USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Hamilton > Town of Hamilton Annual Report 1913 > Part 3
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4
To Osgood J. Kimball, rental and salary to September 30, 1913, 37 50
To Almy, Bigelow & Washburn, books purchased, 31 26
$118 76
December 20, 1913. Paid Warrant No 4, as follows :
To Frank C. Norton, for team used in carting books to and from South Hamilton branch, 2 times at $1.00 per round trip, $ 2 00
For expressage paid by him for 6 months' P. O. box rental, 70
To Almy, Bigelow & Washburn, books purchased, 22 83
65
TOWN REPORT.
To Edward L. Perley, for bind- ing books, 13 80
To A. L. A. Publishing Board, for A. L. A. Booklet, 1914, 1 00
To Grace C. Stone, salary to Dec. 31, 1913, 50 00
To Osgood J. Kimball, rental and salary to Dec. 31, 1913, 37 50
$128 08
Note-The above warrant alsoin- cluded a charge of $10 to Allen Fund Income account.
October 4, 1913. Paid for express on books to bindery, per F. C. Norton, out of cash in hand re- ceived for sale of old magazines, 25
Regular appropriation - Total of 4 Warrants, plus cash paid as above, $556 39
December 31, 1913. Balance to credit of Library Trustees, 247 92
$804 31
DR. JUSTIN ALLEN FUND.
A. Principal Account.
January 1, 1913. Capital amount on deposit in Salem Five Cent Savings Bank, $500 00
66
TOWN REPORT.
B. Income Account. DR.
January 1, 1913. Balance on hand in Merchants National Bank, Sa- lem, $15 86
March 20, 1913. Income received
from Allen Fund, deposited, 10 00
October 18, 1913. Income received
from Allen Fund, deposited, 10 00
$35 86
CR.
April 5, 1913. Paid Almy, Bigelow & Washburn, books purchased (see Warrant No. 1), $25 45
December 20, 1913. Paid Almy, Big- elow & Washburn, books pur- chased (see Warrant No. 4), 10 00
December 31, 1913. Balance to credit of Trustees in Merchants Na- tional Bank, Salem, 41
$35 86
H. AUGUSTA DODGE FUND.
A. Principal Account.
January 1, 1913. $1,000 United Fruit
Co., 4 1-2 per cent. bond at cost, $963 13 Balance of original legacy on deposit in Merchants National Bank, Salem, 36 87
$1,000 00
67
TOWN REPORT.
B. Income Account. DR.
January 1, 1913. Balance on hand in Merchants National Bank, Sa- lem,
$68 82
March 27, 1913. Interest from bond, 22 50
July 1, 1913. Interest from bond, 22 50
$113 82
CR.
July 2, 1913. Paid Almy, Bigelow & Washburn, annual subscrip- tions to magazines for Read- ing room (see Warrant No. 2), $51 60 December 31, 1913. Balance to credit of Trustees on deposit in Mer- chants National Bank, Salem, 62 22
$113 82
REGINALD C. ROBBINS,
E. and O. E.
Treasurer.
Police Department.
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen :
Gentlemen :- I have the honor to submit my report of the Police Department, from April 28, to Dec. 31, 1913.
Whole number of arrests during my term, 29 ; divided as follows :
Males, 29
Residents, 16
Females,
0
Non-Residents, 13
Americans,
18
Adults, 29
Foreigners,
11
Minors, 0
RECAPITULATION.
Crimes against the person,
5
Crimes against property,
1
Crimes against good order,
23
Persons committed to station,
19
Persons arrested on warrants,
10
(68)
69
TOWN REPORT.
AGGREGATE TERM OF IMPRISONMENT.
House of Correction,
Reformatory at Concord (1),
3 months Indefinite period
OFFENCES.
Assault,
5
Drunkenness,
14
Forgery,
1
Larceny,
1
Neglect of family,
2
Vagrancy,
3
Violation auto law,
3
29
DISPOSITION.
Appealed,
1
Continued cases,
1
Discharged by Court by payment of costs,
1
Fined and paid,
3
Fined and continued for payment,
1
House of Correction,
3
Placed on file,
4
Probated,
3
Reformatory, Concord,
1
Released,
9
To officers of other cities,
2
29
70
TOWN REPORT.
MISCELLANEOUS.
