USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Acton > Town annual reports of Acton, Massachusetts 1862-1879 > Part 18
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15 00
A. H. Jones, for relaying sluice near Dwight's Mill,
54 25 -
Henry Haynes,
9 96 -
A. Mead, repairing sluices,
10 00 -
$821 47
BREAKING ROADS IN 1869-70.
Paid George W. Livermore,
$10 40
Antoine Bulette,
37 40
Addison B. Wheeler,
8 50
Daniel Fletcher,
17 40
James Tuttle,
17 40
E. H. Cutler,
14 60
J. B. Houghton,
16 00
Samuel Hosmer,
2 40
John Grimes,
5 80
George Harris,
3 00
Henry Haynes,
5 30
A. Mead,
8 75
Simon 'Tuttle,
9 15
$156 10
SUPPORT OF POOR.
Paid board for Mrs. Jonas Handley,
$18 00 .
J. Billings, for Lot Fitch, 1868, 2 50
Samuel Hosmer, expenses to Natick, re- specting Mrs. Luke Law,
60
Support of Julia A. Haynes,
10 25
Sarah Childs,
22 75
66
James O. Fitch,
54 63
66 Betsey J. Fitch,
10 00
6
Paid for funeral expenses of James O. Fitch, 31 00 Joseph Noyes, journey to Boston respect- ing James O. Fitch, and settling ac- count, 4 00
Simon Tuttle, rent of house for Mrs. Sarah White, 10 00
Simon Tuttle, journey to Boston, respect- ing N. P. Haynes, 3 00
Do., journey to Bolton, 1 50
Luther Conant, support of Mrs. Sarah White in Worcester, 27 50
$195 73
EXPENSES OF TOWN FARM.
Paid J. W. Livermore, for hay, $50 00
J. E. Billings, pauper register, 1868, 3 50
Samuel Hosmer, work, 4 00
Benj. F. Merriam, stone,
25 00
Simon Tuttle, material for Town Farm House, 65 60
Do., work done on Town Farm buildings, 182 87
Do., labor and material, 277 42
Cyrus Fletcher, work,
30 02
Coffin and robe for Cyrus Handley,
15 60
Jos. Noyes, assistance rendered travellers,
6 00
Simon Tuttle, for paint,
3 00
66
32 rolls of paper,
5 40
66
fixing for door,
1 50
66
moving building, 1 10
66 services as building committee, 6 00
John Grimes, labor, 18 00
2 92
Francis Conant, labor and lime,
30 62
James Billings, 225 feet clapboards,
9 00
A. H. Hodgman, for work,
7 00
Cash paid,
75
For stove and funnel,
3 50
Cash for pump,
10 00
For lead pipe,
1 25
For lodging travellers,
50
Frank Robbins, sawing,
43 93
$804 48
Dr. Cowdrey, timber,
7
INTEREST.
Paid Augustine Conant,
$292 00
Calvin Harris,
24 00
Jonas K. Putney,
39 00
Lydia R. Keyes,
36 00
Frederick Rouillard,
102 00
James E. Billings,
131 47
Daniel Harris,
48 32
D. M. Handley,
102 00
Joel Hanscom,
40 80
J. R. Whitcomb,
30 00
Luther Billings,
12 00
Cyrus Conant,
140 00
$997 59
PRINTING.
Paid Tolman & White, for warrants, &c.,
20 00
Selectmen's reports,
16 70
Town Officers' reports,
93 35
Notices of cattle disease,
2 50
$132 55
MILITARY.
Paid for uniforms for Co. E,
$80 00
May drill and Fall encampment,
807 00
$887 00
STATE AID.
Paid Hiram W. Wetherbee,
$18 00
Hattie N. Wilder,
96 00
Rebecca C. Wright,
48 00
Joanna Moulton,
48 00
Emily C. Harding,
8 00
Nancy B. Richards,
57 33
Minnie A. Munroe,
62 53
$337 86
CEMETERY.
Paid Martin Pike, for work in East Cemetery, besides $5.50 worth of hay sold, $24 42
8
TOWN TOMB.
