USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Saugus > Town annual report of the officers and committees of the town of Scituate 1848-1874 > Part 23
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Amount of Interest, 8352 56
March, 1, 869.
21
SUMMARY OF DEBTS.
Due for sundries, brought forward,
$2,740 89 $2,740 89
" for Principal of Notes,
24,495 00
" for Interest on Notes, 352 56 24,847 56
Total Debts,
$27,588 45
The amount of debts bearing interest has been reduced during the year, $4,850.26.
RESOURCES.
Cash in the hands of the Treasurer,
$5,433 09 $5,433 09
Uncollected taxes of 1862-3-4-5-6,
52 83
" of 1867,
202 51
" of 1868,
1,953 86
2,209 20
Fixtures in R Cook's hands,
5 00
5 00
Security on house of C. M. Jenkins,
103 70
103 70
Due for aid to pauper's,
47 85
47 85
Due from the State, as follows :
For rent of Armory from Jan. 1,
20 83
20 83
For State Aid of 1864-5-6-7,
304 60
from Jan. 1, 1868, to
March 1, 1868,
175 00
For State Aid from March 1, 1868, to Jan. 1, 1869,
986 00
For State Aid from Jan. 1, 1869, to
March 1, 1869,
193 00
1,658 60
Total Resources,
$9,478 27
SUMMARY OF DEBT.
From amount of Debts,
$27,588 41
Take amount of Resources,
9,478 27
Balance, Debt of the town, March 1, 1869.
$18,110 18
22
COMPARISON OF DEBTS OF 1868 AND 1869.
The debts, March 2, 1868, (including claims for repairs of Hingham and Quincy Bridges), was estimated at
Deducting for over-estimates, &c.,
10 45
And the actual debt at that time was,
$19,783 11
Deduct the amount of debt, March 1, 1869,
18,110 18
Balance, Decrease of Debts,
$1,672 93
LIQUOR AGENCY.
TOWN. -
Dr.
May 25, 1868. To cash paid for stock to date, - $474 72
" salary, 15} months, -
-
44 65
66
" balance due the town, -
106 15
$625 52
Cr.
Feb. 15, 1867. By cash on hand, 1
$65 97
May 25, 1868. " cash from sales to date, - 557 55
" for 4 kegs, - 2 00
$625 52
STOCK ACCOUNT. Dr.
Feb. 15, 1867.
To amount on hand, -
- $37 89
May 25, 1868. brought to date, -
474 72
" balance, profit on sales, -
44 94
$557 55
$19,793 56
Cr.
May 25, 1868. By amount of sales to date, - $557 55
66 " stock on hand, - - -
0 00
$557 55
Value of Property, May 25, 1868.
Cash $106.15 ; Fixtures, 5.00, -
-
$111 15
Loss. - - - - - - - 6 36
Value, Feb. 15, 1867, - - - - $117 51
ESTIMATED EXPENSES FOR 1869.
For removing snow, (last year's expense), -
- $1,700 00
" Incidentals for schools, -
-
-
-
150 00
" support of the poor, - - 1,600 00 - -
" repairs of public buildings, -
-
-
- 300 00
" painting public buildings, -
- 900 00
" repairs of roads and bridges, -
- 500 00
" Town officers, -
-
-
-
- 400 00
" printing, stationery, and postage, - -
125 00
" abatement of taxes, -
- 350 00
" Law, - -
100 00 -
" interest, - -
- -
-
-
1,700 00
" miscellaneous, - -
200 00
" collection of taxes, - -
- 150 00
Amount, (excepting school money ) For support of schools, -
3,000 00
Total Town grant,
-
-
- - $11,175 00
Add State tax, -
-
-
-
-
- 2,600 00
.' County tax, -
-
-
-
-
- 1,293 00
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
- - $8,175 00
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
24
Amount to be raised by taxation, - $15,068 00
which will require a rate of $1.39 per $100.00 of the valuation of the town, allowing an overlay of $500.00.
In the above estimate no allowance has been made for Income, derived from Corporation Tax, Rent of Armory, &c., or for overlay on taxes, amounting in the aggregate to nearly $1,100.00.
The town, therefore, by raising the sum recommended, will virtually provide $1,100.00 towards the payment of the Town debt.
