USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Wakefield > Town annual report of the officers of Wakefield Massachusetts : including the vital statistics for the year 1903-1905 > Part 55
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3 00
Eaton, G. W., supplies, . ·
4 80
Eager, G. B., .
4 00
Electrical World and Engineer, 1 75
Express, petty cash, 15 92
Fort Wayne Electric Works, meters, 468 89
Fairbanks Co., scales. 117 04
Feindel and Harrison, carpentering, 60 38
Giles, T. E., blacksmithing, 85 42
Globe Stamp Works, stamps, . 7 50
Grant, W. H., blacksmithing, . ·
15 50
340
Gosnay, J. T., supplies, . 30 05
General Electric Co., supplies,
62 89
Groom and Co., Thomas, stationery, 1 00
Greenough, W. S., stationery, .
96 06
Garlock Packing Co., packing, 7 45
Graton and Knight M'f'g Co., belts,
81 54
Grant Nail and Supply Co., nails, 11 40
Gamewell Fire Alarm Co., fire alarm
boxes, 50 00
Garfield and Proctor, coal, 356 56
Grace, J. W., piping, 10 47
Gilmore Electric Co., lamps,
21 20
Globe Rubber Works, gas tubing, 35 51
Guarantee deposits,
45 00
Heywood Bros. and Wakefield M'f'g Co., mats, ·
4 50
Howes and Co., S. M., stoves,
15 75
Hartshorne and Sons, C. F., insur- ance, .
291 69
Harrington, King and Co.,
9 98
Hill and Hill, harness,
20 67
High Tension Electrical Specialty
Co., switch, 14 70
Hanniford T. F., brooms,
7 95
Hathaway's Stable, team,
3 00
Hickey, Thos, coal,
34 80
Hunt, W. G., insurance, . 36 48
Johnson-Reynolds Co.,
100 01
John's Manville Co., packing,
44 10
Jarvis Engineering.
14 46
Kirk, L. H., hay and grain, 172 21
Kahn Bros., F. and L., stoves,
100 00
Knowles Steam Pump Works, .
7 62
Killorin, G. W., hay, 33 15
Killorin Contracting Co., hay, .
162 73
341
Kendall, Wallace, wagon painting, 30 00 Knowles, C. S., electrical supplies, . 1,045 29 Littlefield and Co., H. A., lamp
parts, 29 25
Library Bureau, cards,
4 50
Liberty Oil Co., oil,
179 47
Laybolt, J., tools, .. 20 80
Lucas Bros., repairs, 5 00
Lally and Sons, ·
21 63
Locke, A. T., lumber,
21 66
Lundin Electric and Machine Co.,
174 62
Laws, F. A., .
1 50
Lang and Jacobs, bungs, .
5 65
Lamprey Boiler Furnace Mouth Piece,
131 64
Moynihan, J. F., distribution gas, 75 00
McLautchlin Co., G. T.,. 20 63
Michigan Stove Co., stoves, 689 75
Munder Electric Co., 8 40
McIntosh, D. H., harness repairs,
7 00
McKenney and Waterbury lamps,
21 89
Merchants Coal Co., coal,
78 88
Miller, E. F., . 10 00
Mackay and Co., pipe, . 139 41
Meuller M'f'g Co., brass goods,
24 10
Mahoney, M. L., meals, . 25 00
Malden Electric Co., 744 14
Morrison and Stoddard, supplies,
122 21
National Carbon Co., carbons,
351 77
North, R. C., blacksmithing,
64 75
New. Eng. Tel. and Tel. Co., .
130 94
New Eng. Office Furniture Co., 18 65
Nokes, Wm., horse,
215 00
Newton and Watertown Gas Light Co., .
24 75
Nernst Lamp Co., . 6 38 . .
342
Office Expense, petty cash, 87 54
Ohio Gas Light Association, 1 50
Prescott, W. A., carpentering,
$382 02
Purrington, E. I., machine work,
28 76
Pittsburg Plate Glass Co., glass.
2 26
Philadelphia Electric Mfg. Co.
45 33
Parsons and Son, saddles,
2 94
Pearson, J. H.,
28 22
Parker, S. T.,
15 00
Poland, J. W.,
1 50
Pettingell-Andrews, electric supplies, 130 77
Progressive Age,
3 00
Patterson Lubricating Co.,
2 66
Perkins, A. R., insurance,
36 34
Philadelphia Grease Co., .
