USA > New Hampshire > Rockingham County > Salem > Annual reports of the receipts and expenditures of the town of Salem, N.H. : for the year ending 1854-1870 > Part 15
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200 00
William F. Mansfield,
200 00
John Woodbury, 2d,
100 00
George H Pattee, . . .
200 00
Melvin Lowell, ....
200 00
Benjamin F. Hall, ...
200 00
3300 00
6,375 00
Recapitulation.
Whole amount in Selectmen's hands,
$14134 93
Discount, abatements and paid bills,
1385 02
Schools, ...
1206 82
Roads and Bridges,
119 03
Non- Resident Highway Taxes.
84 08
Snow paths,.
231 52
Contingent expenses ..
1645 96
Thomas Webster, uncollected Taxes, 1862, ..
163 92
Joh. L. Clendennin's Notes ..
88 91
Town Bounties to Volunteers,.
6375 00
State Aid to Families of Volunteers,.
2764 00
Cash in Treasurer's hands,
70 67
$14134 93
Outstanding Debts against the Town.
Jemima Allen's Note, due July 31st, 1863,. 178 65
Obadiah Dustin's
"
Dec. 28th, 1862,. . 530 00
Thomas Dustin's " Feb. 28th, 1863 504 98
Robert Emerson's " "
- . March 1st, 1862, .. 200 00
Benjamin Foster's
"
April 1st, 1862,. 936 35
Enoch Taylor's " "
March 4th, 1863,. 1060 00
School Dist. No. 10,
Dec. 15th, 1862, 150 56
School Dist. No. 2,
Dec. 16th, 1862, 142 04
School Dist. No. 3
March 20th, 1863, 142 04
Cha's Kimball's Note due Oct. 4th, 1863,. 500 00
Eben'r, Kimball's ,, "
Jan. 19th, 1863, 277 25
Wm. Crawford's " " Aug. 27th, 1862,. 695 87
200 00
Oliver Lee,. . .. David Sloan,.
200 00
200 00
Edwin H. Kelly, .... 200 00
Amount carried forward, 5317 74
18
AUDITORS' REPORT.
Amount brought forward,
5317 74
Nath'l Clark's "
July 9th, 1862,. . . . 267 62
David Lowd's
"
„ Aug. 29th, 1862, 318 00
Hıram Cross's „ „ Feb. 6th, 1863,. 159 00
Tho's Lancaster's ,.
May 3d, 1862, 100 00
Eliphalet Coburn's ,, " May 4th, 1862.
400 00
Geo. W. Merrill's , " " July 26th, 1862,
200 00
Joshua Woodbury's Note due Jan. Ist, 1863,
350 00
George Renou's " " Jan. 21st, 1863,
100 00
Sarah Woodbury's " "
Feb. 14th, 1863,
200 00
George W. Merrill's
" Feb. 20th, 1863, 200 00
2294 62
-
$7612 36
Notes due to Volunteers.
John G, Bodwell's Note due Sept. 8th, 1862, ..... 200 00
John L. Prince's,
" " Oct. 21st, "
200 00
Milton F. Austin's " " "
23d, "
...
200 00
Charles H. Hall's
" " 18th, " ..... 200 00
William L Stanton's
"
20th, " ..... 200 00
Henry W. Woobury's „
18th, "
..... 125 00
Leverett C. Cluff's
"
"
" 20th, " .....
200 00
John Woodbury's 2d, "
"
" 18th, " ..... 100 00
1425 00
Outstanding Note on Account of Bounties paid Volunteers. Kimball C. Gleason's Note due Oct. 20th, 1863, .... 6120 00
15157 36
Due the Town.
From Thomas Webster, Collector, for 1862,. 163 92
" State for aid to Families of Volunteers,.
2180 00
" Alms House account,. 70 45
" John L. Clendennin's Notes, 88 91
. William G, Crowell, Town Treasurer, . 70 67 "
2573 95
Leaving balance against the Town of $12583 41 The Committee take this opportunity to say, that the foregoing accounts are all correctly kept and vouched for, in the most satisfactory manner,- all of which is respectfully submitted.
