TAX COLLECTOR
We find that nothing has been paid to the Town Treasurer on this account.
ACCOUNTS OF J. T. BROWN, TAX COLLECTOR
ACCOUNT OF 1920
Outstanding January 1, 1924,
$40.75
Interest,
8.22
48.97
Paid Treasurer,
48.97
108
ACCOUNT OF 1921
Outstanding January 1, 1924,
$2,302.95
Interest,
139.87
2,442.82
Paid Treasurer,
1,334.31
Abatements,
1,085.87
2,420.18
Outstanding December 31, 1924,
$22.64
ACCOUNT OF 1922
Outstanding January 1, 1924,
$7,069.19
Interest,
495.49
7,564.68
Paid Treasurer,
5,614.89
Abatements,
1,815.03
7,429.92
Outstanding December 31, 1924,
$134.76
ACCOUNT OF 1923
Oustanding January 1, 1924,
$43,062.26
Interest,
1,250.95
44,313.21
Paid Treasurer,
42,140.65
Abatements,
466.12
42,606.77
Outstanding December 31, 1924,
1,706.44
ACCOUNTS OF 1924
Assessors' Warrants to be collected,
$371,832.09
Interest,
392.43
372,224.52
Paid Treasurer,
333,608.70
Abatements,
883.80
334,492.59
Outstanding December 31, 1924,
$37,732.02
109
SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
Balance due January 1, 1924,
$85.16
163 visits made as per records-
Total Collected for 1924
84.23
Total due December 31, 1924,
169.39
Paid Town Treasurer,
173.20
Overpaid,
$ 3.81
DOG LICENSES
Licenses issued:
Males, 393 @ $2.00,
$786.00
Spayed Females, 53 @ $2.00,
106.00
Females, 60 @ $5.00,
300.00
$1,192.00
Payments to County Treasurer:
June 2, 1924
1,039.80
Dec. 1, 1924,
51.00
1,090.80
Fees Deducted,
101.20
$1,192.00
CEMETERY COMMISSIONERS' REPORT
Appropriation,
$3,000.00
Additional,
221.03
$3,221.03
Expenditures,
$3,221.03
Amounts collected and paid Town Treasurer as follows:
Sale of Lots,
$359.00
Care of Lots,
1,246.75
Grading,
100.75
Opening Graves,
461.00
Foundations,
247.66
All Others,
26.00
$2,441.16
110
CEMETERY COMMISSIONERS FUND
Balance, Jan. 1, 1924, Interest to Dec. 31, 1924, Care of lots for year, General Care, ยท
$1,225.47 967.88
771.00
$2,193.35
200.00
971.00
971.00
Balance, Dec. 31, 1924,
$1,222.35
Perpetual Care Fund, Dec. 31, 1924,
$20,896.00
Respectfully submitted,
ROBERT J. WILDER, FRANCIS J. HORGAN, HOWARD S. CURTIS.
Auditors.
TOWN OF PALMER
SCHOOL REPORT
For the Year Ending December 31, 1924
School Committee, 1924-1925
Harry M. Parsons, Chairman Clifton H. Hobson, Secretary
Harold M. Parsons,
Term expires 1927
Dr. John F. Roche,
Term expires 1927
Dr. Charles Giroux,
Term expires 1926
George L. Warfield,
Term expires 1926
John F. Shea,
Term expires 1925
Jeremiah J. Kelley,
Term expires 1925
Regular meetings of the School Committee are held at 7:30 p. m. on the Tuesday before the last Friday of each school month. All bills must be in the hands of the Superintendent on the Monday before the above date.
Superintendent of Schools, Clifton H. Hobson.
Office, High School Building. Telephone 54-M.
Office Hours :- 8 a. m. to 12 m., 1 to 5 p. m .; Sat- urdays, 9 a. m. to 12 m .; Tuesday 7 to 8 p. m., except the Tuesday before the last Friday of each school month.
ATTENDANCE OFFICERS
Patrick McKelligett,
Depot
Charles Thomas,
Depot
T. J. Crimmins,
Depot
Patrick Nagle,
Thorndike
D. V. Fogarty,
Three Rivers
William Smith,
Three Rivers Bondsville
John Mansfield,
Arthur Bennett,
Forest Lake
Edmund L. Guerin,
Town
JANITORS
Patrick McKelligett,
Palmer
Jerry Sullivan,
Palmer
Herbert Blanchard,
Palmer
Patrick Nagle,
Thorndike
Charles Fuller,
Bondsville
William Smith,
Three Rivers
Calendar
HIGH SCHOOL
Winter term begins December 29, 1924; ends February 20, 1925. Spring term begins March 2, 1925; ends April 24, 1925. Summer term begins May 4, 1925; ends June 26, 1925. Fall term begins September 8, 1925; ends December 24, 1925. Winter term begins January 4, 1926; ends February 26, 1926. Spring term begins March 8, 1926; ends April 30, 1926. Summer term begins May 10, 1926; ends July 2, 1926.
