USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Mendon > Town annual reports of the officers of Mendon, Massachusetts 1889-1909 > Part 29
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$1,033 28
Town officers
485 40
Roads and bridges
1,800 00
State roads
701 82
Snow bills
31 45
Swan's bridge
137 92
Printing
66 30
Taft Public Library
165 00
Town Hall
146 96
Schools
2975 00
Poor
965 00
Chapter 447. Acts of 1890, M. W. Cummings 8 00
374, ' "1899 488 00
$9,004 13
The selectmen report that the available assets of the town are as follows :-
Due from Uxbridge, chapter 447; Acts 1890. $ 8 00 M., A. & W., Street Railway Co. 146 84 66
collector of taxes, 1899 66 1900
18 84
273 50
66
1901
895 69
66 state aid to soldiers, Chapter 374, Acts 1899 to Jan. 1, 1902 480 00
Due from state aid to soldiers to March 1, 1902. 84 00
state treasurer, balance corporation tax 37 86
Cash in hands of treasurer 484 II
Total, $2,428 84
IO
The liabilities of the town, so far as known, are as follows ; Outstanding bills estimated $200 00 Due town officers, estimated. 215 00
" Austin A. Taft, 2 notes, schoolhouse loan 1,000 00
" Milford Savings Bank, I note
1,000 00
$2,415 00
Net balance in favor of town
13 84
$2,428 84
LIST OF JURORS.
John L. Davenport,
Edward L. Smith,
George R. Ford,
Erwin A. Snow,
Charles H. Allen,
Daniel H. Barnes,
Moses U. Gaskill,
John M. Towne,
Henry M. Goldthwaite,
Edward A. Whiting,
Clarence A. Taft,
Thomas F. Kelley,
Samuel W. Wood,
Luther W. Holbrook.
Respectfully submitted, LIBERTY FREEMAN, GEO. M. TAFT, EDWARD C. KINSLEY, Selectmen of Mendon.
HIGHWAY SURVEYOR'S REPORT.
The Highway Surveyor submits the following report for the year ending March 3, 1902.
He debits himself with cash on 24 orders
$2,116 03
He credits himself by paying the following bills :-
Charles B. Williams, for labor with teams
$374 40
L. E. Wheeler,
121 00
W. T. Claflin,
66
66
16 00
John M. Towne,
66 on repairs
216 74
Dennis Kelley,
66
41 65
Clarence Moores,
66
66
117 78
Henry Moores,
66
66
29 50
Harry Cooke
،٠ '66
66
34 12
Harry Taft,
66 66
66
10 05
Jarvis Thayer,
80 75
Jesse Esty,
15 25
Arthur Esty,
1 75
Alderman Č. Cook,
66
66
66
3 30
Milo Gaskill,
66
66
13 30
Waterman Taft,
6.
66
66
66
4 10
Joseph Scrivens,
66
66
66
2 25
E. L. Cooke,
3 15
Charles Gould,
66
66
66
50
Carlton Scott,
66
66
7 00
Lewis L. Wood,
2 00
Timothy Curley,
66
66
9 75
Walter Gaskill,
1 00
John C. Wood,
66
66
66
2 25
Andre Southwick,
66
66
66
2 00
Frank Taft, as highway surveyor
364 92
N. H. Scott,
for gravel
2 00
F. Melvin Burr,
I 28
Irvin Barrows,
66
66
6 24
A. W. Gaskill,
66
66
5 32
Adrian Scott,
66
66
14 48
Elizabeth O. Wood,
66
6 08
A. D. Davenport,
1 52
66
210 87
Thomas H. Peirce,
66
66
66
66
66
66
66
66
I2
Frank Bemis, for gravel.
$ 6 64
Frank H. Wood,
66
5 04
Muriel A. Wheelock, " 66
3 20
Lewis B. Gaskill,
13 12
Mrs. H. F. Pond,
66
23 84
George M. Taft,
I 76
Mary M. Dudley, 66
66
IO 64
P. P. Cook,
" bridge planks
7 25
Francis F. Taft,
66
" timber, 5 25
66
66
I 50
Milford & Uxbridge Street Railway, repairing bridge Curley & Ahern, for repairing bridge ..