JOHN S. EMERY, EDWARD GRIFFIN,
AUDITORS.
.
....
1
Report of Overseer of Poor.
For the Yenr ending February 21st, 1863. r
OVERSEER.
CR.
By iron ware, paid cash, 1.92 ; fish, paid cash, 1.25 ;. 3 17 cheese cloths, pd cash. 50 ; pd R. R. & A. C. Whittier, 10.38, 10 88 2 tubs, 1.75 ; D. C. Mann, for soap, 3 50 ; 3 prs shoes, 2.65, 7 90 paid for labor on farm, 45.75 ; on act. building shed, 53.04, 98 79 smith work, 850 ; 2 coffins and robes, 10 00; J. Buxton, for digging 2 graves, 3.50 ; John S. Whittaker, 27.64 : 31 14 J. C. Carey, 6,60 ; C. & J Austin, supplies, 63.10 . 69 .70 Moody Foster, 1.55 ; M. H. Taylor, 52.47; A. Page, 24.02; J. C. Ewins, 12.04 ; Beriah Foster. 37 83 ; 49 87
18 50.
Benj. Woodman, 3.25; William Little, 8 87;
12 12
Expenses of getting county money, 5.65 ;
5 65
5 98 A. Poor, meat, 4 48 ; repairing snoes, 1.50 ; school tax on Town Farm, 4.72 ; cash paid Town Treasurer, 200,00; 204 72 supplies furnished by. B. Foster, 19.00 19 00
$615 46
Expenses Off The Farm.
Paid for board of Cynthia Robinson, at Concord Asylum 77 52
Expenses of carrying C. Robinson to Asylum, 7 50
Angeline Messer, for support of 2 children, 45 00
A. D. Gage, for support of N. Parker
47 00
supplies furnished Moses Woodbury, 5.66; H. Jones, 3.00, supplies furnished J. Downing,.
14 96
OVERSEER,
DR.
By hay and straw, 42.00 ; calves, 14 50 ; beef and hides, 31.25; 87 75 2 pigs, 4.00 ; lard, 9.00 ; pork, 32.15 ; butter, 56 65. 102 13
cheese, 60.40 ; eggs, 19.00 ; county money, 689.27. 768 67
$958 55
Due from the County up to Feb. 22. 1863,
178 00 Benj. Foster's salary as Overseer Poor, in full to April 1, '63, 250 00
NUMBER OF PAUPERS AT ALMSHOUSE. 3 Females, . . 6 Total, .... ... .9
Males.
All of which is respectfully submitted. BENJ. FOSTER, OVERSEER OF POOR.
ABSTRACT OF REPORT OF OVERSEER OF THE POOR.
Whole amount receipts,. ,958 55
Due from county, February 22, 1863, 178 00 1,136 55
816 10
Expenditures, .
Overseer's salary, one year,. 250 00 1,066 10
Balance in favor of Town, $70 45
JOHN S. EMERY, EDWARD GRIFFIN,
AUDITORS.
78 04
8/66
$200 64
15
OVERSEERS' REPORT.
