USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Saugus > Town annual report of the officers and committees of the town of Scituate 1848-1874 > Part 9
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Our schools are further proof of the same tendencies. The year just closed, shows only 8 pupils in Algebra and 2 in Primary Book-keeping ; while three years since there were 31 in Algebra, 10 in Latin, 10 in Milton, 9 in Natural Philosophy, 7 in Physiol- ogy, 4 in Watts' on the Mind, 3 in Geometry, and 2 in Ancient Geography, or 76 in advanced studies, to 10 of the present year, while it is difficult to keep some of our new and beautiful School houses, from being torn in pieces before our eyes. An aged and venerable father of a large family, now grown up, recently remarked that he was thankful he had not a family of young children to educate under present demoralizing influences.
Now what can be done to arrest all this degeneracy, and turn the scale to one of increasing prosperity? The most effectual rem- edy within our reach is believed to be, educate the young, intellect- ually and morally. And to promote this object most efficiently, the experience of many years assures us that a High School, prop- erly conducted, is the very instrumentality we most need. Both parents and children need the stimulus of such a school, to awaken their ambition and zeal for improvement. The thought that we. had no High School the past year has thrown our Schools back in every respect. A large number of the older pupils have absented themselves from School altogether, especially in the summer and fall terms. The year before we had a High School, only six were at School in summer above. 15 years of age, and the last year, only seven, while the years of the High School show an attendance of 26 to 30. Few lads, especially above 12 or 15 years, are willing to attend a School taught by a female, and where all ages mingle to the child of 4 years. The experiment of a High School those three years, was all perhaps that could have been expected, under the circumstances. Without a proper School-room, and unfortu- nate in most of its teachers, having six during the three years, what more could have been expected ? Commencing amid great indifference and opposition, it was gradually gaining the confidence
* " At the Annual meeting every town shall choose, from among the in- habitants thereof, the following town officers, who shall serve during the year, and until others shall be chosen and qualified in their stead, that is to say : * * * * A School Committee of three, five or seven persons."-(Rev. Statute, Chap. 15, Sect. 33.) Changed May, '57, Chap. 270, to " Three, six, nine, or twelve," &c.
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of all, and even those most hostile to the plan have joined in its commendation, while they could have its control. But laying aside all personal considerations, how desirable that all should unite in the establishment of such a School? 113 High Schools already exist in Massachusetts, nearly all of which have come into existence within the last ten years, forming a growing peculiarity of our noble system of Public Schools. Why should we be among the last to adopt it, and especially while we must so deeply feel our need of it ? As no printed report has been circulated heretofore, presenting to all our families the advantages of such a School, your Committee would here briefly state a mere outline of some of the more important, for candid examination.
1 .- A High School, when once in successful operation, will satisfy the largest class of our citizens. The seven districts will not be long contented to give a High School to three, while de- prived of the like privilege themselves.
2. - It will be most economical, costing less to impart the same amount of instruction, and will most fully equalize the School priv- ileges to all the citizens.
3 .- This plan grades the Schools most perfectly, securing a result of the highest importance. No branch can be taught satis- factorily, where every thing is taught. This plan brings the ad- vanced pupils from all the Schools into large classes, under a com- petent teacher, and leaves the Primary Schools to their appropriate teachers and studies.
4 .- It furnishes an excellent School for the poor, as well as rich, and will thus enable some of our brightest pupils to rise to the higher stations of usefulness. The rich can afford to send their children abroad to School ; most others cannot.
5 .- This plan has an elevating and refining influence, by bring- ing all the most mature minds to associate together, and will thus tend to promote future union through the town. The classes may be systematically arranged to graduate as in higher institutions, and the alumni of the High School may hereafter unite in an association for further mutual improvement, as they are already doing in other places. How much more pleasing, as well as use- ful, such gatherings, to those of mere amusement and dissipation.
6 .- This plan furnishes a most wholesome stimulus to both parents and children, as past experience already testifies, and will have a powerful tendency to raise the standard of intelligence and virtue, through the town, while order, industry, the value of real estate, human happiness and respectability, will be vastly pro- moted.