Paid William Reed, labor,
$69 60
S. L. Dutton, sharpening tools,
3 99
E. J. Robbins, for cash paid,
2 00
John White, granite,
10 00
Charles Wheeler, teaming,
66 00
A. Davis, sharpening tools,
4 20
John Harris, labor,
45 60
Daniel Harris, "
37 50
Luke Smith,
148 00
for cash paid,
15 62
Luke Tuttle, teaming,
14 00
Daniel Wetherbee, door,
30 66
Ai Robbins, labor,
45 00
William Reed, for granite,
60 00
William W. Davis, for cash paid,
4 00
66 66 journey to Westford, 2 50
$558 67
TOWN OFFICERS.
Paid E. F. Richardson, Superintendent of Schools,
$70 00
Estate of Charles Little, .
20 00
William D. Tuttle, services as Town Clerk for the year ending March 6, 1871,
25 00
J. E. Cutter, collecting taxes, 80 00
Daniel Wetherbee, services as Assessor, 18 00
21 00
C. A. Harrington,
66 66 66
18 00
William W. Davis, services as Selectman,
36 00
E. J. Robbins,
66
66 66
20 00
C. Robinson,
66
14 00
$322 00
TOWN HOUSE.
Paid John E. Cutter, for lead and oil, 66 66 66 teaming, 3 15
$131 28
Francis Jones, painting, Cyrus Fletcher,
230 80
8 49
J. Fletcher & Sons, 3,660 lbs. coal,
14 64
66 66 freight,
3 20
66
66 teaming,
2 00
66 weighing,
24
Charles Robinson, 42} gals. kerosene, for kerosene barrel, 1 50
13 37
A. C. Handley,
9
1
Paid Geo. Sawyer, opening town-hall 76 times, 52 05
72 gallons oil at .50, 3 75
coal hod, 1 05
6 lamp chimneys,
80
1 broom,
50
setting glass,
50
washing floors,
6 00
care of clock, 10 00
$483 32
EAST SCHOOL HOUSE.
Paid James E. Billings, $3,000 00
For lead and oil, 18 22
$3,018 22
MISCELLANEOUS.
Paid H. S. Hapgood, tolling bell for 5 deaths, $1 00
Levi W. Stevens, for examining school houses in 1869, 2 00
Lydia R. Keyes, on account of note,
100 00
Peter Tenney, for horse shed, 10 00
Francis Dwight, repairing hearse, 28 00
John Fletcher, Jr., for rent of Armory,
150 00
William D. Tuttle, for stationery,
1 50
Express on School Reports,
30
Running line on Town Common,
2 50
Meeting County Commissioners at West Acton, 1 50
Express on Laws and Resolves,
35
Cash and express for Law Book,
40
For express,
30
John Fletcher, Jr., for reception of Mas- sachusetts military, 287 34
Removing Tablets and painting Mon- ument fence, 9 37
D. H. Hall, tolling bell for 7 deaths,
1 75
Cyrus Fletcher, for attending 13 funerals, from Jan. 1, 1869, to April 1, 1869,
32 50
Making returns of 13 deaths, 1 30
Selectmen perambulating Sudbury line and moving town bounds, 3 50
Perambulating Boxboro' line,
1 50
Carlisle 66
1 50
Littleton “ 1 50
Expenses incurred in running Stow line and establishing bounds, 47 17
2
10
Paid J. E. Cutter, insurance on East School
house for five years, 61 50
Cyrus Hale, for express, 1 55
William W. Davis, postage and stationery, 1 00
W. D. Tuttle, express on Public Documents, 35
Do., journey to Sudbury to make out elec- tion returns, 2 50
Do., postage on election returns,
50
Do., collecting and recording 24 births,
7 20
Do., recording 18 marriages, 2 70
Do., recording 18 deaths, 3 60
Do., express on law book,
30
Do., stationery and postage,
50
Francis Dwight, superintending 17 fune- rals, 51 00
Expense on hearse,
2 00
" sleigh hearse, 4 00
Making returns of 21 deaths,
2 10
J. E. Cutter, notifying persons to take oath of office, 3 00
Stamp for William Wheeler's note,
25
D. Wetherbee, collector's book,
1 50
express,
25
Cutler Brothers, rent of School-room,
50 00
James Tuttle, 60
50 00
James Blodgett, selling old School-house in East District, 5 00
Geo. Sawyer, tolling bell for 9 deaths, 1 80
Geo. Ropes, plan for West School-house, 50 00
Levi Dow, highway damages, 10 40
E. Robbins, use of tomb 20 years,
20 00
$1,018 28
RECEIPTS FROM FEB. 26, 1870, TO FEB. 27, 1871.