Appraisal of Personal Property at the Town Farm, tiken February 19th, 1863,
One yoke of oxen, $140 00 ; 6 cows, 170.00 ; 3 young cat- tle, 35,00 ; 1 horse, 50.00 ; 5 shoats, 58.00 ; 2 tons meadow hay, 16.00; 12 tons English hay, 192.00 ; corn-fodder, 4.00 ; halfton straw, 5.00; 33 bushels corn, 35.00; 16 bushels oats, 11.25 ; 4 bushels rye, 4.40 ; 2 1-2 bushels beans, 8.75 ; 13 bushels barley, 19,50 ; 6 bushels meal, 6.60 ; 2-3 barrel flour, 6,00 ; 96 bushels potatoes, 47.00 ; 2 1-2 barrels cider, 5.00 ; vegetables, 3.00 ; 20 towls, 66.0 ; 350 pounds salted pork, 35.00 ; 80 pounds ham, 8.00 : 61 pounds fresh pork, 6 10 ; empty casks, 5 00 ; soap and cask, 2.50 ; 55 pounds lard, 7.15 ; 108 pounds .cheese, 16.20 ; 61 pounds butter, 17 08 ; 14 pounds candles, 1.26 : 31 pounds tallow, 3.50 cof_ fee and tea, .60 .; molasses and keg, 180; sugar, 4.00 ; spices, .30 ; tobacco, 25 ; eggs, .30 ; oil, 25 ; 2 pairs steel- yards, .75 ; cheese-press and basket, 1.50 ; hoops and boards, 3.00 ; feed-trough and boxes, 4.00 ; grain-chest, 3.00 ; bas- kets, pails and kegs, 4.00 : churns, 2.75 ; 2 brass kettles, 5.50 ; cranberries, 1 75 ; 2 mirrors and clock, 2.50 ; lamps and candlesticks, 1.50 ; chest drawers and trunk, 8.00 ; trunk and clothing 650; 11 yards carpeting, 3.50 ; 3 stoves and funnel, 26.00 ; chairs and table, 9 50 ; bedsteads and cords. 21.00 ; 13 feather beds and ticks, 80 00 ; 15 prs. sheets, 15.00 ; 13 pairs pillow cases, 5.00 ; quilts and com- forters, 14.00 ; 21 towels, 3.50; wearing appare), 130.00 ; straw ticks, 8.00 ; 39 pillows, 15.00 ; 3 blankets, 1.25 ; 4 tables, 3.00 ; cupboard, 2 75 ; books, 2.00, safe crib, 10.00 ; milk cans and firkins, 2.00 ; 2 bushels salt, 1.30 ; trays and mortar, 1.50 ; lanterns and wicking, .90 ; 12 cords prepared wood, 55 00 ; drag, 1.75; 2 ox carts, 65 00 ; 1 harrow, 2.50 ; 5 ploughs, 16.00 ; old iron, 3.00 ; 6 hay forks, 2.00 ; 2 ma- nure forks, 1.50 ; 5 shovels, 1.75 ; 3 rakes, .50 ; 1 ox yoke, 2.50 ; 1 horse rake. 4.00 ; 1 hay rope, .60 ; clevis and pin, .80; 1 horse wagon, 4.00 ; ] sleigh, 4.00; 2 harnesses, 20.00 ; 1 draw harness, 3.50; 1 grindstone, .50; 5 chains, 4.00; whiffle-tree, and chain; 1.75 ; 2 iron bars, 1.50; 3 hoes and manure hook, 1.50 ; I wheelbarrow, 3.50 ; 5 axes, 2 00; ] cultivator, 1.00 ; ¿ cythes and snaths, 3.50 ; 3 au- gers, .25; 1 bog-hoe, .20; 1 garden-hoe, 25; hay rack, 2.00 ; pick and wrenches, 1.25; 2 ladders, .80 ; 1 hay cutter, 3.00 ; corn cutter and sickle, .75; saws and planes, .80 ; beetle and wedges, 1.00 ; blanket and halter, 1.75; buffalo robe, 4.00 ; shaves and hammer, .75 ; meal bags, 2.50 ; trough and spout, 2 00 ; tin ware, 8.50 ; crockery ware, 4.50 ; spice boxes, .40 ; stone jar, 80 ; warming and bed pan, 1.50; 1 seive, .15; 2 wash boards, .25 ; 1 pair handcuffs, .75 ; 2 clothes lines, .60 : measures, 1.00; 1 enamelled kettle, .80 ; 4 flat irons, 1 25 ; knives, forks and spoons, 1.75 ; window curtains, 1.75 ; 3 mats and broom, 1.00 ; tubs, 3,00 ; jugs, .75 ; shovel and tongs, 1.50,
$1589 94
:
16
SCHOOL HOUSE TAXES, ETC.
Appraisal of Real Estate.
Owned by the Town,-Town Farm, .. 4800 00 Wood Land,. 400 00
Town House, 1000 00
Personal Property at Town Farm, 1589 94
$7789 94
School House Taxes, 1862.