These are but a few of the. advantages, very imperfectly de- veloped, which would spring from a good High School, in connec- tion with the Primary and Intermediate, wisely arranged and conducted. If Schools in general are a blessing to the community, then the better those Schools the greater the blessing. A High
25
School is only another name for a superior School - one of the best - one as high and as good, as the combined talent and wisdom of the town can make it, going up higher every year. No one, therefore, can be intelligently opposed to a High School, unless he is opposed to all Schools, or can show a more excellent way of securing the highest good. To oppose such a School, because one lives at a distance from it, or has no child to enjoy it, is ground no intelligent or honorable man can hold for a moment, for any man who has property, or honor, or life to protect, is richly benefitted by every dollar well expended in public education. Our experi- ment has also proved that distance is no barrier to a High School in Scituate. Some of the most constant pupils, came from our extreme borders ; and the School was usually more than full. In due time, let there be a suitable house, well located and furnished, and above all a suitable Teacher, who may labor for a series of years, and let all the town unite in the one great object - a high standard of public education, and the rich fruit of such effort would become more and more apparent from year to year.
Money thus expended, will yield the highest percentage of any in stock or trade, and will be less liable to fluctuation, or a finan- cial crisis. A good education cannot be squandered, but may enable its possessor to secure a fortune, or regain one if lost. Yet this is the least important aspect of the question; the increased usefulness and social or individual enjoyment, arising from this blessing, are vastly superior. There is now a vast waste of uncul- tivated mind, throughout this entire region, of which our many uncultivated fields and brambles are a striking emblem. Let there be a liberal, but wise outlay of expenditure on this improved sys- tem of our Schools, and let there be perseverance and unity of effort to render the system as perfect as possible, and but a few years would pass before evident marks of improvement would everywhere appear, not only in our fields and habitations, but in the general sobriety and behavior of our youth. Instead of the intoxicating cup, the card table, and the dance, with profanity and scenes of dissipation and ruin, all frequently combined, we should have the public library, the lyceum, industry, enterprise and virtue, with increasing wealth and prosperity, and a thousand elevating and improving influences all around us. Such is the picture we have often drawn in imagination for this people ; a picture, not of idle fancy, but established on the sound principles of truth and human experience, elsewhere enjoyed. But so long as this party feeling predominates, and one plan is tried this year, and over- thrown for another the next, so long shall we remain in darkness and confusion. Some general system should be adopted - the best if possible -and then be persevered in with diligence, and there would be prospect of improvement.
One other point, and we close. We need to elevate our standard, not only of intellectual culture, but of Christian morality. If this
26
highest and noblest principle in man be suffered to degenerate, every other blessing will degenerate with it. This is Heaven's decree. And here, if we mistake not, is our greatest danger. If we require in Teachers only an average standard of moral character, or can glowingly approve those exposed to be indicted even for crime, as of good moral character, it is surely time to inquire, where we stand, and whither we are tending?
We live professedly in a Christian land, our laws are Christian laws, and our schools are Christian schools ; our morality a Chris- tian morality, as is evident from the following authorities. Says Judge O'Neal : "What constitutes the standard of good morals ? Is it not Christianity? There is certainly no other. Say that cannot be appealed to, and I do not know what would be good morals. The day of moral virtue in which we live, would in an instant, if that standard were abolished, lapse into the dark and murky night of pagan immorality." Says Webster, "There is nothing we look for with more certainty than this general principle, that Christianity is part of the law of the land." Judge Story, speaking of "Christianity." as " a part of the common law of the state," says, " that its divine origin and truth are admitted, and therefore it is not to be maliciously and openly reviled and blas- phemed against, to the annoyance of believers, or the injury of the public." Hence, Judge Duncan declares the following, as a " crime - the subject of penal visitation ; - Profane and malevo- lent scoffing at the Scriptures, or exposing any part of them to ridicule," and also cites approvingly, a decision in the Supreme Court of New York, in which it " was solemnly determined, that Christianity was a part of the law of the land, and that to revile the Holy Scriptures was an indictable offence."
Such being the authorized standard of good morals, it is desira- ble to secure teachers, who are sound in this respect. Principles, both moral and religious, have universally been considered as hav- ing a very intimate connection with character, "for out of the heart," says an old fashioned book, "are the issues of life ; " and hence, such principles should be properly regarded in our estimate of moral character, while all narrow and sectarian views should be as faithfully excluded. But to tolerate the vilest principles, under the broad and honorable plea of no sectarianism, is as unmanly as it is dangerous, exposing the tender morals of the young to influ- ences often more destructive than merely corrupt example. Says Dr. HUNTINGTON, in his late Election Sermon, " wrong principle in every workman, whose work is moral, creeps over, and subtly spreads itself, to contaminate and damage the thing he works in." And again, " What man is works itself into what man does." So long, therefore, as sound principles, the only foundation of "good moral character," are of more value than intellectual culture, gold or any earthly good, so long should every friend of
27
humanity carnestly unite in upholding this only truc standard of Christian morality.
