USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Medfield > Town annual reports of Medfield 1900-1909 > Part 4
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150 loads of gravel, 100 at 5c., 50 free, 5.00
Cleaning out gravel pit on East Main Street, 11.03
Screening gravel, 30.56
Grading on Canal Street from near the Harding Post- office beyond the How place, so called, 6 double teams and 7 men, 6 days, . 281.16
Amount of gravel, 326 loads at 5c., 16.30
Gravelling East Main Street, 2 to 3 double teams and I single team, 4 to 6 men, 12 days (100 loads of gravel, free), 475.44
Amount of gravel, 426 loads at 5c.,
21.30
Rolling gravel on Canal Street, .
4.16
Mowing bushes, 4 men, 10 days,
63.00
Putting up railing on West Street and Mill Street and Adams Avenue,
27.05
Lumber for railing, .
61.44
Posts for railing, .
16.24
Nails for railing, .
3.31
Drain pipe on N Street,
16.36
Drain pipe on Dale Street,
2.94
Cement,
I.IO
Catch-basin cover for East Main Street,
8.00
Painting guide-boards,
8.50
I guide-board,
1.00
Tools, repairs, etc., .
40.50
$2,500.00
The men were paid 172 cents per hour, and the double teams were paid $4.50 a day for 9 hours and the single teams were paid $3.15 a day for 9 hours. There have been 1,592 loads of gravel put upon the roads. 350 loads were given, and the remainder was bought at 5 cents per load.
56
HIGHWAY LABOR.
Paid Chas. How for cutting out tree on Canal Street,
$1.00
S. B. Ware, repairing wash-out on Orchard Street, .
3.80
J. D. Dugal, for labor, 66
2.90
L. Kingsbury,
34.89.
T. Hanley,
4.38
Chas. Booth, 66
116.71
Chas. Bolton, 66
32.38
F. B. Morse, 66
1.23
F. L. Osborn,
66
15.05
Wm. Stevens, 66
15.93
P. N. Cook,
8.50
I. H. Crosby,
9.63
Hans Pederson, 66
14.48
Theo. Pederson, 66
14.09
J. A. Quincy, 66
135.03
F. B. Quincy, 66
115.77
Thos. Rourke, 66
III.31
A. D. Kingsbury, “
11.03
Fred Herron,
9.28
W. D. Gilbert, 66
3.85
Ed. Meany, 66
117.44
R. Gorman, 66
119.65
H. E. Wilson, 66
35.46
Alex. Ogilvie,
11.50
J. W. Simmons,
5.43
G. W. Kingsbury, “
213.44
$1,164.16
TEAMS ON HIGHWAY.
Paid W. J. Cox, .
$169.96
W. E. Kingsbury,
211.65
F. S. Wight,
142.50
J. E. Lonergan,
62.00
G. W. Kingsbury,
133.29
A. H. Clark,
95.00
Carried forward,
$814.40
57
Brought forward, . $814.40
Paid B. Newcomb, .
61.60
R. S. Hardy,
13.50
H. W. Hutson,
67.60
J. A. Newell, .
28.25
H. M. Parker,
101.95
$1,087.30
1
TOOLS, ETC., FOR HIGHWAY.
Paid Wm. Ryan, for 6 steel rakes, $2.40
G. E. Allen, for edges and bolts for scraper, 16.50
Freight on edges and bolts for scraper, .50
C. W. Spaulding, repairing scraper,
3.75
J. Kelley, bolts for man-holes,
.40
J. Kelley, repairing chain,
.IO
J. Kelley, sharpening drills,
.75
J. Kelley, repairing scraper,
2.20
F. W. Cutter, sharpening picks and bars,
4.90
Cash for 6 shovels,
4.50
Cash for 2 bush scythe snaths,
1.50
Cash for 2 bush scythes,
1.30
Cash for I steel rake, .
.42
Cash for I pick and handle,
.80
Cash for iron for scythe snaths,
.48
$40.50
SIDEWALK ACCOUNT.
Paid F. B. Quincy, for labor, $6.30
C. Booth,
6.30
H. E. Wilson,
3.15
T. Rourke, 66
3.15
G. W. Kingsbury, “
2.18
A. H. Clark, for team work,
9.00
H. M. Parker, 66
9.00
W. E. Kingsbury, “ 66 66
4.55
H. Wood, for gravel,
3.00
$46.63
58
BRIDGE ACCOUNT.