OTHER SCHOOLS
Winter term begins December 29, 1924; ends February 20, 1925. Spring term begins March 2, 1925; ends April 24, 1925. Summer term begins May 4, 1925; ends June 12, 1925. Fall term begins September 8, 1925; ends December 24, 1925. Winter term begins January 4, 1926; ends February 26, 1926. Spring term begins March 8, 1926; ends April 30, 1926. Summer term begins May 10, 1926; ends June 18, 1926.
VACATIONS-ALL SCHOOLS
Winter-February 27, 1926, to March 7, 1926, inclusive.
Spring-April 25, 1925, to May 3, 1925, inclusive. Summer-(Grades) : June 13, 1925, to September 7, 1925, inclusive. (High) : June 27, 1925, to September 7, 1925, inclusive. Fall-December 25, 1925, to January 3, 1926, inclusive.
Winter-February 27, 1926, to March 7, 1926; inclusive.
Spring-May 1, 1926, to May 9, 1926, inclusive.
Summer-(Grades) : June 19, 1926, to September 6, 1926, inclusive. (High) : July 3, 1926, to September 6, 1926, inclusive.
HOLIDAYS
Washington's Birthday, Patriot's Day, Memorial Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Convention Day, Thanksgiving (with day following).
Report of School Committee
To the Citizens of the Town of Palmer :
Your School Committee organized at its regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, February 26th, 1924, with the same members in office as during the preceding year. The usual appointment of subcommittees, Medical Inspectors, Janitors and Attendance Officers was made at this meeting.
C. H. Hobson was re-elected Superintendent of the Palmer Public Schools on April 17, 1924.
One of the first acts of the Committee was to con- duct an investigation into the results of the midyear examination system inaugurated several years ago to raise the standard of our pupils, especially in the three R's. This system seems to be bearing fruit, as seven- ninths of all of our pupils secured 70% or better for an average in all examinations.
On account of the demand for, the scarcity of, and the general underpaid condition of our, teachers, a new system of reimbursement was made effective early in 1924. This system takes into consideration the grade and the years of service of the teacher, thus, in a modest way, compensating for years of faithfulness to the Town of Palmer.
While this does not involve a heavy increase in the cost of teaching nor place the Palmer school teacher on a basis comparable with some of our neighboring towns, it, nevertheless, seems to be an improvement over the old system that did not recognize either grade nor years
6
of employment. Your Committee believes that the system now effective will automatically take care of the teachers' compensation unless there is some radical change in the teaching situation.
In expending the school appropriation, your Com- mittee and Superintendent have always been mindful of the trust reposed in the them by the citizens of the Town; have sincerely striven to make every dollar count; and have endeavored to provide the best available housing, equipment and teachers that the funds would allow.
Our aim has been to provide full publicity of our activities as well as those of the schools, and, to that end, the schools were thrown open to public inspection on two occasions during the past year. While the public is always welcome to visit the schools at any time they are in session, special invitations were extended on these two occasions in order that those interested might really see just what nature of work was being done in the schools.
The Committee urges the citizens to visit to see and be convinced, for seeing is to be convinced, that the school system as applied in Palmer is truly worthy of com- mendation and not condemnation.
Physical inspection of the school properties has been made by the Committee. The Forest Lake and Palmer Center Schools have been put in a condition that is more in keeping with the standards of our Town. The Thorn- dike Street School in the village of Palmer and the Bondsville School have been repaired and redecorated; repairs have been made to walks, gutters, etc., at both of the above locations and at the Park Street Grammar School, all of which repairs were much needed.
The Thorndike, Three Rivers, Wenimisset and Wire Mill Schools need immediate attention. The water supply at Thorndike is unsanitary, insufficient and generally unsatisfactory. The interior of the Three
Rivers School has not been redecorated since it was built some eighteen or twenty years ago, and is badly in need of it now.
The Wenimisset School, while not as yet officially turned over to the Town, demands prompt attention and the expenditure of considerable money to put it in proper condition. We have been advised by the Town Counsel that if any repairs are to be made they may be under- taken by this Committee without in any way affecting the suit of the Town against the builder. These repairs must be made; there is no possibility, in our opinion, of undue delay. We are, therefore, asking in our budget that sufficient funds be provided therefor.
For the past three or four years there have been consistent attempts on the part of your Committee to bring to the attention of the voters the absolute necessity of proper school house facilities in the Wire Mill Dis- trict. Nothing of a definite, permanent nature has as yet been accomplished, and, as a result, the property has steadily grown worse. This condition cannot be permitted to prevail much longer. Your Committee has, therefore, caused an Article to be inserted in the Town Warrant asking that a Special Committee be appointed to investigate and bring in plans for a suitable building for this section of the Town. The responsibility to provide for this situation is now placed squarely on the voters of the Town. The Committee cannot longer assume the responsibility in this matter, although it will do its best to conserve and utilize such property as the Town sees fit to provide at this or any other location.
Taken as a unit, the Committee feel that the school system is operating efficiently and properly. It gladly welcomes constructive suggestions from all interested citizens.