29 48
Roughan, James, coal,
372 28
Robb-Mumford Boiler Co., iron work
3 65
Rathbone-Sard Co., stoves,
33 67
Rider, P. L., .
30 00
Rockwood Mfg. Co.,
11 63
Sampson Cordage Co., ·
8 58
Stoughton Rubber Co., rubber,
11 07
Schurman, J. D., sand, .
19 20
Schaeffer-Budenberg, charts,
5 25
Stack and Co., E. S.,
2 10
Sherritt, J. F., painting, .
27 33
Sprague and Sons, C. H., coal,
2,715 77
Sherwood, J. M., .
4 00
Simplex Electric Co., wire,
124 29
Spring, C. H., poles,
185 05
Solomon and Bros., L. A.,
20 15
Standard Chemical Co.,
11 03
Shelby Electric Co., lamps,
195 64
Spencer Mfg. Co., S. M., stamps, 4 37
Smith and Anthony Co., . 7 90
343
Stearns Lumber Co., A. T., 99 35
Stuart-Howland Co., supplies, 8 67
Spaulding Print Paper Co., 18 50
Summan, C. W., 30 00
Strait and Richards, gas logs, 12 00
Slattery and Bros., J. B., 6 25
Standard Adding Machine Co . .
185 00
Town Bills and Sundries, 191 49
Tufts Meter Co. H., gas meters,
1,121 06
Tupper, A. M.,
17 55
Twombly, W. E., and J. F., adver- tising, 36 40
Tuttle, A. M.,
50 00
Taylor, Geo. H., hardware,
157 43
Tenney-Morse and Co.,
14 13
Thayer, A. H., insurance,
47 59
Union Glass Co., globes,
50 62
Wakefield Water Dept., .
130 43
Coal Co.,
88 36
Daily Item, 203 25
High School, .
2 00
Waldo Bros., . 913 51
Winship-Boit and Co., waste, . 19 74
Welsbach Co., mantles and burners, 65 27
Wetherell Bros.,
5 08
Walworth M'f'g Co., pipes and fit- tings, 18 69
Westmoreland Coal Co., coal, . 5,705 82
Westinghouse Electric M'f'g Co., 10 67
Wood and Co., R. D., pipe, 913 19
Warner, C. M., 6 50
Wiley, J. B., mason,
273 33
Wilder, W. W., sign, 2 00
Wanamaker and Feindel, carpenter-
ing, 121 79
344
Wheeler Reflector Co.,
29 40
Webster, J. A.,
8 25
Wagner Electric Co.,
30 58
Young, E. L.,
4 50
-- $31,325 37
PAY ROLL FOR 1905-(52 Weeks).
Andrews, Alexander M., laborer, $4 13
Bennett, Samuel, laborer, 75
Burns, Thomas, laborer, .
69 63
Butler, Charlie, laborer, .
47 93
Coughlin, James, stoker,
731 50
Cronin, James, laborer,
96 26
Callan, John, laborer, 66 83
Desmond, Patrick, general helper, 722 86
Draper, James H., gas fitter, .
183 54
Donovan, Daniel, stoker,
557 13
Donegan, Wm., laborer, .
56 77
Deveau, John W., laborer,
4 13
Dignan, Patrick, laborer,
22 75
Doucette, Joseph, laborer,
8 63
Desmond, Dennis, laborer,
60 32
Dulong, John, laborer, .
10 00
Doucette, Fred, laborer, .
13 63
Foley, Michael, laborer, ..
145 76
Flinn, Thomas, laborer, .
74 12
Forbes, Patrick, laborer, .
24 38
Fisher, Helen W., clerk, Fagan, Thomas, clerk, ·
2 00
Galvin, James, general helper,
720 14
Gaetz, James A., engineer,
794 98
Haskell, Harry, 2nd, book-keeper,
1,116 58
Horrigan, Michael, laborer,
74 37
Hubbard, Peter, laborer, .
77 88
.