Unexpended balance as per Report of Feb. 26, 1870, $3,282 27
Appropriations, 11,025 00
Other Receipts, 6,810 95
$21,118 22
EXPENDITURES.
Support of Schools, $2,599 78
Repairs of School-houses and Incidentals, 79 85
Regular highway work, 1,021 28
Special repairs of highways and bridges,
821 47
Breaking roads, 156 10
11
Support of poor,
195 73
Expenses of Town Farm,
804 48
Interest,
997 59
Printing,
132 55
Military,
887 00
State aid,
337 80
Cemetery,
24 42
Town Tomb,
558 67
Town Officers,
322 00
Town-house,
483 32
East School-house:
3,018 22
Miscellaneous,
1,018 28
State Tax,
2,300 00
County Tax,
933 36
$16,691 96
Balance in the Treasury February 27, 1871, $4,426 26
TOWN DEBT.
Ebenezer Conant,
$2,067 66
Augustine Conant,
4,135 33
Daniel Harris,
840 86
Frederick Rouillard,
1,778 10
Joel Hanscom,
700 40
James E. Billings,
2,237 57
David M. Handley,
1,745 90
Isaac T. Flagg,
111 50
Lydia R. Keyes,
527 60
Calvin Harris,
202 60
Luther Billings,
202 60
John R. Whitcomb,
506 50
Jonas K. Putney,
687 37
William Wheeler,
523 00
Owe for East School-house, about,
100 00
" " grave-stones for Mrs. Brown and Titus Williams, 50 00
-
$16,416 99
Amount due from State Aid,
$337 86
Treasurer,
4,426 26
$4,764 12
Balance against the Town, $11,652 87
WM. W. DAVIS, E. J. ROBBINS, C. ROBINSON,
Selectmen of Acton.
ACTON, February 27, 1871.
REPORT OF THE
RECEIPTS AND EXPENDITURES
AT THE
ALMSHOUSE IN ACTON,
FOR THE YEAR ENDING APRIL 1ST, 1871.
ARTICLES ON HAND APRIL 1ST, 1871.
12 cows, $672.00 ; horse, 250.00 ; shotes, 13.00, $935 00
6 tons of hay, 162.00; 5 bushels ashes, 1.25; 2 tur- keys, 5.00, 168 25
250 lbs. pork, 40.00 ; 60 lbs. lard, 10.80 ; 40 lbs. can- dles, 6.00, 56 80
26 fowls, 19.50 ; 140 lbs. bacon, 23.33,
42 83
3 bbls. apples, 6.00 ; 10 bush. potatoes, 5.00 ; § bbl. soap, 3.00,
14 00
¿ bbl. flour, 4.75.
4 75
$1,221 63
RECEIPTS.
For milk, $992.32 ; teaming milk, 84.00 ; calves, 48.77, $1,125 09 Hoop-poles, 35.01; eggs, 9.21; chickens, 8.75, slabs, 7.71, 60 68
Lard, 6.50 ; potatoes, 33.00 ; berries, 20.00 ; grapes, 2.60, 62 10
Apples, 145 ; tomatoes, 1.00 ; cabbages, .50 ; skew- ers, 2.10, 148 60
Oxen, 205.00 ; work of oxen, 6.30 ; teaming, 1.50, 212 80
$1,609 27
Received of treasury to pay for hay,
50 00
$1,659 27
(12)
13
EXPENDITURES.
