USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Carver > Town annual reports of Carver 1900 > Part 2
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3.25
Orville K. Griffith.
4.00
Harvey Raymond,
1.40
Henry Washburn,
4.80
Clayton McFarlin,
4.80
Charles Atwood, 2.60
Gustavus Atwood,
4.20
Charles Donnely,
4.40
John F. Shaw,
5.00
Frank Tillson,
2.80
John B. McFarlin,
1.20
N. F. Manter.
1.60
E. L. Griffith,
1.50
A. H. Nickerson,
1.60
Ira Bumpus,
1.40
O. P. Griffith,
.50
D. McFarlin,
1.00
H. A. Stanley,
1.20
James Leese,
1.40
H. B. Swift,
1.75
S. B. Briggs,
.80
Arthur Atwood,
.40
A. H. Griffith,
1.50
W. F. Stanley,
1.40
.
33
Z. W. Andrews, 1.50
John M. Andrews,
2.05
A. F. Atwood,
1.15
Thomas Gibbs,
.60
Joseph McFarlin,
.50
L. W. Crocker, 1.60
Franklin H. Chase,
11.02
George Morris,
4.35
Joseph Morris,
12.52
Charles Perkins,
7.30
Augustus Kneeland,
5.10
Alack Johnson,
4.90
Carl Johnson,
4.65
Isaac Oretia,
4.00
James Leese,
3.30
Joseph Sprague,
3.30
F. Tillson,
2.80
Jakka Hazanas,
.75
John Winberg,
1.60
T. A. Tillson,
1.60
Elmer Whitemore,
.75
Frank Devine,
.75
Z. A. Tillson,
2.32
W. A. Tillson,
1.50
Marcus E. Tillson,
1.50
Truman A. Tillson,
1.50
Ichabod W. Tillson,
.70
George Westgate,
.30
Howard Westgate,
.90
Ephraim Westgate,
.90
Joseph Laird,
2.50
Marcus Shurtleff,
1.70
Lawrence Rogers,
1.70
John Pennington,
1.35
Gilbert Robbins,
1.50
34
Everett Benson,
7.70
Jabez Benson,
3.20
Erik Weahkiamaki,
2.80
N. Vickery,
1.00
S. H. Pink,
3.30
$638.28
TOWN ASSETS.
Cash in treasury, $137.34
Due from State for aid paid soldiers, and soldiers' wives and widows,
588.00
Due from State for aid to State paupers, . 39.22
Due from Cities and Towns for aid to paupers, 560.87
Massachusetts school fund, 394.43
Dividend from dog licenses,
176.63
Ellis school fund estimated,
180.00
Pratt “
120.00
Uncollected taxes of 1879,
82.29
66
1895,
13.95
1896,
149.01
1897,
648.42
66
1898,
2,198.70
. 6
1899,
3,450.29
$8,739.15
TOWN LIABILITIES.
Bills for support of poor estimated,
$200.00
All other demands estimated, 300.00
$500.00
Assets over liabilities,
8,239.15
$8,739.15
35
APPROPRIATIONS, 1900.
The following sums of money are recommended to meet current expenses the ensuing year :
Support of Poor by Overseers of Poor, . $1,600.00
Support of Schools by School Committee, 1,800.00
Repairs of Highways by Road Commissioners. . 2,000.00
Repairs of Bridges by Road Commissioners, 250.00
Removal of Snow by Road Commissioners. 200.00
School Books and Incidentals by School Com- mittee, 350.00
Transportation of Scholars by School Committee, 1,000 00
Town Incidentals by Selectmen, 800.00
Repairs and Furnishing Almshouse by Overseers of Poor, 100.00
Library,
Town Officers' Salaries by Selectmen, 700.00
New Safe,
200.00
LIST OF JURORS.
The following list of Jurors is presented for your revision and acceptance.
Charles H. Atwood,
Farmer.
Edward C. Shaw,
Sawyer.