67 00
. 345
Harrie, Charles, laborer, . 2 00
Hurlburt, Jos. M., laborer, 31 13
Hurtin, Patrick, laborer, 5 75
Joyce, Martin, stoker, 725 75
Johnson, Arthur, general helper, 763 63
Jenkins, Lizzie M., clerk,
417 00
Jackson, M. J., clerk,
36 25
Jack, James, clerk,
82 94
Koalick, Leo, meter reader,
9 37
Kelley, Michael, labor,
58 94
Kelley, Frank, laborer,
19 56
Lane, Paul, laborer, ·
56 00
Mclaughlin, Patrick, gas foreman, . 1,092 00
Martin, John W., engineer, 190 42
Mclaughlin, James, labor and meter reading, 325 02
Maher, Daniel, stoker,
728 75
Merrill, Morrison, lineman,
409 95
Muse, Patrick, laborer,
221 51
Muse, Joseph, laborer,
114 94
Maloney, John, laborer,
161 33
Muse, Alex, laborer,
171 09
Muse, Ruben, laborer,
106 82
Mitchell, Michael, laborer,
7 25
Mooney, James, laborer, .
3 75
Mahoney, James, laborer,
59 31
Muse, Joseph, 2nd, laborer,
5 25
Murphy, Daniel, laborer,
12 68
Nelson, Frank A., trimmer,
735 86
C'Connor, James, general helper,
465 30
Qualters, John, laborer, .
2 00
-
Qualters, Michael, laborer,
14 68
Roach, John, laborer,
56 26
Regan, James, laborer,
26 00
Sederquest, James A., engineer,
906 90
346
Sliney, John, general helper,
508 56
Souther, Norman, laborer,
10 76
Sullivan, Jerry, laborer, .
8 00
Surrette. Silvine, laborer,
55 64
Sweeney, Wm., laborer, .
61 51
Sexton Patrick, laborer, .
29 00
Weare, Wm. E., electrician and line-
man, . 1,092 00
Welch, Patrick, laborer, .
·
70 87
White, Chas. E., manager,
1,795 56
Wigmore, Stephen, laborer,
17 50
Wacks, Thomas, laborer,
17 62
- $17,446 41
Expenditures for merchandise brought
forward, . . 31,325 37
$48,771 78
UNPAID BILLS, JANUARY, 31, 1906.
Bonney, J. S.,
1 10
Boston and Maine Railroad,
13 25
66
28 00
Crosby Steam Gage and Valve Co., .
5 00
Feindel and Harrison,
11 45
Grant, W. H.,
2 50
Giles, T. E.,
.
4 40
Gosnay, J. T.,
6 20
Heywood Bros. and Wakefield Co., .
3 00
Knowles, C. S.,
12 84
Killorin ContractIng Co., . 29 35
.
.
347
McIntosh, D. H., 5 65
McIntosh Brothers,
75
New England Tel. and Tel. Co.,
1 80
Prescott, W. A.,
2 10
Searles, Geo. S.,
1 50
Taylor, Geo. H.,
1 50
Wanamaker and Feindel, .
16 00
Wakefield Daily Item,
29 55
.
$175 94
CHARLES E. WHITE, Manager.
348
Report of Cemetery Commissioners
The Cemetery Commissioners herewith respectfully pre- sent their third annual report.
The receipts for the year have been disappointingly small.
This fact is, in a large part, owing to the undeveloped condition of the grounds, which we were unable to improve because of a failure to provide a suitable appropriation for the same.
Sentiment exerts a strong influence in the determination of a suitable place for the burial of the dead, and the public in selecting a cemetery lose sight of the fact that in a few years this cemetery will be one of the most desirable places for the disposition of the dead in Middlesex County.
We cannot urge it too strongly upon the towns people that every family who can afford it, should own a lot in this cemetery as the prices are exceedingly low, and the money paid for same will no doubt be expended to beautify the en- tire cemetery.
Perhaps it would not be out of place to suggest the un- desirability of lots near any body of water which some day will become a source of water supply.
The following are the receipts and expenditures for the year :
Unexpended balance for 1905,. $78 67
Received from sale of lots,
156 00
Received from sale of wood,
64 76
for pasture rental,
40 00
$339 43
Paid L. B. Muse, labor, .
$9 37
349
Paid F. Nickerson, labor,
39 50
" K. Muse, .
3 37
W. A. Prescott, fence,
$17 83
Balance unexpended,
$70 07
$269 36
Respectfully submitted,
OLIVER WALTON, Chairman,
WM. H. BUTLER, Secretary, FRANKLIN NICKERSON.
350
Auditors' Final Statement.
The Board of Auditors herewith present to the town their report for the fiscal year ending Feb. 1, 1906.
From February 1, 1905, to February 1, 1906, the select- men have drawn 3126 orders on the town treasury, amount- ing to $202,040.75.
We have examined the vouchers for these payments and have also verified the arithmetic of all bills coming before the board of selectmen for payment during the year, and our report upon them will be found arranged in the depart- ments to which they belong.