All of which is respectfully submitted,
In behalf of the School Committee,
DANIEL WIGHT, Jr., CHAIRMAN.
DANIEL WIGHT, Jr.
JESSE D. HUTCHINSON, School
GEORGE M. ALLEN,
Committee.
STATISTICAL TABLE OF THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS, 1857-8.
.97
12.00
Written
Arithmetic.
U. S. History.
Algebra.
.84* S.
26
331
91
25
25
50
29.15|
.583|
5| 0
120
8.761
2
17
21
0
Harbor. W. M. J. Stewart.
12
4
48
38
139-
18
13
31
27.23
.878
4
0
20
8.694
0
19
22
0
1.00 S.
25
331
87}
19
25
30.44
.692|
5
0| 252|
7.930
7
11
20
0
Prospect. W.
A. G. Whiting.
13
4
52
38
1394- 11
20
31
26.45
.853
3
0
116
8.444
7
17
6
.86
S.
26
41
110}
21
27
48
32.48
.677|
5|
0
98
8.819
8
24
31
3
Willow. W. A. C. Litchfield.
12
51
38
1613- 22
22
14
34.12
.775
4
0
22
9.219
7
21
30
12
.63
S.JE. C. Sawyer.
17
6
102
7
21
28
16.80
.600|
0
01
131 |
12.937
18
18
6
21
6,2
Union. W. Mr. A. A. Davis.
12
113
136%
29
2383++
21
20
11
31 53
.813
01
5
680
14.191
21
26
4
30
8 4
.69
S.|E. D. Briggs. L. T. Hatch.
14
44!
87!
17
14
31
24.56
.792|
4
1
82
9.380
6
11
9
6
Incidentals, making fires, &c.
Appropriation, - -
State School Fund,
* Per centage present at winter examination.
$2095.41
ACCOUNT.
Teachers wages and board, $1925.75
Fuel,
$2000.00
95.41
$2095.41
.85
S. L. M. Litchfield.
21
4
84
18
23
11
28.25!
.689| 3| 0
36
8.727
3
22
27
5
West. W. M. A. Litchfield.
14
63
91
35
175
24
23
17
38.26
2
2
77
10.302
1
28
35
15
.84 S. D. N. Hatch.
23
1
4
92
19
39
21.17
.627| 3| 01
7
8.572
4
17
23
6
N. Main. W. Geo. C. Lee.
11
9
99
34
191-+1
21
18
39
31.61
.811
0: 3!
252
11.017
11
21
25
24
.93
S.
44|
1143
18
14
32
20.17|
.630
4| 0|
126
8.617
9 1 11
13
9
4
Neck. W. E. A. Briggs.
11
22
1
3%
77
11
12
23
17.53
.7641 10
1
126
10.011
9
11
16
8
Egypt. W. H. A. Curtis.
16
44
68
38
145-
17
12
29
22.17
.764! 0
86
11.488
13
18
'19
14
1
S.
251| 4.10|1029
392
19253
215
222
437|303.61!
.694|35
7:1600
9.158
79
191!
205
80 |1416
451, between 5 and 15, May 1, 1857.
W.
141|6.36| 8963 353+ 175.07
247
195
412 360.71
.816 20 30 2033
10.669
1102
232
235
167 16 8
21
44
89}
30
21
51
40.80
.800
3| 0|
177
8.897
6
18
20
22
11
.92
13
4X
93}
29
21
50
38.90
.778
31 5!
445
9.714 !
7 | 31
19
15
3
Grove St. W.
S. N. F. Packard. 9 N. B. Tingley. Mr. S. L. Hoar. 12
4-
112
136%
34
230++
39
22
61
53.62|
.879
0 17
101
11.938
9
: 33
29
27
4.1
Greenbush w E. C. Sawyer.
14
53
77
35
1613-
22
14
36
27.10
.752
2
3
464
10.905
13
16
11
10
.44
S.E. C. Grosvenor. Nancy B. Tingley
91
6
Centre. W. Mr. T. T. Bailey.
7+
91
35
1180}+
33
21
51
40.98
.759
4| 4
189
10.147
6
FINANCIAL
156.69
Name of District.
TEACHERS.
Weeks.
Wages.
Amount.
Boys.
Girls.
Attendance.
Attendance.
Attendance. Per cent. of
Under 5.
Over 15.
Tardy.
Av. Ages May 1st and Dec. Ist
Grammar.
Geography.
Mental
Arithmetic.
Wks. Am't.