James T. Heath, Farmer.
James J. Ryan,
Clerk.
Jason B. McFarlin,
Moulder.
Marcus E. Tillson,
Moulder.
Nehemiah G. Swift,
Moulder.
N. Frank Manter,
Carpenter.
T. M. Cole,
Box Manufacturer.
E. E. Gardner,
Blacksmith.
E. A. Richards,
Carpenter. Cranberry Grower.
W. A. Tillson,
Zenas B. Chase,
Laborer.
Alton H. Griffith,
Laborer.
J. A. Vaughan,
Seedsman.
George H. Appling,
Gardener.
36
ASSESSORS' REPORT.
RAISED BY TAXATION, 1899.
Support of poor, 3
$2,000.00
Support of schools.
1,500.00
Highways,
2,000.00
Bridges,
250.00
Schoolhouse repairs,
100.00
School books and incidentals.
350.00
Town incidentals,
1,200.00
Removal of snow,
750.00
Transportation of scholars,
800.00
Library,
200.00
Town house,
50.00
Repairs and furnishing almshouse,
550.00
Memorial day,
15.00
New schoolhouse,
1,500.00
$11,265.00
State tax,
$480.00
County tax,
1,220.44
1,700.44
$12,965.44
Deduct estimated bank and corporation tax,
1,500.00
$11,465.44
Overlay,
112.06
$11,577.50
Value of personal estate, .
$216,220
Value of real estate :
Value of buildings,
$170,024
Value of land,
489,916
$659,940
Tax rate per $1,000,
$12.70
Poll tax,
$2.00
Number of polls,
241
Number of persons taxed,
581
37
56
On poll only,
518
On property.
204
Number of horses,
117
66
cows,
cattle other than cows,
32
sheep,
8
swine,
15
dwelling houses,
368
66
acres of land,
20,329
66 acres of cranberry bog,
1,154
While the Assessors regret the increased tax rate which is the highest we have had for many years, still the voters must remem- ber that they cannot vote large appropriations at town meeting without finding the result in an increased tax rate and larger tax bills.
T. T. VAUGHAN, W. A. TILLSON, SETH C. C. FINNEY,
Assessors of Carver.
POOR.
The end of the year finds our poor in the almshouse reduced from six to three, Mrs. Robbins being removed to the Taunton Insane Hospital, June 8, where she has since died; Mrs. Wash- burn leaving June 23, to be taken care of by her children, and Charles Lucas being removed to the State almshouse Dec. 23, he being made a State pauper by the law of 1898.
By the removal of Charles Lucas to the State almshouse, we hope we have closed the record of the Lucas family,-the three brothers of which, Barney, Jacob and Charles have cost this town since 1870, $3,584.75.
One inmate, Mrs. Churchill, has been added.
The cost of board and care of the inmates has been $2.67 per week, excluding clothing and doctors' bills ; including them, $3.03 per week.
We have put in a pump in the house, connecting with the well, and built a cesspool for the drainage from the sink, as recom- mended by the State Inspector.
38
Also, shingled the front of the barn and made other repairs ; while the matron has greatly improved the outside appearance by planting shrubs and flowers.
While our report shows the Poor account to be overdrawn in the sum of $109.80, we have due the town from the State, and other cities and towns, the sum of $588.09, which would leave the net cost of our own poor at $1,858.49.
We think an appropriation of $1,600 will be sufficient for next vear.
FIRE-PROOF SAFE.
The law requires that the Selectmen shall furnish a fire-proof safe or vault in which to keep certain books and papers; and as there is not room in our present safe to keep them, we ask for an appropriation of $200 to furnish additional safe room.
39
TOWN MEETING.
Contents of warrant for Town Meeting to be held at the Town House, on Monday, the 5th 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 prepared by the Selectmen.
ART. 3. To see if the town will accept the report of the Select- men 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 highway.
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 instruct the Selectmen to prosecute, compromise or defend any suits for or against the town.