Paid Union Lumber Company, for plank,
$33.12
J. A. Quincy, for labor,
1.58
F. B. Quincy, 66
1.58
G. W. Kingsbury, “
1.47
A. D. Kingsbury, “
.70
L. Kingsbury, 66
.70
J. W. Cox, carting plank, .
.50
Cash for spikes, .
1.15
$40.80
GRAVEL BOUGHT FOR THE HIGHWAY.
Paid A. L. Clark, for 38 loads at 5c., .
$1.90
H. F. Harding, “ 522 66 66
26.10
H. M. Parker, " 426 66
66 66
21.30
P. Hanly, " 106 66 66
5.30
W. Harwood, "IOO 66 66
5.00
S. Ellis,
50 66 66
2.50
$62.10
RAILING FOR THE HIGHWAY.
Paid Union Lumber Company, for lumber, . $61.07
H. Wight, for 124 chestnut posts, . 13.64
H. W. Hutson, for 26 chestnut posts, 2.60
Cash for nails,
3.3I
Cash for 37 ft. of spruce joists,
.37
A. D. Kingsbury, for labor,
14.09
L. Kingsbury,
12.96
$ 108.04
DRAIN PIPES, ETC.
Paid E. M. Bent, for 66 ft. of 8-in. drain pipe, . $11.88 E. M. Bent, for 14 ft. of Io-in. drain pipe, E. M. Bent, for 1} bas. of rubble cement, I.IO
2.94
J. Ord, for 28 ft. of 8-in. drain pipe,
4.48
Cash for catch-basin cover and freight on same,
8.00
$28.40
59
PAINTING GUIDE-BOARDS, ETC.
Paid G. G. Babcock, for painting guide-boards, $8.50
N. F. Harding, making guide-board 1.00
$9.50
SEWER ACCOUNTS.
Paid J. W. Cox, for labor with team,
$10.50
F. B. Quincy, for labor
2.81
Ed. Meany, 66
1.58
R. Gorman, 66
1.58
W. E. Kingsbury, team work,
4.55
G. W. Kingsbury, labor,
17.98
$39.00
CLEANING-OUT BAKER'S POND.
Paid J. W. Cox, for team work,
$22.50
J. E. Lonergan,
9.50
G. W. Kingsbury, “ 66
10.25
W. E. Kingsbury, .“
3.26
Chas. Booth, for labor,
4.90
F. Herron,
3.33
E. Meany, 66
4.90
R. Gorman, 66
4.90
$63.54
REPAIRING RAILING AND CURBING AROUND BAKER'S POND.
Paid R. Weiker, for labor, $6.60
R. Weiker, for brimstone,
1.00
E. M. Bent, I cask of Portland cement,
3.00
E. Meany, for labor,
3.15
R. Gorman, “
3.15
$16.90
60
LABOR ON DUMPING GROUND.
Paid H. M. Parker, for team work, $9.45
W. E. Kingsbury, “ 66 66
3.15
R. Gorman, for labor, . 6.31
J. A. Quincy,
1.58
Cash for sign-boards,
.75
Cash for painting sign-boards,
1.60
Cash for posts, .
.40
Cash for setting posts, .
.75
$23.99
SNOW ACCOUNT.
BREAKING OUT ROADS AND SIDEWALKS FROM FEB. I, 1899, TO FEB. 1, 1900.
Paid Alex. Ogilvie, . $1.20
J. Maker,
1.20
E. Congdon,
4.40
A. A. Lovell,
3.50
M. Dow,
6.00
H. H. Clark,
5.60.
