USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Ipswich > Town annual report of Ipswich 1890-1895 > Part 7
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24
By amount due for state aid. 2005 00
By amount due for military aid 321 50
By amount due on poor account. 145 07
$7873 59
$6232 36
36
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT.
JONATHAN SARGENT, TREASURER AND COLLECTOR.
DR.
To cash on hand February 1, 1891 $ 1960 61
" uncollected taxes 3043 61
" cash hired on town notes. 4500 00
cash received from state corporation tax 1890 4411 02
cash received from state corporation tax 1891 4739 92
" cash received from bank tax
579 43
cash received from state aid. 1710 00
" cash received from military aid.
261 00
66 cash from state, income of school fund 134 56
cash from state, support of poor
20 50
cash other towns' poor account
216 88
66
cash county lockup fees.
6 00
66 cash from C. A. Sayward, criminal fees
50 63
66 cash from county, dog licenses 358 08
2253 00
66 cash for auctioneers' licenses
4 00
cash for pedlers' licenses.
60 00
cash for billiard and other licenses. 44 00
cash for rent of town hall
675 00
cash for rent of town scales, L. E. Willcomb ..
95 66
cash for rent of town scales, E. Bailey
117 03
cash for rent of cemetery pasture
12 00
66 cash for sales from Farm
1624 43
cash from Ipswich Creamery Co
892 34
66 cash for sale of lots in Highland Cemetery
175 00
66 cash for lot in Linebrook Cemetery.
12 00
cash received of Geo. P. Smith, for lumber.
8 33
cash received of H. A. Pickard, for lumber ..... 5 00
5 00
cash received for sale of Centennial Books ..... cash received from county (reimbursed) kill- ing seals.
24 00
cash received from Topsfield, boundary stones
2 50
6 6 cash received from Hamilton,
8 25
66 cash received from Essex,
1 75
66 cash, discount on county tax.
18 32
cash for interest on deposits
46 46
66 cash for interest on taxes.
106 95
tax list 1891, state tax.
1740 00
tax list 1891, county tax
2442 97
tax list 1891, town tax
26901 33
$59267 56
cash for liquor licenses.
37
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT.
JONATHAN SARGENT, TREASURER AND COLLECTOR, CR.
By cash paid on orders drawn in 1888. $ 7 00
paid on orders drawn in 1890 and Jan '91 544 07
66
paid on orders drawn for state aid .. 2026 00
66
paid on orders drawn for military aid .....
605 00
66 paid principal on notes reducing the debt of the town. 1800 00
66 paid on notes for money hired in antici- pation of the taxes 4500 00
66
66 paid interest on town notes 814 32
1740 00
66
paid county tax
2442 97
66
paid state 25 per cent. liquor license
563 25
66
discount on taxes
898 14
66 abatement of taxes
262 40
66
for killing seals 24 00
uncollected taxes. 3254 02
cash on hand 2148 00
$59267 56
66 paid state tax
paid on orders drawn in 1891 and Jan'92 37638 39
38
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT.
STATE AID ACCOUNT. COMMONWEALTH. DR.
To amount due from state for year ending Dec. 31, 1890 $1710 00
To amount due from state for military aid Dec. 31, 1890 261 00
To cash paid for state aid year ending Dec. 31, 1891. 2005 00
To cash paid for military aid 1890 (643) one half to be reimbursed by the state 321 50
-$4297 50
CR.
By cash received for State Aid $1710 00
By cash received for Military Aid. ʻ 261 00
By amount due for State Aid 2005 00
By amount due for Military Aid 321 50
-- $4297 50
STATEMENT OF TOWN PROPERTY. REAL ESTATE.
Farm $16000 00
Town House 16000 00
Cemeteries. 2000 00
Engine Houses and Land. 2000 00
School Houses and Land
14000 00
Woodland at Linebrook
100 00
Woodland at Common Fields
100 00
Turkey Shore Pasture. 100 00
Thatch bank at Great Flats
200 00
Thatch Bank at Third Creek
· 75 00
Gravel Pit near Peatfield's.
80 00
Gravel Pit near A. B. Fellows' (Candle- wood)
150 00
Gravel Pit near Carlisle's 150 00
Two Pounds. 100 00
-$51055 00
PERSONAL PROPERTY.
At the Farm: $ 6773 00
Fire Engines and Apparatus 5500 00
Hearse. 400 00
Furniture at Town House.
500 00
39
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT.
