USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > West Bridgewater > Town annual reports of the selectmen, overseers of the poor, town clerk, and school committee of West Bridgewater for the year ending 1880-1890 > Part 7
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11 50
George Shaw, tolling bell,
2 50
Selectmen's travelling expenses,
33 10
William H. Jennings, as Justice of Peace. and filling blanks, 5 61
Howard & Clark,
14 25
James Howard,
1 44
Selectmen's book, stationary, etc ..
9 10
George M. Pratt,
18 66
Davis. Copeland, gravel,
5 40
O. Ames & Sons,
1 25
Albert Copeland.
8 50
Elihu Leonard.
2 00
Total, Appropriation for 1882,
$484 83
500 00
TOWN OFFICERS.
James Howard, town clerk, $39 23
J. A. Shores, superintendent of schools, 125 50 Henry Copeland, selectman, assessor
and overseer of the poor, 187 00
Molbry A. Ripley, selectman, assessor and overseer of the poor, 98 00
S. H. Howard, selectman, assessor and overseer of the poor, 52 00
. Amount carried forward, $501 73
13
Amount brought forward, $501 73
George M. Pratt, collector, 150 00
Charles R. Packard, 2 00
Albert Copeland, school committee,
14 50
Eli Wheeler, constable,
10 50
William A. Linehan, constable and sup- pression of crime, 53 75
Lucius Dunbar, constable and suppres- sion of crime, 10 75
William H. Jennings, constable, suppres- sion of crime, 4 00 Total, $747 23
Appropriation for 1882,
700 00
STATE AID.
The following named persons have received state and military aid :
James P. Gallagher,
$72 00
Charles T. Morse,
54 00
Francis W. Wood,
54 00
Patrick Dorgan,
72 00
John A. Freese,
54 00
William H. Jennings,
48 00
Lucius Dunbar, 72 00
Bradford Packard,
63 00
William A. Linehan,
36 00
Benjamin Phillips,
30 00
Charles E. Churchill,
54 00
Ellis R. Holbrook,
15 00
Thomas R. Alexander and wife,
42 50
Mary E. Howard,
48 00
Mary E. Kingman,
48 00
Salome Stetson,
48 00
Lucinda S. Lothrop,
48 00
Hannah R. Stanley,
48 00
Harriett S. Bouldry,
48 00
Mary J. Reeves,
48 00
Amelia H. Gilmore.
48 00
James S. Card,
24 00
$1,074 50
14
MILITARY AID.
Timothy W. Fisher,
$16 00
William B. Smith,
48 00
$1,138 50
TREASURER'S ACCOUNT.
RECEIPTS.
Balance in Treasury Feb. 1, 1882,
$2,524 16
Mark Dunbar, to note,
500 00
Francis Dunbar, 1,200 00
F. E. Howard, to note,
500 00
H. H. Whitman, to note,
800 00
Molbry A. Ripley, to note, 200 00
H. C. Pratt, to note,
100 00
Henry Copeland, to note,
100 00
Molbry A. Ripley, to note,
100 00
Henry Copeland, to note,
600 00
Balance of corporation tax,
70 25
Bank tax,
802 26
Received from Milo Howard,
40 00
Subscription for High school,
41 50
Tax for 1882,
11,376 15
Corporation tax,
645 32
J. C. Leighton, to note,
200 00
Old State aid,
18 00
State aid,
860 50
Military aid,
63 00
Income from State school fund,
232 12
Six per cent. on 1881 taxes received after Oct. 15, 1881, 138 00
Redemption of W. E. Bird's tax and expenses,
5 50
Old stove,
1 10
Dog fund, 224 16
$21,342 02
15
EXPENDITURES OF TREASURY.
State tax. $1,040 00
County tax.
1,029 48
F. E. Howard, note and interest,
508 00
Francis Dunbar, note and interest.
1,227 00
Henry H. Whitman, note and interest,
807 00
Henry Copeland, note and interest.
722 08
Molbry A. Ripley, note and interest,
206 00
Mark Dunbar, note and interest.
526 25
Discount on taxes for 1882,
682 57
Abatement of taxes.
108 88
Library,
317 55
Incidentals,
484 83
Town officers,
747 23
Support of schools,
4,018 64
School repairs,
598 35
Poor out of. House,
722 40
Town farm,
779 80
Highways.
2,737 68
State aid,
1,074 50
Military aid,
64 00
Old cemeteries,
15 76
Howard lectures.
100 00
$18,518 40
Balance in treasury.