For beans, $2.59 ; medicine, 4.10 ; mending boots, .67, $7 36 Repairing wagon, 5.75 ; bug poison, .75; whet- stones, .37, 6 87
Raisins, 1.06 ; haying-tools, 8.02 ; card, .25, 9 33
Barrels, 13.55 ; oxen, 225.00 ; carving-knife, 1.00, 239 55
Pails, 1.50 ; making cider, 1.97 ; lantern, 1.25,
4 72
Butchering, 2.00 ; repairing pump, 3.00 ; pigs, 8.00,
13 00
Account books, .70 ; filing saw, 1.13 ; wrench, 1.25, 3 08 Whiffle-tree, .37 ; curtains, .42 ; pasturing cows, 38.50, 39 29 Cutting hoop-poles, 12.80 ; tin ware, 1.25 14 05
Weighing hay, 1.50 ; repairing harness, 2.25, 3 75
Smoking bacon, .70 ; hooping bbl. . 40 ; wood-box, .25, 1 35
Blacksmith's bill 35.26 ; 1 pair reins, 2.75, 38 01
Nails, .83 ; brooms, 1.08 ; slippers, .75 ; kettle, .85,
3 51
Axe-helve, .30 ; grass-seed, 4.53 ; potatoes, 9.75, 14 58
Rope, .40 ; castings, 1.75 ; garden seeds, .42 ; hoe, .75, 3 32
Stove polish, .10 ; tomato plants, 1.05 ; hops, .20, 1 35
Handles, .64 ; spider, .50 ; basket, .92, 2 06
Paint, .57 ; varnish, 1.75 ; oil-cloth, 2.64, 4 96
Toweling, .90 ; clothing, 12.75 ; vinegar, .69, 14 34
Yeast, .10 ; crackers, .80 ; rice, .66 ; onions, 1.05, 2 61
Rosin, .18 ; can, .37 ; saltpetre, .18 ; squash, .44, 1 17
Axe, 1.25 ; use of bull, 3.00 ; oil, 4.36,
8 61
Labor, 142.09 ; nutmegs, .35 ; cloves, .13 ; matches, 1.85, 144 42
Cassia, .96 ; sugar, 26.41 ; tea, 19.05 ; starch, .14,
46 56
Pepper, .46 ; mustard, .47 ; cream tartar, 1.15 ; gin- ger, .46, 2 54
Saleratus, .96 ; molasses, 16.84 ; cheese, 14.47, 32 27
Soap, 6.97 ; salt, 6.35 ; fish, 10.99 ; butter, 53.72, 78 03
Meat, 95.13 ; tobacco, 12.61 ; flour, 65.72,
173 46
Plaster, 4.40 ; corn, 6.85 ; rye, 1.86 ; oats, 10.94, 24 05
Corn-meal, 172.00 ; oil-meal, 154.46 ; shorts, 91.66,
418 12
Hay, 115.68 ; hen feed, 3.97 ; grinding, .48, 120 13
18 00
Teaming, 2.00 ; Dr. Cowdrey's bill, 16.00, Services of John Blood and wife,
285 00
Luther Conant, making Report to Board of State Charities, and Report to the Town, 6 00
Luther Conant, for services as Overseer of the Poor, 8 00
Joseph Noyes, 66 66 66 66
66
8 00
Simon Tuttle, 66 66 66 66
10 00
$1,811 45 1,659 27
Total amount of Receipts,
14
Drawn from Treasury, to balance account, Received from Treasury to pay for hay, 50 00
$152 18
Income less than Expenditures, $202 18
One hundred and six lodgers, also breakfast and sup- per for each, $53,00.
Interest on the farm,
239 40
Expenditures in excess of Receipts,
202 18
$441 58
Cr. By seventy-eight dinners furnished carpenters and masons,
29 25
Cost of supporting the Poor, $412 33
Whole number of persons (exclusive of travellers) supported in the almshouse, six ; average number, four and one-half ; present number, four.
LUTHER CONANT,
Overseers
JOSEPH NOYES, of Poor.
SIMON TUTTLE,
ACTON, April 1, 1871.
TOWN CLERK'S REPORT.
BIRTHS IN ACTON IN 1870.
No. Date of Birth. Name of Child and Parents' Names.
1. Jan. 3, Fred W. Billings, son of James E. and Tamson Billings.
2. Feb. 28, Elwyn Wheeler Harris, son of George H. and Angie Harris.
3. March 12, Morris Andrew Lane, son of Morris and Mary E. Lane.
4. March 19, Bertha Elizabeth Edmonds, daughter of Albert T. and Maria M. Edmonds.
5. April 1, John Calnann, son of Daniel and Ellen Calnann.
6. April 12, Patrick Edward Trainer, son of Hugh and Hannah Trainer.
7. April 29, Edith Sophia Dunn, daughter of Waldo G. and Fannie M. Dunn.
8. May 2, Samuel James Staple, son of William H. and Jane Staple.
9. May 17, Hattie Louise Tuttle, daughter of Alonzo L. and Ellen C. Tuttle.
10. May 18, Velma Augusta Hosmer, daughter of Augustine and Susie H. Hosmer.
11. May 21, Horace Mann Counter, son of John and Elizabeth J. Counter.
12. May 25, Ida Marion Littlefield, daughter of Hanson and Florence M. Littlefield.
13. June 29th, Alfred Dumont Holt, son of Abner D. and Abbie J. Holt.
14. July 3, Lizzie Mannion, daughter of John and Julia Mannion. 15. July 4, Hobert Emery Mead, son of Oliver W. and Lucy M. Mead.