ART. 13. To see if the town will appropriate $15, to be paid Post 8, G. A. R., for Memorial Day. (By request. )
40
ART. 14. To see if the town will vote to sell the school build- ings at districts 2 and 8, not now in use and depreciating in value. (By request of School Committee. )
ART. 15. To see if the town will accept the provisions of Chap. 466, Acts of 1898, relating to the employment of a Superintendent of Schools, and appropriate money for the same. (By request of School Committee.)
ART. 16. To see if the town will vote to move the school build- ing in Dist. No. 8 to some convenient place in Huckleberry Corner, so called, and fit it for a school the ensuing season, and act any- thing thereon. (On petition of George B. Washburn and others.)
ART. 17. To see if the town will vote to instruct the Overseers · of the Poor to mark the graves of the town poor.
T. T. VAUGHAN, W. A. TILLSON, SETH C. C. FINNEY,
Selectmen of Carver.
41
TOWN CLERK'S REPORT.
RECORD OF TOWN MEETING, MARCH 6, 1899.
Meeting called to order and warrant read by Town Clerk at 9 o'clock.
George P. Lincoln and D. W. Nash appointed as tellers, and sworn.
For Moderator-Seth C. C. Finney, 18 votes. Declared elected. Voted to excuse Edwin C. Churchill from the jury list.
Voted that the name of Seth C. C. Finney be substituted on the jury list in lieu of Edwin C. Churchill excused.
The following list of jurors, as prepared by the Selectmen and amended by the town, was accepted: Frederick Anderson, Ed- ward C. Shaw, Chas. H. Atwood, Gardner E. Holmes, J. Myrick Bump, T. T. Vaughan, N. Frank Manter, E. N. Thaine, James .J. Ryan, Marcus E. Tillson, Jason B. McFarlin, T. M. Cole. Levi R. Cobb, James T. Heath, N. G. Swift, Seth C. C. Finney.
Voted to accept the report of the Selectmen and other town officers.
Voted to suspend the rules and act on Article XIII of the war- rant.
Voted to accept the provisions of Chap. 27, Sections 74, 75, 76, 77 of the Public Statutes, and choose Road Commissioners.
For Town Clerk-P. M. Swan had 1 vote ; Henry S. Griffith had 40 votes. Henry S. Griffith declared elected, and sworn.
Voted that the Treasurer be also chosen Collector.
Voted that the Selectmen be also chosen Assessors and Over- seers of the Poor.
For Treasurer and Collector-James A. Vaughan, 26 votes. Declared elected, and sworn.
For Selectmen, Assessors and Overseers of Poor-Fred A. Ward had 48 votes, Seth C. C. Finney had 54 votes, T. T.
42
Vaughan had 90 votes, William M. Shaw had 13 votes, Wilfred A. Tillson had 99 votes, John Bent had 1 vote.
T. T. Vaughan, W. A. Tillson and Seth C. C. Finney declared elected, and sworn by JJustice of Peace A. T. Shurtleff. Also took special oath as Assessors before JJustice of Peace A. T. Shurtleff.
For School Committee, three years-S. D. Atwood had 2 votes, Herman Murdock had 1 vote, Gustavus Atwood had 49 votes, James J. Ryan had 36 votes, E. S. Lucas had 2 votes.
Gustavus Atwood declared elected, and sworn.
House divided on question of electing Road Commissioners on one ballot, and decided lost by a vote of 72 to 21.
Voted to choose six constables.
