USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Saugus > Town annual report of the officers and committees of the town of Scituate 1848-1874 > 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 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34
With such directions and objects set before us, your Committee would surely have been in fault, had they not made some special effort, to secure these important ends. They have accordingly desired to procure teach- ers of a high standard of moral, as well as intellectual qualifications, and to aid the teachers, as well as pupils and all concerned, in improving the moral character of our schools, as also to introduce more uniformity and system in other respects, the committee prepared and published at their town expense, a list of *SCHOOL REGULATIONS, to be furnished to every teacher-to every School and to every Family in town, at the open- ing of the winter term. And we are happy to believe, that after a care- ful and candid examination of these "Regulations," applying them, as was intended, to the pupils while under their respective teachers, and to the teachers while under our employ, they must meet the candid appro- bation of the community generally,-we should hope universally.
We might dwell on the nature and tendency of some practices men- tioned in these "Regulations," but they are already well understood by most. After a candid and intelligent examination of this whole subject, permit us to inquire, have your Committee gone TOO FAR in their attempt to improve the condition of our schools-these sacred fountains of moral and intellectual influence ? If we would desire to elevate the standard of good morals and good manners, as well as of useful knowledge and mental culture, must we not employ the requisite means ? We have no desire to dictate to parents or others, what they shall approve or disap- prove in their families, or in the community generally, but if they con- sign the charge of the Public Schools to a Committee, ought not that Committee to be faithful to their charge ? And should not all the pa- rents and friends of our schools aid, rather than discourage these attempts to promote their highest good? Your Committee have here no interests con- flicting with the interests of child or parent. All should be harmonious, tending to the ONE GREAT END-THE MOST PERFECT PREPARA-
See copy of, page 13.
TION OF THE YOUNG TO MEET THE TEMPTATIONS AND DANGERS, AS WELL AS TO PERFORM MOST SUC- CESSFULLY AND HONORABLY THE RESPONSIBLE DU- TIES OF COMING LIFE ! With these views, your Committee have been laboring, though we acknowledge, with too little fidelity. We can, however, never ATTAIN that elevated standard, so enthusiastically set forth in the eleventh report of our late secretary, unless we judiciously
improve the necessary means. All parents and friends of the commu- nity should unite with the teachers and Committee in promoting this im- portant object. Our schools would soon be of little worth, unless good principles and good morals, as well as manners, be carefully cultivated. If the people will pause and reflect, giving the subject a candid, sober, second thought, we have no doubt, there will be a general and happy unanimity, followed by a more rapid and pleasing improvement.
The average wages of our male teachers the past year, including board, has been $34.75 per month, or 65 cents less than the year preced- ing ; the average wages of female teachers has been $13.29, or 67 cents more than the year preceding. These changes have been, perhaps, in the right direction, at least both tend towards the average wages given in this county, though both are below the general average of the State. We are happy to say, there has appeared to be, in general, a growing desire on the part of teachers, to be more fully qualified, in all respects, for their elevated and responsible work. They cannot be too well pre- pared. Many are availing themselves the privilege of attending the Teachers' Institutes, and some the past year, went even to Keene, N.H., for this purpose. Others were intending to have been present at the County Institute, which met in Kingston, last November, but a severe storm prevented. We are highly pleased with this desire for improve- ment, and also for the willingness of most, nobly to sacrifice every doubtful gratification, which may detract from a high standard of moral character. Every teacher, worthy the name, should strive to maintain this above suspicion. They cannot reasonably expect their pupils to be virtuous, unless they set a consistent example. This should encourage every teacher to take a safe and honorable position. They will thus commend themselves most highly to the cordial approbation and confi- dence of an intelligent and virtuous community.