50 37
H. H. Lent, for guide boards
2 50
R. Folger, for printing and painting
3 75
George M. Taft, for blasting on Uxbridge road ..
37 50
George M. Taft, for part payment for wall at Men- don pond.
25 00
Clark Ellis & Sons, supplies
28 90
D. H. Barnes,
40
J. Allen Rice,
60
M. J. Reynolds
20
Williams & Williams, advice
1 00
Jesse A. Taft, יי
2 00
E. C. Barry, repairs.
8 15
$1,991 19
Cash on hand
84
$2,002 03
SNOW BILLS.
March 14, 1901.
Frank Taft, labor on snow
$12 50
John M. Towne 66 66
4 80
I. O. Rhodes
4 80
Edward Cook 66 66 6 6
I 60
Luther Holbrook 66
50
Dennis Kelley 66 66
3 80
Liberty Freeman, cash paid out.
2 00
Darius Henry, labor on snow
2 00
$32 00
Cash left over
55
$31 45
O. B. Young, J. E. Camp,
" repairing bridge
IO 28
20 00
13
SWAN'S BRIDGE.
Rupert T. Bates, for bridge plank
$44 70
E. C. Barry,
irons 4 35
C. A. Fletcher, for poles and posts. 5 00
Frank Taft, for labor
10 00
Chas. Allen «
12 50
John M. Towne, for labor
7 00
Dennis Kelley
7 00
C. B. Williams
2 00
$92 55
Team work
$540 40
Appropriation for general repairs. .... $1,800 00
Amount expended for general repairs $1,800 00
66 " clearing road of snow 31 45
Received from the selectmen, for labor on the Mil- ford, Woonsocket & Attleboro St. Ry. Co.'s road 146 84
Received from the Selectmen, as half payment for bridge by A. C. Cook's barn 45 19
Amount expended on Swan's bridge 92 55
$2,116 03
Respectfully submitted, FRANK TAFT, Highway Surveyor.
Feb. 15, 1902.
COLLECTOR'S REPORT.
DR.
Balance uncollected Feb. 18, 1901 ..... $23 49
Interested received. 8 47
$31 96
CR.
By cash paid Treasurer. $31 96
GEO. M. TAFT, Collector of Taxes, 1898.
DR
Balance uncollected Feb. 18, 1901
$157 86
Interest received. 13 14
$171 00
CR.
By cash paid Treasurer.
$128 96
Abatements
23 20
Balance uncollected
18 84
$171 00
GEO. M. TAFT, Collector of Taxes, 1899.
DR.
Balance uncollected Feb. 15, 1901 $766 37
Interest received. 24 74
$791 II
15
CR.
By cash paid Treasurer
$478 95
Abatements
38 86
Balance uncollected, Feb. 15, 1902 273 50
$791 II
GEO. M. TAFT,
Collector of Taxes, 1900.
DR.
To taxes, committed for collection $7,821 54
Extra assessment 42 93
Interest received
34 22
$7,898 69
CR.
By cash paid Treasurer. $6,978 44
Abatements
24 56
Balance uncollected, Feb. 15, 1902 895 69
$7,898 69
GEO. M. TAFT,
Collector of Taxes, 1901 .
Mendon, Feb. 15, 1902.
REPORT OF THE OVERSEERS OF POOR.
The Overseers of Poor submit the following report for the municipal year ending March 3, 1902 :
John W. Barry, Dennis Holland, Edna Allen, Edna French, Annie J. Bates, Abram P. Scribner, John B. Mellen, (having a settlement in Mendon, ) Alice W. Staples, (belonging to Hopedale,) Geo. Farrar and family, (to Northbridge,) William James Phillips, (a state charge,) have been wholly or partially supported.
The Overseers charge themselves with the receipt of the following named funds, belonging to the town : Balance on hand
$ 33 42
Ten town orders
965 00
Town of Hopedale, support of Alice W. Staples 34 28
$1,032 70
The Overseers credit themselves with paying the following amounts :
For support of :-
John W. Barry
$169 46
Dennis Holland
169 46
Edna Allen
150 00
Edna French
21 00
Annie J. Bates
2 50
Abram P. Scribner
208 00
John B. Mellen
58 00
Alice W. Staples.
