USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Carver > Town annual reports of Carver 1899 > Part 2
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1.60
George Parker,
1.90
Chester Rickard,
1,20
. Joseph Washburn,
.90
Herbert Richards,
I.IO
Embert Eames,
1.80
Charles Cornell,
1.20
Percy Shurtleff,
1.85
Charles Braddock,
.80
Joseph Rickard,
1.95
¢
33
Louis Payne, .
1.00
Roswell Shurtleff,
4.35
Philip Chandler,
.80
William Christy,
.85
Archie Stratton,
.85
Dennis Morse,
.60
Z. Albert Tillson,
2.80
W. A. Tillson,
1.70
T. A. Tillson, .
1.70
Everett Tillson,
1.50
Ephraim Westgate, .
.80
George B. Washburn.
7.34
Christopher Bruce,
2.So
Clayton McFarlin,
2.90
Charles Atwood,
1.50
Gustavus Atwood,
.60
Ephraim Stringer,
1.15
Charles Washburn, .
2.20
Jack Pettie,
3.20
Harvey Raymond,
2.70
Orville Griffith,
1.40
Henry Washburn,
.80
Selon Cornish,
.8c
Frank Gibbs, .
1.80
Lucian Atwood,
3.75
Webster Vaughan,
5.10
W. T. Southworth, .
3.30
Charles Ross, .
3.10
Stephen Richards,
1.80
S. T. Weston,
1.80
Peter Carr,
1.80
John Carr,
1.80
Benjamin W. Robbins,
11.20
A. M. De Rose,
1.40
Manuel Marshall,
1.70
34
E. Bradford, · 1.80
John Bradock, .
1.00
Samuel McHenry,
3.60
T. M. Cole, 3.00
J. M. Bump,
3.15
Overdrawn, 1897,
13.15
$362.79
REPAIRS AND FURNISHING ALMSHOUSE.
CR.
Paid B. W. Robbins, carting lumber, $2.00
Horace C. Robbins, work on almshouse, 6.33
E. A. Richards, . 6 6.66
E. A. Richards, nails, .25
T. T. Vaughan, shingle, 10.13
E. A. Richards, work and supplies, 20.87
William Mathews, Jr., paper, 4.81
M. H. Cushing & Co., lime, 3.57
J. F. Lucas, painting, 26.25
George B. Lee, plastering, 5.75
Mary A. Shurtleff, cleaning and papering, 15.75
Dexter Bros., paint and oil, 18.21
Seth C. C. Finney, cash paid out,
15.00
N. M. Hatch, furniture,
79.25
Jesse F. Lucas, helping move furniture from depot, .50
T. T. Vaughan and horse one-half day, .
. one-half day's work, 1.25
.75
four clothes poles, .40
cash paid for sixteen cur-
tains and fixtures, . 3.68
T. T. Vaughan, cash paid for rubber stamps for marking clothing, .75
William Ridlow, carting furniture to depot, 5.00
Freight on furniture, 5.57 .
35
Shawmut Furniture Co., iron bedsteads, 28.46
R. H. White, bedding, 61.25
C. T. Robbins, crockery, etc., 20.62 W. H. H. Weston, screen doors and screens, 15.97
T. N. Eldridge, dry goods, .35
T. T. Vaughan, cash paid for knife, etc., . .65
T. T. Vaughan, five days' work buying fur- nishings, etc., 12.50
T. T. Vaughan, car fare, etc., . . . 6.72
Lillian M. Vaughan, work at almshouse, 2.50
Lizzie S. Vaughan, 1.50
Ellis Foundry Co., stove and ware, . .
27.00
J. E. Vaughan, putting up curtains, . 1.50
E. A. Richards, work at almshouse, carpen- tering, . 5.75
E. B. Atwood, shingle and lumber, 28.38
Robert F. Shurtleff, paint, 1.85
Seth C. C. Finney, cash paid out, 8.28
E. A. Richards, brick, mortar and work, 3.26
Walworth Mfg. Co., pump and pipe, 17.24
T. T. Vaughan, case paid for hangers and track, 2.60
T. T. Vaughan, cash paid for lumber, 4.32
Seth C. C. Finney, silver forks, 1.50
J. B. Williams, driving pump and carpen- tering, . 21.25
E. E. Gardner, repairing stoves, 2.20
J. B. Williams, window, etc., .55
$508.93
36
TOWN ASSETS.