Hay scales (2)
800 00
Safes for Treasurer, and Clerk
400 00
- -$14373 00
Amount of real and personal property $65428 00
Town debt Feb. 1st, 1892. 6232 36
Balance in favor of the Town $59195 64.
ASSESSORS' REPORT.
NUMBER OF POLLS AND AMOUNT OF VALUATION.
Number of polls assessed, males 931, females 3.
Valuation of real estate.
$1,807,948 00
Valuation of personal property
627,291 00
Total valuation May 1st, 1891
$2,435,239 00
Total valuation May 1st, 1890 2,350,810 00
Increase in valuation $84,429 00
Poll tax $2.00. Tax on $1000, $12.00.
Total number of horses assessed, 601.
Total number of cows assessed, 931.
Total number of other neat cattle assessed, 292.
Total number of sheep assessed, 41.
Total number of swine assessed, 260.
Total number of fowl assessed 7879.
Total number of dwelling houses assessed, 802.
TOWN CLERK'S REPORT.
Whole number of births received and recorded by the Town Clerk, viz : 96.
Parents, Fathers native born, 67. . Mothers native born, 51. Fathers foreign born, 28. Fathers unknown birth, 1. Mothers foreign born, 44. Mothers unknown birth, 1. MARRIAGES.
Whole number, 65. Native grooms, 47. Native brides, 42. Foreign grooms, 18. Foreign brides, 23.
40
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT.
DEATHS.
Whole number recorded, 117.
Residing in Ipswich, 100.
Brought from other places, 17.
Number born in Ipswich, 52.
Number born in other parts of U. S., 39.
Number born in foreign countries, 24.
Unknown, 2.
DOGS LICENSED.
182 males and 23 females.
1 kennel license, 5 dogs.
AUDITOR'S REPORT.
This is to certify that I have examined all bills approved by the Selectmen for the year ending February 1st, 1892, and have found them correct. I have also examined the Treasurer's books, covering the same time, and have found proper vouchers or all disbursements.
WILLIAM H. TOZIER, AUDITOR.
Ipswich, Feb. 15, 1892.
REPORT OF THE ENGINEERS
Of the Fire Department for the year ending Feb. 1st, 1892. Number of alarms, 4.
$6760 00
Insurance on same
2050 00
Loss
3860 00
Insurance paid 2050 00
Property belonging to Fire Department;
Warren Engine, house and land 1800 00
Old Warren Engine house. 100 00
Neptune, house and land 1800 00
Torrent, house and land 900 00
Warren Engine, No. 1
500 00
Neptune Engine, No. 2 500 00
Torrent Engine No. 3 250 00
Hook and Ladder Truck 500 00
1 4 wheel hose carriage 100 00
4 2 wheel hose jumpers 100 00
Fire Escape .. 75 00
1300 feet rubber lined hose 600 00
500 feet good leather hose. 250 00
Value of property ..
41
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT.
500 feet poor leather hose
100 00
800 feet condemned leather hose
Rope and gear in hose tower
45 00
Furniture in Warren House 120 00
Furniture in Neptune House 120 00
Furniture Torrent House
45 00
Furniture in Hook & Ladder room.
85 00
Barnicoat Engine.
Number of men in Department
Warren 55 men.
Neptune 55 men.
Torrent 27 men.
Hook & Ladder 20 men.
Engineers 5 men.
Total number of men, 162
RESERVOIRS.
One Reservoir on South Common.
One Reservoir at Willcomb's square.
One Reservoir at head of Central street.
One Reservoir on Washington head of Gravel street.
One Reservoir near Public Library.
One Reservoir in Market square.
One Reservoir in front of J. F. Ross, High street.
One Reservoir at head of Mineral street.
One Reservoir near house of J. F. G. Clark, High street.
One Reservoir opposite J. Graffum's, Hammat street.
Also a landing on the S. E. side of Choate's Bridge, and one opposite the Town Hall built by the Town for fire purposes.
The Engineers have built a hose tower on the Neptune Engine house ; have put a bell and tower on the Torrent's house, and constructed a reservoir on Hammatt street op- posite Graffum's carriage shop. They have also painted all the engine houses which was needed very much, and blinded the Warren House.
Although we have had a good offer for the old Barni- coat Engine we think it would be policy for the Town to keep it for the present as it is capable of doing good service yet in case of emergency.
The Engineers would recommend the purchase of 1500 feet rubber lined hose and disposing of 500 feet of the old leather hose now on hand. Also the purchase of coats for the Hook & Ladder men and for the hosemen of the several
42
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT.
companies. Would also recommend putting a bottom in and cementing the sides of well on High street near J. F. G. Clark's house.