2.823 62
$21.342 02
GEORGE M. PRATT, Treasurer.
1
16
CONDITION OF TREASURY.
Cash on hand,
Uncollected taxes,
$1,273 62 1,550 00
$2,823 62
Due from State for state aid furnished, military aid furnished,
1,074 50
64 00
66
Stoughton,
32 00
66
Braintree,
86 11
Bridgewater,
17 00
.،
Wareham,
52 28
State for state paupers,
73 70
In favor of treasury,
$1,399 59
There is also in the hands of the treasurer be-
longing to the library, the East Bridgewater
Savings Bank book of about
$787 00
AUDITORS' ACCOUNT.
We, the undersigned, have examined the accounts of the treasurer of West Bridgewater for the year ending February 1, 1883, and have found them properly cast and vouched for.
HEMAN COPELAND, BENJAMIN HOWARD, ~ Auditors. S. N. HOWARD,
17
LIST OF JURORS FOR 1883.
As prepared by the Selectmen.
Herbert Alger,
Charles T. Howard,
Charles Atwell,
Benjamin B. Howard,
Horace Bartlett,
Wallace C. Keith,
Davis Copeland,
William A. Linehan,
Henry Copeland,
John A. Millett,
Heman Copeland,
George M. Pratt,
Lucius Dunbar, Japhet Packard,
Edward W. Hayward,
Sylvester Rice,
Linus E. Hayward.
William F. Ryder,
Jonas G. Hartwell,
Justin W. Richards,
Frank Copeland,
Erland Thayer,
James Howard,
Henry N. Thayer,
Clinton P. Howard,
Thomas P. Ripley,
Francis E. Howard,
Leavitt T. Howard,
Abiel Washburn,
Samuel L. Ryder.
WE RECOMMEND THE TOWN TO APPROPRIATE :
For the support of the poor, $1,300 00
support of schools, 3,000 00
school repairs and school incidentals. 400 00
highways, 2,500 00
town officers, 700 00
town incidentals,
600 00
public lectures, 100 00
repairing old cemeteries, 50 00
memorial services, 50 00
The next annual town meeting will be held on Monday, the 12th day of March next, at 1 o'clock, P. M., 1883.
HENRY COPELAND, Selectmen,
MOLBRY A. RIPLEY, Assessors and
SAMUEL HI. HOWARD, ) Overseers of Poor.
West Bridgewater, February 1, 1883.
3
REPORT OF THE ROAD COMMISSIONERS.
We have endeavored to expend the appropriation for the roads where it was most needed, and in such a manner as would give the best results for the amount expended, taking in consideration the future as well as the present condition and use of the roads.
In regard to new roads, we viewed the private way leading from Main to George street, where we were peti- tioned to lay out a road, but did not, as we could not obtain sufficient land of the abutters to make a street of proper width without expense to the town.
We have laid out a road as petitioned for, north of C. N. Martin's, and have expended the sum of one hundred and twenty-five dollars towards building it. We reccommend that the remainder of the appropriation for new roads be expended on this road.
A request has been made to us to call attention to the following bridges: The one known as Larkin's bridge is narrow and inconvenient ; the bridge near Edward Hay- ward's is very narrow; and the one near Nathan Alger's is so located as to make a bad crook in the road.
We also eall attention to the narrow and dangerous condition of Main street in the swamp, between Campello and Pine Hill cemetery.
19
GUIDE BOARDS.
The Road Commissioners recommend that guide boards be maintained at the following places :
Joshua T. Ryder's,
Molbry A. Ripley's,
Justin W. Richard's.
James Alger's furnace,
Joseph Kingman's,
('yrus P. Brown's,
Lewis Ryder's,
Joseph Alger's,
Pine Hill cemetery,
Barnabas Dunbar's,
Charles Howard's,
Stillman W. Hersey's.
West of almshouse,
Dwelley Forbes's.
Edmund Gerry's,
Benjamin Howard's,
Pardon Copeland's.
George Wilbur's,
North Center school-house,
John B. Holmes's,
Heman Copeland's,
G. R. Drake's store.
Nahum Leonard's,
Center post-office,
J. Q. Hartwell's,
Gardner's corner,
John Walker's, (2.)
Waldo Howard's.
STATEMENT.
Balance of appropriation for 1881, unexpended February 1, 1882,
$697 73
Appropriation for 1882,
2,500 00
Total.