Case in treasury, . $37.58 Due from State for aid paid soldiers' and soldiers' wives and widows, 515.00
Due from State for aid to State paupers, 123.72
Due from towns and cities for aid to paupers, 173.23
Massachusetts school fund,
394.43
Dividend from dog licenses,
176.63
Ellis school fund, estimated,
190.00
Pratt
120.00
Uncollected taxes of 1879,
82.29
66 1894,
13.21
1895,
45.59
.6
1896,
304.65
1897,
1,163.25
1898,
3,510.25
$6,849.83
TOWN LIABILITIES.
Note given Charles Griffith, cemetery fund, $500.00
Bills for support of poor, estimated, 250.00
All other demands estimated, . 375.00
$1, 125.00
Assets over liabilities,
5,724.83
$6,849.83
APPROPRIATIONS, 1899.
The following sums of money are recommended to meet current expenses the ensuing year :
Support of poor, by overseers of poor, $2,000.00
Support of schools, by school committee, 1,500.00 ·
Repairs of highways, by supt. of roads, 2,000.00
Repairs of bridges, 250.00
Removal of snow,
. 350.00
37
Repairs of schoolhouses, by school committee,
100.00
School books and incidentals, · 350.00
Transportation of scholars, .
800.00
Town incidentals, by selectmen, .
1,200.00
Town house, 50.00
Repairs and furnishing almshouse, by over- seers of poor, . 550.00
Library,
·
LIST OF JURORS.
The following list of Jurors is presented for your revision and acceptance :
Frederick Anderson, Moulder.
Edward C. Shaw,
Sawyer.
Charles H. Atwood,
Farmer.
Gardner E. Holmes, Cooper.
J. Myrick Bump, Farmer.
T. T. Vaughan, ·
Box board manufacturer.
Samuel B. Gibbs,
Farmer.
N. Frank Manter,
Carpenter.
E. N. Thain,
Box board manufacturer.
James J. Ryan,
Clerk.
Marcus E. Tillson,
. Moulder.
Jason B. McFarlin,
Moulder.
T. M. Cole,
Box manufacturer.
Levi R. Cobb,
Laborer.
James T. Heath,
Farmer.
Edwin C. Churchell,
.
· Farmer.
38
ASSESSORS' STATISTICS.
RAISED BY TAXATION, 1898.
Support of poor,
$2,000.00
Support of schools,
1,500.00
Highways,
1,500.00
Bridges,
50.00
Schoolhouse repairs,
100.00
School books and incidentals.
300.00
Town incidentals,
1,200.00
Removal of snow,
250.00
Transportation of scholars,
700.00
Library,
200.00
$7,800,00
State tax,
480.00
County tax,
1,220.44
$9,500.44
Deduct estimated bank and corporation tax,
1,350.00
$8,150.44
Overlay,
106.62
$8,257.06
Value of personal estate,
$192,775.00
Value of real estate,
651,165.00
Value of buildings,
$167,855.00
Value of land,
483,310.00
Tax rate per $1,000
$9.25
Poll tax,
$2.00
Number of polls,
249
Number of persons taxed,
506
On poll only,
72
On property,
213
Number of horses,
cows,
cattle, other than cows,
27
shoats,
27
6.
sheep,
5
dwelling houses, ·
348
acres of land,
20,833
66
acres of cranberry bog,
1,134
.
.
.
.
.
508
131
·
.
39
POOR.
After considering the matter from all sides, we thought it best to re-open the almshouse.
We have had the buildings put in repair and trimmings, win- dow and door frames painted on the outside. Two rooms have been plastered anew, and the whole lower part of the house painted, papered and whitewashed.
The net cost of repairs was $205.18. We have had it fur- nished throughout at a cost of $303.75.
Mrs. M. J. Lamson was hired as matron for $5.00 per week, and under her excellent management the house has been kept in first class order, and the inmates all seemed well pleased with their home.