F. L. Osborn, . 6.80
Geo. Moor, 6.40
C. W. Holbrook, . 2.40
H. H. Brigham,
3.00
A. Birrow, .
6.00
C. W. Wight,
9.80
J. Meany,
8.00
I. H. Crosby,
6.20
D. McDugal,
10.80
J. T. Lillibridge, 5.80
R. H. Hardy, .
10.40
T. Hanley,
6.00
A. H. Lillibridge,
6.20
H. W. Hutson,
3.60
A. H. Clark,
6.00
J. W. McLeod, 3.80
G. K. Ricker & Sons,
12.90
Carried forward,
$136.00
61
Brought forward, . $136.00
Paid L. Kingsbury,
10.80
J. W. Simson, .
1.40
P. N. Cook, 5.20
Wm. Dugan,
6.30
T. Rourke, .
5.50
F. A. Stubs,
5.60
J. H. Hughes,
10.00
J. Newman,
6.00
M. Woodbine,
9.00
S. Mallery, .
2.00
J. Brisman,
5.40
L. C. West,
5.80
A. L. Allen,
14.20
H. Gunneson,
6.80
G. N. Booth,
8.20
C. Booth,
8.20
E. A. Wood,
3.80
S. B. Ware,
11.20
G. Washburn, .
5.30
G. Woolfert,
6.80
F. Cline,
3.40
Sudal,
3.40
Lason,
3.20
O. Reihter,
1.80
J. Jennings,
4.20
G. E. Holbrook,
4.00
T. Pederson,
4.40
H. Pederson
4.40
G. L. L. Allen,
3.20
H. W. Allen,
6.80
J. Conroy,
4.00
C. Lane,
3.00
J. M. Bean,
6.50
C. W. Strang,
4.20
D. Lynch,
4.20
E. Holt,
8.00
W. Stevens,
6.50
. Carried forward,
$348.70
62
Brought forward, . $348.70
Paid Wm. Meany,
.75
C. C. Adams,
.60
James Meany,
3.20
W. E. Kingsbury,
6.00
J. A. Quincy,
5.80
W. H. Locke, .
5.90
C. Warner,
3.00
O. Warner,
2.00
J. H. Brigham,
I.OO
R. E. Cole,
1.OO
J. E. Lonergan,
14.00
G. Mollerson, .
1.50
R. B. Newcomb, .
9.80
F. Meany, .
1.OO
L. A. Cutler,
1.00
G. W. Adams,
1.50
E. Webster,
4.00
W. F. Guild,
2.40
J. Mann,
4.80
F. B. Morse,
1.00
M. Collins,
1.40
J. D. Tufts,
13.20
A. K. Bryant, .
1.60
W. J. Cox, .
85.10
G. W. Kingsbury,
26.15
$546.40
RECAPITULATION.
MONEY RECEIVED ON SELECTMEN'S ORDERS.
On account of Snow,
$546.40
Highway,
2,500.00
Sidewalks, 46.63
Sewer,
39.00
Bridges,
40.80
Cleaning out Baker's Pond, .
63.54
Repairing Railing around Pond, 16.90
Dumping Ground,
23.99
$3,277.26
63
MONEY EXPENDED.
On account of Snow, .
$546.40
Highway, . 2,500.00
Sewer, .
39.00
Sidewalks, . 46.63
Bridges,
40.80
Cleaning out Baker's Pond,
63.54
Repairing Railing around Baker's
Pond,
16.90
Dumping Ground,
23.99
$3,277.26
Respectfully submitted,
GEORGE W. KINGSBURY,
Supt. of Streets.
Examined and found correct. T. E. SCHOOLS, Auditor.
REPORT OF THE OVERSEERS OF THE POOR.
The Overseers of the Poor of the town of Medfield respectfully present the following report : -
Amount of the appraisal of the personal property at the Almshouse Feb. 1, 1900, $2,558.45
There is for stock on the Farm at the present time 2 horses, 10 cows, 7 heifers, I bull, I hog, and 70 hens.
There has been raised on the farm the present year 250 baskets of corn, 300 bushels of potatoes, 10 tons of mangel-wurzel, and 200 bushels of turnips. Most of the corn we have on hand now, and about 200 bushels of potatoes that have not been sold.
Income of the Farm :
Milk sold,
$1,049.71
Eggs
54.75
Potatoes 66 14.78
Peas 66
4.30
Parsnips
.75
Cabbages
1.00
Poultry
1.33
Calves 66
6.55
Rye straw, .
4.50
Service of the bull,
8.00
Turnips,
.40
From town of Dover, board of Mrs. Chas. Fisher,
14.62
$1,160.69
Bills due : -
For milk for January,
$116.30
For meadow hay,
II.9I
Providing for 400 tramps at 20 cents,
80.00
65
EXPENSES AT THE TOWN FARM.
