USA > Massachusetts > Hampshire County > Williamsburg > Town Annual Report of the Officers of the Town of Williamsburg 1895-1915 > Part 22
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16
ITEMS OF APPROPRIATION FOR 1906.
Schools,
$4,300 00
Superintendent,
375 00
Text-books and supplies,
450 00
Repairs,
600 00
Tuition,
250 00
Highways,
1,200 00
Memorial Day,
50 00
Poor,
1,200 00
Contingent,
800 00
Interest,
250 00
Soldiers' Relief,
225 00
Sidewalks,
400 00
Fire Department,
150 00
Sinking Fund,
1,000 00
Watering tanks and hydrants,
800 00
Street lights,
1,250 00
Library,
200 00
$13,500 00
HIGHWAYS AND BRIDGES. HALLOCK H. NICHOLS, SUP'T.
Paid Dwight E. Clary,
labor,
$ 1 40
Fred Brazill,
66
24 62
John Ice,
66
53 20
H. D. Waite,
66
16 28
W. H. Warner, labor and material,
154 24
F. A. Shumway, 66
115 65
F. L. Guilford,
66
101 75
J. S. Graves,
66
66
63 30
G. A. Thresher,
66
66
37 28
C. S. Damon,
66
66
14 05
E. A. Warner, labor,
3 85
Harry Warner,
29 50
Reuben Dewey,
66
6 00
Howard Smart,
12 00
E. P. Hemenway,
66
22 65
17
Paid H. H. Nichols,
labor,
$189 51
M. N. Adams,
66
7 60
Henry Dewey,
66
1 50
Thomas Stone,
66
12 00
Thomas Dolan, labor and wood,
24 99
P. J. Kelley,
labor,
9 40
Earl Edwards,
85
Roy Fahey,
3 00
J. F. Clapp, labor and gravel,
22 00
William O'Brien, labor,
58 25
Philip McGowan,
34 33
Harry Drake,
5 33
Arthur Damon,
66
1 50
C. W. Warner,
66
8 77
C. R. Damon, sundries,
8 80
Frank Loomer,
labor,
57 31
G. M. Bradford,
bridge plank,
270 11
66 dynamite and lumber,
15 90
John J. Ryan,
labor,
3 67
Dennis Brazill,
66
20 99
H. H. Cranson,
76 92
William Dahmke, 66
19 28
Louis Vachelle,
66
15 00
Julius Vachelle,
66
11 25
John Keyes,
66
12 75
Frank Cowing,
6€
22 67
R. D. Ames,
66
5 25
A. B. Cranson,
66
12 00
Emory Hill,
66
9 00
J. E. Welch,
20 66
William Lawler,
7 17
John Gezer,
66
4 50
Wesley Clark,
66
7 50
H. E. Bradford, labor and freight,
4 50
Concord Foundry and Machine Co., sewer grates, 15 60
Shumway & Riley, akron pipe,
127 84
29 00
18
Paid Frank Richardson, labor,
$7 50
George Loomis,
66
6 75
Ralph Reynolds,
2 40
E. O. Black,
17 25
Alick Barsafkey, 66
4 95
J. J. Handfield,
66
6 40
M. D. Patteson, surveying,
4 40
Ray Sornborger,
labor,
3 00
Adelbert Wait,
15 90
John Trainor,
66
4 50
John Molloy,
4 50
F. E. White,
66
2 00
Oscar Walker,
66
9 00
William Heath,
66
3 00
George Harris,
66
1 50
N. H. Damon,
66
1 42
E. J. House,
66
5 25
C. A. Nichols,
66
75
A. E. Lawton,
66
3 00
H. Lussier, gravel,
1 50
Almon Everett, labor and gravel,
12 50
Frank Wells,
labor,
13 62
W. H. Harris, 66
11 83
Thomas Culver,
1 50
F. E. Sanderson,
6 25
William Watson,
66
1 50
G. F. Dolan,
1 50
H. G. Hill Est., gravel,
50
C. K. Merritt,
labor,
5 00
H. A. Bisbee,
66
5 00
$1,977 44
AVAILABLE FOR HIGHWAYS.
Town appropriation,
$1,200 00
Street Railway Franchise Tax,
448 22
Excise
329 71
$1,977 93
Appropriation recommended,
$1,400 00
80
John O'Neil,
19
EXPENDITURES UNDER CONTINGENT ACCOUNT.