We cannot close without alluding to one other subject, viz. :- the growing interest of our entire community, IN BEHALF OF THE WELFARE OF OUR SCHOOLS. This is manifest in the town meet- ing-it was manifest in the public exhibition held in this hall last July- it was manifest in the large gatherings to listen to Lectures on Education, and especially to that of HON. CHARLES W. UPHAM, of Salem, when the cold was near to zero, and it has also been manifest in the schools and school houses. Parents and friends visit there in increasing numbers, especially at the closing examinations. Eight years since,scarcely three persons, besides the Committee, were found present at all the examinations combined in this part of the town. Now, it is usual to find ten, fifteen, twenty, and even thirty present at a single examination. Near two hundred were present at the last series of examinations, seventy-five of whom were males. These, however, were not all different persons, as the same often visited several schools. Your Committee, and we trust all others, must be highly gratified by these uncquivocal tokens of increased interest. We only say, let this interest be still greatly increased, and be wisely
directed, and our schools and the community also will soon feel the be- nign influence.
The exhibition in this Hall, July 23d, was a happy occasion to all pres- ent, and whether to parents or children the more so, it is difficult to say. Twelve teachers with near two hundred pupils under them, and about as many other friends were then present. The children read,-addresses were made,-several classes sung,-temperance refreshments passed, and all were joyful and happy. The exhibition should be repeated another year, perhaps in winter, as well as summer. Further experiment may establish this new mode of awaking the entire community to a more lively sense of the importance of our invaluable system of public schools. This system, if wisely directed, may be made a most efficient instrument, next to our Churches, to elevate and bless every family in the community. We, therefore, call upon all the friends of this cause, (and we are sure all the people are its friends,) to unite in further efforts to improve and perfect this noble system. Though our position is already highly com- mendable, yet much, very much, remains to be done; and every man, wo- man and child should feel that they have something personally to do, to help on the common cause. Society must receive every child into its bosom as a citizen, whether good or bad. Our schools, for at least, twelve precious years, should help parents to train that child for society, that it may be an ORNAMENT, and not a REPROACH-yea, a PILLAR, to support every
good thing. Money can be expended as a town, in no other way so profitably as here. As our schools rise in beauty, order, intelligence and every virtue, so will the value of all things rise in proportion. Houses, lands, shops, trade, social intercourse, domestic peace, the cause of hu- manity and religion. Thus, too, shall we be prepared to sustain well our part in the Commonwealth and in the Republic, and to promote the knowl- edge of truth and freedom, purity, peace and salvation . throughout the earth. WHAT HEART WILL NOT ASPIRE TO THIS PRIV- ILEGE ?
In behalf of the Committee,
DANIEL WIGHT, Jr., Chairman.
Scituate, April 5, 1852.
REV. DANIEL WIGHT, Jr., REV. THOMAS CONANT, MR. THOMAS CLAPP, ELIJAH JENKINS, Jr., EsQ.
School Committee.
Name of District.
Between 4 and 16 years.
Between 5 and 15 years.
Money appropriated, 1851.
Names of Teachers, Summer and Winter.
Schools commence.
Schools commence.
Schools close.
Schools close.
Length of Schools.
per month. Wages and Board,
including board. Amount of wages,
Whole number of
Average number of
Per centage of .
Under 5 years of age, in
Over 15 years of age, in
Summer.
Winter.
Summer.
Winter.
S.
W.
S
W.
S.
W.
S
W.
S
W.
S.
W.
S.
W.
S.
W.
. Harbor.
57
51 215.92 Jane E. Beale.
April 14.
Dec. 1.
Nov. 15.
Feb. 28.
61-2
3 1-4
13
14
84.50
45.50
31
41
25
37
81
93
1
6. Main St.
56
213.36 Clara M. Ellms, Dan'l U. Johnson.
April 14.
Oct. 25. Dec. 1.
Feb. 28.
3 1-4
37
120.25
60
46
76
2
12
Vid No. 3.
Mary S. Litchfield. May 6.
July 30.
3
12
36
17
13
76
3
51
200.56 Mary F. Perry, George C. Lec.
May 7.
Oct. 17.
12
36
24
67
5
81
2
7
Grove St.