G. P. Smith
Nathaniel Archer -
Lewis Brocklebank Engineers Stephen H. Baker J. W. Newman J. W. Newman, Clerk.
POLICE REPORT.
To the Board of Selectmen of the Town of Ipswich :
The following is a list of the arrests made by the Board of Police of said town for the year ending February 1st, 1892 : For assault 12 For larceny 6
For drunkeness 14
For disturbing the peace 8
For insanity 1
For interfering with an officer in the discharge of his duty .. 1
For loitering upon the sidewalk 2
For adultery 2
For obstructing the highway
3
Total. 49
Respectfully submitted CHARLES E. GOODHUE, Chief of Police.
The time has again arrived to present for your consider- ation a report of the receipts, expenditures and financial standing of the town.
Early in the year we were deprived of the assistance of our late associate, Mr. Curtis Damon, whose services were of great value; yet in the main his ideas have been carried out.
The expenditures in the school department are in excess of the appropriations, which will probably be accounted for in their report.
The amount expended for current expenses has been con- siderably less than last year.
The bills for street lights are somewhat larger than last year.
43
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT.
The whole number of inmates at the farm the past year was 15; average number 111/2, the present number is 11. There are several reasons why the balance against the farm is larger than usual. There are several items of expense such as insurance and etc. which do not appear to the credit of the farm. The sales are somewhat less than usual. The building of the new barn has necessitated an increase in the ordinary amount of labor; the digging of the cellar, the teaming of the stone, lumber and other materials being done by the farm hands and teams.
It is evident that the appraisal of English hay, 107 tons, taken Feb. 1st, 1891, was overestimated. It has since been disposed of and the shrinkage now appears against the pres- ent years credit.
Notwithstanding the large expense incurred in building the barn at the farm, we have reduced the debt against the Town $1800, and have an increased balance in the hands of the Treasurer.
The Selectmen estimate that the sum of $8500 will be sufficient for the ordinary expenses of the town for the en- suing year, also $1800 for taking up two notes becoming due this year, one of $800 and one of $1000, the last that are held against the town for the bridge and cemetery.
AARON LORD, Selectmen.
WALTER E. LORD,J
44
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT.
WARRANT FOR THE ANNUAL TOWN MEETING.
ESSEX, SS. To CHARLES E. GOODHUE, CONSTABLE OF THE
TOWN OF IPSWICH, IN SAID COUNTY : GREETING :
In the name of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, you are hereby required to notify and warn the legal voters of said town to meet at the town house in said town, on Monday, the seventh day of March, next, at 9 o'clock a. m., then and there to act on the following articles, viz :
Art. 1. To choose a moderator.
Art. 2. To fix the compensation of the selectmen and other town officers.
Art. 3. To choose the following officers, viz: three select- men, assessors and overseers of the poor, town clerk, treas- urer and collector, auditor, two members of the school com- mittee for three years, two constables, three fence viewers, three field drivers, superintendent of cemeteries for three years, three persons to serve as a board of health for one year, and one road commissioner for three years. Also to vote Yes or No upon the following question : "Shall License be granted for the sale of Intoxicating Liquors in this town?"
The above question and officers to be voted for on one ballot, the polls to be opened at 10 o'clock a. m., and closed at 2 o'clock p. m.
Art. 4. To choose all other necessary town officers.
Art. 5. To raise money for the high and common schools.
Art. 6. To raise money for the repair of the highways.
Art. 7. To raise such sums of money as may be necessary to defray all other town charges for the ensuing year.
Art. 8. To see what compensation shall be allowed the enginemen for the ensuing year.
Art. 9. To see if the town will authorize the collector to collect interest on all taxes remaining unpaid after they are due.
Art. 10. To see if the town will authorize the treasurer to hire money in anticipation of the taxes.
Art. 11. To see what discount, if any, shall be allowed to those persons who pay their taxes before the time of pay- ment.
Art. 12. To see what action the town will take in regard to appropriating money for decorating soldiers' graves on Memorial Day.
Art. 13. To hear and act upon the reports of trustees and committees.
45
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT.
Art. 14. To see if the town will accept the list of jurors as prepared and posted by the selectmen.
Art. 15. To see if the town will authorize the selectmen to contract with the Ipswich Gas Co. for lighting the streets.
Art. 16. To see if the town will appropriate money for the improvement of the cemeteries.