88 24
Geo. Farrar
5 00
William J. Phillips
4 00
Erwin A. Snow, care of 372 tramps
55 80
Sundries
90
" wood for tramp house
8 00
66
" extra expense I tramp 1 00
I 30
A. V. G. Pond, wood for lockup.
I 50
C. A. Fletcher, 66
4 00
P. P. Cook 66 66
4 75
stove and furniture
I7
G. P. Walcott, 3 comforters $ 3 00
Geo. R. Ford, services
6 00
Liberty Freeman Cash on hand to balance
37 50
33 29
$1,032 70
From the whole amount paid for the support of the poor.
$999 41
Deduct what was due for the support of the poor to March 4, 1901 126 30
What has been paid out for Alice W. Staples $88 24
What has been paid out for George Farrar 5 00
What has been paid out for William J. Phillips 4 00
97 24
$775 87
Add what will be due for support of the poor, to March 3, 1902 134 00
Cost of supporting the poor for the year ending March 3, 1902
$909 87
Respectfully submitted, LIBERTY FREEMAN, GEORGE R. FORD, Overseers of the Poor.
Mendon, Feb. 17, 1902.
$873 II
REPORT OF TOWN CLERK.
DOGS REGISTERED IN 1901.
86 male dogs
$172 00
10 female dogs
50 00
$222 00
Registration fees
$19 20
Paid County Treasurer
201 00
Cash on hand
1 80
$222 00
BIRTHS REGISTERED IN 1901.
DATE OF
BIRTH. 1901.
NAME OF CHILD.
PARENTS.
Feb. 2, William Henry Leach,
Feb. 8, Marion Bouchard,
Feb. 22, Martha Caroline Lowell,
Feb. 23, Helen Amanda Taft,
Mar. 14,
Hazel Josephine Stenson,
Mar. 29, Charles Cole Towne,
Apr. 4,
Esther Eldredge,
Apr. 14, Ernest Robert Goss,
May 21, Albert E. Southwick,
May 22, Stella May Henry,
May 31, Odina May Vallequette,
July 23,
Chester Albert Gaskill,
July 23, Carleton Proctor Gaskill, July 31, Margaret Hoagland,
Aug. 30, Horace Merrick Thayer, Grace Willian Barrows, Clayton Ellis Parkinson,
Sept. 8,
Oct. 12, Muriel Ernestine Tucker, Nov. 27, Nov. 27, Ralph Rittmann Cook, Beatrice Fleming.
William H. and Nellie Leach. Ozias and Emma Bouchard. Freeman C. and J.Grace Lowell. George M. and Emma A. Taft. Joseph H. and Nellie T. Stenson. John M. and Kate M. Towne, Alfred C. and Leaphie Eldredge. Charles B. and Corinne F. Goss. Albert E. and Harriet F. South- [wick.
Darius D. and Susan Henry. John and Odina Vallequette. Milo A. and Ethel M. Gaskill. Milo A. and Ethel M. Gaskill. Napoleon S. and Julia Hoagland.
Aug. 5, Isabelle Louise Harrington, Mich. T. and Mary J.Harrington.
Sept. 1,
George E. and Minnie F.Thayer. Frank E. and Ellen E. Barrows. Geo. A. and Beatrice A. Parkin- [son.
Ernest L. and Alice Tucker. Lyman and Wilhelmine Cook.' Charles P. and Julia E. Fleming.
19
MARRIAGES REGISTERED IN 1901.
DATE OF MARRIAGE. 1901.
NAME OF GROOM AND BRIDE. RESIDENCE.
January 1, James E. Sprague,
Lincoln, R. I.
Mary E. Southwick.
Mendon.
January 24,
Joseph Brown,
Mendon.
Providence, R. I.
May 29,
Harrison Warren Gay,
Hopedale, Mass.
Miranda Emma Hill.
Mendon.
August 24,
John Lucas,
Uxbridge, Mass.
Grace Elmy Horton,
Uxbridge, Mass.
November 4,
John Hoggarth,
Mendon.
Sarah Frances Towne,
Worcester, Mass.
DEATHS REGISTERED IN 1901.
DATE OF DEATH. 1901.
NAME.
AGE.
Y.
M.
D.
Jan. 19.