66 6]
238.96 Aug. C. Litchfield, April 28. C. F. Chamberlain.
Nov. 13. Dec. 1.
6 March 9.
3 1-4
36
117.00
57
47
82
2
7
West.
39 33
169.84 Sarah M. Hill, Joseph H. Ellms.
Junc 11.
Nov. 1.
1 4
10 12
10.00 48.00
27
18
66
1
Neck.
35
33
Sophie S. Sampson, 159.60 Cath. M. Corbett, Charles C. Vinal.
Dcc. 1.
Fcb. 24.
3
30
90.00
29
25
86
1
86
3
83
4
. Harbor.
73
64
256.86 Hannah L. Manson.
April 14.
Dec. 1.
Nov. 15.
Feb. 28.
6 3-4
3 1-4
14
14
94.50
45.00
58
52
51
45
88
85
5
4
5
12
60.00
37
23
62
7
March 3.
3 1-4
35
113.75
49
41
84
4
11
Egypt.
31 37
Hannah J. Ware, 164.72 William H. Halc.
May 12.
Oct. 25. Dcc. 1.
Fcb. 27.
3
30
90.00
36
29
81
5
Union.
66
18
12 Females.
Totals. 1547 476 2100.30| 9 Males.
60 3-4 38 3-4
825.50 1130.00|
551
444
82
19
63
-
6
12
72.00
47
32
67
4
2
47
T. Main St.
41
Dcc. 10.
31-2
32
17
102.00
50
34
68
5
4
5
11
4
33
55.00 132.00
33
26
81
42
34
82
3
6. Harbor.
76
290.16 Mcrcy J. Packard, April 14. Clara M. Ellms.
Nov. 16. Dcc. 1.
6 3-4 March 20.
14
94.50 16
54 64.00
40
74
61
50
47
Centre.
39
190.32 Cynthia M. Briggs, April 14. Rcuben N. Ware.
Sept. 27. Dec. 1.
5
13
65.00
33
23
70
5
Sept. 22.
1 1-4 Fcb. 21.
5
40
200.00
74
49
George W. Bcalc, Frederick Capen.
April 14.
Sept. 26. Dcc. 1.
March 20.
4 1-2 March 23.
54.00 112.00
50
41
scholars in
scholars.
attendance.
40
50.00
4
REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE,
OF
SCITUATE,
FOR THE YEAR ENDING MARCH 1, 1858.
BOSTON: DAVIS & FARMER, PRINTERS, 18 EXCHANGE STREET, 1858.
٠٢٠.
REPORT.
FELLOW CITIZENS :
It becomes the duty of your School Committee to present a " detailed Report" of the state and progress of your Public Schools, for another year. Like preceding years, this also has had its "lights and shadows," and of the latter, not a few. Your Committee came into office in troublous times. It was after much serious exami- nation that emphatic vote was passed, securing their election. It is well the law does not require a " detailed " report of those proceedings. And yet, the town, if not the law, will require some explanation of certain prominent measures, adopted by them in the carly part of their official duties.
Soon after the first meeting of our Board for organization, it was found one "member elect," GEORGE C. LEE, Esq., had positively declined service. The Selectmen and remain- ing members of the School Committee accordingly met, and filled the vacancy, agreeably to law, first by the choice of Mr. THOMAS TILDEN, and after his non-acceptance, by GEORGE M. ALLEN, Esq. It is here due to Esquire ALLEN, to say, that being one of the Board of Selectmen, it was with extreme reluctance and not until after much earnest solicitation, he accepted this office. His locality at the Harbor and promi- nent position in town, as well as personal efficiency and other qualifications, were among the reasons for urging his acceptance.
But our school atmosphere already obscured with clouds, now continued to gather darkness day by day. The defeat of certain officials had awakened the Vandal spirit, and led
4
at once to the destruction of our promising High School. In close connection, the old School District system was illegally revived, and strange resolutions were hastily introduced and as hastily passed, a lasting reproach upon our records, pub- licly approving evil, and suppressing good moral influences, relative to our Public Schools. Such were some of the pre- liminary circumstances, attending the opening year.