The Report of Superintendent Hobson, which follows, gives full details as to school conditions and facts. It
8
is our hope that it will be read by all voters. The public school system of Palmer is an open book; all citizens should read and study it. Your Committee can- not hope to conduct the schools in a manner satisfactory to all and yet that is its aim. Your suggestions will be appreciated.
Respectfully submitted,
HAROLD M. PARSONS, Chairman, JOHN F. ROCHE, D. D. S., JEREMIAH J. KELLY, JOHN F. SHEA. GEORGE L. WARFIELD,
CHARLES GIROUX, M. D., School Committee, Town of Palmer.
Report of Superintendent of Schools
To the School Committee of the Town of Palmer:
Gentlemen :- I herewith present my fourteenth an- nual report as Superintendent of Schools in Palmer. This is the thirty-second in the series of reports issued by the superintendents of the town.
INTRODUCTION
This report will consist of two main divisions: (1) General education facts which should be called to the knowledge of everyone who has any connection, direct or indirect, with the schools; (2) regular features - a brief resume of some of the important things which are being done in the local schools.
PART I. GENERAL EDUCATION FACTS Importance of Education
The importance of education throughout the entire world is gaining in recognition, year by year. This has been more or less true in the United States for many years. It is now becoming an absolute fact throughout both hemispheres. The strides that have taken place in many countries which formerly were classified as backward and ignorant are remarkable.
Every country which has any hope of becoming a country ruled by its people rather than by its upper class, so-called, must have some form of mass education. They have learned their lesson through observation of
what our country has done within the short period of its existence. Education has been its chief instrument of progression.
Our own people do not recognize this as keenly as do the peoples of other countries. The reason is that we have had public education so long that it is regarded as a common everyday occurrence. Our people do not appreciate what it has done for the country; our par- ents do not recognize what it is doing for their children; our children do not recognize what it is doing for them. It is simply a case of nearness lending no enchantment.
A quotation or two from men who have been in a position to judge will suffice :-
"Popular Education is necessary for the preserva- tion of those conditions of freedom, political and social, which are indispensable to free development. No in- strumentality less universal in its power and authority than government can secure popular education. Without popular education, moreover, no goverment which rests upon popular action can long endure. The people must be schooled in the knowledge, and, if possible, in the virtues upon which the maintenance and success of free institutions depend. No free government can last in health if it lose hold of the traditions of its history, and in the public schools these traditions may be and should be sedulously preserved, carefully replanted in the thought and consciousness of each successive generation. "Woodrow Wilson"
"Although we talk a good deal about what the wide- spread education of this country means, I question if many of us deeply consider its meaning. From the lowest grade of the public school to the highest form of university training education in this country is at the disposal of every man, every woman, who chooses to work for and obtain it. Each one of us, then, who has an
11
education, school or college, has obtained something from the community at large for which he or she has not paid, and no self-respecting man or woman is content to rest permanently under such an obligation. Where the State has bestowed education the man who accepts it must be content to accept it merely as charity unless he returns it to the State in full in the shape of good citizenship. "Theodore Roosevelt"
"In its broad and comprehensive sense education embraces the physical, moral, and intellectual instruction of a child from infancy to manhood. Any system is im- perfect which does not combine them all; and that is best which, while it thoroughly develops them, abases the coarse animal emotions of human nature and exalts the higher faculties and feelings. An essential part of the education of youth is to teach them to serve them- selves and to impress upon them the fact that nothing good can be acquired in this world without labor, and that the very necessaries and comforts of life must be procured by earnest and regular exertion.
"Robert Edward Lee"
"Popular goverment could only be predicated on popular education.
"It is impossible to conceive that there should be any increase in agricultural products, in the production of manufactures, or any other increase in our material wealth through ignorance. The reaction to using the resources of the .country to develop the brains of the country through education has always been greatly to stimulate and increase the power of the people to produce.
"The main factor of every school is the teacher. This is one of the noblest of professions. It requires an adequate preparation and training, patience, devotion,
12
and a deep sense of responsibility. Those who mold the human mind have wrought not for time, but for eternity. The obligation which we all owe to those devoted men and women who have given of their lives to the education of the youth of our country that they might have free- dom through coming into a knowledge of truth is one which can never be discharged.
"There are over three million native illiterates. When it is remembered that ignorance is the most fruit- ful source of poverty, vice, and crime, it is easy to realize the necessity for removing what is a menace, not only to our social well-being, but to the very existence of the Republic. Such a condition not only works to a national disadvantage, but directly contradicts all our assertions regarding human rights. One of the chief rights of an American citizen is the right to an educa- tion. The opportunity to secure it must not only be provided , but if necessary made cumpulsory.
"Our public schools have made education possible for all and ignorance a disgrace.
"Education must give not only power but direction; it must minister to the whole man or it fails.
"Calvin Coolidge."
"Education, to accomplish the ends of good govern- ment, should be universally diffused. Open the doors of the school house to all the children in the land. Let no man have the excuse of poverty for not educating his own offspring. Place the means of education within his reach. and if they remain in ignorance, be it his own reproach. On the diffusion of education among the peo- ple rests the preservation and perpetuation of our free institutions .- "Daniel Webster."
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