GEORGE C. LEE, THOMAS TILDEN, WM. H. LITCHFIELD,
Selectmen
of Scituate.
Scituate, March 1, 1869.
The foregoing Report was submitted to the Town at the annual meeting March 1, and 500 copies were ordered to be printed. At the meeting the Town voted to raise, in addition to the sums recommended, $1,000.00 for . repairs of highways, making the whole amount to be raised $16,068.00, and requiring a rate of taxation of $1.48 per $100.00.
25
REPORT OF THE TOWN CLERK.
Marriages Registered in the Town of Scituate during the year 1868.
Date of Marriage.
Names.
| Age.
Residence of each at time of marriage.
Birthplace.
Occupation.
1868. Jan. 12
Jesse L. Totman, Mary F. Chick,
28 27
Scituate, Boston,
Scituate, Limerick, Me.,
Mason.
Jan. 19
B. B. Wisner Litchfield, 38 Scituate, Emeline F. Curtis, 30 66
Scituate, 66
Farmer.
Jan. 25
Elmer H. Totman, Mary F. Stetson,
19 17
Weymouth, Scituate,
Weymouth, Scituate,
Nailmaker.
Feb). 2
Edmund F. Merritt, Selina B. Curtis,
21
Scituate, 18
Scituate, 66
Shoemaker
Fe!). 11
John A. Day, Orianna W. Rice,
40 27
Boston, 6:
Gloucester, Marshfield,
Clerk.
Feb. 20
Charles II. Mitchell, Ellen M. Hunt,
26 25
Scituate, Milton,
Scituate, Milton,
Shoemaker
Mar. 15
Anthony Gray. Cynthia M. Briggs.
51|Scituate, 38 66
Brewster, Scituate,
Gentleman.
April 17
Edward E. Brown, v Lucy F. Hunt,
22 18
Scituate, 66
Scituate,
Trader.
June 6
Joseph F. Bailey, Ella F. Taylor,
21 2I
Lynn, Scituate,
Marblehead, Weymouth,
Shoemaker
Sept. 1
John A. Johnson, Rilla S. Hayes,
29 Hanover, Scituate,
Bridgewater, Augusta, Me.
Shoemaker
Sept. 17
John L. Litchfield, Jr., Adaline E. Hayden,
20 18
Scituate, Cohasset,
Scituate. Cohasset,
Shoecutter.
Sept. 27
Lorenzo F. Hyland, Mary M. Litchfield,
22 17
Scituate, 66
Scituate. 66
Shoemaker
Oct. 9
Asa C. Randall, Sarah H. Young,
58 51
Scituate, 66
Redfield, Me., Concord, Vt.,
Farmer.
Oct. 27
John S. McCormick, Sarah Clements,
26 Scituate, 27
Liverpool, Eng. Ireland,
Laborer.
Nov. 22
Amos W. Merritt, Charlotte E. Donovan,
35 26 25
Scituate, 66
Scituate, Concord, N. H.,
Shoemaker
Nov. 26
Edward W. Spurr, Martha P. Taylor,
Charl'st'wn Boston, Scituate,
Laborer.
19 Scituate.
4
19
26
MARRIAGES-Continued,
Date of Marriage.
Names.
| Age.
Residence of each at time marriage.
Birthplace.
Occupation.
Nov. 26
Francis HI. Litchfield, Emily E. Bates,
24 18
Scituate, Cohasset,
Scituate, Cohasset.
Boot Crim- [per.
Nov., 26
Luther Paul, Ellen D. Briggs,
39 32
Newton, 66
Newtou, Scituate,
Farmer.
Dec. 9
Fenton W. Varney, Ella F. Cushing,
24 21
Scituate,
Scituate,
Bootmaker
Dec. 24
.
John P. Cushing, Martha A. Seaverns,
32 20
Scituate,
Scituate, Dorchester,
Trader.
Dec. 31
Joseph O. Briggs, Elsinora A. Orcutt,
32 Scituate, 29
Scituate, Charl'st'wn | Penobscot, Me.,
Shipwright
1
DEATHS REGISTERED IN THE TOWN OF SCITUATE DURING THE YEAR
1868.