Accidents reported,
3
Broken wires reported,
1
Buildings found open,
4
Complaints received about,
112
Complaints investigated,
107
Cruelty to animals investigated,
2
Dead bodies cared for,
2
Defective streets and sidewalks reported,
2
Defective wires reported,
1
Disturbances suppressed,
13
Dogs reported lost and found,
3
Dogs killed,
4
Fires extinguished without alarms,
1
Fires discovered and alarms given,
3
Intoxicated persons taken home,
3
Injured or sick persons assisted home,
3
Lights extinguished in buildings,
7
Letters received and answered,
27
Locked up for safe keeping,
2
Lost children restored,
3
Medical attendance on prisoners,
1
Money found on prisoners,
$23 87
Nuisances abated,
3
Officers attendance at Court,
44
Property reported stolen, value,
$57 00
Property recovered and found, value, 41 40
Permit to spray, 2
Report to Prison Commissioners,
1
Street obstructions removed, 1
Assisting officers of other cities and towns, 8
71
TOWN REPORT.
INVENTORY OF TOWN PROPERTY.
5 Police coats,
$50 00
5 Police helmets, 12 50
5 Police badges,
5 00
5 Police billeys,
5 00
5 Pairs handcuffs,
15 00
5 Flash lights,
7 50
1 Police record book, 5 00
IN CONCLUSION.
I desire to thank the Honorable Board of Selectmen, the Town Clerk, Samuel A. F. Whipple, Judge George B. Sears, of the First District Court of Essex, and all others who have assisted in any way in promoting the welfare of this department; also all members of the Police force for their efforts in trying to uphold the welfare and reputation of the Town.
Respectfully submitted, JOSEPH MERRILL, Chief of Police.
72
TOWN REPORT.
List of Appropriations as Recommended by the Selectmen.
Highways,
$5000 00
Street watering or oiling,
2500 00
Street lighting,
5000 00
Road roller,
1000 00
Guard rail,
300 00
Sidewalks,
600 00
Poor deparment,
2000 00
Soldiers' relief,
150 00
State aid,
700 00
Military aid,
150 00
Decoration day,
50 00
Town hall,
1800 00
Fire department,
500 00
Cemetery,
300 00
Tree warden,
300 00
Salaries and fees,
4500 00
Police department,
1500 00
Library,
400 00
Snow removing,
2000 00
Board of Health,
500 00
Brown-tail and gypsy moth,
2500 00
Town and schoolhouse loans,
1980 00
Interest on said loan,
650 00
Bonding officers,
130 00
Assessors' department,
100 00
Schoolhouse note,
Miscellaneous,
1000 00
Schools,
14,000 00
Total,
$49,610 00
Warrant for the Annual Town Meeting.
Essex, ss. To either of the Constables of the Town of Hamilton.
GREETING:
In the name of the Commonwealth of Massachu- setts, you are directed to notify and warn the inhabi- tants of the Town of Hamilton, qualified to vote in elections and in Town affairs, to meet in the Town Hall in said Town, on Tuesday, the tenth (10th) day of March, nineteen hundred and fourteen, at six (6) o'clock in the forenoon, then and there to act on the following articles :
ARTICLE 1. To bring in your ballots for
Moderator for one year. Town Clerk for one year. One Selectman for one year. Overseers of the Poor, Board of Health, and Fence Viewers, for one year. Treasurer for one year.
(73)
74
TOWN REPORT.
Auditor for one year.
Tax Collector for one year.
Tree Warden for one year. Three Constables for one year.
One Assessor for three years.
One School Committee for three years. One Trustee of Public Library for three years. One Cemetery Commissioner for three years. One Park Commissioner for three years.
And to vote on the following:
Shall licenses be granted for the sale of intoxi- cating liquors in this Town for the coming year? Yes or no.
All on one ballot. The Polls will open at six (6) o'clock and close at ten (10) o'clock in the forenoon.
ART. 2. To choose or appoint all other Town Officers in such manner as the Town may determine.
ART. 3. To hear the Reports of the Town Offi- cers and act thereon.
ART. 4. To raise and appropriate money for the repairs of highways, Town ways and Bridges, and all other Town expenses, and to determine the manner of spending the same.
75
TOWN REPORT.
ART. 5. To see if the Town will accept Railroad Avenue Extension as laid out by the Selectmen and appropriate a sum of money to grade and gravel the same. Petition of J. Jeddrie and others.