We have verified the accounts of such departments as pay money to the treasurer; we have examined the books of the collector of taxes, and of Albert W. Flint, treasurer of the library and reading room, and find them correct. We have also examined the accounts of Mr. Flint as town treas- urer, and find them correct, with the proper vouchers for all payments made by him and that he has a cash balance of $7,600.48 in the Wakefield National bank.
We also certify that he has securities and deposits repre- senting the various trust funds now in his charge.
The unexpended balances of Cemetery Committee, Com- mon and Park, Water and Railroad street land damages, School, Highways and Bridges, Richardson street, Public Library, Town Hall, Richardson Light Guard, Bell at Boyn- tonville, Gypsy and Brown Tail Moths, Markers for Revo- lutionary Graves, Municipal Light Plant, Salaries, Insur- ance, Interest and New Seats Town Hall, are available for next year either on account of contracts pending, or by past votes of the town.
The overdraft on Main street land damages will be re- funded to the town by the county, and the overdraft on
351
Highway and Bridges will be charged against next year's business.
To avoid either lapsing the January payment or over- drawing Soldiers' Relief, a balance of $301.44 available in the Miscellaneous Appropriation was transferred by Select- men to Soldiers' Relief.
We have examined the accounts of the Municipal Light Plant and Water Department and find them to be correct.
All payments made by this department are paid by orders drawn by the Selectmen and vouchers for same are on file at the town hall where they may be seen at any time.
We invite any citizen who desires a closer knowledge of bills and accounts of the town to make application to this board and same will be gladly answered.
In compliance with the vote of the town we have compiled the annual town report and submit the same.
Respectfully submitted,
CHARLES S. EMERSON, WILLIAM O. ABBOTT, ARTHUR L. WILEY,
Auditors.
ANNUAL REPORT
-OF THE-
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
-OF THE-
.
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
-FOR THE-
YEAR ENDING JANUARY 31, 1906,
SCHOOL COMMITTEE FOR 1905-1906.
Dr.Chas. E. Montague, Ch'm'n, 26 Chestnut St., Term expires 1908 Mrs. Martha F.Blanchard, Sec'y, 214 Salem St., 1906 Josiah S. Bonney, Treasurer, 35 Central St., 66 1908 Samuel K. Hamilton, 33 Yale Ave., 66 1906 Miss Eliza M. Greenwood, 10 Lafayette St., 66 1907
Ashton H. Thayer, 785 Main St., 66 66 1907
SUB=COMMITTEES.
Mr. Hamilton,
RULES AND REGULATIONS Mrs. Blanchard, Miss Greenwood.
Mr. Bonney,
COURSE OF STUDY Mrs. Blanchard, Mr. Hamilton.
Mr. Hamilton,
TEACHERS AND SALARIES Miss Greenwood, Mr. Thayer.
TEXT BOOKS AND SUPPLIES
Mrs. Blanchard, Mr. Thayer, Dr. Montague.
MUSIC, DRAWING AND CALISTHENICS
Miss Greenwood, Mr. Bonney, Mrs. Blanchard.
PUBLIC PROPERTY
Mr. Thayer, Mr. Bonney, Dr. Montague.
FINANCE AND ACCOUNTS
Dr. Montague, Mr. Hamilton, Mr. Bonney.
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
J. H. Carfrey, 126 West Chestnut Street. OFFICE HOURS
Mondays, 7 to 8 o'clock p. m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, 8 to 8.30 a. m., Wednesdays and Fridays, 4 to 5.30 p. m. Office, Flanley Block.
Telephone, Office-225-3. Residence-102-6.
Clerk, M. Alice Ryan. Hours, 3 to 5 p. m. School Days.
REGULAR MEETINGS OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE Second Friday of each month, at 8 p. m., at Committee Rooms, Flanley Block.
TRUANT OFFICER H. A. Simmonds, 10 Charles Street, Office Hours : School days, 9 to 9.30 a. m. at Superintendent's Office.
355
Report of School Committee.