Date of death.
Names.
Disease.
Yrs. MON. Dys.
1868.
Milton Litchfield,
Paralysis.
76
11
14
Israel and Sarah.
Jan.
4
8
David S. Jenkins,
Scirrhus Stomach,
67
2
28
Calvin and Elizabeth.
66
10
Olive P. Miller.
Fever,
76
5
10
Nath'l & Elizabeth. Wife of C. Brown.
March 2
Lucy Brown,
Drowned,
22
. .
.
2
2
Elijah A. Martin,
Drowned,
27
35
. .
·
66
2
Thomas Kelly,
Drowned,
21
. .
. .
2
Samuel Shine,
Drowned,
21. E. Elart
75
9
9
66
Thomas Ruggles,
4
9
10
5
Alvin F. Gardner,
77
11
22
6
James H. Merritt,
Old Age,
82
·
6
Widow of Samnel Hatch.
27
17
William T. Litchfield,
Infantile,
82
4
27
Widow of Henry Damon.
Old Age,
4
17
April 5
11
Wilhelmina C. Harrub,
6
10
22
Ed'd H. & Pamelia V. D'd at Fall River
66
11
Carrie Hatfield,
27
1
:
13
Thomas Paterson,
29
·
19
Charles H. Damon,
67
10
.
Martin and Catherine.
May 9
Catherine Burke,
Dysentery,
..
·
Widow of Ebenezer Bailey.
June 14
Lydia Bailey,
87
4
18
July 14
Consumption,
22
3
24
Wm. P. aud Abigail B.
31
James O. Allen,
Daniel and Char otte.
Aug. 11
15
Thomas Murphy,
Chronic Rheumatism.
95
. .
+
Moody B. and Aurelia.
Oliver T. Whiting,
Enlargement of the Heart, Measles,
28
John S. and Cordelia A.
6.
17
Ida M. Taylor,
Palsy,
81
· ·
29
Wife of Walter Wall.
Mary Wall,
Old Age.
Louisa F. Langdon,
Dropsy of the Brain,
10
..
Simeon and Mary.
29
7
27
Edward and Catherine.
17
Frank L. Tobaň,
Pneumonia,
Edmund Q. S. and Ella.
28
Anna Damon,
Edward and Ansley C.
Edward Murphy,
Bronchitis,
25
11
5
Isaac M. and Matilda.
Scarlet Fever,
Pneumonia,
7
John and Almira.
Consumption,
Israel and Celia.
Softening of Brain,
26
Eliza Merritt,
Croup,
Enoch C. and Sarah. Paul and Deborah.
11
Mercy T. Hatch,
Old Age,
. .
2
Thomas and Susanna
Apoplexy,
25
8
5
Adam S. and Irene.
Intussusception,
William and Rebecca.
John P. Armstrong,
AGE.
Parents, &c.
Feb.
16
Consumption and Insanity,
DEATHS- Continued.
Date of death.
Names.
Disease.
AGE. Yrs. Mos. Dys.
Parents, &c.
Cholera Infantum, Dropsy of the Head,
. .
4
17
Wm. T. and Irene.
19
William II. Jackson,
Walter and Abbie C.
Walter E. Litchheld,
Joseph & Angeline. Died at Cohasset.
29
Joseph P. Munnis,
Cholera Infantum,
20
11
2
Wife of Charles B. Pratt.
Belintha O. Pratt,
Cholera Infantum,
. .
6
. .
John and Catherine.
24
-- Webb,
Stillborn,
. .
. .
. .
29
Lilla G. Vinal,
Dysentery,
1
-1
2
George O. and Emeline.
Oct.
5
Bethia. Jenkins,
Apoplexy,
3
8
10
Geo. and Mabel. Died at Dorchester.
66
8
Emily J. Curtis,
Croup,
2
. .
25
9
Dexter Merritt,
Softening of Brain,
74
2
11
Charles and Edith. Paul and Deborah.
28
Nov. 6
Eddie H. Wood,
76
10
28
Caleb and Elizabeth.
20
Perez T. Jenkins,
87
6
25
25
Sarah Litchfield, Jacob Vinal,
Palsy,
76
4
25
Levi and Patience.
Dec. 5
..