Paid T. P. Larkin, Auditor,
$3 00
J. Walter Nash, 66
3 00
E. I. Clapp, printing,
4 00
F. C. Richards, Moderator,
2 50
F. E. White, Ballot Clerk,
2 50
Adelbert Bailey, 66 66
2 50
F. P. Crosby, 66 66
2 50
W. S. Smith, 66 66
2 50
M. J. Cusick, 66
66
2 50
M. E. Riley,
66
2 50
Sanford Putnam Co., field books,
2 75
Gazette Printing Co., printing,
69 10
- H. E. Bradford, Registrar,
5 00
C. A. Phillips,
5 00
Stephen Jorgensen, 5 00
G. P. O'Donnell, legal services,
5 00
Calvin Coolidge,
3 00
Commonwealth of Massachusetts, 1 set Revised Laws, 6 00
Hope Engine Co., services of 15 men at Joe Kees' fire, 6 00
Thayer Mfg. Co., labor and stove-pipe for Town Hall,
13 97
George Loomis, labor running lines,
50
P. B. Murphy, dog blanks, 1 50
A. F. Graves, repairing wheel, 3 00
F. P. Crosby, wood Town Hall, 2 25
T. I. Breckenridge, coal “
3 65
The R. H. Smith Mfg. Co., 2 wax seals,
3 00
Adelbert Bailey, Precinct Officer A, 2 50
2 50
F. E. White,
66
66
66
2 50
J. D. Staab,
66
66
66
2 50
F. L. Bisbee,
66
66
2 50
M. H. Beals,
66
66
66
2 50
C. A. Nichols,
66
66
66
2 50
66
F. P. Crosby, 66
66
20
Paid A. P. Miller,
Precinct Officer A, $2 50
W. S. Smith,
66 66
B.
2 50
H. W. Warner,
66
2 50
H. C. Pomeroy,
66
66 2 50
T. J. Curry, 66
66
2 50
E. J. O'Brien,
66
66
2 50
M. E. Riley,
2 50
Martin Mullaley,
66
66
66
2 50
66
66
66
M. J. Cusick, and expenses, 3 00
W. M. Cochran & Co., Collector's bond, 12 00
H. C. Pomeroy, Tree Warden, 30 00
W. M. Purrington, Insurance, 45 00
H. H. Nichols, quarantining cattle, 3 50
H. H. Nichols, Cattle Inspector, 27 00
Larkin Bros., blankets for lock-up,
1 00
M. H. Beals, Elector,
10 00
C. S. Damon, sundries,
15 56
Lawrence Molloy, 66
98
C. W. Warner, labor and material for voting booths,
8 29
H. A. Bisbee, Janitor,
34 00
66 Constable,
23 70
66 Special Police,
25 00
66 66 labor and material for Town Hall, 2 00
Thayer Mfg. Co., repairing pipe at watering trough, 75
S. J. Edwards, Special Police,
75 00
District Court fees, 88 87
Lawrence Molloy, Selectman, Assessor, and Overseer of Poor, 100 00
H. H. Nichols, Selectman, Assessor, and Overseer of Poor, 100 00
C. S. Damon, Selectman, Assessor, and Overseer of Poor, 125 00
R. F. Burke, sundry abatement, 1903, 1904, 1905 Tax, 87 85
66
21
Paid Williamsburg Fire Co., services Hathaway's fire, $6 00
Williamsburg Fire Co., services Polmatier's fire,
18 60
H. W. Hill, Town Clerk & Treasurer,
125 00
66 Registrar,
7 50
66 66 Sundries,
12 40
66 Recording births, deaths, and marriages, 29 50
66 " Physicians for birth returns, 8 25
Emil H. Miller, School Committee, 90 00
Thomas F. Dumphy, " 66 60 00
Mrs. F. L. Bisbee, 66 66 75 00
R. F. Burke, Collector, 1905, 125 00
$1,575 47
AVAILABLE FOR CONTINGENT ACCOUNT.
Appropriation,
$800 00
National Bank Tax,
620 25
Corporation 66
358 34
Rent of Town Hall,
63. 00
District Court fines,
40 00
Sundry licenses and articles sold, 9 80
Compensation of Inspector of Animals, 14 75
$1,906 14
Appropriation recommended, $800 00
and State Corporation and Bank Tax.
PAUPER ACCOUNT.
EXPENDITURES.