ART. 6. To see if the Town will accept Lincoln Avenue as laid out by the Selectmen and appropriate a sum of money to grade and gravel the same. Petition of M. S. Lovering and others.
ART. 7. To see if the Town will accept Park Street Extension so called as laid out by the Select- men and appropriate a sum of money to grade and gravel same. Petition of Fred R. Haskell and others.
ART. 8. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Selectmen to place street lights on Moulton Street from the last light now in place to Sagamore Street. Petition of Charles W. Smith and others.
ART. 9. To see if the Town will appropriate the sum of $200 for the benefit of the Norman fund being the amount donated by Mr. Norman in 1912 and not used in that year.
ART. 10. To see if the Town will vote to petition the Bureau of Statistics for an audit of their accounts and the installation of an accounting system in accordance with Chap. 598, Acts of 1910, as amended by Chap. 706, Acts of 1913.
76
TOWN REPORT.
ART. 11. To hear the report of the water com- mittee and take action thereon.
ART. 12. To hear the report of the committee on acquiring land for High School and play ground.
ART. 13. To see what action the Town will take toward furnishing a supply of water for the South School.
ART. 14. To see what action the Town will take toward the construction of a cellar under the South School Annex.
ART. 15. To see what action the Town will take toward repairing the South School and Annex.
ART. 16. To see what action the Town will take towards raising and appropriating a sum of money not to exceed fifty (50) dollars for the purpose of observing Decoration Day by the Soldiers of the Rebellion.
ART. 17. To see if the Town will authorize the Treasurer, with the approval of the Selectmen, to borrow during the current municipal year, beginning March 10, 1914, in anticipation of the revenues for said municipal year, such sums of money as may be necessary to meet the current expenses of the Town, giving the note or notes of the Town therefor.
77
TOWN REPORT.
ART. 18. To see if the Town will authorize the Collector to use all means of collecting taxes which a Town Treasurer when appointed Collector may use agreeable to Chapter 25, Section 75, of the Revised Laws.
ART. 19. To determine what time tax bills shall be issued and taxes become due, and take any action thereon.
ART. 20. To act on any other matters that may legally come before said meeting.
And you are are directed to serve this warrant by posting attested copies thereof, one at the Meeting House, one at the Town Hall, and one at the South Hamilton Post Office, in said Town, seven days, at least, before the time of holding said meeting.
Hereof fail not and make due return of this war- rant, with your doings thereon, to the Town Clerk, at the time and place of holding said meeting.
Given under our hands this twenty-fourth day of February, A. D., 1914.
GEORGE W. FITZ, A. C. CUMMINGS, GEORGE H. GIBNEY,
Selectmen of Hamilton.
SCHOOL REPORT.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
OF THE
TOWN OF HAMILTON
1913-1914
A
EX.
HAMILTON
HAM
A
TS.
INCO
21.1793ยท
P
UN
SALEM, MASS. BARRY PRINTING CO. 1914.
School Committee's Report.
Annual report of the School Committee of the Town of Hamilton for the year 1913-1914.
ORGANIZATION.
GEORGE K. KNOWLTON, Chairman, Term expires 1916
ROBERT ROBERTSON, JR., Secretary, 1915
C. AUGUSTUS NORWOOD, . 1914
GEORGE K. KNOWLTON, Purchasing Agent. HENRY G. BLOUNT, Superintendent to close of last school year.
ELDRIDGE SMITH, Superintendent present school year. JOHN G. CORCORAN, M. D., School Physi- cian.
1
REPORT.
FINANCIAL STATEMENT. (Closed December 31, 1913.)
Amount appropriated for Schools,
$15,600 00
Dog Tax,
260 65
Tuition from City of Boston,
82 50
Supplies, scholars' tickets, telephone calls,
17 03
Special appropriation for repairs and painting,
400 00
Special appropriation for insurance on South schoolhouse, 240 00
$16,600 18
(3)
4
SCHOOL REPORT.
PAID TEACHERS.