$3,197 73
Expended:
('learing roads of snow. Feb. 1882. 8398 31
.. Jan. 1883. 54 45
Repairs on roads and bridges, 2.163 12
2.615 88
Balance unexpended,
8581 85
Appropriation for new roads. Amount expended,
$200 00
125 00
Balance unexpended. $75 00
DAVIS COPELAND.
EDWARD TISDALE.
Road Commissioners.
JOHN L. HAYWARD.
REPORT OF THE PUBLIC LIBRARY.
There has been added to the library by purchase during the past year, 121 bound volumes and 9 periodical maga- zines, and a donation from W. Latham, Esq., of Bridge- water, of a copy of his new book, entitled "Epitaphs, Bridgewater." A very interesting book for reference to those persons who are descendants of the original settlers of the old town, and has data by which they may connect the historical parts and epitaphs therein with places and families of the present time. Said volume may be consulted at the rooms on the days which the library is open.
The following exhibit will show the receipts and expenses for the library for the year prior to January 31st, 1883 :
Received of Town Treasurer the proceeds of the
dog tax, dividend for 1881, $200 79
Also from the library fund, 74 21
Received on the original subscriptions, for sale of catalogues, cards, etc., 7 65
2 00
" fines by delinquents, 19 42
Total receipts,
$304 07
21
EXPENSES PAID.
To Estes & Lauriat, for books, $102 23
S. A. Rich, subscription for 9 mag- azines. 29 00
For a copy of Webster's Dictionary,
13 50
binding books,
13 65
printing.
10 50
insurance on the library,
12 00
fuel and other current expenses of the room, 17 55
librarian's salary, 99 50
To J. Burrell for rent of his room, April to November, 1881, 5 00
Total expenses for the year,
§302 93
Balance in the treasurer's hands, 1 14
$304 07
By the librarian's memoranda it appears that the aver- age weekly distribution of books from the library during the last year has been about 122 volumes, divided among the various classes of subject matter in the following ratio, viz: Fiction, about 58 per cent. ; juvenile, about 19 per cent .; travels, about 3 per cent .; humorous and bicgraphy. about 23 per cent. each: general literature, 2 per cent .; magazines, about 7 per cent .; and all other classes combined, about 5 per cent.
The Trustees propose making an addition to the library soon, consisting principally of standard works on different subjects, thereby augmenting its permanent value, and which will make an additional draft upon the funds of the library.
They also recommend that the town shall make an appropriation to meet the current expenses of the Public Library.
They think it cannot consistently do less than to appropriate the income of the dog tax annually for that purpose. Respectfully submitted,
JAMES HOWARD.
For the Trustees of the Public Library.
TOWN CLERK'S REPORT.
Marriages Recorded in West Bridgewater in 1882.
March 29. Frank Hayward and Maria White, both of West Bridgewater.
August 6. Sumner B. Churchill, of West Bridgewater, and Sarah B. Barnes, of Brockton.
Sept. 6.
George B. Freeman, of Mansfield, and Carrie E. Evans, of West Bridgewater.
Nov. 1. Charles Everett Packard and Eugenia Emine Young, both of West Bridgewater.
Nov. 11. Ernest W. Lindsey, of West Bridgewater, and Elizabeth H. Gurney, of East Bridgewater.
Nov. 12. James Copeland, of West Bridgewater, and Martha A. Warner, of Taunton.
Nov. 24.
Lucius R. Churchill, of West Bridgewater, and Cora J. Pool, of East Bridgewater.
Dec. 27. Frank S. Tisdale and Marioit K. Packard, both of West Bridgewater.
Dec. 30. Thomas M. Alexander and Matha E. Price. both of West Bridgewater.
Births Recorded in the Town of West Bridgewater in 1882.
DATE OF BIRTH.
NAME OF CHILD.
SEX.
NAMES OF PARENTS.
1882.
Elton H. Beals.
.
.
Male. ·
George C. and Fanny Beals. William H. and Mary E. Wilson.
February
15
William A. Wilson. ·
.
·
.
Horatio S. and Olive B. Shaw.
March
9
Charles Horatio Shaw.
.
·
17
Peter Hagan.
Lulu Bernice Penpraes. Annie S. Winberg.
6.
.
Malo.
William F. and Etlen W. Ryder. .
June
2
Peter Keenan.
Arthur F. Weston. Robert Quinlan.
Patrick and Margaret Quinlan.
July
23
Roy Sutherland Planche. James Galvin.
Henry and Jennie Planche. Michael and Anna Galvin. Ralph and Eugenia F. Barker. Henry D. and Jenny F. Groves. .
September
9
Warren A. Linehan.