10
Selina C. Parker,
Cancer on the Breast,
44
1
14
Wife of Perry L. Parker.
12
Robert Ellis,
Dropsy of the Bowels,
60.
1
. 20
Joseph N. and Elizabeth.
66
16
Lewis L. Smith,
Infantile,
. .
16
Jas. T. and Louisa. Died at Cohasset.
·
1
. .
Charles B. and Belintha O.
Sept. 8
Eugene Pratt,
12
15
Charles S. and Sarah A.
64
9.
11
Wife of Davis Jenkins.
9
Kenneth B. Merritt,
Dysentery,
..
. .
5
Virgil and Sarah. E.
22
"ohn Damon,
Infantile,
6
27
Alfred F. and Harriet A ..
Infantile,
Sudden,
Widow of Isaac Litchfield.
Erysipelas,
SCITUATE, March 1, 1869.
JAMES L MERRITT, Town Clerk.
25
25
14
Consumption,
William Ward,
1
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
Superintendent of Public
OF THE
TOWN OF SCITUATE,
FOR THE YEAR 1868-9.
4
·
31
REPORT.
To the Board of the School Committee, and Citizens of Scit- uate :
Not to stop here for any form of exception, your Superintendent has the satisfaction of reporting that most of our ten common schools, with the High School, have been in a prosperous condition during the year past. Good government and order have been maintained, habits of study have been creditable, distinct progress has been made, sympathy has existed between teacher and pupil, cheerful- ness has lighted up the school-room.
The number of children in Scituate, between the ages of five and fifteen, on the first day of May, 1868, as given by the Selectmen, was four hundred and forty-six. These were represented in the schools according to the following
TABLE.
SCHOLARS' ATTENDANCE.
SCHOOL.
TEACHER.
Sp.
Fall.
Win.
Sp.
Fall.
Win.
-Y'r.
High School,
M. L. Rogers,
40
40
50
37
38
41
39
G. W. Merritt. A. J. Waterman. .( A. J. Sessions.
No. 1 Brook St.,
Annie E. Jenkins,
55
52
51
46
45
46
46
45
31
47
28
27
38
31
A. J. Wsterman. J. O. Cole.
No. 2 South St.,
Ellen M. Ellms,
4.4
43
41
38
37
33
36
Geo. C. Isee.
No. 3 Main St.
Emily S. Lee,
38
32
32
27
23
25
25
N. J. Vinall.
No. 4 Grove St.,
No. 5 High St.,
34
31
39
27
25
28.
27
20
20
13
13
16
11
No. 7 Comnron St.
47
47
38
39
+1
39
42
38
39
36
30
30
32
P. L. Parker.
No. 8 Willow St.,
50
48
52
45
34
42
40
G. W. Elliott.
No. 9 Central St.,
M. E. Carter,
E. F. Givens,
20
21
22
18
19
20
19
Harvey Cartis.
No. 10 Charles St.
Hattie N. Bailey,
435
396
:4-40
353
330
360
348
.
Emily S. Lee, Josephine A. Vinall, Mary F. Perry, E. S. W. Gannett, S. F. Litchfield, Lizzie J. Vinall, Amy F. Allen, M. C. Parkinson,
Henry Damon. James Damon. G. H. Bates.
No. 6 Beach St.,
{ Juliette F. Briggs,
Martha A. Seaverns,
COMMITTEE.
-
32
Scholars who have faithfully kept to their schools will look for their names in print, and I do not know that the space can be better filled I give the names of those who have not been absent for a whole term or more ; and, also, of those who seemingly would not have broken their fair record but for sickness, as is certified by their teachers.
MAIN STREET. Carrie W. Bailey, Flora L. Bailey, Mary Studley, Emily F. B. Morris, Eliza A. Bryant, Annie L. Marsh, Lucy A. Clapp, (nor tardy) Abbie J. Gannet, Flora A. Newcomb, (nor tardy) Mary E. Ainslie, Martha G. White, (nor tardy). Joseph W. Morris, Edwin O. Stoddard, Edward S. Bailey, Alfred J. Clapp.
BEACH STREET. Neither absent nor tardy : Sarah R. Damon, Sarah F. Pratt, Charles H. Mott, Charles N. Turner.