Paid Thorn Brothers, for grain 1898, . $22.50
Blood Brothers, for grain, . 545.02
James Daisley, I horse, 55.00
E. M. Bent, coal, 36.50
Geo. Easton, salary from Feb. 1, 1899, to April I, 1899, 64.25
Geo. Easton, cash paid for labor,
3.00
Codding & Schools, groceries, etc., 109.44
Timothy Donely, whitewashing and repairing chimneys, 14.50
Preston & Annis, fish and oysters,
5.44
Geo. Battelle, for grain, 40.53
Martin L. Cheeney, I cow, 40.00
Martin L. Cheeney, difference in cow trades, 35.00
John Grant, labor,
143.50
Blood Brothers, seed potatoes,
12.00
Blood Brothers, garden seeds, etc.,
4.00
W. S. Mitchell,
3.19
Geo. Easton, salary from April 1, 1899, to Feb. 1, 1900, 333.34
Fargie & Son, 2 horse collars,
10.00
W. W. Preston, supplies, II.20
W. K. Gilmore, grain, .
87.45
Blood Brothers, I bushel of Hungarian seed,
1.00
W. H. Annis, fish and oysters,
1.49
Chas. Bullard, meat and provisions, 24.03
Mrs. C. A. Leahy, supplies, . 1.50
Maud A. Ritche, sawing lumber,
12.97
James Ord, supplies, 16.87
H. R. Preston, fish and oysters, . 1.70
J. L. Peckham, planting corn, 4.50
Boston Branch, groceries, etc., 69.81
E. H. Abell, supplies, .
14.65
J. J. Kelley, blacksmithing,
1.88
A. A. Dean, blacksmithing,
11.40
S G. Clark, shingles and lumber,
23.II
T. L. Smith, use of pasture,
14.00
Carried forward,
$1,774.77
66
Brought forward, . $1,774.77
Paid Jos. Breck, I root cutter, 8.00
E. M. Bent, I cask of lime, 1.25
E. C. Crocker, supplies, 3.20
R. Weiker, ice,
5.71
N. F. Harding, lumber,
2.23
E. F. Smith, fish and oysters,
8.32
H. W. Hutson, service of bull 1898, 4.00
A. C. Backhourst, shaving John Tobin, 1.15
G. E. Pettis, crackers, . 4.20
C. F. Bruce, meat and provisions, 65.82
F. W. Cutter, blacksmithing, . 21.23
G. W. Kingsbury, I pound of mangel seed, .40
G. W. Kingsbury, express, .25
G. W. Kingsbury, butchering I hog, 1.00
G. W. Kingsbury, cash paid for I hog, 7.00
J. A. Fitts, groceries, etc., 92.58
J. A. Fitts, 6 cords and 3 feet of manure, . 31.98
E. J. Keyou, supplies, 6.30
Alex. Wight, professional services and medicine, 24.00
Dr. A. Mitchell, attendance on J. Tobin, . .
1.00
Dr. A. Mitchell, attendance on Flora Kingsbury, J. J. Cunningham, repairing shoes,
1.00
E. Bullard, meat and provisions, 71.83
H. Wight, fertilizer, 26.95
H. Wight, drag plank, 2.00
S. R. Maker, making pair of shoes for J. Tobin, 3.75
S. R. Maker, repairing shoes, .40
S. R. Maker, repairing harness, . .50
S. R. Maker, repairing rubbers, . .60
$2,171.77 1
Inmates in Almshouse, Feb. 1, 1900, two.
Flora Kingsbury, age 22.
John Tobin, admitted Aug. 10, 1899.
Income of the Farm $1,160.69
Appropriation of the town
1,000.00
$2,160.69
Expenses at the Farm
2,171.77
Exceeded
$11.08
.35
67
PAUPER EXPENSES OUT OF THE ALMSHOUSE.