The overseers and matron would be pleased to have any of the citizens call at any time.
The net cost of board and care of five inmates has been $2.76 per week, excluding clothing and doctor's bills. Including them $3.00 per week.
The State Inspector visited it Sept. 22, 1898 and we print the following taken from the State Inspector's report of alms- houses throughout the state.
CARVER.
"This almshouse has been opened for the first time in eleven years.
It was found under the excellent management of a matron.
The building has been renovated within and presents a pleas- ing and homelike appearance.
The drainage needs attention and a pump connecting with the well should be placed in the house. There is no provision for the separation of the sexes."
Under the pauper law of 1898 we shall be relieved from the support of several whom we have been aiding they now becom- ing State Paupers. But we have several new cases which will in part take the places of those we are relieved of.
We have kept the poor within the appropriation having a bal- ance of $76.41 left over.
We think $2,000.00 will be sufficient for next year.
·
40
We also ask for an appropriation of $550.00 for repairs and furnishing the almshouse the past year and for a few repairs the coming year.
HIGHWAYS.
Owing to the heavy rains during the fall and the large number of calls for money on outside roads leading to the numerous cranberry bogs and the cutting down of one hill, we find this ac- count overdrawn to the sum of $143.21.
The great snow stormn of November 27, which was so destruc- tive to our pine lumber throughout the town, means a greater amount of lumbering and heavy teaming than ever before, con- sequently our highways will be in very poor condition all through the town, where in previous years it has been in small sections of the town. As it looks now, about every road will get a large amount of spring and summer teaming which will leave our high- ways in worse condition than ever before. And together with the constantly increasing travel it seems impossible to keep our roads as good repair as they should be with an appropriation of $1,- 500.00.
We are having more and more calls each year for money to be spent on these outside roads for the benefit of the numerous cran- berry bogs, owners of which are large tax-payers, and in order to meet this demand we shall have to have a larger appropriation.
BRIDGES.
Owing to the washing out of the bridge on the Factory road caused by the letting down of the water from the cranberry bogs above, we were put to the expense of rebuilding that bridge at a cost of $134.00.
We ask for an of appropriation of $250.
SNOW.
The heavy snow storm of Nov. 27 caused us an expense of $349.64 and we ask for an appropriation of $350.00.
4I
TOWN MEETING.
Contents of warrant for Town Meeting to be held at the Town House on Monday, the sixth day of March next, at nine o'clock A. M.
ARTICLE 1. To choose a Moderator to preside in said meeting.
ART. 2. To see if the town will accept the jury list as pre- pared by the Selectmen.
ART. 3. To see if the town will accept the report of the Se- lectmen and other town officers.
ART. 4. To choose all necessary town officers.
ART. 5. To raise and appropriate such sums of money as may be necessary to defray town charges the ensuing year.
ART. 6. To determine the compensation for labor on the high- way.
ART. 7. To decide when taxes shall become due and whether any interest shall be charged after a certain date.
ART. 8. To see what pay the town will vote the Treasurer and Collector for the ensuing year.
ART. 9. To see if the town will instruct the Treasurer to bor- row money under the direction of the Selectmen, if found neces- sary, in anticipation of taxes the ensuing year.
ART. 10. To see if the town will vote to make the yards of field drivers town pounds, provided they also be chosen pound- keepers.
ART. 11. To bring in their ballots, "Yes" or "No," upon the question, Shall licenses be granted in the town for the sale of in- toxicating liquors ?
ART. 12. To see if the town will assist the school committee in consolidating the schools in districts 3 and 5 so that they may be graded by providing a suitable building at the Centre, and raise and appropriate money for the same.
(By request of the school committee. )
ART. 13. To see if the town will accept the provisions of Section 74, 75, 76 and 77 of the Public Statutes, and choose Road Commissioners.
(On petition of E. A. Lucas and others.)
42
ART. 14. To see if the town will instruct the Overseers of the Poor to employ a town physician.
(By request.)
ART. 15. To see if the town will accept the provisions of Chapter 132, Section 1, Acts of 1897.
ART. 16. To see if the town will instruct the Selectmen to prosecute or defend any suits for or against the town.