For Mrs. Bridget Dehey, $165 00
Miss Saloma Warner,
149 19
Mrs. Nancy Jordan, deceased, 35 36
Mrs. Mary L. Thayer,
139 58
Mrs. Jos. Murray and family, State, 2 00
Richard M. Keating,
30 57
22
For Mrs. Catharine Johnson, State,
$11 00
Mrs. Alma Lyonnais, 8 93
Miss Johanna Keating,
63 00
Clifford E. Porter,
9 50
Mrs. Frank Cowing and family, 49 77
Mrs. John Quinn and family,
48 00
$711 90
AMOUNT AVAILABLE.
Appropriation,
$1,200 00
Transportation of paupers, 9 00
Temporary support of paupers, 4 00
Received from Mrs. Winifred Phillips' estate,
34 36
Received from sale of Waite place,
50 00
$1,297 36
Appropriation recommended,
$1,200 00
NEW ENGINE HOUSE.
Paid Ernest Rood,
labor,
$18 00
Ray Sornborger,
66
28 24
T. S. Ring,
66
57 92
Philip McGowan,
20 00
Rufus Miner,
66
13 77
William O'Brien,
66
21 61
George A. Thresher, 66
18 40
F. A. Brooks, cement and tile,
22 63
C. R. Damon, sundries,
26 10
J. J. Ball, labor and material,
423 33
Appropriation, $650 00
EXTENSION OF WATER SYSTEM.
Paid Camden Iron Works, for iron pipe, $307 21 John W. Hill, freight on 29 73
Williamsburg Water Department, labor, 463 06
Appropriation, $800 00
$650 00
$800 00
23
SOLDIERS' RELIEF.
Paid Myron Ames, Mrs. Emily Hill,
$90 00
199 75
$289 75
AMOUNT AVAILABLE.
Appropriation,
$225 00
Received from Mrs. Hill,
96 00
$321 00
Appropriation recommended,
$225 00
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
Paid E. F. Delabarre, for wiring engine house in Haydenville, $6 45
Williamsburg Hose Co., 20 men, 40 00
Haydenville Hose Co., 20 men, 40 00
Mill River Electric Light Co., elec- tric current for Williamsburg
and Haydenville engine houses, 4 77
Combination Ladder Co., for hose couplings,
50 00
Larkin Bros., sundries,
1 50
$142 72
Appropriation, $150 00
Appropriation recommended, for 1907,
$200 00
SIDEWALK ACCOUNT.
Paid Luther G. Stearns, for building and repairing walks in Williams- burg, $271 03
for building and repairing walks in Haydenville, 319 22
$590 25
24
AMOUNT AVAILABLE.
Appropriation, Received from F. A. Brooks,
$400 00
16 07
$416 07
MEMORIAL DAY.
Paid John Phinney, committee, $50 00
Appropriation, $50 00
LIST OF JURORS
Nominated by the Selectmen.
Fred. C. Miller,
Clesson W. Bradley,
Patrick J. Kelley,
Philip Mansfield,
Prescott W. Richards,
Charles L. Hyde,
Philip Moran,
Clarence D. Loomis,
Richard J. O'Niel,
Silas Snow,
Michael Shea, James Morrissey,
E. Cyrus Miller,
George Richardson,
Thomas M. Wells,
Clarence A. Nichols,
George T. Bates,
Thomas Trainor,
Arthur Polmatier,
Charles R. Damon.
Respectfully submitted,
CHARLES S. DAMON, Selectmen LAWRENCE MOLLOY, of HALLOCK H. NICHOLS, ) Williamsburg.
ALMONERS OF WHITING STREET FUND.
Amount received, $250 00
Paid 50 beneficiaries, $5.00 each, $250 00
Respectfully submitted, SUSIE M. CROSBY, F. A. BROOKS, Almoners.
MICHAEL E. RILEY,
25
REPORT OF THE SINKING FUND COMMIS- SIONERS OF WILLIAMSBURG For the Year Ending February 1, 1907.
1906. March 1, Balance cash on hand, $999 16
July 1, Interest on bond, 20 00
10, deposit, 17 50
Aug. 29, Town Treasurer, 1,000 00
1907. Jan.
1, Interest on bonds, 40 00
8,
deposit, 19 74
$2,096 40
Cr.
1906. Aug. 29, Paid Haydenville Sav- ings Bank for Williamsburg bond No. 49, Accrued Interest,
$1,042 20
6 55
1907. Feb. 20, Paid for bond No. 48, 1,041 30
Accrued Interest, 5 55
Balance of cash, 80
-- $2,096 40
ASSETS OF SINKING FUND.