16. July 23, Joel Foster Hayward, son of Joel F. and Sarah E. Hayward.
17. July 26, Charles Franklin Randall, son of Freeman L. and Amelia A. Randall.
18. Aug. 14, Lucius Everett Hosmer, son of Lucius S. and Ella F. Hosmer.
19. Aug. 29, Frank Lester Wyman, son of Charles and Lucia M. Wyman.
(15)
16
20. Sept. 4, Allie May Preston, daughter of Oscar E. and Mary E. Preston.
21. Sept. 24, Susan Edwards Conant, daughter of Luther and S. Augusta Conant.
22. Oct. 1, Michael James Sherry, son of John and Bridget Sherry.
23. Nov. 12, Lillian Francis Richardson, daughter of Edward F. and Harriet F. Richardson.
24. Nov. 26, Edwin Mason Parker, son of Edwin C. and Hannah H. Parker.
25. Dec. 25, Maria Marion Walker, daughter of John A. and Betsey M. Walker.
26. Dec. 27, Hattie Elvira Cobleigh, daughter of Ephraim and Harriet E. Cobleigh
Males, 15; females, 11; total, 26.
MARRIAGES RECORDED IN ACTON IN 1870.
No. Date of Marriage. Names of the Parties.
1. Jan. 5, Mr. Lucius S. Hosmer and Miss Ella F. Tuttle, both of Acton.
2. Jan. 13, Mr. Charles H. Staples, of Stowe, and Miss Isabella C. Leland, of Acton.
3. March 17, Mr. John Conant, of Acton, and Mrs. Anna Eliza- beth Foster, of Barre.
4. April 20, Mr. Isaac W. Flagg, of Boston, and Miss Emma Wetherbee, of Acton.
5. April 24, Mr. Elwyn H. Whitcomb, of Boxborough, and Miss Mary F. Houghton, of Acton.
6. April 28, Mr, Augustus Bunce, of Westford, and Miss Emily W. Loker, of Acton.
7. May 11, Mr. William H. Wood, and Miss Hattie Tuttle, both of Acton.
8. May 14, Mr. Hiram Dolby, of Lowell, and Miss Abbie A. Gates, of Acton.
9. June 5, Mr. James D. Coburn, and Miss Mariette M. Graham, both of Acton.
10. June 27, Mr. John P. Rouillard, of Cambridge, and Miss Margaret Wayne, of Acton.
11. July 17, Mr. Samuel A. Guilford and Miss Ellen M. Keyes, both of Acton.
12. Aug. 25, Mr. Alvin A. Davis and Miss Susan M. Smith, both of Acton.
13. Oct. 13, Mr. William H. Norton, of Cambridge, N. Y., and and Mary F. Dix, of Boston.
17
14. Nov. 6, Mr. William S. Handley and Miss. S. Lizzie Rich- ardson.
15. Nov. 16, Mr. Albert B. Brown and Miss Mary L. Stevens, both of Acton.
16. Nov. 19, Mr. Neil Curry and Miss Mary Elizabeth Wheeler, both of Acton.
17. Dec. 20, Mr. George W. Crampton and Miss Estella M. Wright, both of Acton.
18. Dec. 25, Mr. David C. Cutler and Miss Estella A. Mead, both of Acton.
DEATHS REGISTERED IN ACTON IN 1870.
No. Date of Death.
Name of Deceased.