The School Districts thus revived, soon gave signs of apparent life, and re-organizations were common through the town, although a few citizens were in trouble to know where they properly belonged, the reasons for which will presently appear. All this, however, was soon effected, after a fashion, and the Committee were called upon by Agents, to examine teachers and establish schools, and thus the ten Primary Schools were soon in operation.
The following votes of the town may be here presented, as passed at the Annual Meeting.
"Voted, to raise $2.000 for the support of Schools the ensuing year."
"Voted, that the Prudential Committees be chosen by the inhabitants of the several School Districts to which they re- spectively belong."
"Voted, to authorize the Prudential Committee to select and contract with Teachers the coming year."
"Voted, to authorize the Prudential Committee to make Incidental Repairs on the School-houses."
"Voted, that the School-money be divided into eleven equal parts, and that all the Schools be kept in the Primary School-houses."
As the town have only ten Primary School Districts, even in form, and ten Primary School-houses, there was no little difficulty in adjusting the eleventh-a graded Union Dis- trict, from three. To establish virtually a High School for this section of the town, seemed neither legal, just nor con- formed to the above vote. We could not believe the town, having abolished a graded High School for themselves, had voted to give a graded High School to one section. As they
5
had voted apparent equality in money and name, calling all Primary Schools, there was a question whether the eleventh School should not also be an ungraded Primary School, and yet there was no provision for such a district.
As the town had passed no vote, at their Annual Meeting in 1854, to continue their School districts, nor again in 1857, as the law required, or they could be " discontinued at the discretion of the School Committee," we clearly saw from the first, it was in our power to do this, but not desiring to exercise this power, if it could be properly avoided, we de- layed such action. Though illegal, still we would submit, so long as all were harmonious in the illegality, and we could believe we were carrying out the real wishes of the town. But new difficulties now arose in the Harbor section. Only one of the three districts voted an appropriation of money for a Union School ; the other two voted, informally, against it, and so instructed their Agents. One Agent wholly refused to have anything to do with such School. The other two, however, worked together (with special ad- visers,) for a Union School, selected a teacher, and presented her for approbation. At this interview, the Committee in- quired of the Agents, " For what School is she to be appro- bated ?" They reply, "For the Union District School." Com .- " Of how many districts is your Union District com- posed ?" Agents .- " Three." Com .- ' What amount of money have you appropriated from these districts, for the support of your Union School ?" Agents. - " None." Com .- " How do you propose to support this School ?" Agents .- " We claim one-eleventh of the School-money and there may be a further sum raised by private subscription." Com .- " Have not most of your Districts refused to appro- priate any part of their money for such Union School, and that almost unanimously ?" Agents. - " They have." Com .- " The law respecting Union Schools requires the money for their support to come from the town, only through the associated districts. As the votes of this town, at their late Annual Meeting, do not recognize a Union District as
1
6
such, but require apparent equality, and that all the Schools be kept in the Primary School-houses, your claim to establish a Union School appears at present unsatisfactory, and we therefore decline giving our sanction to such a School, by approbating a teacher."
The Committee believed they were fully sanctioned in this course, not only from their own knowledge of the facts, but also by a letter from Dr. Jackson of the Board of Edu- cation, dated April 14, 1857, from which we take the follow- ing extracts : " The law, authorizing the formation of Union Districts, makes no provision for their dissolution, and we know of no precedent bearing on the case. My opinion is, however, that the withdrawal of one of the parties to the Union, vitiates or annuls it. The law does not contemplate the appropriation of money by a town directly to a Union District. Most surely, two of the Agents cannot set up a Union School without risk, under the circumstances you mention. There can be no question that the School Com- mittee would be legally justified in not approving a teacher for the Union School."