Art. 17. To see if the town will authorize the filling and grading of the South Common, and appropriate money for the same.
Art. 18. To see what action the town will take in regard to draining, grading and laying a stone crossing in the square in front of the South Church, and appropriate money for the same.
Art. 19. To see if the town will accept that part of Chap. 50 of the Public Statutes relating to Sidewalks, Sec. 20 to Sec. 24 inclusive.
Art. 20. To see what action the town will take in regard to appropriating money for edge-stones to be laid on the main streets.
Art. 21. To see if the town will authorize the board of engineers of the fire department to sell the old hose and buy new hose to the amount of 1500 feet.
Art. 22.To see if the town will revoke the acceptance of the provisions of Chap. 158 of the acts of the year 1871, re- lating to road commissioners.
Art. 23. To see what action the town will take in regard to purchasing a steam fire engine, not to exceed the sum of four thousand five hundred dollars.
Art. 24. To see if the town will instruct the selectmen to demand of the Boston and Maine railroad that they have gates placed at the Boxford and Gravel street crossings near the North School house.
Art. 25. To see if the town will authorize the assessors to publish a valuation book once in five years.
Art. 26. To hear and act on a statement from the pro- prietors of Locust Grove Cemetery, in regard to their sur- rendering the said property to the custody of the town.
Art. 27. To see if the town will accept the town way from Green street to Summer street, as laid out by the road com- missioners, and raise money to construct the same and pay land damages.
.
46
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT.
Art. 28. To see if the town will accept the town way over the South Green from County street to the South Cemetery, as laid out by the road commissioners, and raise money to construct the same.
Art. 29. To see if the town will sell Turkey Shore pasture (so called.)
Art. 30. To see if the town will sell the gravel pit near the house of the late Sanford Peatfield.
Art. 31. To see if the town will purchase land of Charles Jewett, to be added to the roadway to Highland Cemetery, and raise money for the purchase of the same.
Art. 32. To see if the town will appropriate money to pay for fencing in the road to Highland Cemetery.
Art. 33. To see what action the town will take in regard to paying damages to Miss Grace Dodge for injuries re- ceived on the highway.
Addition to Art. 3 :
Shall an act passed by the legislature of the Common- wealth in the year 1882, entitled An act authorizing cities and towns to lay out public parks within their limits, be ac- cepted ?
And you are hereby directed to serve this warrant by posting up attested copies of the same at each of the meeting houses in said town, town house, post office, and at the school house in the Village district seven days at least before the time of said meeting.
Hereof fail not, and make due return of this warrant with your doings thereon to the town clerk at the time and place of said meeting.
Given under our hands this twenty-fifth day of February A. D. 1892.
AARON LORD, Selectmen. WALTER E. LORD, J
ANNUAL REPORT
-OF THE-
School & Committee
-OF THE-
own of Ipswich,
- FOR THE-
YEAR ENDING FEBRUARY 1ST, 1892.
IPSWICH, MASS .: INDEPENDENT PRESS. E. G. HULL. 1892.
ANNUAL REPORT
-OF THE-
School · Committee
-- OF THE-
Gown of Ipswich,
-FOR THE-
YEAR ENDING FEBRUARY 1ST, 1892.
IPSWICH, MASS .: INDEPENDENT PRESS. E. G. HULL. 1892.
School Report.
FINANCIAL STATEMENT.
APPROPRIATIONS AND RECEIPTS.
For Manning School $2300 00
For Other Schools. 5500 00
For Text Books and Supplies. 600 00
For Repairs. 450 00
For Vocal Music. 250 00
Received from State Board of Education 134 56
Received from Dog Licenses
358 08
$9592 64 -
EXPENDITURES.
Trustees Manning School $2300 00
Teachers' Salaries. 5536 75
Care of School Buildings 266 68
Fuel
361 12
Text Books and Supplies 733 36
Repairs
713 21
Ventilation at North School 163 14
Incidentals 395 01
- $10469 27
4
DETAILED STATEMENT OF REPAIRS Made under direction of School Committee. COGSWELL SCHOOL.
At this school a new out-building was built, new fences erected, and general repairs on the school building detailed as follows :
George A. Spencer, labor on vaults $ 13 75
Curtis Damon & Co., brick for same 14 95
S. F. Canney, lumber 100 51
Foster Russell, labor and stock. 67 76
John S. Glover, lime and cement 8 25
Wm. P. Ross, sand. 75
John Goodhue, hardware. 3 33
T. F. Cogswell, paint, etc. 14 62
J. Howard Lakeman, labor 18 75
Isaac Buzzell, trimming trees 5 35
$248 02 1
DENNISON SCHOOL.