ART. 17. To see if the town will clear the road leading from Joseph Morris' house to the Factory road of snow so as to make it passable.
(By request. )
T. T. VAUGHAN, W. A. TILLSON, SETH C. C. FINNEY.
Selectmen of Carver.
43 REPORT OF TOWN CLERK.
RECORD OF TOWN MEETING, MARCH 27, 1898.
Meeting called to order and warrant read by Town Clerk at nine o'clock. George P. Lincoln and D. W. Nash appointed tellers and sworn.
For Moderator :- Seth C. C. Finney had 16 votes. Declared elected.
The following list of Jurymen as prepared by the Selectmen was approved : Benjamin W. Robbins, Frederick Anderson, Frank H. Shaw, Gardner Holmes, J. M. Bump, Ellis G. Cor- nish, Alfred M. Shaw, N. Frank Manter, Samuel B. Briggs, Roswell Shurtleff, Jesse F. Lucas, T. T. Vaughan, Charles H. Atwood, Edward C. Shaw, E. N. Thain, John S. Atwood.
Voted to accept report of Selectmen.
Voted to accept reports of other town officers.
For Town Clerk : P. M. Swan had 2 votes, J. A. Vaughan 2 votes, Henry S. Griffith, 28 votes, blanks 2. Henry S. Griffith declared elected and sworn.
Voted to combine the offices of Treasurer and Collector of taxes.
For Treasurer and Collector : James A. Vaughan had 14 votes. Declared elected and sworn.
Voted that the Selectmen act as assessors for the ensuing year.
Voted that the Selectmen act as Overseers of Poor for the en- suing year.
For Selectmen, Assessors, and Overseers of Poor : Fred. A. Ward had 31 votes, T. T. Vaughan 63 votes, W. A. Tillson 65 Seth C. C. Finney 36.
E. E. Shaw, John Bent, Eugene E. Shaw and Arthur Bur- bank had one vote each.
T. T. Vaughan, W. A. Tillson, Seth C. C. Finney, declared elected and sworn by Albert T. Shurtleff, J. P. T. T. Vaughan, W. A. Tillson, Seth C. C. Finney, also took special oath of as- sessors.
For School Committee, 3 years : Elmer B. Perkins, had 50
.
44
votes, Eben S. Lucas had 13 votes. Elmer B. Perkins declared elected.
Voted to choose five constables.
For Constables : Samuel B. Briggs had 21 votes, F. E. Crapo had 17 votes, George E. White had 20 votes, Henry E. Appling had 19 votes, E. E. Gardner had 20 votes, J. E. Atwood had 1 vote, A. Burbank had 1 vote, J. M. Andrews had 1 vote, J. B. McFarlin had 1 vote, J. Kennedy had 3 votes, William F. Stan- ly had 2 votes, E. G. Lucas had 1 vote. Samuel B. Briggs, F. E. Crapo, George E. White, Henry E. Appling, E. E. Gardner declared elected.
Voted to choose two auditors.
For auditors : Peleg McFarlin had 7 votes, Eugene N. Thain had 7 votes.
For Trustee of Public Library for 3 years : Albert T. Shurt- leff had 15 votes. Declared elected.
Voted to choose 3 Field Drivers, choose by viva voce vote.
W. L. Pratt, S. B. Briggs, Gustavus Atwood.
Voted to choose 4 Surveyors of Lumber and Measurers of Wood.
Choose by viva voce votes : Marcus Atwood, Sethi C. C. Finney, P. J. Holmes, J. M. Bump.
Voted to choose 2 Fence Viewers.
Choose by viva voce vote : P. J. Holmes, Charles Cornell. Voted to raise and appropriate the following sums :
For Support of Poor: $2,000,00; for support of schools, $1,500.00; for repairs of highways $1,500.00; for repairs of bridges $100.00; for repairs of schoolhouses $100.00; for school books and incidentals $300.00; for soldiers' relief - for town incidentals $1,200.00 ; for removal of snow from high- ways $250.00 ; for transportation of scholars $700,00 ; for pub- lic library $200.00.