·
Samuel H. and Sophia A. Pittsley. Nellie Norcross.
..
13
15
Philip Kent.
Male.
Female. .
.
·
.
66
28
- Burk.
.
·
Charles E. and Clara A. Burk.
November 3
Charles D. Cunningham.
Male.
John W. and Mary Cunningham.
.
Female.
Peter and Mary A. Hagan. William and Catherine Penyra s. August and Sophia Winberg. Daniel and Joanna Lynch.
April
6
May
1
Catherine E. Lynch. . Henry Payson Ryder.
·
.
·
.
.
Female.
August
21
Cornelia Clark Barker. Waldo A. Groves.
Male. .
William A. and Joanna Linehan.
October 66
4
Edward I. Pittsley.
7
James Norcross. Augusta Swanson.
Male .- Illegitimate Female.
Alfred and Anna Swanson. Philip and Margaret Kent. William B. and Annie C. Ames.
17
Georgianna Ames.
24
Eveline Alice Hayward.
.
.
.
·
.
Peter and Mary Keenan.
23
Hiram E. and Mary F. Weston.
23
24
24
20
George E. and Susan A. Hayward.
January
19
24
12
Deaths Registered in the Town of West Bridgewater in 1882.
Date of Death.
Name of Deceased.
Age.
Place of Birth.
Disease.
Names of Parents.
1882.
Y.
M.
D.
Jan. 13
Henry W. Perkins
86
2
4
66
23
Pardon Copeland
78
10
16
West Bridgewater Pembroke, N. H.
Consumption
Feb.
22
Jason A. Kelly
79
6
66
28
Abbie A. Howard
53
9
West Bridgewater
Cancer
Mar. 2 ..
6
Rebecca Dunbar
75
8
24
Easton
Dropsy
..
16
William Dunn
45
Ireland
Consumption
William and Elizabethi Dunn.
21
Joseph W. Howland
18
8
19
East Bridgewater Dover, N. H.
Asphyxia
William and Eliza Dean. Daniel E. and Chloe Brown.
May 20
Cyrus P. Brown
58
1
18
Plainfield
Chronic Hepatitis
June 3
Chastina S. Towle
73
1
27
Canaan, N. H.
Dementia
21
Chloe Field
82
6
7
Nortlı Bridgewater
Old age
July 19
Frank B. Howard
29
1
16
West Bridgewater
Accidental drowning
24
Harry Payson Ryder
2
12
26
John S. Kelley James Conlon Aaron Millett
29 26
10
66
10
Eugene Sullivan
3
7
20
Worms and fever
Philip and Mary Sullivan.
15
Mary L. Howard
65
10
5
Toralysis
23
8
2
48
7
25
Nervous Prostration & Phthisis | Monomania
Oct. 66
15
George A. Clark
4
7
20
Easton
Diptheria and Croup
21
Bertha V. Groves
2
3
1
Boston
Congestion of Brain Plıthisis
Wm. H.and Harriet M. Jennings.
66
30
Charles A. Keith Nancy N. Brainard
61
3
10
West Bridgewater
Pneumonia
Austin and Mehitable Keitlı.
Dec. 4 16
Francis Copeland
78
11
17 West Bridgewater
Catarrhal fever & old age
Asa and Persia Copeland.
27
Charles A. Phillips
44
9
Sutton, Mass. Ireland
Old Age
Antonio Phillips. David and Alice Doney.
28
Ellen Clarke
93
JAMES HOWARD, Town Clerk.
24
Aug. 6
73
1
24 West Bridgewater 15 Leeds, Me.
Paralysis & Apoplexy
Perez and Mary Williams.
Sept. 4 9
Dora J. Howland Helen C. Pratt Jeremiah Donaher
25
Ireland
John and Clarissa K. Howland. Jonathan and Hannah Copeland. Michael and Margaret Donaher. Otis S. and Mary Clark. Henry D. and Jennie F. Groves.
Nov. 15
Joseph H. Jennings
31
4
Raynham
59
4
12 West Bridgewater
Uramia
Ephraim Sampson.
Pneumonia
Daniel and Bathsheba Perkins. Salmon and Betsey Copeland. John and Rachel Kelly. Albe and Louisa Howard. Samuel and Annie Ryder. Jerathuel Hayward (the father).
George D. Ryder
63
14
West Bridgewater
Pneumonia & consum'n
Quick consumption
John and Clarissa K. Howland.