Williamsburg bonds No. 50, 49, 48,
$3,000 00
Cash in Haydenville Savings Bank,
80
$3,000 80
BYRON LOOMIS, C. J. HILLS, W. M. PURRINGTON, ~ Commissioners.
Report of Street Lighting Committee
Appropriation for street lights,
$1,200 00
" renewals, 50 00
Which was expended as follows :
1906. February,
$100 00
March,
100.00
April,
100 00
May,
100 00
June,
100 00
July, for all-night service July 3,
6 00
July,
100 00
August,
100 00
September, for renewals,
27 61
September,
100 00
October,
100 00
November,
100 00
December,
100 00
1907. January,
80 00
February, for renewals,
20 80
--
$1,234 41
Total amount appropriated,
$1,250 00
expended,
1,234 41
Leaving a balance of
$15 59
Following is the contract made with the Mill River Electric Light Co. :
27
CONTRACT FOR STREET LIGHTING, 1906-7.
This indenture witnesseth an agreement between the Mill River Electric Light Company, a corporation located in Williamsburg, Mass., and the Inhabitants of the Town of Williamsburg, Mass., for the lighting of the streets of Williamsburg and Haydenville as follows :
The said Mill River Electric Light Company agrees to light seventy-five incandescent lights of thirty-two candle power each, and one enclosed arc light of 1200 candle power, from dark until 12 o'clock midnight on what is commonly known as the " Moonlight schedule."
The said service shall be given and continued from April 1st, 1906, to April 1st, 1907.
In consideration of the foregoing services well and truly to be performed, the said Inhabitants agree to pay the said Company twelve hundred dollars in twelve monthly install- ments of one hundred dollars each.
The said Electric Light Company for the above consider- ation of twelve hundred dollars also agree to furnish light for four additional lamps free to the town during the contract period of 1906 and 1907.
In witness whereof the two parties to this agreement hereunto set their hands and seals this first day of April in the year nineteen hundred and six.
MILL RIVER ELECTRIC LIGHT COMPANY, by E. F. DELABARRE, SUPT.
TOWN OF WILLIAMSBURG, by C. C. CONNELL, CHAIRMAN, CHARLES A. PHILLIPS, S. A. EWING,
C. W. FAY,
C. R. DAMON,
R. F. BURKE, F. W. THAYER.
Report of the Library Trustees.
The Trustees of the Haydenville Public Library presents the eighth annual report of that institution as given below :
We have added by purchase about one hundred and fifty new volumes during the year.
The Library building has been slated and the roof other- wise repaired, at a considerable expense to the committee, and for that reason the committee has run over the appro- priation.
During the rains of last year, previous to the slating, the interior of the building was much damaged. The building needs painting. We would ask for the same appropriation as last year-two hundred dollars.
THOMAS J. COOGAN, Committee.
TREASURER'S REPORT.
Balance on hand,
$2 19
Town's appropriation,
200 00
$202 19
EXPENDED.
For books and magazines,
$95 50
Librarian and Assistants,
7 00
Slating of roof,
83 09
Eave spouts,
5 50
Sundries,
11 10
$202 19
UNPAID BILLS.
Bridgman & Lyman,
$2 40
P. J. Murphy, 34 76
R. A. Cole, for postage,
20
$37 36
Water Commissioners' Report.
Balance cash on hand previous report, $4,143 87 Rec'd of H. W. Hill, Treas., balance town loan, 1,000 00
Rec'd of H. W. Hill, Treas., on appro- priation for Valley View extension, 492 79
Rec'd Interest on deposit,
120 98
66 town note, 34 00
Water rent,
2,220 15
Sewer connections, 121 00
$8,132 79
Paid for repairs and maintenance, $ 74 15
Labor, plumbing and material, 136 76
Tools and sundries for use of water department, 85 24
Right of way across land of Mrs. Azuba L. Harris, 64 00
Right of way across land of Mrs. Alice E. Miller, 39 50
Expenses and council fees in suits of Mrs. Miller, Mrs. Harris and Lewis Miller, 235 69
Expenses in Vaughn suit,
39 90
Rebates on water rent,
2 50
Cost of Valley View extension,
746 57
H. W. Hill, Treas.,
2,035 96
Balance cash on hand, 4,672 52
$8,132 79
A. S. HILLS, J. W. HILL, F. A. BROOKS,
Commissioners.
Report of School Committee
For the Year Ending February Ist, 1907.