House divided on question of raising eight hundred dollars for transportation and decided lost by a vote of 40 to 37.
House divided on question of raising seven hundred and nine- ty-nine dollars and ninety-nine cents for transportation and de- cided lost by a vote of 41 to 36.
45
House divided on question of raising seven hundred dollars for transportation and decided carried by a vote of 41 to 31.
Voted that compensation for labor on the highways be one and one-half dollars for a man; one dollar for a horse, carriage and harness, for a day of nine hours.
Voted that taxes become due Sept, 1st with interest at 6 per cent. after Nov. 1st.
Voted to pay Treasurer and Collector one per cent. for collec- tions, and one-half of one per cent for disbursements.
Voted to instruct the Treasurer to borrow money under the di- rection of the Selectmen the ensuing year, if found necessary, in anticipation of taxes.
Voted to make the yards of field drivers town pounds ; and that the field drivers be also pound keepers.
Theodore T. Vaughan was appointed by the Moderator and sworn as Teller.
Vote as declared by the Moderator on the question : Shall licenses be granted in the town for the sale of intoxicating liquors ? No 54; Yes 10.
Voted to adjourn.
46
MARRIAGES RECORDED IN CARVER IN 1898.
Jan. 29. Arthur W. Peterson and Lucy W. Shaw.
May
13.
Nelson G. Washburn and Mabel E. Hinckley.
June 8. William M. Shaw and Eleanor L. Lucas.
June 11. John Hoafakaski and Cijia Wunikainen.
June 14. George E. Blair and Emma F. Richards.
June 27. Thomas F. Gibbs and Sarah F. Atwood.
July 2. George W. Ford and Minnie D. Peterson.
July 11. John Braddock and Della Thompson.
July 15. Alfred F. Lincoln and Lottie M. Hammond.
July 27. Walter F. Hammond and Myra A. Shaw.
Aug. 17. Bertram L. Thomas and Laura B. Fosdick.
Oct. 2. Hiland F. Vickery and Helen E. Murphy.
Oct. 11. George E. Beauchimen and Mary F. Welch.
Oct. 16. James Lees and Henrietta C. Westgate.
Oct. 26. Maurice F. Robbins and Elizabeth A. Linton.
Nov. 6. Juan Chace and Nellie M. Anderson.
Nov. 23. Robert F. Shurtleff and Lizzie G. Perry.
Nov. 23. Alfred M. Shaw, Jr., and Susie C. Hudson.
Nov. 30. John E. Atwood and Lillian M. Vaughan.
Dec. 25. W. D. Shurtleff M. D., and Helen E. Sleeper.
Dec. 25. Eugene B. Cole and Abbie E. Thomas.
47
BIRTHS RECORDED IN CARVER DURING 1898.
DATE.
NAME.
PARENTS.
Jan. 4.
James Arthur Kennedy.
Jan. 5.
Alice May Bassett.
Feb. 3.
Theophilas Le Baron Bearse.
Feb. 8. Flora Louise Shurtleff.
Feb. S. Cora Myrtle Shurtleff.
April 3.
Peter Wilfred Letourneau.
April 20.
Roderick Hayden Raymond.
April 22.
Maynard Warner Peterson.
April 30.
Clyde Dewey Griffith.
May 7.
Arthur Willis Garvin.
May 11.
Martin Lawrence Holmes.
May 11.
Howard Cudworth Gardner.
May 16.
Andrew Warren Washburn.
June 12.
David Whitham Ellison.
June 21.
John Andrew Kennedy.
July 3.
Aravesta Eugenia Shaw.
July 4. Aug. 7. Aug. 26. Sept. 1. Sept. 26.
Roy Allen DeAdder.
Marilda Yokcles,
* Russell Mason Cobb. Charlotte Maria Atwood.
Oct. 4. Oct. 9.
Myra Zilpha Bassett.
Oct. 25. Wilfred Joseph Murray.
Dec. 8.
Eleanor Izette Atwood.
Dec. 25.
Joseph William Laird, Jr.
April 20.
Lucy May Benson.
Jeremiah and Amanda (Anderson). A. H., 3d, and Cora M. (Darling). William W. and Emily D. (LeBaron).