Semantha Lucy Coleman,
67
9
19
Mar. 1.
Mary A. Quigley,
60
-
-
Mar. 7.
Sarah Angeline French,
30
10
15
Mar. 9.
Edward Dudley,
71
2
22
Apr. 10.
Carrie Beal,
18
11
7
Apr. 10.
Albert W. Ham,
82
3
16
Apr. 11.
Samuel F. Gardner,
71
1
16
Apr. 29.
William Henry Leach,
2
28
May 10.
Melissa Blanchard George,
34
8
13
June 22.
Aldrich Barton Cook,
81
9
27
Aug. 10.
Jennie Rooney,
30
7
10
Sept. 26.
Robert J. Ferris,
63
1
3
25
Oct. 30.
Paul Aldrich Wheeler,
80
3
20
Nov. 7.
David Fisher Holbrook,
60
10
5
Dec. 20.
Abigail Bennett,
84
11
16
Respectfully submitted,
HORACE C. ADAMS,
Town Clerk.
Mendon, Feb. 15, 1902.
Sept. 13.
Mary T. Rawson,
60
Sept. 29.
Richard William Odlum,
23
June 27.
William R. Warner,
75
2
Annie Dunford,
TWENTY-FIRST ANNUAL REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES OF TAFT PUBLIC LIBRARY.
The Trustees submit the following report :
The board reorganized April 20, 1901. Miss Annie E. Kinsley has served the town satisfactorily as librarian the past year and has been engaged for another year. Her report is submitted herewith. The books were examined February 3, current, and found accounted for and in satisfactory condition. Seven books have been destroyed, or condemned, from fear of infection. The library was reopened February 8, 1902.
During 1901 three copies of the Annals of Mendon were sold.
The Legislature of 1900 authorized the Mass. Free Public Library Commission to supply free public libraries, in towns whose valuation did not exceed six hundred thousand dollars, with books, to the value of one hundred dollars. The Trustees of this library made application for such gift and the commission granted it, sending us in October, 1901, 45 volumes, value $41.09, and placing to our credit $58.91, to be delivered at some future time. The Trustees would call attention to the books already received from this source. They are largely historical and biographical and are especially valuable to the scholars in our public schools.
The Messages and Papers of Presidents, given by Mr. Hay- ward, are costly works, that will be appreciated by students of political history. The works on Art and kindred studies, given by Mrs. George, are a welcome addition to that department.
The thanks of the citizens are tendered to all who have contributed books or magazines of any kind, to the library dur- ing the past year.
The trustees recommend an appropriation of one hundred and seventy-five dollars for the use of the library the ensuing year.
JULIUS A. GEORGE, HORACE C. ADAMS, LIBERTY FREEMAN, FRANK H. WOOD, ELMER E. SHERMAN. Trustees of Taft Public Library.
Mendon, Feb. 15, 1902.
2I
TO THE TRUSTEES OF THE TAFT PUBLIC LIBRARY :-
The Library was reopened Feb. 9, 1901, for the delivery of books.
The total number of books given out by the Library during the year was 4,600. The largest delivery any Saturday was 116; the smallest number 61. Average 90.
The delivery by divisions was as follows: Agriculture I ; biography 67; documents 3; fiction 3,877; history 75; poetry 51 ; miscellaneous 61 ; periodicals 326; religion 13; science 73 ; travels 53.
The total number of books in the Library is 4,339, 186 hav- ing been added the past year. Of these 186 volumes, 94 have been purchased by the town and 92 contributed.
One was given by E. E. Sherman; one by Massachusetts society for promoting Agriculture; 7 by the Secretary of the Commonwealth ; 3 by Mrs. H. W. Brown; 8 unbound volumes by J. A. George, which have since been bound; I by the Inter- state Commission; 2 by United States Museum; I by Rev. Carlton A. Staples ; 41 by Massachusetts Free Public Library Commission ; 10 by Mr. Harry Hayward of Uxbridge ; a collec- tion of 17 on Art, Drawing and Painting by Mrs. Melissa U. George.
Respectfully submitted,
ANNIE E. KINSLEY, Librarian.
TREASURER'S REPORT.
Report of the Treasurer of the Trustees of the Taft Pub- lic Library for the year ending Feb. 1, 1902.