Apr. 2
James W. Dean
47
3
West Bridgewater Ireland
Internal canker
Consumption
Consumption
12
West Bridgewater West Bridgewater
Cerebral Meningitis
15 East Bridgewater West Bridgewater
Daniel and Mary Morse. Barzillai and Martha Field. Geo. L. and Rosanna P Howard. William F. and Ellen W. Ryder. Stephen and Ann Kelley. Owen and Ann Conlon. Zebulon and Deliverance Millett.
Sangersfield, N.Y.
Old age and debility
Pnenmonia
Report of the School Committee.
In conformity to law the school committee of the town of West Bridgewater hereby submit their annual report :
ORGANIZATION.
Lucius Dunbar. Clinton P. Howard. Terms expire, 1883.
Joseph E. Ryder. Albert Copeland. Terms expire, 1884.
William A. Linehan. Marcus F. Delano. Terms expire 1885.
The board organized by the choice of Lucius Dunbar chairman, and Albert Copeland secretary. The schools were assigned to the committee as follows :
East to Mr. Ryder.
South to Mr. Howard.
Centre to Mr. Dunbar.
Cochesett to Mr. Delano.
Jerusalem to Mr. Linehan.
North and North Centre to Mr. Copeland.
Chose J. A. Shores superintendent of schools.
Chose J. E. Ryder, C. P. Howard and M. F. Delano a committee on repairs.
Chose Messrs. Delano and Copeland truant officers.
Chose Mr. Dunbar to employ the teachers for High school.
Chose Mr. Copeland to act with the superintendent in the examination of candidates who wish to enter the High school.
4
26
CONDITION OF THE SCHOOLS.
The financial year of the schools ends with the fall term ; the school year, as reported to the secretary of the board of education, ends with the winter term; thus in our reports to the town the winter terms have been but partially reported. For this report the school year corresponds to the financial year, and the last winter terms being in part twice reported. The schools have, as far as practicable, remained in charge of the same teachers who had charge of them at our last report, and thus has the efficiency and uni- formity been promoted. The changes have been as follows : "Miss Frawley has been transferred to the East, in place of Mr. Wentworth, resigned; Miss Tinkham succeeding Miss Frawley in the Jerusalem. In separating the High school class from the Centre Grammar, Mr. Barker went with the High School to the Howard Seminary building; Mr. Gard- ner succeeding Mr. Barker in the Centre grammar.
Although our schools can never attain to that degree of excellence that we could wish, yet in looking over the past year's work we can see that it has been a gain over previ- ous years. The teachers have been diligent and faithful in their work, and in most cases have been sustained by the parents and patrons of the schools; of course, there have been some cases where injudicious parents have attempted to step in between pupils and teachers, but the committee have been prompt to stand by the teachers and sustain them in maintaining proper order and discipline, in most cases with satisfactory results. For a definite and detailed re- port of the work done in the schools, we call your attention to the report of the superintendent of schools, which accom- panies this report.
HIGH SCHOOL.
It will be remembered that in the last report of the super- intendent, he suggested the separation of the High school class from the Centre Grammar, and that both might be ben-
27
efitted thereby; and that at the last annual meeting of the town a representative of the trustees holding the How- ard funds appeared and proposed that if the town would raise $500 for the support of the High school, the trust- ees would find a building to accommodate the school, and furnish such other support as might be needed to carry the, school through the year, and thought they might assume its entire support. The town accepted the offer, and the High school was transferred to the Howard building, where it has since been in successful operation. The course of teaching has been systematic and thorough, and the progress made creditable to pupils and teacher. The trustees have lately issued a prospectus for the opening of the Howard Semin- ary, on the 5th of September next, free to all the inhabi- tants of the town. It is hoped that the youth of the town will not be backward in availing themselves of the facilities which this institution offers to obtain the basis of a good education.
CONDITION OF SCHOOL PROPERTY.
The committee confided the repairs, and in this depart- ment of their work. to a sub-committee on repairs. At the East improvements have been made in the system of venti- lation. At Cochesett the primary school-room has been en- larged and improved, and apparatus introduced for ventilating the whole building; the roof has been shingled and house put in partial repairs. At Jerusalem a well has been dug and means used to use the water, which with other minor repairs and furnishings have considerably ex- ceeded the appropriation made for this purpose.
The committee on repairs have examined the school prop- erty relative to the needs for the ensuing year, and recom- mend that the East house be shingled and repairs made at an estimated cost of $75; an outbuilding and repairs at the North at a cost of $120; at the South repairs to cost $125; at Cochesett. $35; for repairs at the Centre, $30; for repairing black-boards where needed, $100, and $100 for miscellaneous repairs and furnishings, amounting to a total of $580. And therefore recommend that the towu raise $600 for repairs and furnishings for the ensuing year.