Aid furnished Mrs. Herbert Parker, $144.00 Aid furnished Olive and Louise Guild, 126.25
Mrs. Nelson Lowe, for board of Lottie Kingsbury, III.22 Mrs. Nelson Lowe, cash paid for stockings, Lottie Kingsbury, . .70
Mrs. Nelson Lowe, cash paid for medicine, Lottie Kingsbury, . 2.75
Mrs. Nelson Lowe, cash paid for repairing shoes, Lottie Kingsbury, . .40
Mrs. Nelson Lowe, cash paid for pair of boots, Lottie Kingsbury, . 1.25
Aid furnished Mrs. Julia Tobin, 138.49
Aid furnished Chas. Fisher, . 3.00
C. M. Fuller, medical attendance on Mrs. Chas. Fisher, 2.00
E. C. Crocker, supplies for Lottie and Emma Kings-
bury, . 8.21
Town of Walpole, medical
attendance on Emma
Kingsbury, . 19.00
Aid furnished Emma Kingsbury, 12.20
Town of Millis, for medical aid for Mich. Toner family, 28.50
City of Chelsea, aid for Georgetta Hunt and family, . 73.00
E. J. Keyou, medicine for Marcus Gilmore, . 2.70
E. J. Keyou, medicine for Emma Kingsbury, 5.20
G. W. Kingsbury, telephoning in Kennedy case,
.40
G. W. Kingsbury, telephoning in Tobin case, .25
G. W. Kingsbury, postage for the past year,
1.30
G. W. Kingsbury, State almshouse blanks, .30
G. W. Kingsbury, committing Dennis Cummings to State Almshouse, . 3.25
Dr. A. Mitchell, medical attendance on Emma Kings- bury, 11.00
Dr. A. Mitchell, medical attendance on Marcus Gil- more, . 12.00
A. B. Parker, for burial of Mrs. Geo. Kennedy, 15.00
Carried forward, $722.37
68
Brought forward, . $722.37
Dr. A. Mitchell, medical attendance on family of Wm. McLeod, 7.00
Augusta P. Adams, rent of house for Wm. McLeod, . 3.75
Boston Branch, supplies for Wm. McLeod, 3.66
E. Bullard, supplies for Wm. McLeod, 2.36
E. W. Kingsbury, milk for family of Wm. McLeod,
2.10
Dr. C. M. Fuller, medical attendance on family of Wm. H. Lock, . 100.00
Hannah Kealding, nursing in family of W. H. Lock, 141.00
E. C. Crocker, supplies for W. H. Lock's family, . 9.01
$991.25
When Wm. H. Lock was burned out, there was $40 given by different persons to be spent for things that they were in need of, which the Overseers spent for them.
Received from town of Nantucket, for aid furnished Mrs. Herbert Parker, $66.00
Due from the town of Nantucket, for aid furnished Mrs. Herbert Parker, 84.00
Due from town of Franklin, for medical attendance
and medicine for Marcus Gilmore, . 26.70
Due from State, for burial Mrs. George Kennedy, 15.00
Received from town of Dover, for aid furnished Charles Fisher, 3.00
SUPPORT OF THE INSANE AND FEEBLE-MINDED.
Westboro Insane Hospital, for board of Elizabeth Smith, $169.46
Westboro Insane Hospital, board of William Forbes, 58.04
Taunton Insane Hospital, board of Rachael Brisco, . 169.46
Massachusetts School of Feeble-minded, for board of Arthur Ricker, 169.46
GEORGE W. KINGSBURY, Overseers MICHAEL E. GRIFFIN, of the
AMOS H. MASON, Poor.
Examined and found correct. T. E. SCHOOLS, Auditor.
-
REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON TRUST FUNDS.
This indenture, made the sixth day of May, 1899, witnesseth that,
Whereas the town of Medfield is possessed of certain per- sonal property belonging to the "School Fund," so called ; and
Whereas, by vote of said town, at its Annual Meeting, duly notified and duly held March 1, 1897, it voted that all said " School Funds " be loaned to the town for the term of fifty (50) years, and the Town Treasurer take charge of the same :
Now, therefore, we, Willard Harwood, John Arthur Savage, and George Washburn, Trustees of said Fund, chosen at the Annual Meeting of said town, held March 6, 1899, do set over, transfer, and deliver to the Treasurer of said town of Medfield all of said funds which have come into our possession, viz. : -
Note of the town of Medfield, Ralph A. Battelle, Treasurer, dated April 4, 1891, two thousand five hundred and ten dollars ($2,510).