TO THE CITIZENS OF WAKEFIELD :
At the close of the last school year, Mr. Alfred C. Thompson, who had served us faithfully as Superintendent for three years, received a very flattering offer to assume a similar position in the city of Auburn, New York. It was with great regret on the part of the Committee, and we be- lieve on the part of the teachers and the townspeople gener- ally, that we were obliged to accept his resignation. During his administration there was a splendid spirit shown, both by pupils and teachers, and we believe a material advance was made in the educational methods of our schools, and the general administration of the department. The selec- tion of a Superintendent is of vital interest to every citizen of the town and of peculiar interest to every person directly connected with the schools. With that, thought in mind your Committee carefully examined the credentials of a large number of applicants, and after searching inquiry and per- sonal investigation extending over several weeks, selected Mr. Jacob H. Carfrey of Northampton. A new Superin- tendent is severely handicapped. There are so many threads in the warp and woof of an educational system of seventy teachers and twenty-two hundred scholars that it requires time to pick up all of them. In this instance Mr. Thompson kindly gave what assistance he could, and Mr. Carfrey has been able to take up the work with very little break.
OFFICE OF THE SUPERINTENDENT.
For the past three or four years one of the teachers in the Commercial Course of the High School has assisted in the Superintendent's office from three to five in the afternoon.
356
She writes"letters for the Superintendent, keeps the accounts, under his direction, has charge of the Stamp Savings ac- counts, and is generally useful. This arrangement was begun when she was needed only part of the time at the High School. Her duties at the High School have increased with the increase in the Commercial Department so that she now works full time. There has been also a great increase in the office work of the Superintendent, partly due to the growth of the schools, but largely by reason of the great improvement in the methods of keeping accounts and rec- ords. A further extension of methods is planned in certain directions. The time will come in the not distant fu- ture when a permanent clerk in the office will be neces- sary. This is, we believe, a matter of economy as well, for at present a considerable portion of the time of the Superin- tendent is used up in doing office work which could be done just as well by a clerk, while the Superintendent should have much more time for his particular work of directing the teachers from personal class room observation as well as more opportunity for the consideration of educational mat- ters in general.
SCHOOL BUILDINGS.
The buildings as a whole are in good repair.
Theoretically new modern brick buildings ought not to need any money at all spent in repairs. Practically they do need a good deal every year, mostly on roofs, furnaces and plumbing. This year the cost of repairs to furnaces and plumbing was about five hundred and fifty dollars. This was somewhat more than the average. At the Warren School the walls have been tinted throughout the building. This was made necessary by the mortar spattered upon them when the ceilings were plastered last year. At the West Ward School new water pipe has been laid, a new cesspool constructed, and almost an entirely new job of plumbing put in, at a cost of about $150. This work was an absolute
/
357
necessity. At Greenwood the concrete walks have been put down at a cost slightly more than the special appropriation for that purpose, which amount was drawn from the contin- gent appropriation. At the High School the walls and ceil- ings of four rooms have been tinted. These were very black and smoky as a result of the soft coal burned on the year of the coal strike. This is the case also in several of the other buildings, particularly in the old part at Greenwood. New school furniture has been bought for one room at the High School. The old in this room, which was poor, has been removed to the upper large room and is in use there. New furniture has been bought for another room at the Warren. This room was furnished originally, but it was removed to the Franklin three years ago. This room will be needed in September, and may be this spring. The cost of furnishing the two rooms was about $350.
We again call attention to the need of plumbing and sewer connections for the Lincoln and Hamilton Schools, and to the condition of the concrete in front of the Lincoln School. The Woodville School has no suitable supply of water for drinking. For the past year water for that purpose has been carried in pails from the Town Farm. Pipe should be laid on Farm Street so that town water can be supplied.
The need of some practical man to assist the committee both in the plans for repairs and the actual work has been felt for several years, but we have hesitated on account of the extra expense. This year an arrangement has been made with Mr. Harvey G. Brockbank whereby he becomes janitor of the High School and curator of buildings. He has been able already to do a good many minor repairs and assist the committee materially. He is to devote the sum- mer vacation to the usual summer repairs. It seems proba- ble that this arrangement will result in economy, as well as in a more careful attention to the details of minor repairs.
358 : 1
SCHOOL ACCOMMODATIONS.
We again call attention to the crowded state of the Lin- coln School, particularly in the lower grades, and to the probbaility of steady increase in that condition. We are now sending children to the Hurd School, to Woodville and to the Franklin that really should go to the Lincoln; and holding what is practically half day sessions in the first grade ; but these limits of relief are reached. The only solution is some additional building in the centre of the town. Were it not for our already large financial burden for new schoolhouses and our high tax rate, we should urge immediate action. At the most this cannot be long deferred. At the Franklin there is an unexpectedly small class in the first grade. Also at Greenwood.
TEACHERS.
The personality of the teacher makes the school.