DR.
Balance from 1901, $5 45
Cash received on three town orders,
165 00
Annie E. Kinsley, fines and cards, I 30
$171 75
22
CR.
Cash paid the W. B. Clarke Co. for books, $86 88
M. O. Withey,
2 75
66 J. A. George, 3 24
66 . 66 A. H. H. Warren & Co. for binding,
7 74
66
G. M. Billings, for paper and printing,
10 00
66 M. U. Gaskill, for wood,
4 00
J. A. George, for cash paid,
1 50
66 Annie E. Kinsley, for services as librarian,
50 00
Cash on hand,
5 64
$171 75
Respectfully submitted, HORACE C. ADAMS, Treas.
Mendon, Feb. 15, 1902.
AUDITOR'S REPORT.
I have examined the accounts of all the Town officers and committees, who have received or disbursed funds belonging to the town for the Municipal year ending March 3, 1902, and find them correctly kept and with proper vouchers.
NATHAN R. GEORGE.
Mendon, February 17, 1902.
-
REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
OF THE
TOWN OF MENDON,
FOR THE
SCHOOL YEAR 1901='02.
MILFORD, MASS .: COOK & SONS, PRINTERS, JOURNAL OFFICE. 1902.
ORGANIZATION OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE, 1901-1902.
FRANK H. WOOD, Chairman, Term expires 1903 NAPOLEON S. HOAGLAND, Secretary, " 66 1904
LEONARD E. TAFT, 66
66 1902
SUPERINTENDENT, ELMER E. SHERMAN.
TRUANT OFFICERS,
EDWARD C. KINSLEY, LYMAN COOK,
ELMER E. SHERMAN.
SCHOOL COMMITTEE REPORT.
TO THE CITIZENS OF THE TOWN OF MENDON :-
The report of your School Committee for the current year is herewith presented.
The financial statement shows the receipts for the year and the expenses paid. The schools in the center having been closed three weeks in the winter term on account of sickness has called for less expenditure, for the time being, but it will require an additional outlay for the coming year in order to make up the time lost. However, the amount received from the state school-fund has been increased over $200 more than that of the year before. Accordingly the appropriation for the coming year may be reduced. Twenty-seven hundred dollars it is thought will be sufficient and the board recommends that amount.
Each year confirms the conviction of all patrons of the Cen- ter schools that the paramount need of the town is a new school- house. Aside from considerations of better educational facil- ities and more healthful conditions for the pupils, a new school building would speak as nothing else does for the character and credit of the town. While it would increase taxes slightly, an attractive and serviceable school building would add to the town's resources. With the electric cars bringing thousands of people through the center and across our borders, attracted by the beau- tiful scenery and the healthful location, there will be a growing desire on the part of many, to become temporary or permanent residents here. But the better class of people, especially if they have children, will hesitate to locate where the school facilities are inferior and a menace to the health of the pupils. Hence it would seem that from considerations of public welfare and pri- vate interest a new school building is demanded. It is no longer a question as to whether the town can afford it. The real ques- tion now is how long can the town afford to be without it?
Your attention is called to the Superintendent's report for an outline of school methods and aims, together with sugges- tions worthy of consideration.
4
FINANCIAL STATEMENT. RECEIPTS.
Appropriation $2,975 00
Balance on hand.
4 07
From state school fund
738 08
From state on Supt.'s account
416 67
For desks, clock and stove sold
12 00
Tuition
35 00
Dog tax
185 52
$4,366 34
EXPENDITURES.
Teachers' salaries
$2,034 50
Superintendent
623 37
Janitors, and care of rooms.
97 55
Fuel
135 25
Transportation
324 00
Text-books
195 25
Supplies
69 16
Incidentals
283 87
Estimate of expenses to Mar. I
237 00
$3,999 95
Balance on hand, Mar. 1, 1902,
$366 39
Teachers :-
Adelaide E. Flagg, Primary $ 10 50
Mabel Sherman, Primary 120 00
Mary E. Dudley, Primary
178 50
Mary E. Peffers, Grammar
360 00
William G. Park, High
223 50
Ruth B. Cornwell, North
126 00
Edward F. Blood, High
264 00
Alma S. Seavey, Albeeville
275 00
Lillian Porter, East.