Ernest L. and Florence L. (Wright). George A. and Syvell M. (Westgate).
Louis and Emma (Duguet). Harvey W. and Mary F. (McLean). Arthur W. and Lucy W. (Shaw). A. D. and Bessie M. (Gammons). Charles A. and Marion (Hudson). Edgar L. and Lucy H. (Whitten). Edgar E. and Adelaide (Higgins). George B. and Alice M. (Robinson). Rev. Joseph and Annie W. (Whitham). James P. and Louise M. (Stringer.) Eugene E. and Ella G. (Atwood.) Herbert A. and Arethusa (Gurney). William and Grace M. (Weston). Frederick and Maria (Biladeau). Levi R. and Grace M. (Harlow). H. F. and Lucy T. (Shurtleff). Henry E. and Cora M. (Bruce). Charles S. and Annie (Fries). Joseph and Mary L. (Goodbeau.) Oliver F. and Annie S. (Dennis). Joseph W. and Sarah E. (Clark). Eugene W. and Mary H. (Wing).
* Born in Plymouth.
Julia May Stanley.
Harold Everson Appling.
DEATHS RECORDED IN CARVER DURING 1898.
DATE.
NAME.
CAUSE OF DEATH.
PARENTS.
Y.
M.
D.
Unk'n.
William Pratt.
61
Hanging.
Isaiah and Caroline Faunce.
Jan. 2
Foster Shaw.
64
S
24
Brain trouble.
Isaac and Sarah Savery.
Jan. 17 Lydia Atwood,
66
1
13
Pleuritus; valv. dis. of heart.
Luther and Lydia Atwood.
Jan. 24 Priscilla S. Holmes, (Savery).
36
6
16 Softening of brain.
Feb. 28 Sara Van Schaack,
64
11
17
Softening of brain.
Stephen and Harriet Dunnell.
Mar. 1 |James W. Griffith,
68
8
25
Heart disease.
Wilson and Jane Cole.
Mar. 17| Frederick O. Bruce,
8
16
Peritonitis.
William E. and Alice Smith.
June 12| Roderick H. Raymond,
1
28
Failing Vitality.
Harvey W. and Mary F. McLean.
July 16 Nellie W. Shaw (Cobb).
32
16
Fibroid Phthisis.
Lysander and Alice M. Pratt.
Aug. 12|
Dora F. O'Brien.
34
Phthisis pulmonaris.
Aug. 20
Charles S. Shaw.
67
6
20
Peritonitis.
Sullivan B. and Abigail Griffith.
Sept. 1
Mary Gibbs, (Washburn).
86
5
12
Apoplexy.
John F. and Drusilla A. L. Bolles.
Sept. 6
Helia M. Sephalia.
9
Sept. 7
Helina H. Nylund.
5
Heart failure.
Charles A. and Marion Hudson.
Sept. 24| Bernice A. Derose.
10
5
9
Gunshot wound.
Sept. 25 Phebe A. Sherman.
65
11
Consumption.
Oct. 25 Myrtle Murdock.
30
4
23
Pulmonary tuberculosis.
Oct. 28 Mary Reispakka.
34
Typhoid fever.
Nov. 5
Gustaf Johnson.
25
Typhoid fever.
Dec. 22 Phebe R. Vaughan (Richmond).
6
4
Ovarian tumor.
Simeon Richmond and Phebe Shaw.
48
Luther Nickerson and -
Asaph Washburn and Mary Barrows.
Sept. 2 Frank H. Shaw.
32
25
Consumption.
John and Filia -
Cholera infantum.
Kustaf and Hannah -
Sept. 19 Arthur W. Garvin.
Alfred M. and Rebecca Wheeler.
Andrew and Calista Vaughan.
John and Mary A. Hillery. Matti and Sanna -
AGE.
.
James Savery and Olive Fuller.
49
SUMMARY.
Births,
28
Marriages,
21
Deaths,
23
Dogs licensed :
Males,
. 89
Females,
.
9
HENRY S. GRIFFITH,
Clerk of Carver.
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
Citizens of Carver :-
Again we are reminded that the time has arrived when our stewardship should be reported and the facts penned to our fel- low townsmen.