For Constables-Roswell Shurtleff 17 votes, George E. White 35 votes, S. B. Briggs 33 votes, Henry E. Appling, 16 votes, George H. Bucks 1 vote, G. H. Powers 13 votes, F. E. Crapo 27 votes, E. A. Lucas 4 votes, F. A. Ward 3 votes, J. E. Vaughan 3 votes, E. E. Gardner 19 votes, Henry H. Gam- mons 1 vote, Geo. P. Lineoln 1 vote, George Blair 1 vote, Ar- thur Burbank 3 votes, M. Tillson 1 vote, Wm. Hatch 1 vote, Jolin M. Andrews 1 vote, HI. T. Atwood 1 vote, Peleg Mc- Farlin 1 vote, J. T. McFarlin 1 vote, J. A. Vaughan 1 vote, II. H. Rice 1 vote, Eugene Cole 2 votes, Eugene E. Shaw 1 vote, John E. Atwood 1 vote, Herbert F. Atwood 1 vote, George Appling 1 vote, F. Shaw 1 vote.
Roswell Shurtleff, Geo. E. White, S. B. Briggs, Henry Ap- pling (1), F. E. Crapo, E. E. Gardner, declared elected.
F. E. Crapo and S. B. Briggs sworn by Moderator.
For Auditors-Peleg McFarlin had 15 votes, S. H. Pink had 2 votes, H. H. Rice had 1 vote, B. W. Robbins had 1 vote, Fred A. Ward had 10 votes, E. E. Shaw had 2 votes.
Peleg McFarlin and Fred. A. Ward declared elected.
For Trustee Public Library, three years-Seth C. C. Finney, 1 vote. Declared elected ..
Voted to ballot for Road Commissioner for three years.
For Road Commissioner for three years-Charles F. King had 34 votes, Henry T. Hammond had 42 votes, Frank F. Tillson 1 vote, O. L. Shurtleff 1 vote, E. H. Murdock 1 vote, B. W. Rob- bins 2 votes, A. H. Griffith 1 vote.
43
Henry T. Hammond (2) declared elected.
Recess of 20 minutes declared by Moderator.
Meeting called to order at 12 o'clock 50 minutes.
Vote for Road Commissioner for two years-Oliver L. Shurt- leff had 50 votes, J. M. Bump had 22 votes, Frank F. Tillson had 1 vote.
Oliver L. Shurtleff declared elected, and sworn.
For Road Commissioner for one year-Frank F. Tillson had 57 votes, A. H. Griffith had 13 votes, S. D. Atwood had 1 vote.
Frank F. Tillson declared elected, and sworn.
Voted to excuse Edgar E. Gardner from serving as Constable.
For Constable in place of Edgar E. Gardner excused-George H. Powers had 1 vote. Declared elected, and sworn.
Chosen by viva voce vote :
For Field Drivers and Pound Keepers-Gustavus Atwood (3), S. B. Briggs (3), W. L. Pratt.
For Surveyors of Lumber and Measurers of Wood-Marcus Atwood (3), Seth C. C. Finney (3), P. J. Holmes, J. M. Bump. For Fence Viewers-P. J. Holmes, Charles Cornell (3).
Voted to raise and appropriate $2,000 for support of poor.
Voted to raise and appropriate $1,500 for support of schools. Voted to raise and appropriate $2,000 for repairs of highways.
Voted to raise and appropriate $250 for repairs of bridges.
Voted to raise and appropriate $750 for removal of snow.
Voted to raise and appropriate $100 for repairs of schoolhouses.
Voted to raise and appropriate $350 for school books and inci- dentals.
Voted to raise and appropriate $800 for transportation of scholars.
Voted to raise and appropriate $1,200 for town incidentals.
Voted to raise and appropriate $50 for repairs of the townhouse.
Voted to raise and appropriate $550 for repairs of almshouse. Voted to raise and appropriate $200 for the public library.
Voted to pay the Town Clerk a salary of $50.
Voted that the compensation for labor on the highway be the same as last year.
NOTES .- (1) Sworn by Geo. W. Stetson, Esq. (2) Declined to serve, and Benjamin W. Robbins appointed by Selectmen, April 15th. (3) Sworn,
44
Voted to reconsider last vote.
Voted to leave compensation for labor on highway to the dis- cretion of the Road Commissioners.
Voted that taxes become due Sept. 1st, and that interest be charged after Nov. 1st.