28
FINANCIAL REPORT.
EXPENDITURES.
Paid teachers for common schools,
$2,931 21
of High school, 661 00
for fuel, care of houses and incidentals, 336 97
" balance to East Bridgewater. 89 54
Total,
$4,018 72
RECEIPTS.
Town grant, 1882,
฿3,000 00
High school,
500 00
Massachusetts school fund,
232 12
Remainder of appropriation for High school class, 1881,
119 50
Subscriptions for High school class,
41 60
Total,
$3,893 12
Overdrawn from treasury,
125 60
$4018 72
Expenditures for Repairs.
Paid for repairs and alterations at East,
$59 57
Cochesett, 403 93
יי
well, pump, etc., at Jerusalem,
63 00
small repairs and furnishings,
67 65
$594 15
Receipts.
Town grant, 1882,
$400 00
Overdrawn from treasury,
194 15
$594 15
We recommend that the town raise the sum of $3000 for the support of schools the ensuing year, which with the $600 asked for repairs, will be $325 less than asked last
29
year, and $300 less than the town voted. These sums, if proper economy and care are exercised, should be enough to defray the cost of the schools without overdrawing from the treasury.
There were on the first day of May last 324 scholars in the town. The terms of service to which Messrs. Dunbar and Howard were elected expires with the present school year. Therefore at the next annual meeting of the town there must be elected two members of the board of school committee for three years. All of which is respectfully submitted.
LUCIUS DUNBAR, CLINTON P. HOWARD, M. F. DELANO, School
WILLIAM A. LINEHAN, Committee.
ALBERT COPELAND, J. E. RYDER,
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT.
TO THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE :
Gentlemen-The schools have nearly completed another successful year. There have been no very marked or sudden changes, but a gradual improvement. There is more uniformity in the teaching, the standard of scholarship has advanced, and the order has been more generally gocd.
Eight of the schools began the year with the same teachers as last year. The discipline and rapid progress of these schools show the wisdom of retaining good teachers as long as possible. The work of a teacher is worth more the second year than the first, and ought to increase in value each year.
The High school in its large and beautiful room has made steady progress. Every one who will visit the school and become acquainted with the faithful work there performed, by both teacher and pupils, will be convinced that the town acted wisely in supporting the school this year. But this is not all; the influence of the school has been felt in all of the lower schools. The teachers have a more definite purpose, and the interest and ambition of the pupils have been aroused to prepare for a higher school.
The changing of the High school to the Howard semi- nary building was very beneficial to the Center schools. There were enough of the advanced pupils to make a good grammar school, and the crowded primary school, thus reduced in numbers has been changed from the most difficult to one of the pleasantest schools in the town.
Last year the Cochesett primary was crowded, but a class was sent up stairs in the spring, and the room enlarged. The character of the school has changed. The teaching is good. the discipline excellent. Both of these primary teachers labored last year under great disadvantages, but. this year have shown what they can do under more favorable circumstances.
31
The Center grammar school has done good work, and has been very quiet and orderly.
In the East, the teacher has shown the same good ua ities in managing a large school as the small one at Jerusaleum.
In the spring term the teacher at Jerusalem lost the control of the school, but regained it in the fall term. The school appears well this term, though at each of my visits there have been only three or four pupils present.
The Cochesett grammar school lost a valuable teacher in Mr. Schurch, but it seems to be making progress this term, and there has been less friction and complaint than I anticipated.
Meetings of the teachers were held during the spring and fall terms, according to your vote. These were well attended by most of the teachers. It was not my purpose to dictate any particular methods of teaching, but to discuss the different ways and leave each teacher free to select those by which she could do the best work. Teachers must not rest on past laurels, and those satisfied with their present attainments are no longer fit to teach. Most of the teachers have realized these truths, and have tested in their own schools the suggestions of others.
Free-hand drawing has been successfully introduced into several of the schools. As no system has been adopted by the committee, the teachers have used such books as they could easily obtain. I should prefer to see the elements, at least, taught from the black-board, but as all of the teachers may not be competent to do that, it would be well to adopt some system for all of the schools. In this, as in every new thing, we are too apt to be impatient for results. Pupils write year after year, and if there is a little improvement, all are satisfied; but teachers and pupils are discouraged over the first term's drawing books. Only time and practice will give the pupil an accurate eye and the control of his hand.
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