To the Citizens of Williamsburg :
Our Annual Report is respectfully submitted for your consideration. This includes reports of Superintendent (with statistics and calendar for coming school year and program of last graduating-day exercises), report of the Music Teacher, Truant Officers and Committee Treasurer.
ANNUAL REPORT.
The High Schools have been in session forty (40) weeks, all others thirty-six (36) weeks.
There were so few pupils, five (5) in number, it was not considered advisable to re-open the South Street School. The pupils were transported to the Center, as were the pu- pils from the North Street School during the spring term. Transportation is being paid for nine (9) pupils from Hay- denville to Williamsburg High School.
Tuition will not be paid for pupils attending the North- ampton High School unless a full course has been com- pleted in the Williamsburg High School. This is in ac- cordance with Sec. 8, Chap. 42, of Revised Laws.
What was true of last year is also true of this, that the requirements of the State Board are constantly demanding increase in outlay and improvements of buildings, text- books, etc., therefore we need more appropriation than formerly.
32
Some of the rooms are not properly heated. The coldest days the temperature is far below normal. This is espe- cially true of the Haydenville Center building.
The third Primary room in this building has been con- demned by the Inspector of Public Buildings because of improper light. A means of providing better light must be attended to at once. This building must also be painted. This has been deferred awaiting decision concerning the best means of making the aforesaid changes. A new build- ing would do away with these difficulties and seems neces- sary.
Suitable sanitary arrangements for the Williamsburg High School must come this year.
On stormy days, or when schools are not in session, there will be school signals : two blasts once repeated at eight and eleven-thirty a. m., from Bradford's Mill and the Hay- denville Brass Shop.
Much of interest concerning teachers, state children, examination of eyes and ears, agriculture, drawing, etc., are ably spoken of in the Superintendent's Report, and we recommend a careful perusal of the same.
REPAIRS.
New floors have been laid in third Primary and Interme- diate rooms at Haydenville Center and new adjustable desks and seats put in these rooms.
The Maple Street building has been shingled and slight repairs made on Purrington and Mountain Street buildings.
The Williamsburg Center building has been painted on outside, also front hall, and a new gutter has been put on front porch.
One side of South Street building has been shingled.
PERMANENT IMPROVEMENTS.
We have laid tile from connection of Haydenville Co.'s tenement into sewer from Haydenville Center building to the river, as said section was 4-inch, and that above being 8-inch, caused a stoppage at this point and set back into the tenement cellar.
33
NEEDED REPAIRS.
Searsville building must be shingled and new stoves in this and North Street buildings.
We recommend the following appropriations for the year 1907-08 :
Teachers,
$4,300 00
Superintendent,
375 00
Text-books and Supplies,
450 00
Repairs,
600 00
Tuition,
250 00
$5,975 00
EMIL H. MILLER, MARTHA S. BISBEE, T. F. DUMPHY,
Superintendent's Report.
To the School Committee of Williamsburg :
MADAM AND GENTLEMEN :- The annual report of the Superintendent of Schools is submitted for your considera- tion and approval.
During the year ending Feb. 1st, 1907, fourteen schools have been in session for the whole or a part of the usual time and twenty-two different teachers employed. It is a pleasure to say that the work has been quite satisfactory generally, and but one failure has occurred. With one or two exceptions our teachers have been good and well fitted for the positions held. It is not at all surprising that in a company of twenty-two teachers some should fail to reach the desired standard of excellence ; rather, all circum- stances considered, it is more surprising that we havs se- cured so many good ones. When we speak of a good corps of instructors it is not intended to convey the impression that all are of equal ability, but that the average is good. Considerable attention has recently been given to the mat- ter of teachers' salaries in the state and there is a general impression that they must be increased. They have been poorer paid for actual service rendered than any other pro- fession, often receiving less than unskilled labor. The school year is short, the vacations, in which there is no in- come, frequent and the responsibilities great. The maxi- mum of preparation and qualification is demanded and the minimum of wages too frequently paid. If the national legislators deem it necessary that their salaries be increased
35
fifty per cent. because of the increased cost of living, and workmen everywhere are receiving or demanding a raise in wages for the same reason, it would appear that those engaged in educational work are entitled to some consid- eration. Neighboring towns and cities are seriously af- fected by the loss of teachers who are attracted to other localities by offers of better pay, and contemplate a de- cided increase in salaries. If these same towns and cities are, under existing circumstances, able to take from us our best teachers, what will be our condition if they still further add to the inducements to engage with them ? There are but two solutions of the problem : either we must meet increase with increase or be content with second- class teachers to the injury of our schools and the pupils.