Voted that the Road Commissioners, in employing labor on highways, give first preference to citizens of the town.
Voted that the pay of the Treasurer and Collector be same as last year.
Voted that the Treasurer be authorized to borrow money, under the direction of the Selectmien, in anticipation of taxes the ensu- ing year, if found necessary.
Voted to make the yards of Field Drivers Town Pounds, and that they also be chosen Pound Keepers.
Theodore T. Vaughan appointed Teller, to superintend the bal- lot box in taking the vote on license of liquor selling, and sworn.
Vote, as declared by the Moderator, on the question, "Shall license be granted in the town for the sale of intoxicating liquor?" Yes, 15; No, 63.
Vote on instructing and authorizing the School Committee to utilize the buildings in districts 3 and 5 in grading those schools- the buildings to remain on their present sites : Yes, 43 ; No, 26.
Voted not to authorize the Overseers of the Poor to hire a townl physician.
Voted to accept the provisions of Chapter 132, Acts of 1897, and that the necessary expense be taken from town incidental funds.
Voted that the Selectmen be authorized to prosecute, com- promise, or defend any suit or suits, within the Commonwealth, in the name of the town.
Voted "that the town will clear the road leading from Joseph Morris's to the Factory road, of snow, so as to make it passable."
Voted not to choose a Board of Health.
Voted to accept the provisions of Chap. 186, Acts of 1884.
Voted that the income of all funds deposited with the town for the care and improvement of cemetery lots, be paid by the Town Treasurer as follows, viz. :
In cases where the lots are in incorporated cemeteries, to the order of the President of the Board of Trustees.
45
In cases where the lots are in unincorporated cemeteries, to the order of the Board of Selectmen.
Voted not to take any action on Article 20 of the Warrant.
Voted to indefinitely postpone action on Art. 21 of the War- rant.
Voted to raise and appropriate $15, said sum to be paid to E. W. Pierce Post, No. 8, G. A. R., of Middleboro, to defray ex- penses of decorating graves of soldiers buried in town.
Voted to elect a Tree Warden. (Chap. 190, Acts of 1896.)
For Tree Warden-J. M. Bump had 5 votes. Declared elected.
Voted to indefinitely postpone action on Article 14 of the War- rant.
Above decision questioned, and upon division of the house the inotion was declared lost by a vote of 29 to 19.
Voted to increase the insurance on the Public Library in pro- portion to insurance on the building.
Voted to instruct the Selectmen to repair the townhouse.
Voted to adjourn.
MARRIAGES RECORDED IN CARVER, 1899.
Jan. 12. Geo. W. S. Thomas and Abbie S. Cole.
May 29. Truman A. Tillson and Lucinda W. Andrews.
June 17. Edward C. Shaw and Alice G. Drew of Plymouth.
Sept. 2. Henry P. Burgess and Jane G. Washburn.
Sept. 5. Ellis G. Cornish and Mary A. Sears of Hingham.
Oct. 7. John Maki and Mary Palenen.
Nov. 2. Frank Hart and Edith M. Hudson.
46
BIRTHS RECORDED IN CARVER, 1899.
DATE OF BIRTH.
NAME.
Jan. 2.
Albert Otis Linton.
Feb. 12.
Delphina Albina Macy.
Feb. 10. Almeda Gertrude Bradford.
April 17.
Walter Ellis Garnett.
April 17. Albert Asel Thomas.
April 19.
Henry Howard Robbins.
July 21.
Lena Francis Kennedy.
July 21.
Sept. 5.
Alice Floretta Lees.
Sept. 5. Edith Francis Wrightington.
Sept. 20. Stillborn.
Sept. 25. Myrtle Williams Perkins.
Oct. 3. Warren Everett Deadder.
Oct. - Lawrie Letourneau.
Oct. 6. Flora Gertrude Shurtleff.
Oct. Charles Donald Garvin.