1. Feb. 16, Mrs. Eliza Conant, wife of Mr. Silas Conant, aged 65 yrs. 8 mos. 5 days.
2. Feb. 28, Mr. Cyrus Putnam, aged 72 yrs. 10 mos. 24 days.
3. March 5, Mr. Amos Handley, aged 70 years.
4. March 15, Mrs. Salome C. Kalloch, aged 25 yrs.
5. April 21, James Dooley, aged 1 yr. 5 mos., son of Richard and Joanna Dooley.
6. April 28, Mr. Ira Stockwell, aged 64 yrs. 10 mos.
7. May 24, Mrs. Hattie A. Randolph, aged 28 yrs. 7 mos.
8. June 10, at Port Deposit, Md., Charles A. Fletcher, son of Aaron S. and Mary T. Fletcher, aged 9 mos. 20 days.
9. July 7, Eddie A. Sawyer, son of Henry L. and Lucy A. Saw- yer, aged 2 mos. 1 day.
10. July 28, Mrs. Eunice Maria Flagg, wife of Mr. Isaac T. Flagg, aged 53 years.
11. July 28, Mr. Isaac Bullard, aged 79 yrs.
12. July 29, Clara L. Bruce, daughter of Jepthia C. and Annie E. Bruce, aged 1 yr. 6 mos.
13. Aug. 27, Miss Mary E. Page, aged 28 yrs. 6 mos.
14. Sept. 3, Mrs. Orie L. Hanscom, wife of Mr. Henry Hanscom, aged 22 yrs. 6 mos.
15. Sept. 18, Mr. Winthrop F. Conant, aged 55 yrs. 3 mos.
16. Sept. 30, Lucius Hapgood, son of Andrew and Eliza Hap- good, aged 19 yrs. 7 mos. 26 days.
17. Oct. 30, Mr. Cyrus Handley, aged 61 yrs.
18. Dec. 2, Mr. Joel Hanscom, aged 68 yrs. 8 mos. 23 days.
WILLIAM D. TUTTLE, Town Clerk.
ACTON, March 26, 1871.
3
.
THE ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
OF THE
TOWN OF ACTON,
FOR THE
SCHOOL-YEAR 1870-71.
TOLMAN & WHITE, PRINTERS, 221 WASHINGTON ST., BOSTON.
1871.
REPORT.
TO THE CITIZENS OF ACTON :
Your Committee are happy in being able to report the condition of the schools as prosperous and healthy, and generally successful. There have been no cases of open rebellion during the past year, and yet some things have happened which we wish could have been different. We have endeavored to secure the best teachers possible, under the circumstances, but still we do not claim perfection in this respect. Good teachers are becoming more scarce every year, and it becomes evident to every thinking mind that we must pay higher prices than we have hitherto done, or be satisfied with second-rate teachers. The latter we are not disposed to do, for however low the wages paid, we find occasion to employ the same strong language of criticism in the one case as the other. Now one of two things, we as a town must do, raise more money for schools, or have shorter schools, which in our opinion are already far too short. There are many circumstances which serve to affect our schools favorably, or otherwise, which are not thought to be very important in the minds of the community at large. The qualities of a teacher are too frequently discussed in the presence of the children, and an opinion given (thought- lessly no doubt), which results unfavorably for the best interests of the school. What we want to impress upon the minds of the parents, is the importance of often visiting the school, enquire after the welfare of the children, and how they succeed at school, and not take "they say," or "I was
4
told," for what is done in the school-room. Did they do this, I think they would see what a hard task some teachers have, and feel the need of lending them their aid, by giving them a cheering word, and encourage them to go forward in the high and noble work of teaching the young and tender minds how to discharge the gaeat duties and responsibilities which await them. Also, counsel their children, and if need be, command them to love and respect their teachers, and conform to all the rules and requirements of the school. Better suffer some things that you think are not quite right, until they can be remedied, than to join with the multitude to do evil, and condemn the teacher without an investigation. We may succeed in obtaining the best of teachers, but unless they have the sympathy of the parents, and their support, the school will be next to a failure ; while on the contrary, a second-rate teacher, aided by the parents and friends of the school, may succeed admirably. Another reason why much of the value of our schools is lost to the children, is the fact that absences are so frequent. A little mist, or snow, or the good condition of the meadow for skating, an errand to be done, or a little job of work, or a visit to be made, are all- important reasons in the minds of some of the parents for the children to stay away from school, and thereby an untold amount of injury be done, not only to the children who stay away, but to the whole school.