CHARLES STREET. Not absent or tardy for one term : Sarah L. Litchfield, Harry F. Vinal, James T. Bailey, Fred C. Vinal. For two terms : Everett E. Litchfield, Edith Vinal, Nora R. Bates, Frank Litchfield, Etta Bailey, Nellie J. Brown, Hattie M. Brown, L. W. Vinal, George Litchfield. Not absent or tardy for the year : Lizzie J. Curtis, Harvey Curtis, Louis N. Curtis, Mary F. Curtis, Mabelle F. Litchfield, Nettie Litchfield, Nellie F. Hayward, Sarah L. Hutchinson.
GROVE STREET. Lydia F. Vinall, Emma G. Merritt, Josie Brown, Francis E. Merritt, Willie Dalby, Frank S. Watson. Not tardy : Eliza D. Vinal, Abbie C. Vinal, William H. Watson.
CENTRAL STREET. Lydia F. Jackson, Mary E. Damon, Katie F. Totman, Estelle W. Hyland, Mertie C. Brown, Leusella Foster, Annie O. Hunt, Billings H. Merritt,
33
Wesley C. Merritt, Flora L. Brown, Addie F. Webb, Stephen L. Webb. "Not tardy : Asa. E. Merritt, George W. Langdon, Annie M. Brown, Elvira S. Damon, Idella C. Jackson.
HIGH STREET. Alice M. Brown, Anna F. Brown, Lucy N. Brown, Lucy J. Ellms, Charles A. Bates, Walter B. Ellms; Edwin S. Litchfield, Martha Litchfield, Henrietta Merritt, George B. Litchfield, James Bates, Clara F. Litchfield, Edith E. Stoddard, Walter Brown, Harry Damon.
The prosperous winter term of this prosperous school was sadly broken in upon by sickness, by no less than thirty-four cases of measles.
SOUTH STREET. Rachel Stetson, Ella Clapp, Harry Young, Josie .L. Clapp, Charles E. Fish, Amy Briggs, Charles Northey, Frank Cole.
COMMON STREET. Emma F. Manson, Percy L. Young, Alice Merritt, Anna M. Young, Carrie P. Allen, Blanche Young, Flora P. Taylor, Mary Murphy, Lincoln Litchfield, Margaret Murphy, Mary A. Dunn, Fannie Merritt, George Nash, Eddie Dunn. For the year: Mercie J. Manson, Annie M. Vinall, Matilda Nightingale, Edgar S. Jenkins, Ada Nightingale, Alfred Nightingale. For two years : Matilda Nightingale, Frank H. Young. For three years : Susie C. Young.
BROOK STREET. Lizzie J. Merritt, Flora F. Bailey, Charles E. Turner, Joseph Doherty, Charles E. Edson, John Supple, Marilla B. Damon, Danforth F. Turner, Tommie Supple, Enos L. Otis, Frank T. Vinal, Joseph T. Little, Gertrude Gardner, Ida B. Gardner, Henry Turner, Eddie E. Edson, Lulazine Reed, Eddie Bowditch, Walter
34
Gardner. For the year: Mary J. Bowditch, Josephine Vinal, Frank Doherty, Willie L. Jenkins.
WILLOW STREET. Adair F. Bonney, Dennis Driscoll, Joseph B. Parker, Euphemia B. Prouty, Joseph Tilden. Not tardy : Freddie M. Sanborne, Lillian C. Clapp, Mary F. Murphy, Annie S. Prouty, Jennie I. Clapp, Sarah. E. Murphy, George F. Dunbar, Otis Barker. For the year : Not absent or tardy : Carrie Dunbar. Tardy but once : Nellie W. Allen.
This exhibition from the several schools is very credit- able - thanks to teachers and these pupils. But the at- tendance on our schools, as a whole, is not what it might be made, at once, by the co-operation of parents and teach- ers. Nor is punctuality valued at a fair price. The school-year can be as effectually shortened by non-attend- ance as by a vote of the School Committee ; thirty-eight weeks can easily be reduced to thirty-four weeks. But attendance should never be forced at the expense of health. Nor should children go to school so young as they often do. The best authorities, educational and med- ical, name the age of six and even seven, as the proper period for beginning. And young children should have change of posture, liberal recesses, and early dismission ; as all the scholars should have time in school for muscular exercise in concert.