Notwithstanding this refusal to approbate the Teacher, and also under the direct prohibition of the Selectmen to use the School-room, still this Teacher was forced into it by these Agents, and thus was opened a School, clearly illegal .*
Under these circumstances, the Committee began more seriously to think of passing the formal vote, discontinuing the districts such as they were ; for while the form remained,
* " It is not legally possible, under any circumstances, for the Prudential Committee to make an absolute unconditional contract with any person for keeping a School. He cannot appoint a teacher ; he can only nominate a candidate for teaching. The person selected must be approved by the Super- intending Committee, before he can legally commenee the School. Such an approval ratifies the act of the Prudential Committee; but the aet without such ratification, is void."-('Tenth Rep. p. 54.)
" A teacher, who opens his school without having previously received a certificate of qualification from the Committee, must forfeit all claim to wages, until such time as a certificate may be given him. Having entered the School, not only without law, but in defiance of law, he ean recover nothing in a court of law ; but is the object of punishment, rather than of remuneration."-(Ibid. p. 76.)
- 1
there was a semblance of power. We saw that the districts were in the greatest confusion ; that the vote of the town, dividing the money was unjust, if not illegal, allowing equal sums to the very small, as to the largest Schools, and per- haps to a Union School ; that an illegal School had been opened, and that a wise few were disposed to " block our wheels at every step, as far as in their power," and thus continue the unhappy excitement. In view of all this, we passed the formal vote, discontinuing the districts ; but as a Town-meeting was soon contemplated and some other con- siderations presented, this vote was re-considered, or sus- pended, until after that meeting. If the Committee changed position, it was to meet the new position of that wise few, without whose influence, all would have been harmonious from the first.
The result of the Town-meeting was the following vote :
"Voted, that it is the opinion of this meeting that one- eleventh part of the money raised at the last Annual Meeting held in March last, was intended to be expended in the Union School District and for said associated District, and that we hereby request the School Committee to examine the Teacher employed by a majority of the Prudential Com- mittee of said Districts, and if qualified, to give her a certifi- cate, and that the Selectmen be authorized to draw an order on the Treasurer for one-eleventh part of said money raised."
The Committee duly considered this vote, with all its ille- gality, reviewed the whole condition of our school affairs, and judging it best, under all the circumstances, we unanimously confirmed, May 4th, the previous vote of the Committee, " discontinuing the Districts," and releasing all the Pruden- tial Agents from further responsibility.
We may here properly examine, with some care, the im- portant question, whether we had, in fact, any legal school districts to discontinue ; for if not, then the late vote in November last, to restore such districts has been of no avail.
The following extracts from the Statute and our own records, will aid us in ascertaining how this matter stands.
8
" The inhabitants of every town may at any town-meeting, to be called for that purpose, divide their town into school districts, and determine the limits of such districts."-(Rev. Stat. chap. 23, §24.)
" In order to constitute legal districts, the whole territory of a town must be divided. The several districts must be set off by metes and bounds. The town must be divided - geograpically."-(Tenth Rep. p. 37.)
"Towns can execute the power given them to ' determine and define the limits of school Districts,' only by geograhical divisions of their territories."-(Pick. Rep. 12 vol. p. 213.)
" We are all satisfied that the power given to towns, to determine and define the limits of school districts, can be executed only by a geographical division of the towni for that purpose."-(Pick. Rep. vol. 7. p. 107.)
Such is the Statute law, and its authorized expounders. Now has the town of Scituate legal school districts ? Let us examine her records.
In 1835, this town, including South Scituate, was evident- ly divided into twenty geographical legal school districts.
Each district was then bounded separately by lines, whose position, bearing and length in rods, were specified ; as " be- ginning at," &c., " and running N. 56°, 30' W., 324 rods to " &c., " then S. 75° 15' E., 422 rods ; then S. 15° 30' W., to the Brook," &c. Then so and so, " to the first named bound." There can be no doubt as to the legality of this division.