Oh, parents, see to it that blame and guilt are not found in the skirts of your garments, and that half educated men and women do not grow up in our midst, notwithstanding all the privileges that they enjoy, and all the money and expense the town is put to, to furnish them for us. Your Committee wish that the people of the town could be made to feel the importance which this subject demands, and let nothing less than sickness keep their children away from the school-room, and our word for it, our schools would feel the effects of such a course, and result in a far greater amount of good to the children, to ourselves, and the world at large.
5
SCHOOL-HOUSES. - As this subject is now being agitated by the town, perhaps nothing need be said by us, and yet perhaps you will bear a word or two from us. You are all aware that the town has built one new house, in the East District, a nice and commodious one, which like a city on a hill, or a lighthouse to a harbor, sheds its benign and blessed influences all around, preparing us to shun the rocks and quick-sands of ignorance and degradation, and fill well the sphere alloted us in the great drama of life. There are other houses which demand that something should immedi- ately be done ; but in the eagerness of some of our friends, we fear that we may overleap the bounds of propriety in the minds of others, and the result be, that our houses will remain about where they now arc.
Your Committee, in view of the condition of the town, would recommend a moderate appropaiation to repair and beautify, and make attractive, our present school structures, rather than throw them all aside and build new altogether, believing that that course will well subserve the cause of education in our town for at least a few years. But what- ever may be done, we hope will be done with a union of purpose, and a desire to promote the best interests of the cause so near our hearts, believing that the investment is not lost, but will repay as large a per cent. as any other we could make.
TEXT-BOOKS. - There has been no change recommended during the year for two or three reasons. Within two or three years there have been many quite extensive changes, and although all may not think them the best that could be made, yet for our part we think them very good, with one exception, and that is Robinson's Mental Arithmetic ; it is too difficult for the place it occupies, and we would advise a change at the earliest practical moment, and one more gradual, introduced.
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DISCIPLINE. - This is a difficult part of our common schools to control, and do justice to all parties and keep clear of all snags, and is becoming more so every year. Especially so when we consider the fact that Solomon, the wisest of men, is considered an old fool in respect to the use of the rod upon the children. Corporal punishment is be- coming more unpopular every day. We would not advise the indiscriminate use of the rod, or punish for every little frivolous thing ; neither would we abandon, wholly, the use of it in our schools ; for there are, no doubt, cases where the use of the rod would do an untold amount of good, and bring the refractory scholar to terms better than to expel him, and thus deprive him of the benefits resulting from a good school, which he so much needs. I have a case or two in my mind now, of this kind, in our schools, the past winter.
We now pass to take a hasty glance of the schools and the teachers of the past year.
WEST PRIMARY. - This school was taught by Miss Anna E. Hall, during the spring and fall terms, who fully sustained her reputation of previous years. She was interested in her scholars and her scholars in her. She labored hard, and accomplished a good work, as the closing examination proved. We were particularly interested in the map drawing of these young scholars, on slips of paper, which were passed at the examination, and think they did themselves and teacher much credit by so doing, and we wish it was more generally prac- ticed in our schools. The scholars showed their appreciation of her efforts to instruct, by a well selected present at the close. The winter term was taught by Miss S. Jennie Wheeler, of not much experience, yet she seemed to feel at home in the school-room, and won for herself and scholars much commendation aud praise, and not undeserved, as the frequent visits and closing examination evidenced. She, also, received a present from the scholars, as a token of their esteem and affection.
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WEST INTERMEDIATE. - The spring term was taught by Miss E. P. Draper. She was a teacher of much firmness and decision, and governed and instructed much to our satis- faction. For the fall term, the school was divided between the Primary and Grammar schools. The winter term was taught by Miss Carrie L. Whitcomb, who came well recom- mended, and labored well and hard, and nothing appeared to be wrong, yet the closing examination did not quite meet our expectations. There was a lack of energy and promptness which we were unable to account for.
WEST GRAMMAR. - The spring term was taught by Miss Edna M. Lowe, whose promptness of manner instilled the same into the scholars. The school appeared well whenever we visited it, and a good degree of progress was attained in the several branches attended to. The fall term was taught by Miss Draper, of the Intermediate, whose school was divided, thus giving more scholars and more work to this teacher. Although there were too many studies, yet she accomplished a good work, and will long be remembered by scholars and parents, as deserving of much esteem and respect, for her untiring efforts in behalf of the school, and we award her our hearty approval.
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