Oct. 26. Emma Francis Chace.
Nov. 1. Everett Forbush Cassidy.
Dec. 14. Leroy Eldredge Shaw.
Dec. 19. Lawrence Ellsworth Atwood.
Nov. 8. Lydia Agnes Gibbs.
PARENTS.
Albert and Nellie A. (Braddock ).
Frederick and Caroline (Beuchimen).
Albert C. and Laura A. (Braddock ). Joseph N. and Louisa (Wilberson). George W. S. and Abbie S. (Cole). Maurice F. and Elizabeth A. (Linton).
James P. and Louisa (Stringer). Andrew Dale and Marie James and Henrietta (Westgate). Joseph E. and Mabel (Shurtleff).
Eher B. and Flora (Atwood).
J. W. and Grace (Weston).
Louis and Emma (Douget ). Walter D. and Helen E. (Sleeper). .
Charles A. and Marion (Hudson).
James D. and Letitia (Westgate). Walter H. and Mabel (Shaw).
Lewis J. and Mary L. (Smith).
John E. and Lillian M. (Vaughan).
Thomas F. and Sarah F. (Atwood).
DEATHS RECORDED IN CARVER, 1899.
DATE OF DEATH
CAUSE OF DEATH.
NAME.
PLACE OF BIRTH.
PARENTS.
Y.
M.
1).
Jan. 11
Senility.
Mary Hammond.
89
10
1
Middleboro.
Job Sherman and Lucy Thomas.
Jan. 14| Multiple garamati.
George S. Murdock.
37
6
30
Carver.
John Murdock and Mary A. Hitlery.
Jan. 24 Primary tuberculosis.
Fred M. Norwood.
10
5
10
Maine.
Daniel E. Norwood and Rosa A. Carter.
Jan. 29
Diabetes and la grippe.
Fred W. Shaw.
41
1
10
Carver.
Eben D. Shaw and Hannah Westgate.
Feb. 16
Ann Janette Merritto.
65
13
Carver.
Joseph R. Sherman and Betsey W. Cobb.
Feb. 17
Cataubalis epidemicus. La grippe.
Ann Eliza Bent.
75
6
13
Albany, N. Y.
John Mitchell and Eliza Kline.
April 18 Tuberculosis.
Marcus Atwood Shaw|
20
19
Carver.
Samuel Shaw and Carrie S. Besse.
May 14 Pneumonia.
Harriett Barrows.
83
3
Carver.
Jonathan Bellows and -
June 22 Old age.
William Savery.
84
5
25
New York.
William Irwin and Catherine Thomas.
Ang. 23
Epileptic insanity.
Susan Robbins.
68
Sept. 1
Killed by circular saw.
Eugene B. Cole.
: 32
Carver.
Asel Cole and Nancy Brown.
Sept. 21
Cholera infantum.
Agneta Peltonen.
Carver.
Joseph Peltonen and Serafin
Oct. :
Cholera infantum.
Hilla Johnson.
1
22
Carver.
Axel Johnson and Heilta -
Oct. 9 Meningitis.
Clara JJ. Logan.
47
17
Carver.
Lyman Shaw and Mary A. Pratt
Oct. 27 Typhoid pneumonia.
Lydia T. Dexter.
14
1 Mattapoisett.
Elisha Dexter and Sarah C. Mendall.
Nov. 18
Complication of diseases.
Martha McFarlin.
94
10
9
Carver.
Huit McFarlin and Mercy Tillson.
Nov. 30| Paralysis.
Augustus P.Thrasher.
77
1
10
Ohio.
John Thrasher and Deborah Gammons.
Dec. 6. Cancer in stomach.
Thos. C. Swift.
2
27
Wareham.
Elisha Swift and Betsey Clark.
Sarah A. Benson.
62
2
20
Carver.
Edward Bump and Lucy Bnmp.
Mar. 5
July 27
Apoplexy,
Jane I. Bump.
76
Middleboro.