School District, No. 1.
DR. Whole amount assessed, year 1862, $314 01
CR. Cash paid the District, 273 00
" " for collecting 7 06
" Discount, 12 00
" Abatements, 1 86
/
due from Collector,.
20 09
$314 01
School District, No. 7.
DR. Whole amount assessed year 1862,. .$208 81
CR. For collecting, 6 26
Paid the District, 202 55
$208 81
Pine Grove Cemetery.
. Receipts from sale of Lots,. .37 50
from sale of wood,. 50
38 00
Expenditures, for labor, 7 62
for 1 shovel, 1 10 8 72
Balance in treasury,. $29 28
The Cemetery contains about five acres, a large part of which is covered with a growth of wood. In the year 1850 a survey of the grounds was made, and the avenues over a large part of the same projected ; but the grounds were not generally used as a burial place until the year 1858, since which it has been generally used as a repose for the dead. It has been the aim of your committee to keep the avenues open ; but little beyond this has been attempted. Still further improvements are required to impart to the whole a neat and tidy appearance,
The proprietors of lots, with commendable liberality, have in several instances erected tasty and substantial structures, doing much to enhance the beauty and loveliness of this hallowed spot.
The price of lots is fixed so low that all may avail themselves of the use thereof without being burdened. Yet the revenue arising from the sale of lots, it is thought will be sufficient to inaugurate a system of gradual improvements.
Respectfully submitted. WM. G. CROWELL, GEO. N. AUSTIN, JOHN CLARK,
COMMITTEE.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
Superintending School Committee.
FOR THE
TOWN OF SALEM, N. H.,
FOR THE YEAR ENDING MARCH, 1863.
DISTRICT NO. I. Prudential Committee, -- Amos Webster.
Teachers,-Summer, Miss H. J. Bradley. Winter, Mr. C. Talbot. Whole number of Scholars, Summer, 82. . Winter, 78 70
Average attendance,. . .. 62. "
Length of School, weeks, .. „ .... 14. 11
Wagen of Teachers, .... „ $20 00 „ $36 00
Appropriation, Town, $137.56 ; Literary, $18.52 ; Railroad, $21.88.
Experience seems to have taught the teacher of the Summer Term that idleness is the source of every kind of disorder and mischief. Her scholars had something to do all the time while at school. The pupil that in school hours plead the stereotyped excuse, " I ain't doin' nothin,'"? soon found that doing nothing was far from being a virtue in the teach- er's estimation. Without thus keeping her scholars employed, she could not have succeeded ; but, succeed she did, probably because she had made up her mind to : and when a woman makes np her mind, &c., &c. Not- withstanding the size of the school, and the large number of classes, every class at the close of the term seemed to have made fair progress.
Mr. Talbot taught this School the previous Winter Term to the entire satisfaction of the district, consequently he came to his School this winter with the prestige of success. But little time was lost at the commencement of the term, in ascertaining where matters stood. He labored resolutely, patiently, and persistently ; and if the classes under
3
18
SCHOOL REPORT.
charge did not progress as far and as fast as classes of a similar other schools, it was not from any fault of either teacher or , vui, as he states in his report, " The School has been very so large, that it has been impossible for me to devote that time to h: classes, especially the higher classes, that they have needed." He . A.s with the good will of all.
DISTRICT NO. IJ.
Prudential Committee,-John Davis.
Teacher, Summer and Fall, Miss S. M. Bradley. Whole number of scholars, 17
Average attendance, 6
Length of School, weeks, .18
Wages of Teacher, $13 00
Appropriation, Town, $46.36 ; Literary, $6.22 ; Railroad, $21.88.
This School was very small, and the musquitos very troublesome. For the first eight weeks there were but two scholars ;- enough to discourage any teacher, yet Miss B. took much pains to have each scholar advance. The School appeared well.
DISTRICT NO. III. Prudential Committee,-J. W. Dearborn.
Teacher, Summer and Winter, Miss S. L. Sawyer.