297 00
Edith Rockwell, North
180 00
$2,034 50
Superintendent-II payments
623 37
Paid in 10 payments, or school year $566 70
Received from state for school year 416 67
Net cost of Supt. for year $150 03
Fuel :-
Edward H. Taft, I cord wood 4 00
Herbert Wright, sawing and splitting 2 00
5
Frank H. Wood, fitting and housing $1 75
W. N. Thompson, I cord oak wood 5 00
P. S. Coffin, I cord wood 5 00
Frank H. Wood, 2 cords wood. 9 00
Nathan Daniels, fitting and housing same 3 50
E. H. Taft, 1-2 cord hard wood
2 50
Lewis Bates, 1 1-4 cords wood
6 00
Philip S. Coffin, 1 1-4 cords wood.
7 50
Harold Curtis, 4 1-2 tons coal
33 00
Harold Curtis, 6 tons coal 56 00
$135 25
Transportation :-
A. I. Barrows
174 00
Geo. M. Taft
150 00
$324 00
Care of Rooms :--
Janitors-Fred A. Snow, Center
30 00
Ruth B. Cornwell, North
7 00
Edith Rockwell, North
10 00
Alma S. Seavey, Albeeville
16 00
Lillian M. Porter, East
16 50
Cleaning Rooms :-
Lutheria M. Alger, Center
6 30
Lutheria M. Alger, Albeeville 5 00
Elizabeth Head, North
5 00
Mrs. Sylvester Cook, East
I 25
Willard A. Alger, chimney cleaning, Albeeville 50
$18 05
$97 55
Text Books :-
Edward E. Babb & Co
$4 00
D. C. Heath & Co
39 09
Ginn & Co
II 29
Educational Publishing Co
5 25
American Book Co
63 32
Thompson, Brown & Co
4 17
Allyn & Bacon.
18 13
Leavenworth & Green, Historical charts
50 00
$195 25
Supplies : --- J. L. Hammett Co
$5 04
Howard Chemical Co 1 75
$79 50
6
L. E. Knott Apparatus Co $7 31
The Holden Book-cover Co. 8 00
E. E. Sherman-Perry Picture Co 2 75
George S. Perry & Co 44 31
$69 16
Incidentals :-
East Mendon school house,
George S. Perry & Co., furniture
$96 81
Otis Whitney & Son, labor
7 90
Z. C. Field, lumber
12 76
E. A. Snow, fence
9 75
Norris & Staples, paint, etc
5 18
W. H. Bennett, painting
3 48
Avery & Woodbury, curtains
17 15
George S. Perry & Co., flag staff
4 00
R. C. Eldridge, clock
6 00
-
$163 03
N. S. Hoagland :-
School census.
$7 00
Secretary school committee
10 00
Postage
I 30
Paid for sundries
87
Paid for painting fence
3 65
$22 82
L. E. Taft, cleaning and repairs.
3 85
F. H. Wood,
Paid for repairs
$1 93
Services as school committee
I 25
$3 18
E. A. Snow, cleaning vaults, etc
3 50
Heywood Bros., chairs, high school
15 00
E. H. Taft, lumber and labor
I 75
Paid for express, freight, traveling
$15 67
Paid for stationery
3 54
$19 21
G. M. Billings, printing
I 80
H. S. Farnum, stove pipe.
2 88
Florence Driscoll, labor
13 25
Clark Ellis & Sons, hardware
9 10
E. L. Smith, use of well
7 00
George E. Thayer, use of well
2 00
J. W. Estey, use of well
3 00
E. E. Sherman,
7
Graduation expenses :-
The Beale Press, diplomas
$6 00
G. M. Billings, 300 programs 3 50
Joseph Dudley, janitor work I 00
Julius A. George, carpenter work 1 00
E. E. Sherman, diploma ribbons
1 00
12 50
$283 87
Respectfully submitted, FRANK H. WOOD, LEONARD E. TAFT, NAPOLEON S. HOAGLAND, School Committee.
SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT.
TO THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE OF MENDON :-
Gentlemen :- The eighth annual report of the present Su- perintendent of Schools is hereby presented.
This report covers the school year-September, 1900 to June, 1901.