Mr. Henry G. Blount, Principal and Superintendent,
$927 50
Mrs. Laura D. Blount, 375 00
Miss Gladys Ferguson,
599 38
Miss Florence M. Holmes,
668 75
Mrs. Margaret P. Buell,
769 70
Miss Susan E. Knapp,
537 56
Miss Margaret A. Wallace,
332 88
Miss Marian L. Richardson,
317 81
Miss Edith L. Fletcher,
575 00
Miss Annie Chase, 548 90
Miss Nelly G. Cutting,
484 80
Mrs. Grace C. Stone,
484 80
Miss Ruth P. Barrows,
276 00
Miss Flora Lipson,
287 50
Mr. Henry L. Stone,
200 00*
Miss Gladys Daggett,
169 00
Mr. E. W. D. Merrill,
412 50
Miss Lillian L. Russell,
215 62
Miss Ellen E. Bennett,
217 10
Miss Mildred F. Wildes,
217 10
Miss Julia E. McLaren,
199 20
Miss Julia E. Connolly,
197 30
Miss Rachel H. Steele,
153 90
Mrs. M. G. Pearson, substitute,
31 75
Miss Grace D. Rowland, substitute,
11 25
$9,210 30
5
SCHOOL REPORT.
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS.
H. G. Blount, Superintendent to June 30, 1913, wages included under teachers. Eldridge Smith, Superintendent to December 31, 1913, $200 00
SCHOOL PHYSICIAN.
John G. Corcoran, M. D., to December 31, 1913, $125 15
JANITORS.
James H. Perron, South Schoolhouse, $780 00
Arthur C. Rowe,
4 00
Sylvester Day, East 66
30 00
Karl T. Smith, North
30 00
Alfred Shadbott, West 66 30 00
N. W: Nutter, Centre
29 00
$903 00
FUEL.
T. A. Moynihan,
$816 18
I. F. Knowlton, 54 00
G. M. Adams, 7 00
$877 18
6
SCHOOL REPORT.
SCHOOL SUPPLIES.
Edward E. Babb & Co.,
$501 75
Ginn & Company, 109 15
American Book Company,
76 20
J. L. Hammett Company,
29 90
Library Bureau, 20 00
D. C. Heath & Co.,
18 79
Oval & Koster,
15 60
Horace E. Andrews,
10 68
C. H. Congdon,
8 35
Remington Typewriter Co.,
3 15
Wright & Potter Printing Co.,
3 00
O. J. Kimball,
3 62
8800 19
MISCELLANEOUS.
C. A. Peterson, stock and labor on schoolhouses, 8128 64
Robert Robertson Co., steam and plumb- ing work, 85 86
W. L. Smith, sanitary work, 98 70
N. E. Telephone & Telegraph Co., tele- phone service, 62 42
Beverly Gas & Electric Co., electric power and light, 50 34
John W. Goodhue, hardware supplies, 48 86 A. C. Cummings, team and freight, 54 69
Flash Chemical Co., school room sup- plies, 35 00
7
SCHOOL REPORT.
Frank E. Burnham, mason work, $48 47
Fred C. Schaller, printing, 19 50
John McCaughn, stock and labor for schools, 34 54
John B. Hill & Son, cleaning clocks, 5 50
James H. Perron, team and cash paid out, 9 90
Oscar A. Wood, services as truant officer, 21 99
Alfred Shadbott, extra work at West school, 8 50
Hamilton Hardware Store, hardware supplies, 8 33
N. W. Nutter, extra work at Centre school, 7 00
E. A. Lane, glass and setting, 6 49
W. F. Colesworthy, stock and labor at East school, 4 00
W. W. Bancroft, repairs at South schoolhouse, 2 90
Fred Berry, work with team at East school, 4 20
H. G. Blount, cash paid out, 1 75
George Checkett, Jr., electric supplies, 2 45
W. S. Lee, electric supplies, 2 00
Eldridge Smith, paid for telephone,
45
W. J. Daley, school room supplies,
3 05
Peoples Express Co., expressage,
50
B. & M. Railroad, freight, 75
Henry Bushek, Inspector of boilers, 2 00
Mrs. J. F. Pitman, labor at North school, 6 00
F. P. Trussell, repairs on schoolhouse, 1 70
8
SCHOOL REPORT.