Whole number of Scholars, Summer, 16. . Winter, 35 12 25
Average attendance, "
Length of School, weeks, .. -
7.
" 12
Wages of Teacher,. . .
$15.00. ,, $15.00
Appropriation, Town, $44.63 ; Literary, $6 02 ; Railroad, $21.88
The pupils of this School are divided into two very prominent strongly marked classes ; the one exceedingly intelligent, active and scholarly ; the other precisely the opposite. Thus while there are some very ad- vunced scholars, there are some very backward ones. Miss S. gave to each a due share of attention, and having two successive terms to work in, obtained fair results. A closer attention to order and strict discipline, would have improved the School greatly, probably fifty per cent.
DISTRICT NO. IV.
Prudential Committee,-Henry Newtor, and James Taylor. Teachers,-Summer, Miss M. L. Cochrane. Winter, Miss H. J. Taylor. Whole number of Scholars, Summer, .... 38. . Winter, .... 34
Average attendance, .. ... .32 .30
Length of School, weeks, .. .. .12 ... .10 Wages of Teacher,. $20.00 $18.50 Appropriation, Town, $105.36 ; Literary, $14.16 ; Railroad, $21.88.
19
SCHOOL REPORT.
" Aptness to teach," combined with a large amount of energy and a great devotedness to her work, were the prominent characteristics of Miss C. She managed at the commencement of the term to give every pupil an object to accomplish, and an earnest desire to accomplish it. She awakened their dormant ambition, powers, and zeal. Every scholar appeared desirous of excelling. The result was a rapid and thorough advancement in all branches of study. The closing examination was superior,-no marks of previous drilling for that occasion-no guessing at answers-no asking leading questions, requiring but yes or no for an answer,-every one seemed to be wide awake and to understand all the ground over which they had passed.
Miss T. brought to her work, ample intellectual and literary qualifica= tions. Had the parents cordially co-operated with her, the result might and doubtless would have been, a term even superior to the Summer term. Owing to various causes the School was frequently broken in upon. About the middle of the term, as the scholars were about assembling for the after- noon session, two of them named Hattie Hastings and Mary Duston, who with others were playing on the ice, ventured too near a weak place and fell in. The first among those who rushed to the rescue was Mr. Henry Newton, of the Prudential Committee, and he like a man nobly risked his life to save theirs, but failed,-all were lost. The loss of two of the most interesting scholars, together with the loss of so faithful and self- sacrificing a Prudential Committee, could not fail to have a depressing effect upon the School. Yet. when the term closed, the scholars had made some advancement in studies, politeness, and correct speaking.
DISTRICT NO. V. Prudential Committee,-Daniel Tilton.
{
Teachers,- Summer, Miss E. Richardson. Winter, Miss H. Woodbury. Whole number of Scholars, Summer .... 17. .. Winter, ..... 20
Average attendance,. ...
"
. .15 4-5 "
.15
Length of School, weeks, .. "
. . 10. " . . .. 16
Wages of Teacher, ... " $29.50. " $19.00 Appropriation, Town, $77.65 ; Literary, $10.44 ; Railroad, $21.88.
A " live" teacher, and ,of course a " live" school ; Miss R. is full up to the times. Her object was to make a good school out of a fair one, and right earnestly did she labor to accomplish it. She interspersed singing and calisthenics among the exercises of the School with good effect. The School appeared well at its close.
After keeping the Winter School for a few weeks, Miss R. resigned to accept a more desirable situation, and Miss H. Woodbury assumed her place. Owing to absence from the town, your Committee was not present
80
SCHOOL REPORT.
at the closing examination, but has learned from citizens of the District that Miss W. as usual, gave universal satisfaction.
,
DISTRICT NO. VI. Prudential Committee,- Rev. E. Scott.
Teachers,-Summer, Miss Louise H. Scott. Winter, Mr. C. A. Manson. Whole number of Scholars, Summer, .... 51 Winter, ... . 62
Average attendance, ..... "
.. .37 .45
Length of School, weeks,
.13
.12
Wages of Teacher, .... $20.00. " $35 00 Appropriation, Town, $146.07 ; Literary, $19.66 ; Railroad, $21.88.