Whole
Average
-
-
Balance on hand, -
4
4631
38
1612-
19
10
29
24.56
.847
1
1
26
9.586
8
10
16
9
.72 S. |M. A. Chandler.
7
4
Av.
Whole year.
28
7
2
.814
REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
OF THE
TOWN OF SCITUATE,
FOR THE
YEAR ENDING MARCH 1, 1859.
BOSTON: DAVIS & FARMER, PRINTERS, No. 18 Exchange Street. 1859.
REPORT.
FELLOW-TOWNSMEN :- By a law of the Commonwealth, it is made the duty of the School Committee to make a " detailed report of the condition of the several public schools, with such statements and suggestions as said Com- mittee may deem proper."
Under ordinary circumstances, the duty would be an agree- able one; but not so under the very extraordinary circum- stances in which your Committee have been placed by votes of the town, and by certain acts of persons, whose acts have not yet been legalized.
The vote of the town, passed in March last, by which they voted to " dispense with a School Committee," was an attempt to nullify the laws of the Commonwealth. The vote by which the town undertook to confer on " Prudential Agents " power and authority which belong only to the School Committee, was another violation of law, but, like the other, is void, inasmuch as it is the duty of the School Committee to " serve until others shall be chosen and quali- fied in their stead."
And in case they shall decline further service, the law of 1857, for filling vacancies, makes it obligatory on the Select- men to elect another board.
The Selectmen and School Committee have complied with the requirements of the law of 1857, concerning the filling of vacancies in the School Committee, which confers . the same " powers and duties as if they had been elected in any other legal manner." The School Committee thus elected were for a time in doubt as to the proper course for
1
4
them to pursue. The " Prudential Agents " claimed to pos- sess all authority over school-houses and teachers, aye, and over School Committee also! Very many and terrible were the threats uttered against us, should we presume to enter the school-houses. And teachers were warned against pro- curing certificates from us, the penalty of which would be the loss of their schools, which penalty was visited on some, by rudely and unlawfully preventing them from entering their school-houses.
A systematic training of forces was practised, to induce teachers to believe that it was not necessary to conform to the laws of the Commonwealth. "The town had voted that they should be paid, and that was sufficient ; the town must fulfil its contracts ; the town had a right to raise money for schools, and, by paying a fine of one or two hundred dollars, they could spend the money as they chose. The laws were arbitrary ; the School Committee were overbearing ; their services cost more than they were worth ; they could not hold over ; the Selectmen could not fill vacancies."
Such are a few of the many sayings which were rung through the town ; in by-places, in post office, hotel and store ; through clouds of tobacco-smoke and in clear air; by pro- fessional men, in their bitterest and most vindictive style ; by magistrates, who had sworn to support the Constitution and laws of the Commonwealth ; by such persons as usually congregate in villages, where some are industrious, but many are out of employment. These were the forces that for a time met, daily and nightly, to break down the School Com- mittee ; to trample under foot the Constitution and laws of the Commonwealth. By such statements, from such various sources, many persons were for a time deceived, and promises and inducements were held out to teachers which seem now to be forgotten.
The excitement having somewhat subsided, the sober, · second thought is taking its place, and honest, law-abiding people are inquiring not how or why they were deceived, but
5
how could men who pretended to know so much law be mis- . taken. Such various gifts and callings, such an amount of positive knowledge, such flippant affirmations as were put forth ! Is it possible that they all could be mistaken ? It does really seem so, and it is not strange that they should deceive others. The experiment has been tried. It has been an expensive one,-a wretched failure ; and we hope and believe that it will long be remembered ; that in future the town will act in conformity with the laws of the Commonwealth ; that we shall soon occupy our former position in the cause of education.
After the crowning vote of the town, passed in May, by which they chose a committee to defend all suits growing out of the votes which they had passed in March, and to prose- cute all persons who should interfere with the schools, (meaning, no doubt, the School Committee,) and to take money from the treasury of the town, without limit, all doubt as to the proper and best course to pursue immediately vanished. We were perfectly agreed to petition the Supreme Court to grant an injunction on the Treasurer, to prevent the unlawful use of the money of the town, and we have no doubt the injunction will be made perpetual.
The school Committee, no doubt, had the power to estab- lish and manage the schools throughout the town ; but such was the prejudice manifested towards us, and such the probability of litigation, that your Committee 'came to the conclusion that we would examine such teachers as presented themselves, and, if satisfied of their qualifications, to appro- bate them, and to visit such schools only as were legally established.
We gave personal notice to school teachers generally, that it would be utterly impossible for them to obtain any pay from the town for teaching school, unless they obtained certificates from the School Committee, and kept registers and schools to their satisfaction.