Barry Printing Company, printing. $ 5 75
Arthur C. Damon, school furniture, 2 50
Somerville Brush Co., school room sup- plies. 15 30
District nurse. professional service. 50
N. G. Cutting, school yard supplies. 75
C. E. Whipple, manure,
3 00
Zina Goodell, boiler room supplies, 2 15
Florence A. Schaller, typewriting work, 1 10
F. J. Barnard, rebinding books, 4 68
W. G. Webber Co., window shades, 19 40
Irving W. Allen, printing study lists, 3 75
Dustbane Mfg. Co., school room supplies, 5 25 Sylvester Day, labor on school yards and expressage, 8 50
S. C. Gould. schoolroom supplies, 11 02
A. C. Lunt Estate, school furniture. 9 75
John R. Mann, team for use of Supt. 28 00 Philip Sculley. iron work for boiler room, 1 85 Robert Robertson, Jr., services as secretary of committee, 25 00
Robert Robertson, Jr .. use of auto in school work. 10 00
George K. Knowlton, repayment of cash paid out, 15 32
George K. Knowlton, repairs and special work, 9 25
George K. Knowlton, procuring teachers. 24 00
George K. Knowlton, purchasing agent and clerical work, 73 50
George K. Knowlton, taking and tabu- lating school census, 25 00
9
SCHOOL REPORT.
George M. Adams, setting trees and
sanitary work, 43 42
Albert A. Dodge, 20 Maple trees for school yards, 15 00
$1,130 22
TRANSPORTATION OF SCHOLARS.
George K. Knowlton, for scholar's
tickets,
$45 00
Mildred E. Smith, 22 00
Bessie M. McGregor,
23 00
Elizabeth B. Curran,
23 20
Daniel D. Curran,
15 80
Bertha M. Johnson,
7 80
Edith F. Fitz,
7 80
Marion A. Crowley,
7 80
David L. Haskell,
3 90
$156 30
SPECIAL WORK.
Wm. W. Bancroft, repairs and painting East and West schoolhouses, $114 71
Alfred T. Poole, repairs and painting Centre schoolhouse, 102 00
Frank P. Trussell, stock and labor on
North schoolhouse, 128 20
Fred Berry, grading North school yard, 68 70
$413 61
Special appropriation, 400 00
Exceeding appropriation, $13 61
10
SCHOOL REPORT.
INSURANCE.
Insurance on the South schoolhouse for $8,000 which expired February 3, 1913, has been renewed for five years at the cost of $240 00
RECEIPTS.
Total receipts,
$16,600 00
TOTAL PAYMENTS.
Paid teachers,
$9,210 30
Superintendent Smith,
200 00
School physician,
125 15
Janitors,
903 00
Fuel,
877 18
School supplies,
800 19
Transportation of scholars,
156 30
Miscellaneous,
1,130 22
Special work,
413 61
Insurance,
240 00
$14,055 95
Balance on hand December 31, 1913,
$2,544 23
SCHOLARS' TICKET ACCOUNT.
George K. Knowlton, received for pur- chase of scholars' tickets, $45 00
11
SCHOOL REPORT.
Balance from December, 1912, $10 46
$55 46
Paid B. & M. R. R. Co., for scholars'
tickets, 26 00
Balance on hand December 31, 1913, $29 46
ESTIMATE FOR SCHOOLS, 1914-1915.
The following is an estimate of the amount of money that should be raised and appropriated by the Town for all public school purposes for the municipal year 1914-1915, $14,000.
The South schoolhouse should be painted during the summer vacation, and the committee recommend an appro- priation of $350 for that purpose.
In presenting our report for another financial year, we are pleased to say that much has been done in the interest of the schools. At the close of the school year in June, Mr. Blount resigned his position of Superintendent of schools and principal of the High school, and accepted a position in the Higgin's Classical Institute at Charleston, Maine. Mr. Eldridge Smith was engaged to fill the vacancy of superin- tendent, and Mr. Evan W. D. Merrill was selected for prin- cipal of the High school. Both are doing splendid work.
The special two thousand dollars appropriated last year has provided us with the necessary amount of money to carry us down to the annual Town meeting in March, when the school appropriation will be made for another year.
The balance on hand December 31st, 1913, of $2,544.23, will be sufficient to pay the teachers and all other ordinary
12
SCHOOL REPORT.
expenses for the months of January and February, 1914, so that the amount of appropriation that we recommend for the schools for the year should be sufficient for the municipal year which closes on the second Tuesday in March, 1915.
The special appropriation of $400 for repairs and painting the district schoolhouses has been expended and the houses put in good condition.
Twenty English maple trees have been set in the East, West and North school yards.
In a circular issued in December by the Hamilton Board of Health, and containing a report from the State Board of Health, of the analysis they caused to be made of water taken from several wells at South Hamilton, we find the fol- lowing statement: "The waters of all these wells were found to be polluted, many of them to such an extent as to be unsafe for domestic use.
Among these the worst were the wells at the South school and several others in that locality.