Note of Sarah A. Chickering, dated Dec. 15, 1869, to Jacob R. Cushman, and assigned by said Cushman to Isaac Fiske, Treas- urer of said town of Medfield and his successors in office, said note secured by a second mortgage, two hundred and fifty dollars ($250).
Deposits in Framingham Savings Bank, nominally five hundred dollars ($500), but of questionable value, said bank being in the hands of a receiver.
Cash, five hundred and two dollars and thirty-three cents ($502.33).
WILLARD HARWOOD, Trustees JOHN. ARTHUR SAVAGE, of
GEORGE WASHBURN, Town Funds.
I, Stillman J. Spear, Treasurer of the town of Medfield, hereby acknowledge the receipt of the foregoing securities and cash,
70
amounting in all to three thousand seven hundred and sixty-two dollars and thirty-three cents ($3,762.33).
STILLMAN J. SPEAR.
Signed, sealed, and delivered in our presence and with our consent.
HENRY M. PARKER, Selectmen
[TOWN SEAL] WILLIAM F. GUILD, of
HERBERT W. WIGHT, Medfield.
A true copy attest, original filed with Selectmen.
STILLMAN J. SPEAR,
Town Clerk.
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
The School Committee respectfully submit the following report : -
Rev. John A. Savage was elected a member of the board at the March meeting, Mr. Albert A. Lovell retiring.
The Committee organized March II, electing P. H. Leahy, chairman, and George Washburn, secretary. Regular meetings have been held on the last Saturday of each month; and the board has also met in special session ten times, twice at Walpole, in conjunction with the Walpole Board.
There have been three changes in our corps of teachers during the year. Miss Pearl Brigham, for five years teacher of the fourth and fifth grades, was obliged to tender her resignation in April on account of ill-health. Mrs. Mary B. A. Dunn, who for twenty- four years had taught the primary school, also tendered her resig- nation at the end of the spring term on account of illness. The Committee feel that in Mrs. Dunn's resignation the town loses a faithful and efficient teacher, whose long service and sympathetic nature rendered her work among our little children particularly valuable. Miss Melcher, of the North School, was not a candi- date for re-election. The Committee secured the services of Miss Ivy E. Towne, of Somerville, for the fourth and fifth grades ; Miss Alice G. Barrett, of Belmont, for the primary grade; and Miss Grace M. Stoddard, of Norwood, for the North School,-all of whom are doing good and satisfactory work.
The Committee take great pleasure in stating that in their esti- mation our schools were never in better condition than they are to-day. The year has been a most pleasant and profitable one, the standards of all grades are being steadily raised, the attend- ance has been remarkably good, and teachers and scholars have worked together cheerfully and with very little friction. The result is a state of affairs which is highly gratifying. A more
72
detailed report of the several schools may be found in the report of the Superintendent of Schools.
Repairs .- It was found necessary to build over the platform on the Pleasant Street side of the Ralph Wheelock School-house, and to replace the two outside doors opening on to it with new ones, involving an expense of $68.96. We also introduced steam heat- ing circulation into a small room on the second floor of the Ralph Wheelock School-house, which has been set apart for the use of the superintendent. Slight repairs have also been made at the North and South Schools.
New books and supplies have been procured as they were needed, and all requisitions made by the teachers for books for desk use and supplementary reading have been honored with few exceptions. We believe the condition and variety of our books will compare favorably with those of any of our neighboring towns.
SUPERVISION.
When it became known to your Committee, something more than one year ago, that the union existing between the towns of Walpole and Foxboro would terminate April 1, 1899, and that the town of Walpole was anxious to form an alliance with us in the formation of a superintendent's district, we decided to submit the matter to the town at the regular March meeting. With its ac- customed generosity the town granted every recommendation made by the Committee, instructed us to form a district with Walpole, and appropriated $375, as the law directs, to be used in paying the salary of the superintendent.
Your Committee met the Walpole Committee April I at Wal- pole, in joint session; and after organizing, by electing Robert S. Gray, of Walpole, Chairman, and George Washburn, of Med- field, Secretary, formally effected the union of the towns in a school superintendent's district, which union shall exist for three years. Before adjournment a call was issued for candidates.