No repairs had been made upon the interior of this build- ing for a long time, and its condition required a much larger outlay than was anticipated. The recitation room con- nected with the primary room was enlarged and greatly im- proved. The whole interior of the building put in good or- der and painted. Expenses as follows :
S. F. Canney, lumber $ 31 13
Geo. Fall, lumber 60 85
Henry A. Pickard, labor and stock 97 28
George H. Brocklebank, plastering 10 50
Albert H. Hicks, labor and stock 102 89
Emery & Co., windows, blinds, etc. 13 94
J. W. Newman, hardware, etc .. 17 08
$333 67
NORTH SCHOOL.
S. F. Canney, shingles, etc
$35 20
Foster Russell, labor.
17 75
5
Henry A. Pickard, labor and stock $14 09
Samuel F. Foss, setting glass. 3 85
$70 89
CANDLEWOOD SCHOOL.
Geo. H. Brocklebank, plastering
$19 10
Foster Russell, labor and stock 10 54
S. F. Canney, lumber for closet.
3 24
$32 88
LINEBROOK SCHOOL.
S. F. Foss, labor and calcimine.
$7 00
S. F. Foss, setting glass etc.
1 25
$ 8 25
MANNING SCHOOL.
Geo. P. Smith, removing cases and setting
up furniture
$16 25
$16 25
APPLETON SCHOOL.
Geo. H. Lord, repairing window $1 50 -
$1 50
VILLAGE SCHOOL.
Chas. A. Bailey, repairs on out-building
$1 75
$
1 75
$713 21
CHIMNEY FOR VENTILATION. NORTH SCHOOL.
George A. Spencer, labor and material as fol-
lows:
3800 common brick.
$38 00
Iron work.
4 18
Lime and cement.
8 00
500 face brick for fire places 10 00
Teaming same from Danvers 3 50
Lead, sand, nails, etc 4 21
Labor
71 50
$139 39
6
Murdock Grate Company, 2 dampers .. 5 50
Foster Russell, labor and stock 18 25
--
-
$163 14
CORPS OF TEACHERS
(February 1st, 1892) with their salaries. HIGH SCHOOL.
Sharonton H. Baker, Principal. $1500 00
Miss Mabel H. Brown, Assistant 600 00
GRAMMAR SCHOOL.
Joseph I. Horton, Principal. 1200 00
Miss Lucy Hamlin, 1st Assistant. 600 00
Miss Carrie L. Lakeman, 2d Assistant. 500 00
DENNISON SCHOOL.
Intermediate, Mrs. H. E. Noyes. 400 00
Primary, Miss Lizzie M. Crosby, Principal 380 00
Primary, Miss Anna S. Cogswell, Assistant .... 280 00
COGSWELL SCHOOL.
Intermediate, Miss Elma Smith 400 00
Primary, Miss Mabel L. Hodgkins 380 00
NORTH SCHOOL.
Intermediate, Miss Isabel Arthur. 400 00
Primary, Miss Eva A. Willcomb, Principal. 380 00
Primary, Miss Susie H. Potter, Assistant
280 00
WAINWRIGHT SCHOOL.
Miss Emma G. Blanchard 380 00
MUSIC TEACHER, A. E. Bradford. 250 00
UNGRADED SCHOOLS.
Linebrook, Miss Laura B. Underhill. 300 00
Village, Miss E. Mabel Adams 250 00
Candlewood, Miss Cora H. Jewett. 250 00
Willowdale, Miss Sadie W. Matthews 250 00
Appleton, Miss Allegra Manning 250 00
Argilla, Miss Cora A. Smith. 250 00
Grape Island, Miss Annie M. Olson 250 00
7
ENROLLMENT AND ATTENDANCE 1892.
WHOLE AVERAGE AVERAGE PERCENTAGE NUMBER MEMBER- ATTEND- OF ENROLLED. SHIP. ANCE.