This has not been an eventful year as relates to our schools. The routine of the preceding years has been continued with the same advantages or disadvantages.
Most of the school registers present the same unpleasant ap- pearance as in the preceding years, showing a large percentage of irregular attendance and marks of tardiness and dismissal. There being two exceptions to this rule which we would mention. The Grammar School of District No. 4, for the first and second terms, is more than usually clear, showing good attendance. The third term was disfigured by the appearance of diphtheria in one family, which threatened the school, and broke on the otherwise good attendance. The register of the last term of the High School is an unusually clear one. At this writing the register of the first two terms, which was kept in a different book, has been mislaid, as supposed, by some member of the committee, there- fore unless found before the publication of this report we shall be obliged to fill the statistical table with estimates. The last term shows an average attendance of nearly ninety-eight per cent. of the average membership. The principal, Mr. Rice, comments in submitting the roll of honor as follows : "Several causes liave occurred to lessen our roll of honor this term. The chief causes are : First, lack of conveyance for six weeks ; second, sickness ; third, and greatest, the lack of sufficient heat, resulting in colds, etc." An improved stove has been supplied, which, we believe, will give better results.
51
Your committee, desiring to keep within the bounds of the ap- propriation made by the town at its last annual meeting for trans- portation, withdrew the same for the first six weeks of the last term from members of the High School living at a distance of two miles or more, our rule being to transport those living at that distance, obliging them to get there as best they could. The small percentage of loss of time shows the interest and zeal they feel in the school, also their necessary and timely efforts. A class of twelve were entered this year, and with one exception all continued as members through the first term, the exception being Philip S. Cole, being four miles or more away with no means of conveyance, who commenced his studies for the High School course with Mr. Perkins, the Grammar teacher at District No. 1, for the first six weeks, after which he became a member of the High School. The committee are pleased to note the surprising apti- tude and earnestness shown by the pupils to obtain all there is for them in the privileges given. As to how much wisdom there is in obliging the pupils to traverse the long country roads on the wheel, or on foot, we would not dictate, but will leave it to the town to decide by its vote. Your committee also withdrew trans- portation from the Anderson family, and any others who might be temporarily located in the vicinity of Wankinco cranberry bog during the fall term, and it is noticed that the names of the three Anderson children, who should be in school, do not appear on the register of the last term.
Your committee believe the town has been very liberal in this matter. They also believe that the parent or guardian of those pupils living remotely should go to some sacrifice in the matter of transportation.
In recommending eight hundred dollars for transportation the present year, we are limiting the actual amount necessary to con- vey the pupils who we desire to assist for the entire year by two hundred dollars. If we grade the two schools now ungraded, Nos. 3 and 5, by consolidating the same it will call for some ad- ditional expense under this head. The limited appropriation of the past year prevented any attempt to grade them as was de- sired. It is desirable that all schools should be graded, that
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each citizen may feel that his or her children are receiving equal privileges with those living in other districts. Your committee for some years have anticipated this matter and considered plans for its adoption and await only to be provided with the necessary means. It is not expected that this can be attained without some additional expense, and we feel in laying the matter before the town that we are petitioning a body of men and women who are seeking the best intellectual privileges for their progeny, and hitherto all responses have been liberal.
No one public thing can produce more liberality on the part of a parent than the support of schools. No greater pride is sus- tained by a town than that elicited in seeing that her citizens, as they arrive at maturity and go out into the world, are endowed with the intellectual requisites for the positions to which they at- tain. Since William Savery, Esq., our esteemed townsman, aided by voice and money to make the annual appropriation for schools one thousand dollars, there has been no receding, but a steady onward movement on the part of voters to bring this town to an average standing with the other towns of the county. The constant raising of the educational standard by the state, though liberality is shown to the weaker towns, is subjecting the prop- erty of this town to a greater tax and necessitates the raising of larger sums of money to meet the requirements, and your com- mittee, aware of your past generosity, feel to eulogize you for your steadfastness and liberality. The education of the young has been from the earliest times regarded as one of the highest and most useful public purposes for which taxes may be levied.
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