6
We have to report a further diminution in the number of scholars in the town.
The number last May, between the ages of five and fifteen years, was four hundred and eighteen.
The schools which have been instructed under the super- intendence of the School Committee, are as follows :-
NORTH MAIN STREET.
This school was instructed in Summer, by Miss Deborah N. Hatch, four and one-half months. The school was in good condition at the commencement of the term, and was well managed and instructed throughout the term. This is one of the schools not much affected by the peculiar con- dition of affairs.
George C. Lee, Esq. was the instructor for the Winter Term of three months. A very marked progress in the several branches taught was the result of his labors. He manifested an uncommon degree of interest in the welfare of his school. The discipline was excellent. Although apparently mild in governing his school, good order was observed throughout the house.
The whole number of scholars in Summer was 41
Average attendance, - - - 35
Wages, per month, $12.
Whole number in Winter, - 40
Average attendance, - - 32
Wages, per month, $25.
NECK SCHOOL,
In Summer, was taught by Miss Maria Jacobs, five and one-half months. Miss Jacobs, although young and inex- perienced, managed and instructed this school very well. The school is an easy one to govern, and entirely free from the contagion with which the town has been so much afflicted. A short Winter Term of two months was taught by Miss Emma Tingley.
The whole number of scholars in Summer was 30
Average attendance, - - 20
Wages, per month, $12. Whole number in Winter, - -
-
- 28
Average attendance, - - 19 -
Wages, per month, $20.
1
GROVE STREET SCHOOL.
The Summer Term of this school was taught by Miss Lucretia T. Hatch, five months. The number of scholars attending this school is larger than most others in town, but, like them, has diminished, and is not now too large to be instructed by an efficient teacher. Miss Hatch was success- ful in the management of the school.
The whole number of scholars was -
47
Average attendance, 35 -
Wages, per month, $12.
WEST SCHOOL.
The Winter 'Term of this school was taught by Mr. L. Webster Bates, two months, and was closed quite abruptly for want of fuel. The school was improved considerably by Mr. Bates, although he instructed it but a short time. This school suffered considerably by the prevailing difficulty, but recovered rapidly.
The whole number of scholars was -
- 43
Average attendance, - - 36
Wages, per month, $30.
GREENBUSH.
This school was instructed for about one-half of one month by Miss Eliza A. Jenkins, a favorite teacher in this region. A contract was made with Miss Jenkins, and confirmed by the School Committee, to instruct this school four months, at
8 、4
fourteen dollars per month. Before commencing the school, like a good, honest, law-abiding person, she presented herself to us for examination. She was qualified and armed with all the authority and power necessary to keep the school, excepting " brute force ;"-in that she was found lacking. Two men were found who could, and did prevent her ingress to her school-room. The school was unlawfully interrupted, as may hereafter be made to appear. Miss Jenkins went to the school-house several times, and found it double-locked against her. She held herself in readiness, during the term for which she was engaged, to complete and fulfil the con- tract. She believes that she has a legal claim for the amount of the contract,-fifty-six dollars.
Whole number of scholars, - -
29
Average attendance, 11 -
Wages, per month, $14.
The school-houses need painting, white-washing, and some other repairs, owing to bad management of unruly, idle, and vicious boys. The buildings are all new and com- modious, excepting Grove Street, which is to be made equal to the others.
In conclusion, we hope and trust that the scenes of the past two years will not soon be reacted. The seal of repro- bation has been placed in the most emphatic manner on the acts and the actors.
And will God grant that, in future, moderate, wise, and peaceful councils may prevail in this ancient town.
Respectfully submitted,
GEORGE M. ALLEN, School THOMAS CLAPP, Committee EDWARD JAMES, of Scituate.
Scituate, March 7, 1859.
REPORT.
FELLOW-CITIZENS : - Since you persist in selecting a Com- mittee from a class who have not received what is popularly termed a liberal education, you may not look for a document which will be renowned for its literary merit, but a simple state- ment of facts, accompanied by such remarks and suggestions as seem to us important.
SCHOOL HOUSES.
The school houses were painted, whitewashed, and put in good order before the summer term commenced; that in Grove street being remodelled so as to be as neat and convenient as others. Most of them have been well taken care of; some even exciting surprise that the ordinary wear has left them so unblem- ished ; but we are sorry to add that some have been carelessly, and others wilfully and maliciously injured. The only house which does not come up to a fair standard is the Union. This is low, ill-ventilated, and inconvenient, in many respects; but, in our opinion, it would be money misapplied to expend any for
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