ATTENDANCE
High School,
60
54
491/2
92
Grammar School,
119
118
110
94
North Inter.,
37
36
34
94
Dennison Inter.,
56
471/2
45
93 3-10
Cogswell Inter.,
35
30 8-10
27 8-10
90 3-10
North Primary,
91
76
67
881/2
Dennison Primary,
92
82 4-10
78 4-10
951/8
Cogswell Primary,
60
481/2
41
841/2
Wainwright Primary, 58
46
41
891/8
Linebrook,
35
241/2
21
86
Willowdale,
17
151/2
14
893/4
Village,
16
12
10
831/3
Appleton,
13
8 8-10
8
90 1-10
Candlewood,
26
201/2
151/2
7512
Argilla,
12
8
7
8712
Grape Island,
9
8
7
8712
736
63612
576 1-5
90%
Number of children in town between the ages of 5 and 15 years, according to census taken in May last 737
Number of pupils enrolled in the public schools 736
Average membership of all the schools 636
Average attendance of all the schools 576
Per cent of attendance. 901/2
NOTE .- In connection with the above, it should be stated that many child- ren do not enter the schools until six or seven years of age, and'that the number enrolled in the schools includes 105 who are above fifteen years of age.
Number enrolled in Grammar School, January 1, 1892 ...... 145 As follows :
In Miss Lakeman's room 48
In Miss Hamlin's room 47
8
In Mr. Horton's room. 50
Number enrolled in High School, January 1st, 1892 54
As follows :
Senior class 15
Middle class. 23
Junior class 15
1
Special student
LIST OF PUPILS WHO RECEIVED DIPLOMAS JUNE 25,
1891.
THREE YEARS CLASSICAL COURSE.
Katharine Frances Sullivan,
Harriette Wheeler Brown,
Elizabeth Janette Copp,
Mabelle Frances Nourse,
Harriet Cleaves Russell,
Frank Gerrish Potter.
THREE YEARS ENGLISH COURSE.
Grace Almira Norwood,
Eva Kinsman Brown,
Henry Sylvester Bowen,
Chester Putnam Woodbury,
James William Tyler.
The Argilla School has been interrupted by sickness in both teacher and pupils. The Candlewood School has of late crowded the room. This school has had several good teachers ; but it appears as well at present as at any time for several years. The results justify thechoice of a teach- er. The Appleton school dwindled to three at the close of the last term by reason of changes in population, and has been discontinued for the winter, to be revived in the spring, if found expedient. Of the pupils at Willowdale five belong in Hamilton and are accommodated for sake of former asso- ciation, and because it is no burden. The small number of
9.
town pupils keeps it a serious question whether this school shall be either discontinued or consolidated with the Apple- ton.
It is a matter of frequent observation that when pupils become qualified to enter more advanced schools, it is gener- ally for their interest to do so. A first rate teacher and a first rate pupil may make admirable progress anywhere. But the teachers of the larger schools are, generally speak- ing, examples of the survival of the fittest. There is also the means of stimulus from numbers, of making comparisons outside of self, and the beginnings of larger social acquain- · tance. There is at headquarters a tendency toward consol- idation, that every year makes advances, and the strongest argument for it is found in the existence of becalmed or stuck-in-the-mud pupils.
The Primary and out district schools have suffered ex- tensively from distempers and sickness. Otherwise they are prosperous. The teachers are the same, except one. Miss Mary E. Foster, an excellent teacher, has resigned from the Cogswell Primary. Miss Mabel Hodgkins, a graduate of the Training School at Newburyport, a substitute hitherto, handles her pupils well, and is a promising addition to the teaching force.
On visiting the Dennison Primary we found three win- dows let down at recess to supplement the means for ventil- ation. The teacher reported it as necessary, "if you want pure air." The committee have taken the responsibility of trying an experiment that is no novelty, namely, of making at the North School a chimney with an open fireplace in each room. This appears to accomplish as good results as the more elaborate and more expensive arrangement at the Dennison.
The Intermediate Schools continue under the same teach- ers and in nearly an unchanged condition. The success and ability of the teachers are well known to the people of the town, and we need not add any commendation of them at this time.
10
After so many years of discussion with regard to educa- tional problems, it would seem as if something might be set- tled. But so far is this from being the truth that the num- ber of reforms suggested continues to increase, and the only consistent progress is in line of more extended preparation aud larger expenditure. Weadmit that each generation does well to examine its own substructure. But we think that they make a mistake, who every time they look at a subject from a new point of view, rush into speech or print with suggestions of a change. The human mind is capable of a certain degree ofeffort, varying with the individ- ual. If the number of subjects claiming attention be en- larged, it must be at the expense of thoroughness in some. If an excess of thought be given to one, there must be a de- ficiency, in regard to another. Some one then observes this deficiency, and labors to bring about an opposite condition. The total amount of result remains the same. There is a perpetual recurrence of recompenses and compensations.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.