This School is of such a size and character as to require a first class Teacher. With any other, the School would be a miserable failure. It is enough to say, that under the tuition of Miss S. it was a success.
The Winter Term presented no particularly marked features probably because there were no glaring radical evils to be remedied. The teacher gave short lessons, which, as a general thing were learned thoroughly. The scholars passed over considerable ground in their studies and that without the too prevalent practice of a hop, skip and jump. In discipline Mr. M. wrought decided improvement. The School when visited ap - peared well.
DISTRICT NO. VII. Prudential Committee,-Mr. J. Burgin.
Teachers,-Summer, Miss Maggie A. Smith. Winter, Mr. C. H. Wilson Whole number of Scholars, Summer, .... 30. . Winter, ..... 50
Average attendance, ... .. " .25. .....
Length of School, weeks, ..
8 1-2. . .....
Wages of Teachers,. ..... $16.00. "
Appropriation, Town, $82.32 ; Literary, $11.08 ; Railroad, $21.88. " They rule best who rule by love."
So thought Miss S. at the commencement of the term ; she gained the good will and love of her scholars, and without the least discord, brought her school to a successful close. The scholars in this district are of a higher grade than in any other school in town.
The winter term did not commence until late in the season, and is now in progress. If "coming events cast their shadows before," we judge that the event in this case will be, the most successful school in town this winter.
DISTRICT NO. VIII. Prudential Committee,-Mr. Woodbury.
Teachers,-Summer, Miss M. D. Dana. Winter, Mr. H. Alexander. Appropriation, Town, $79.17 ; Literary, $10.66; Railroad, 21.88
21
SCHOOL REPORT.
Your committee is unable to give a detailed report of this school, owing to the fact that the register. has not been handed to him. The scholars during the summer term would have progressed better if the teacher had less timidity and more confidence ; she has the ability to become with ex- perience a good teacher. This was proved by the condition of the school at its close. The winter term closed suddenly after keeping five weeks, and as no notice was given your committe he is not able to state the con- dition of the school at the close.
DISTRICT NO. IX. Prudential Committee, -Mr. T. Adams. Teacher Summer and Winter, Miss P. R. Richardson.
Whole number of scholars, Summer, 33 Winter, .... 43
Average attendance,
27 .... 28
Length of school, weeks, "
9 " .. 15
Wages of Teacher, 16.00. $18.00
The scholars in this district are small and backward, yet this year's school has succeded in some very important considerations. The teacher was devoted and careful. The scholars improved in general deportment. They appeared desirous of learning. A good foundation for future ad. vancement has been made.
DISTRICT NO. X. Prudential Committee,-Mr. J. Whitaker. Teacher, Summer and Fall, Miss A. F. Kimball.
Whole number of scholars, Summer, .23, Winter, .... 18
Average attendance, 21, " .. .17
Length of School, weeks, "
11,
" .
.... 10
Wages of Teachers, ..... " $15.00 " $16.00
Appropriation, Town, $64.69; Literary, $8.71 ; Railroad $21.88.
Having taught this school a previous term and having charge both Summer and Winter this year, Miss Kimball had a favorable opportunity to achieve success. The school when visited appeared pleasant, orderly and successful. In fact, in quiet and orderly deportment it surpasses any other of the town schools. As a whole it exhibited considerable ad- vancement.
LIST OF SCHOOL BOOKS USED IN THE SCHOOLS.
Reading-Holy Bible, Town and Holbrook's Progressive Readers Webster's Spelling Book.
Arithmetics-Eaton's and Greenleaf's series.
Geography-Colton and Fitche's, Mitchel's Quarto and Primary.
Physiology-Cutler's, Philosophy, Johnson's.
Grammar-Wells' History, Goodrich's.
Algebra-Greenleaf's.
There has been no change made this year in books.
22
SCHOOL REPORT.
GENERAL REMARKS.