The further use of these wells should be prevented."
Now, whatever action the public at large may take in regard to this matter, it is the duty of the school committee to protect the schools from everything that would be a source of injury or danger to them.
In the interim before any action can be taken at Town meeting as to a supply of good water, the committee has ar- ranged for a supply of drinking water of known purity.
For the work and progress of the schools the committee is pleased te refer to the report of the Superintendent.
GEORGE K. KNOWLTON, ROBERT ROBERTSON, JR. C. AUGUSTUS NORWOOD,
School Committee.
13
SCHOOL REPORT.
Superintendent's Report.
To the School Committee of the Town of Hamilton,
GENTLEMEN :
I have the honor to submit for your consideration my first annual report.
My term of office began so recently that I have hardly had time to get a clear idea of the problems which you are trying to solve. My report therefore must be very general in its nature. I have visited all the schools and found the work running about as smoothly and as well as the present conditions will allow.
CASES OF INEFFICIENCY.
In my opinion the schools of Hamilton are not as good as they should be. The children are not getting a square deal. A child living in Hamilton should have just as good an opportunity to make the most of himself as the one living in Beverly. Bold and ignorant of the conditions would be the person who would say that a boy's opportunity in the schools of Hamilton is equal to that of a boy's in Beverly or is at all commensurate with the town's wealth and resources.
A few instances will bring to your attention what is meant. Take the matter of first grade instruction. In the outside schools a first grade pupil receives about thirty min- utes of actual instruction per day. The rest of the time- four hours and a half -is absolutely wasted, even worse than wasted because these young children are subjected to conditions which at their best tend to wreck them physically. Thirty minutes of instruction, four hours and a half of waste
14
SCHOOL REPORT.
per day! Four first grades are at present suffering in this way. Inefficiency is stamped on any system which allows such waste.
A condition little better than that of the first grades ex- ists in all the primary grades of the outside schools. From three-fifths to four-fifths of the total time spent in school is wasted. In the upper grades the waste is greatly lessened because the pupils have acquired the ability to study by them- selves. Nevertheless the waste is far from being eliminated.
The West School offers a special case of inefficiency in our system. Last October two Italian boys were enrolled, neither of whom could speak English. It is evident that such children need special help from the teacher. Such help under present conditions cannot be given. The teacher has six grades under her care. She cannot do much more. The boys receive about thirty minutes of her time per day. We can never hope to give such boys as these the necessary training for American industrial, civic and social life unless we provide special means.
PROMOTIONS.
For years educators have been trying to do away with or at least to modify the lock-step system of yearly promotions. Different schemes are now in vogue. Yearly promotions are easily administered but quite often do not take into consid- eration that the schools exist for the children and not for ad- ministrators. A boy who can do the work of the sixth grade in half a year should be given an opportunity to do the work. A child should not be made to repeat a whole year in a grade when half a year would do. The child who through sickness is forced to leave school should be given
15
SCHOOL REPORT.
the opportunity to do profitable work just as soon as possible. The girl who can do the work of a year and a half or of two years in one year should be given a chance. It is not neces- sary for all children to spend eight years in completing the grades. Many can do it in seven, some in six. These should be given an opportunity. Great flexibility should be in any scheme of promotion. Nothing can be more deadening to the child than to repeat work which does not call for his best endeavors. Provision should be made for a more flexible system of promotion in your system.
NEW SCHOOL.
You do not need any warning from me of the necessity of early action on a new school building. The citizens of Hamilton have known of this need for some time.
I realize that I am going contrary to current public opinion when I advise the building of a new Grammar School instead of a High School. The reasons underlying this ad- vice are :
(1) The present South School could be made with comparatively small expense into a first class High School Building which would accommodate the high school pupils of Hamilton for several years.
(2) The South School is so situated that it could be used for a High School for both Hamilton and Wenham. If suitable accommodations were offered, I understand that Wenham would be glad to assist in the support of a High School. If the school was placed at a great distance from the Hamilton-Wenham line, all chances for co-operation must be abandoned.
16
SCHOOL REPORT.
(3) One large Grammar School could be so located that it would satisfy the needs of all the elementary school children in the town. This would have many great advan- tages.
(a) The abandoning of the outside schools where ef- ficient work can never be done. The little red schoolhouse may have a place in a poet's dreams but it certainly has no place in a Massachusetts town whose citizens are striving for the best interests of each and every child.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.