John Savery and Polly Atwood.
47
AGE.
48
SUMMARY.
Marriages,
7
Births,
19
Deaths,
20
Dogs licensed,
91
Males 84, Females 7.
I again call the attention of all upon whom falls the responsi- bility of returning births and deaths to the laws governing such cases, as upon their promptness rests the ability of the clerk to legally fulfill his duties. It has been a custom of holding these until the end of the year and then returning in a bunch. This custom must be discontinued.
The law now requires the recording of births and deaths monthly - and it cannot be done unless they are returned monthly. If an exception is made occasionally it mars the records, as it is then impossible to record the events in chronological order.
If the following brief condensations of laws are kept in mind, they will aid greatly :
On or before the 5th of each month, the attending physician or midwife shall return to the Town Clerk births that occurred during the previous month.
Parents or honseholders shall notify the Clerk of a birth within forty days.
The keeper of an almshouse shall return, on or before the 5th of each month, all births and deaths in the institution the previous month.
Parents-householders-the oldest relative-present at a death, must report the event to the Clerk within five days.
Undertakers must procure a certificate from the attending phy- sician, and return it with facts required for registration before moving a body. The Clerk cannot issue a burial permit without these returns.
I hereby give notice that I am prepared to furnish blanks for returns of births, according to Sec. 17, Chap. 444, Acts of 1897.
HENRY S. GRIFFITH,
Clerk of Carver.
49
REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
Citizens of Carcer :
As Carl Schurz, in writing a biography of Lincoln, said, that a true biography includes a man's failures as well as his successes, so in drawing for you a picture of the school life of Carver for the year 1899, your committee feel that they must depict the weak points as well as the strong ones, if you would get a true idea of the condition of the schools.
At the beginning of the year, epidemics broke out in the schools, namely mumps, chicken pox and la grippe, which affected the attendance upon them considerably. Later, the measles were prevalent, and, still later, whooping-cough made its appearance, but at no time was it necessary to close any school to prevent the spreading of these maladies, we are glad to say. Pupils who were neither absent nor tardy during the year 1898, were forced, by sickness, to be absent at the very beginning of the year 1899, much to their regret.
Absences, without reasonable excuse, occur much less frequently than formerly, showing that we are on the road to the realization of our ideals in school attendance. We attribute this improve- ment, in a large extent, to recent legislation making school attend -. ance more binding upon the pupils, and to transportation. Since transportation has been furnished, certain pupils who, previously, as a rule, attended school for only a small per cent. of the year, attend quite regularly. Transportation, in the district where it has been tried, has not only raised the per cent. of attendance, but has increased the interest of the pupils, in their studies, since they are placed in larger classes thereby, with more competition, and
50
also has reduced the expense of schooling per scholar for that dis- trict.
Your committee are led to conclude, after careful observation, that transportation pays, both educationally and financially.
As the cost will be less and the advantages to all greater if the East Carver school is united with the Centre school and graded, than if the Centre school be graded as it now stands, necessitating the hiring of an extra teacher, and the East Carver school be con- tinued as at present, your committee deem it wise to unite these two schools as soon as the new building is ready for occupancy, the same barge which now transports the High school pupils from North Carver to the Centre and return transporting the East Car- ver pupils, also, at the same time.
When these two districts shall have been brought together and graded, the town will have graded schools throughout its limits, and, in the opinion of your committee, will be in a condition, educationally, much in advance of that of any previous time in its history. We wish to congratulate the town on its prospects for the education of its children in future.
The children of Carver are not eclipsed in capability of devel- opment by those of any town or city in the commonwealth. Give them like advantages and they will likewise make their mark in the world and do honor to their ancestry. We feel that our town's people are falling into line with those of other towns and are giv- ing greater advantages to their children than formerly, but we feel like urging them to greater sacrifice for the schools, knowing that the welfare of the town in future years, hinges upon the prepara- tion of the children of the present for citizenship.
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