THE WORK OF THE YEAR.
The table on page 14 gives in detail the facts, which for convenience are here expressed in round numbers :
Average membership 147
Average attendance 136
Per cent. of attendance 93
Compared with previous year :
Average membership, increase. 13
Average attendance, increase 14
Per cent. of attendance, increase 2
The increase in the per cent. of attendance is gratifying. It shows that the interest in the schools is not flagging. The num- ber of excuses has decreased slightly while the tardy marks have increased, especially in the primary school, which was larger than formerly, and suffered from changes in teachers during the year. I hope that the present year will show a decided decrease in the number of tardy marks and dismissals, and a gain in the per cent. of attendance as well. When the attendance is regu- lar and punctual good business habits are being formed and the scholars are present to receive the benefit of the school appropri- ation.
The East school leads in highest per cent. of attendance and in least number of tardy and dismissal marks, followed by the Grammar and the North, in the order named.
The only change of teachers during the year was at the Primary School, a change unavoidable through the illness of the
9
regular teacher, Miss Mary E. Dudley, whose efficient service was greatly missed.
The teachers worked faithfully, evincing great interest not only in their schools. as a whole but in the progress of the indi- vidual child as well. To understand and to sympathize with the point of view of each child is a most valuable quality in a teacher; it springs from her personality and finds its best ex- pression as she becomes acquainted in the, community and when few daily recitations and classes of moderate size give her the op- portunity to devote herself to this important side of her professional work. The personal influence of the teacher in the moral, mental and physical development of the individual child is the most valuable and enduring element in education. It is obvious that we should not only, select teachers of good character, high cul- ture and broad sympathies, but that we should endeavor to re- tain them a sufficient length of time to reap the benefits which accrue from their close acquaintance, with the pupil and his en- vironment. ..
Our list of teachers for September, 1901, bears six names. Five out of the six have devoted two or more years beyond the high school to preparation for their work, one being college and four normal trained.
In the regular work English, mathematics and history re- ceived emphasis. Something was done in, drawing, a subject that aims to develop the executive power of the pupil, whereas the usual branches train the reflective side of his mind .; Think- ing without doing is not as well as thinking and doing. Some learned people amount to very little in the world because they have little ability to do anything. Thinking and doing, the first is essential and the second no less so, if success in life be the goal sought. Drawing properly taught requires the scholar to think and then, to execute,
A recitation of a lesson that simply calls for a statement of certain facts learned from a book tests the memory and is good as far as it goes. The teacher, however, should question the pupil to lead him to form judgments and to draw conclusions, to reason. The teacher should question that the student may be led to observe and to properly express what he has observed-to think and to talk upon his feet., All this takes time, more time than a recitation of fifteen minutes or so, will allow ..
The following is a copy of a recent program from the Grammar school, giving. the arrangement of studies and the daily time devoted to each by, the four classes in that room.
PROGRAM, GRAMMAR SCHOOL, JANUARY, 1902.
Recitation begins.
Length in minutes.
Entire School.
Grade VIII.
Grade VII.
Grade VI.
Grade V.
8.45
10
Devotions. Current Events.
8.55
10
9.05
20
9.25
20
Arithmetic.
9.45
05
Gymnastics.
9.50
20
Arithmetic.
10.10
20
Arithmetic.
10.30
10
Recess.
10.40
20
11.00
20
English.
IO
11.40
20
12.00
60
1.00
15
1.15
15
1.30
20
Hist. or Geog.
1.50
20
Hist. or Geog.
2.10
15
2.25
10
2.35
20
2.55
15
3.10
20
3.30
Close
Spelling. Recess.
Reading.
Reading.
Reading.
Reading.
NOTE-One arithmetic class omitted each day for penmanship or drawing. Physiology takes the place of reading Friday. History three lessons, geography two, each week.
English.
11.20
20
English.
English.
Noon Recess.
Geography.
Hist. or Geog.
Arithmetic.
II
The following is a program for a grammar school of two grades. A comparison of the two schedules will show clearly the advantage of the two-class arrangement, in that it gives longer time for the recitation, or oral work of the pupils with the teacher. The teacher can stand before her class better pre- pared upon ten lessons than upon twenty.
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