The character of any community may be known by the condition of its schools. If a community is thrifty, enterprising and intelligent ; the schools will be well cared for. But if a community is fossilized, degraded and ignorant, it will show itself in neglected, tumble down school house, cheap teachers-late, lazy, filthy, scholars-and a general lack of interest on the part of the citizens, in all pertaining to school matters ; except, be- ing interested to diminish the school tax as much as possible.
The town of Salem need not fear being judged by this test, the charac- ter of its schools. New, tasteful and commodious school houses, have, within a few years past, been erected in nearly all our districts. During the past year the ancient edifice in district No 7 has given place to a new one. The playground about the house has been enlarged, and although the house like every human work, might have been improved in some re- spects, yet it is couvenient, compact and comfortable.
New houses are needed in Nos. 5 and 9. In the latter district, your committee has been informed, the intention prevails to erect a new school house before the commencement of another term. We hope they will ; and also hope that district No 5 will profit by so worthy an example. Were these two districts to erect new houses, the town might justly pride itself on the excellence of its educational edifices.
Your committee during the past year has visited a number of schools in other towns, both in thie and other states ; and is of opinion, that the . schools of this town will compare favorably with the best ; and are supe- rior to those in a majority of places. This as an indication of the thrift and enterprise of the citizen of this town is encouraging ; and still more encouraging, as an indication of the character and intelligence of its future citizens. Yet there are a few minor blemishes that every citizen should personally consider. Some of these relate to the office of
PRUDENTIAL COMMITTEE.
Districts should be careful who they elect to this office. He should in every case be a man that will take an active interest in the school. In some districts rotation in office is the rule. No matter how worthy or un- worthy the present incumbent, he must, at the next district meeting give place to his neighbor, he in turn to his next neighbor, till like a " school marm boarding round", the office has been at every house in the district. In such districts it can be foretold with great certainty who will hold the office for several years to come.
·
-
23
SCHOOL REPORT.
In other districts persons totally unqualified for this office are elected ; who proceed to employ some scape grace of a nephew who has been debat- ing whether to " chop wood," " make shoes" or " keep school in uncle's district." As a specimen of the amount of interest taken, and the manner in which the duties of this office are performed, we append a few facts from the registers of this year. In districts No. 1, 2 3, 9, 10, not a single visit to the school has been made during the year by the prudential com- mittee. In No 7, no visit was made during the summer term, but the teacher hopes to record better things before the school closes. From No. 8 no report has been received. In No. 4, 6 visits recorded ; 3 in No. 5, 3 also in No. 6. In one case, school commenced, progressed nearly 4 weeks, and would have closed without the knowledge of your committee, had he not accidentally passed by the schoolhouse while the school was in session. In another case the prudential committee having failed to attend to the matter, the teacher sent word at 2 P. M. that the School closed that after .. noon. In another case the school closed without notification either early or late. Will the voters in our school districts consider these things at their next school meeting ? Other evils relate to
THE PARENTS.
The greatest evils found in our schools, spring from a want of practical personal active co-operation on the part of parents. This is seen partly in their neglect to furnish the school with proper Maps, Dictionaries, &c., &c. In none of our schools is there a proper dictionary, which by law is pro- vidad for every school in a neighboring State. No Mural Maps or Charts are reported in District No. 2, 3, 5, 9, 10, in No. 4 only is there a globe. Do not find fault with the teachers until you give them proper tools to work with.
The want of parental cosoperation is seen also in the irregular and tardy attendance, which, in the words of your committee for the previous year, "continues to be an alarming evil in our schools." In some cases that have come to the knowledge of your committee, the parents exercise no authority whatever on this point; but allow their children to attend school or not, as they please. In other cases the authority is so lax, that a little complaining or teasing, secures permission to remain at home. While in other cases, parents are not aware that their children are either absent or tardy. Parents should interest themselves sufficiently to ascer- tain whether their children are at school or not, also what time they get there. The fact that a child started for school as usual, does not prove it arrived there ; nor because a child started at eight and-a-half o'clock, are parents to take it for granted it arrived before nine. Parente
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