In 1849, the town was divided and the boundary line cut two of the districts, (Nos. 6 and 12,) leaving a part on each side. April 2, 1849, that part of these districts, falling with- in our boundaries, was set, with the inhabitants thereof, to districts, Nos. 2 and 4, the lines here also being sufficiently clear, and probably legal. But since that time, all seems to have been thrown into confusion and illegality, as will ap- pear from the following votes, bearing on the subject.
" Marchi 4, 1850, Voted to choose a Committee of two from each School district, to equalize the districts."-(Names follow.)
9
"Voted, that the Committee on equalizing districts report at next April meeting."
"April 1, 1850, voted, to accept the report of the Com- mittee to whom was referred the subject of equalizing School districts, High Schools, and purchasing School-houses." (The subject of High Schools, &c., had been referred to the same Committee.)
" Voted, to adopt the report of the above Committee."
" Voted, to recommit the report on purchasing School- houses, High Schools, and equalizing School districts, back to the same Committee who made the report."
" April 15, 1850, voted, that the town equalize the 1st, 7th, and 9th School districts, and build a School-house for the 9th district, to be located according to the report of the Committee on purchasing School-houses, &c., near HOWARD WHITE'S." (Nos. 1, 7 and 9, united to form the Union School District.)
"Toted, that the equalization of districts, 1, 7 and 9, take effect on or before the first day of September next."
" Voted, that the census of the 1st, 7th and 9th districts, be taken on the first day of May, as they are to stand when equalized."
" Voted, that the town's Committee equalize the several School districts in town, before building the School-house in District No. 8." (North Main street.)
" April 7, 1851, voted, to equalize the 4th, 5th, 9th, 10th, 11th and 3d, School districts, according to the plan proposed by JOHN BEAL, Esq."
(This plan was drawn on a map, with red chalk lines, and verbally explained.)
" Nov. 24, 1851, voted, to authorize the School Committee to equalize the 1st, 7th and 9th School districts."
" April 15, 1852, voted, to set the inhabitants of the 3d and 4th cliffs from the 7th to the 1st district."
"Voted, to refer the further equalization of the 1st, 7th and 9th School districts, to the School Committee."
" July 12, 1852, voted, to restore the lines between Grove
10
street and west School districts, as they originally were, and that the children go accordingly." (Districts, Nos. 4 and 5.)
The above are all the votes of the town, which it is believed can throw any light on the subject. The various reports of committees are not on record, or known to be in existence. That map of Esquire BEAL's, is claimed as personal proper- ty ; and besides, the vote professes to equalize by it only a 4 part of the districts, and one of these, (No. 3,) that map equalizes by its utter destruction. It runs the line between the centre and Grove street districts to the eastward of THOMAS VINAL's, setting him to Grove street where he never went, and probably never will go. It runs the line between Grove street and the west, to the eastward of MARTIN MER- RITT's, but the vote of July 12, '52, restores the original line far to the west, which would not probably touch a red chalk line on this map, or, at least, so as to enclose a geographical district, not to speak of " metes and bounds." The lines be- tween the centre and Egypt districts are in confusion, the fourth cliff is cut off by itself, and the whole drawing could never have been designed as a legal division of our territory into districts, but only an honest representation of a general plan - mere outlines - to be made legal afterwards, by care- ful boundaries and description which, however, was never done, an oversight that must destroy the whole. The town records as quoted above, show, that districts 1, 7 and 9 have been equalized, or referred to committees for this purpose, not less than three or four times, while all the districts have been so referred repeatedly, but what precisely has been done is unknown, only we find great changes have taken place practically, since 1835. The town itself, with two of its districts, has been cut in sunder, old No. 3 has wholly disappeared, Willow street district has been greatly enlarged, and perhaps all, or nearly all, have been modified once and again. The last three years, preceding the present, covered by this report, the districts were all virtually a dead letter, and the Schools were equalized by the Committee as they saw fit. It was not surprising, then, when such districts
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.