Fortunately, because of the generous amount contribu- ted by the state and our own citizens, it will probably be possible to adopt the plan of increase of pay without much additional taxation, and the fact should be emphasized again that we are extremely fortunate in having so many good resident teachers. In almost every instance the char- acter of our schools has been kept well up to the usual good standard of efficiency and, in some particulars, espe- cially good progress made. Where the school system is thoroughly established, as in this town, it is not expected that notable changes will be made often in it, nor are they desirable. Whatever variation may occur in the character of any particular school is largely the result of a change of instructors and the continual necessity for repeating the instructions of the superintendent and the time required for a new teacher to familiarize herself with them. An examination of the statistical table will show that there was a slight decrease in the number of pupils for the year ending Aug. 31, 1906 ; this occurred in the out schools chiefly, there being a little increase in the Haydenville schools during the same period.
At present the number attending the schools equals that of any year previous and will, probably, remain constant so long as business conditions are unchanged. The unfor-
36
tunate school is the Haydenville High-Grammar. Th teacher engaged for this school last fall was attacked with appendicitis just a few days previous to the date for th beginning of the term and it was necessary to secur another hastily and without sufficient investigation. Th results were disastrous in several ways. The school, in few weeks, was reduced to a condition bordering on chaotic almost no progress was made and a very reprehensibl spirit of insubordination and indifference aroused. Th resignation of the principal was received and accepted i a few weeks, and a gentlemen of long and successful expe rience in high school work was engaged as his successor He entered upon the labor of reconstruction with vigor and discretion, but the evil results of former conditions were s decided as not to be easily overcome. There has been a unreasoning persistence in a course of action which has le to great loss of time and effort and made the probabl promotions in this room very few, but there is, at present evident improvement, and much of the lost ground will b recovered by the end of the year.
It was with the greatest regret that the resignation o Principal Connor was received. During the years he ha been with us he has proved one of the most valuabl teachers ever employed in town, and by his thorough instruction and conscientious labor greatly increased th general efficiency of the High School and given it a mos excellent reputation. The good character of the prepara tory work done in the school is recognized by teachers i other high schools and often complimented. Mr. Roya Richardson was elected his successor and is carrying o the work well. The value of this school to our town car hardly be estimated and can be yet increased with prope accommodations and equipment. In most communitie there are found a few persons who seem to be unable t discover much to praise in home industries and institution and even appear, at times, to delight in belittling them Ours is no exception, the teacher sometimes being calle upon to meet very unpleasant conditions caused by th
37
injudicious criticism of the school in the presence of its pupils and unreasonable prejudice, but by far the greater number of the citizens recognize its merits and accord it loyal support.
One element in our schools which often affects them injuriously and greatly increases the labor of the teachers is the presence in them of so many state and city wards. While there are among them good children and students, yet, owing to the very nature of the circumstances which have made them dependent on the state and city, many are of such a character as to require constant effort to prevent harm to those with whom they are associated.
It appears that we are compelled to receive into our schools and among our children a considerable number from one school, really a reformatory institution, who almost invariably occasion trouble for the teachers and interfere with the discipline. Without exception the teachers dread their appearance and protest against their presence, not because they are unwilling to do just as much for them as for other pupils, but because experience has shown that it is possible to increase the difficulty of disci- pline, create disrespect for authority and induce general indifference to duty in an entire room by the introduction of one undesirable child. It seems evident that there is in our schools an increased spirit of moral cowardice and sneakingness which is unfitting the pupils for positions of trust and responsibility, nor is this confined to any particu- lar nationality, it is found with those children who come from the best homes and live amidst the pleasantest sur- roundings. The influences of home instruction in morals, the teachings of the Sunday School and the Church seem unable to overcome this prevalence of untruthfulness and lack of manliness. It seems that this must be due largely to the introduction of the element to which reference has been made, augmented by the example and teaching of certain persons outside the schools with whom the pupils are permitted to associate.
There is need of redoubled effort on the part of teachers
38
and parents to overcome wrong ideas of conduct and in- crease respect for morality.
Several changes were made in the teaching force during the year, in the out schools, but owing to the character of the teachers employed little harm has been occasioned, and the instruction given has been uniformly good. These schools are entitled to especial consideration and should be furnished with the best instructors obtainable. The work in them is difficult because of the number of grades, the locations are not attractive to many persons, yet the pupils are among the best in town, therefore extra inducements should be offered teachers in them. They certainly are not legitimate practice ground for young and untrained teachers.
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