The expenses for the several schools, as drawn out in detail by the careful hand of Mr. Lce, chairman of the Selectmen, are here given.
35
SCHEDULE EXPENSES FOR SCHOOLS.
District.
Wages.
Fuel.
Preparation. Care of Room.
Totals.
No. 1.
$190 00
$21 50
$11 00
$2 00
$224 50
2.
190 00
8 75
4 50
4 00
207 25
3.
190 00
17 00
5 50
2 00
214 50
66
5.
190 00
19 00
7 00
2 00
218 00
66
6.
190 00
11 50
3 25
2 00
206 75
66
7.
190 00
16 64
6 25
2 00
214 89
8.
190 00
18 50
6 75
2 00
217 25
9.
190 00
21 25
7 00
2 00
220 25
10.
190 00
12 50
4 50
2 00
209 00
High Sch'l. 700 00
67 60
8 00
26 00
801 60
$2,600 00
$238 24
$71 12
$48 00
$2,957 36
Average expense of Fuel for each of the 10 District Schools.
$17 06
" Preparation of Fuel «
6 31
64
" each of the
213 91
4.
190 00
24 00
7 37
2 00
223 37
The attention of teachers and scholars has been distinctly and continuously called to the matter of accuracy and thoroughness, -thoroughness in each and every study, in the habit of study and habit of mind. What is not thor- oughly done is not done at all, or really done. To pass over ground the pupil does not understand is more than so much loss ; it is a downright injury. It lays up trouble for the next stage of study, but worse, it muddles his intellect. In spelling, for example, each syllable should be felt out by the voice, and seen by the mind's eye, should be clearly repeated in the process of combining, and the completed
36
combination now given in a full, positive pronunciation. In reading,, along with natural tones and natural ways; words should have such a distinct articulation that they will: drop out like silver coins at the mint; and sentences should fairly ring out with enunciation. ; Organs of speech ought to be developed and strengthened. In arithmetic, not less, every step must be seen by the pupil's own eyes, or he will be certain to stumble and fall. Geography has to do with this real earth of ours, and the teacher, by her practical methods, should make her scholars feel it. .. All places on the map connect with the very place where the scholars live. In all studies, the mind must be turned to actual objects, matters of fact, real experience, and the bearings of the subjects on this human life. The text-book should often be laid aside, while the teacher makes her eyes and ears available for the eyes and ears of her scholars ; her whole intellect and susceptibility of soul, for the service of their intellect and susceptibility ; her knowledge, reading, training, culture, for their use and behoof, forever.
Composition has been well cared for in a portion of the schools, taking the form of a diary, letters, description, or the more labored essay. In one bright school, the Common Street School, the pupils threw their compositions into the form of a newspaper: The Rising Star ; and very credi- table to' them is that said periodical. This school loses the present very faithful and most successful teacher. "
The two excellent courses of lessons in penmanship that- were given by Mr. J. N. Macomber and his 'son - the first that had been given here, as was said, for twenty years- quickened the pulse of our scholars, teachers, and citizens. I have made an arrangement with the publishers of Payson -
37
Dunton, and Scribner's system of penmanship, to send an instructor to give lessons to our teachers, with no cost to them. This will help to systematize the whole matter of writing in our schools, and must lead to decided improvement.
Drawing of maps, with other forms of drawing, has been kept up and encouraged, and we have some very fair speci- mens, touches of artistic skill. Hints have been given by the Superintendent as to a right understanding and practi- cal use of grammar, so that a correct use of words may be sought aside from the text-book, and before coming to it. In this study, we may have too much text-book, as surely we have too little of the real thing of grammar.
THE HIGH SCHOOL.
Not absent or tardy for one term or two : Ella G. Vinal, Amy F. Allen, James H. Rogers, Emily Bates, Lizzie Merritt, Josephine Bailey, William H. Wade, Josephine A. Vinall, Martha J. Newcomb, Ellen M. Langdon, Ellen M. Bailey, H. E. B. Morris, Sarah R. Damon, Clara F. Litchfield, Edith E. Stoddard, Ellen M. C. Young, Mary A. Ferguson, Virgil Damon. For the year : Frank B. Allen, Helen S. Brown. The average attendance for the year has been 39; that for the two years before was 32 and 43.