In these days of Normal Schools and modern methods and supervisors and superintendents, the individuality of the teacher is sometimes obscured by the preponderance of the school "system." That has never been done in Wakefield. The school system is well organized with a corps of efficient individual teachers. It has been the aim of the committee to select carefully trained men and women who have demon- strated that they possess the qualities of successful teachers. We hesitate to give a school of forty boys and girls into the hands of a novice. In other words, successful experience is demanded first of all. Other things being equal, residents of Wakefield have been given the preference. A careful perusal of the list of teachers shows that of the sixty-three regular teachers thirty-two are residents of Wakefield. The stability of our teaching force is greatly affected by our proximity to so many cities and towns that can offer a larger salary. Our aim is to secure teachers so good that some one else wants them. This results in a good many
359
changes yearly, but short services of first class teachers is better than a long service of an ordinary or poorer one.
READING BOOKS.
After careful consideration, and upon the recommenda- tion of the Superintendent, the course in reading above the fifth grade has been systematized, so that all the scholars in the same grade will]read the same books each year. This has been essentially true of the main text books in the past but not of the so-called supplementary reading. We believe this an educational step in the right direction and that it will result in economy as well. It has been brought about with practically no increase in, expense this year.
FINANCES.
The appropriations and expenditures for last year were as follows :
For salaries, appropriation, $42,360 00
Applied from tuition, 29 43
$42,389 43
Expended as per pay roll, . $42,389 43
FUEL.
Appropriation,
. $4,806 25
Expended,
. 4,358 22
Balance unexpended, $448 03
CONTINGENT.
Appropriation,
. $2,500 00
Applied from tuition,
. 1,111 99
$3,611 99
Expended as per detailed report, . .
$3,611 99
360
BOOKS AND SUPPLIES.
Appropriation, .
. $2,800 00
Applied from tuition,
509 27
$3,390 27
Total, expended as per detailed report, . $3,390 27
TUITION ACCOUNT.
Balance from last year, . $205 63
Received as per town Treasurer's re-
port,
2,049 86
$2,255 49
Expended :
Salaries,
$29 43
Books and Supplies,
590 27
Contingent,
1,111 99
Balance available for next year,
523 80
.
$2,255 49
We recommend appropriations for the year beginning Feb. 1st, 1906, as follows :
Salaries,
.$43,000 00
Fuel,
4,800 00
Books and supplies,
. 2,800 00
Contingent,
2,500 00
Total,
.$53,100 00
·
It is not expected that the appropriation asked for is suf- ficient in any case, except for fuel, but it is estimated that $2,000 will be received from tuition, and we recommend that this be added to the appropriation. The law requires that this be spent for support of schools. A detailed state- ment of expenditures for fuel, for books and supplies, and
361
for contingent expenses, also the salary list, follows the re- port of the Superintendent. There are so many wants for the school financially that it is sometimes difficult to decide where necessity and expediency meet. For example, the beautifying of school buildings and school grounds is en- tirely neglected, and some educators contend with quite a show of reason that this is a very important educational feature. There are some school rooms in which the walls are not clean and attractive, and the desks not what they should be. Some books are being used that are worn and soiled. Maps and charts and books of reference are needed and a multitude of things that would contribute to the gen- eral welfare of the schools: Some of the salaries are pretty low. There are too many scholars in some of the rooms. In fact there are calls all along the line that are reasonable and many of them urgent. With all these problems in mind your committee have endeavored to conduct the schools economically and efficiently, having in mind on the one hand the burden upon the taxpayers, and upon the other the needs of the children, believing that a moderately liberal expenditure for schools is the truest economy.
The schools of Wakefield compare favorably with any in the state. Wakefield is known, at least among the superin- tendents of the state, as a good school town. In other words a town of good schools.
SCHOOL POLICY.
No radical change in school policy or administration is recommended. Our schools have not lost sight of the funda- mental principles of education, and no effort is spared to in- crease their efficiency in that direction. Our schools are mindful also that the true aim of all education is to fit young men and women for citizenship, and those schools are best which best succeed in this.
The report of the Superintendent, that of the Principal
362
of the High School, and those of the special instructors fol- low this report. They disclose the every day working of the schools. We commend them to your most careful con- sideration.
CHARLES E. MONTAGUE, Chairman, MARTHA F. BLANCHARD, Secretary, JOSIAH S. BONNEY, Treasurer, SAMUEL K. HAMILTON, ELIZA M. GREENWOOD, ASHTON H. THAYER.
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