On April 8 the Joint Committee again met at Walpole, and elected Mr. A. A. Badger, of Skowhegan, Me., Superintendent of Schools of the towns of Walpole and Medfield for one year, Wal- pole to have his services three days (Monday, Wednesday, and Friday) and Medfield two days (Tuesday and Thursday) in each week. And we beg leave to state that Mr. Badger's time and
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attention will be cheerfully given to any citizen who desires to confer with him on any matter pertaining to our schools or scholars.
We are satisfied that the selection of Mr. Badger was a wise one. His quiet, steady, and thorough methods are already felt in all our school-rooms ; and we believe the good effect of his influ- ence will be seen more clearly, both in the deportment and schol- arship of our children, after more time has elapsed.
The need of competent supervision in the school-room has long been recognized and acknowledged by those most familiar with the modern educational system. . The State Board of Education of Massachusetts, which is a firm believer in the benefit of expert supervision, has been instrumental in procuring the passage by the legislature of laws making it easy for small towns to obtain the services of a superintendent of satisfactory ability with a small money outlay on their parts.
The district superintendent's salary is usually $ 1,500 per annum. The State pays to the district, after it has employed a superintendent for one year, the sum of $1,250, $750 of which shall be applied to the payment of the salary of the superintendent and $500 to the salaries of the teachers. As our teachers are already paid more than the average outside of the larger cities, an increase of their wages is not necessary. Hence we shall have all the State funds to apply toward paying the Superintendent's salary. The amount we shall be obliged to advance is two-fifths of $250 (the difference between $1,500, the Superintendent's salary, and $1,250, the sum refunded us by the State), or $100. It must be remembered, however, that the district must pay the Superintend- ent his salary for one year before they are entitled to the State aid. So it will be seen from the Treasurer's report that the $375 appropriated in March, 1899, has been all used. The district will receive the State funds some time in April or May of this year, our proportion of which will be $500 ; but we must pay the Superintendent his salary until then, and for this reason we must ask for an appropriation of $225 this year. In future the sum needed will be $100 per annum only.
Regarding the duties of the School Superintendent and the School Committee, that of the Committee is legislative, that of the Superintendent administrative. The Superintendent has no powers except what are given him by the Committee. The Com-
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mittee engage and dismiss all teachers, make special rules and regulations to govern the schools, approve all bills, make all con- tracts, and in a general way map out the work to be done in the school-rooms. The Superintendent, who must understand thor- oughly the methods and theories of teaching in all grades, from the primary to the high school, must work out the details of this general plan in the manner which seems best to his trained judg- ment ; and he is held strictly responsible by the Committee for the condition of the schools.
Each succeeding year the system of education is becoming more complicated and scientific, requiring more special training on the part of the teachers and greater professional knowledge on the part of the supervisors. The ordinary business or profes- sional man, unless he keep continually in close touch with the progress of the educational world, soon loses his grasp of the situ- ation, and is entirely unfitted to oversee the details of the work of a corps of teachers. No members of the community recognize this fact more clearly than do the school committees; and, in consequence, the members of school boards are almost unani- mous in favor of expert supervision.
By far the most important part of the Superintendent's work consists of arranging the studies in the different grades, so that the work in a given grade shall lead up to the next higher grade as naturally as one page in a text-book follows another. By this careful adjustment of studies to the requirements of the pupils, the standard of our schools may be raised ; while without it they are almost certain to become fixed in ruts and drop behind the times.
The Superintendent is also expected to take charge of all books and supplies belonging to the schools, to compile the school sta- tistics, and to keep and preserve the individual record of all pupils as they pass through the different grades. 95 per cent. of the schools of Massachusetts are under school superintendents.
Before leaving the subject, let me quote from the latest report of the Secretary of the State Board of Education : --
" By so much as human minds and souls transcend in value the products of human hands, by so much does the need of the schools for competent supervision transcend the need of the factory. No sane corporation would let its workshop drift, and no sane human community should let its schools drift without a directing and unifying head."
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FOUR YEARS OF HIGH SCHOOL WORK.
The legislature of 1898, by the enactment of Chapter 466 of the Public Statutes, defined conclusively what should constitute a high school under the meaning of the law. A high school within this meaning shall maintain at least one course of studies of four. years' duration ; and this course shall be such as to enable pupils to enter the State normal schools, technical schools, and colleges.
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