The rule for admission to the High School must needs be a very flexible one. It must have respect to four things : to qualifications, to age, to the number of pupils in the school from which the candidate comes, with the general condition of the school, and to the likelihood that the par- ticular candidate will do well, or will not do well, in his
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old school. To make age the test, say thirteen, would not answer ; for the registers show the names of sixty-nine scholars above that age. And to hasten scholars into the High School is to cut short the period for their education, as, having been there two or three years, they begin to think that they have been to school long enough. Fill it up at once, and let them stay as long as they ought to stay, and others will be knocking at the door unable to find a seat. Besides, the teacher will have more on his hands than he can possibly take good care of. Proper quali- fications help the High School, but the Common Schools as well. Nevertheless, room is freely enough made for those who are not properly qualified.
The school is in both a very promising and a prosperous condition. It has made true progress, but it has now the groundwork for signal advancement. The tone of it is ele- vated, and there is nerve and strength in the movement. A competent teacher has worked very faithfully. May the time come when the High School shall not be deemed a necessity, only, or a fixed institution, but a thing of pride, of ornament and grace, to Scituate !
I began my Report with an undertone of qualification. It is not a new thing -would that it were ! It relates both to the poor working of two or three of our Common Schools, and to certain things in all our schools. First, parents, here or there, say that the teachers have been incompetent, and they may say true. Teachers, like other young folks, must learn their trade, but, unlike others, they must learn it by setting up business at once for themselves. A teacher may not be so really incompetent as inexperi- enced. Then the school may not have been in good trim,
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and in working order, when she took it in hand. Her scholars may have inherited a bad sentiment, and been taught a bad way by older scholars. Parents may not all have felt rightly, or treated the matter wisely. At the out- set, the time, labor, anxieties, of the teacher were all challenged for the mere control of the school. So to speak, a great many screws were already loose, others would keep getting loose while she is busied in putting in the first ones, and the machinery of the school-room now half stops, as surely it will grate harshly, and wear out badly. That wisest, most abused president, Abraham Lincoln, found it hard, as we know, to " RUN THE MACHINE."
And is it a very strange thing that a young woman, though the best teacher that your pay and the circum- stances could secure, should find it too much to take good care of forty boys and girls in the multifarious matters of the school-room, when the parents themselves cannot train, to their liking, their own children at home ? When, per- haps, the parents would not claim that they had been right in their example, and happy in their influence, in fitting them to the hand of the teacher ? If you add to this a quick disposition, which we all have, to take sides with our chil- dren, and, then, possibly, a careless, angry habit of speaking ill of the school, and of the teacher, will not her authority, the subordination, study, good manners and morals, good feeling, have received a staggering blow. My worthy pre- decessor, Lieut. Colonel Bates, has said in his last Report : " Half the battle would be won with a partially unsuccess- ful teacher, if every one in the district were prudent in speech, looking alone to the Committee to guide their teacher and school to greater prosperity."
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You can change your teachers, you can pay more money and get better ones, or thus keep those who go away from us to the city, but what substitute can you ever invent for a right disposition toward the teacher and the school, and for judicious courses, on the part of parents.
Another grave matter : It comes to the ears of the Super- intendent, in a guarded manner, that in a certain primary school, at noon, recess, or other times, the ways and morals of a portion of the pupils are far from being right. Further on, the same is whispered of another school, and then, of another, and then, of others. It is alleged that boys, here and there, are both very profane and openly obscene ; and that some young girls are not free from the same taint. To state this, should be enough. Competent teachers, teachers of tact, and sympathy, and nerve, and of just religious convictions, can do a great deal to correct this evil and this sin, but it lies altogether more in the hands, and on the hands, of the parents.
And, citizens, we have more ground for hope and trust, than despondency. Our children are our jewels, though dust be upon them; diamonds, though they be not yet wrought out. These many schools, lower and higher, do the citizens a grand service. A new stage of advancement lies right before us, if we are wise enough, and brave enough, to enter upon it.
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