financial superintending school committee's reports, of
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1882
Financial Superintending School Committee'sReports, of the Town of Brunswick, from February1, 1881, to January, 31, 1882.Brunswick (Me.).
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Repository CitationBrunswick (Me.)., "Financial Superintending School Committee's Reports, of the Town of Brunswick, from February 1, 1881, toJanuary, 31, 1882." (1882). Maine Town Documents. 1984.https://digitalcommons.library.umaine.edu/towndocs/1984
FINANCIAL
SUPERINTENDING SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S
REPORTS, OF THE
TOWN OF BRUNSWICK, FROM
FEBRUARY 1, 1881, TO JANUARY, 31, 1882.
1882.
Printed at
A. G. T E S S E Y ' S BOOK AND JOB PRINTING O F F I C E ,
Brunswick.
T C W N OFFICERS
FOR THE MUNICIPAL YEAR A. D. 1881.
Selectmen, Assessors, and Overseers of the Poor LYMAN E. SMITH, ELBRIDGE G. SIMPSON, JAMES A. GUMMER.
Town Clerk,
BARTON R. JORDAN.
Treasurer,
JOHN P. WINCHELL.
Town Agent,
LYMAN E. SMITH
Collector,
DANIEL T. PURRINTON.
Auditors.
IRA P. BOOKER,
P. C. MERRYMAN.
Superintending School Committee,
PROP. F. C. ROBINSON, REV. C. M. HERRING, DR. C. H. CUMSTON. *
Representative to legislature,
WESTON THOMPSON.
REPORT OF SELECTMEN.
RECEIPTS.
Balance in the treasury February 1st, 1881, Balance due from collectors February 1st, 1881, State Tax, 1881 $12,090 70 County Tax, 1881 3,229 66 Town Tax, 1881 19,475 45 Received from State School Fund, 1880, 683 38
State Mill Tax, 1880, 1,717 92
Received from delinquent resident taxes, collected, 193 05 Non-resident taxes, collected, 86 99 Liquor Agency, 300 00 D. T. Purrinton, collector, inter
est on taxes 125 00 State Railroad and telegraph tax,
1881, 156 77 Towns and individuala
Bridge Bonds and accrued interest 7,031 88 Temporary Loau
553,047 50 7,162 33
34,795 81
2,401 30
State Tax, 1881, County Tax, 1881,
EXPENDITURES.
Town Expenses paid frum February 1st, 1881 to January 31, 1882, oiz :
Roads and Bridges, Poor in the House, Poor out the House, Schools, Fire Department, Contingencies, Night Watch, Sinking Fund, New Iron Bridge, New Cisterns, Abatements, Interest, Notes (Temporary loans),
Taxes uncollected February 1st. 1882, Balance in treasury February 1st, 1882,
814 46 1,676 27
7,031 88 1000 00 8,031 88
$57,115 09
612,090 70 3,229 66 15,320 36
2,201,31 992 29
1,315 44 7,624 70 1,003 66 3,226 94 800 00
2,000 00 1,999 23 553 48 985 33
1,696 67 6,000 00 30,399 05
10,282 44 1,113 24
$57,115 09
4
ROADS A N D BRIDGES.
At the annual town meeting, when the subject of repairs on highways was under consideration, the question was raised whether the expense should be borne by a direct money tax or by a separate tax in labor, the town finally voting to raise the sum of 84,500, two-thirds of this amount to be in labor, and one-third in money to be assessed with the other sums voted for town expenses.
Now, however desirable this method of repairing highways by labor tax may be in small and sparsely settled towns, where nearly all the tax payers are willing to work out their taxes, we think it is not the best in this town, where at least three-fourths of the highway taxes are paid in money, whatever action the town may take in the matter. If the town votes to repair the highways by a labor tax, a small portion of the tax is worked out by the tax payers, a considerable part is paid in money to the surveyors, provided a sufficient discount is allowed, and the balance is not paid until the following year, (or later,) when such amount as is supposed to be collectable is added to the money tax for that year, some escaping payment altogether by removal from town. W e would recommend, respectfully but earnestly, that hereafter the means for repairing the highways should be provided as are the means for the other expenses of the town, viz: by a direct tax in money.
For the past year the cash expenditures for roads and bridges have been $2,201 31, a sum larger than the money tax voted for that purpose, by $701 31. In raising the sum of $1,500 in money, the fact that the expense for breaking roads during the previous winter must be paid from this appropriation was probably overlooked. The amount required for this purpose was $764 00. The unpaid bills for general repairs for the previous year were $108 26, leaving the sum of $812 49, the cash expenditures for repairs for 1881, and $516 56, the expense for street lights.
The increased cost for street lights is due to there being a larger number of lights, this also increasing the cost for repairs and lighting ; the cost also includes gas bills for thirteen months, instead of one year, as has been usual, all bills being paid to January 31st, 1882. There are in use in the village forty-four street" lights, twenty-five of which are oil lamps and nineteen are gas lights.
5
The following are the bills in detail: Snow Bills, Winter of 1880 & '81.
George A. Storer, Surveyor, Dist. No. 2, 28 00 Thomas Grows, 3, 15 00 John Murphy, .< 4, 10 43 S. L. Holbrook, 5, 28 90 D. T. Purrinton, a 6, 20 25 Isaiah Jordon, 11 7, 22 93 Auren G. Prince, u 8, 13 37 Albert Orr, (( 9, 6 80 Jacob Pennell, it 10, 30 70 John Decovin, If 11, 28 16 Cyrus F . Hill, 12, 22 90 P . O. Spinney, 1 2 i 16 12 John Hodgdon, u 13, 14 00 Jedediah Marriner, t< 14, 17 36 Hiram A. Woodside, • ( 15, 16 90 Osborne A. Melcher. (f 16, 27 49 William F. Parsons, I t 17, 10 55 Charles S. Raymond, u 18, 21 56 John M. Coombs, u 19, 16 00 George A. Woodside, 20, 12 62 William Marriner, u 21, 16 68 George M. Syl Tester, a 22, 20 22 Hiram Cripps, t ( 23, 32 56 Charles Skofield, u 24, 26 65 Freeman F . Lapham, ( 26, 28 60 S. S. Rich, 27, 11 75 Harrison Snow, » 28, 33 77 Joseph Stimpson, " 2 9 & 30, 38 38 Albert Toothaker, ( i 32, 7 16 John F . Moody, u 33, 6 15 Thomas P . Simpson, i t 34, 21 82 Thomas E. Jones, u 35, 9 30 Amos Varney, u 40, 11 37 Leonard Townsend, Village, 86 30 Henry-M. Bowker, K 17 00 George W . Grows. • 1 16 25
764 00
6
Surveyors' Bills for Work out the Village, Summer of 1880.
George A. Storer, Dist. No. 2, 7 20 John Murphy, " 4, 75 Benjamin C. Skofield, watering
trough " 12, 3 Ofl John Hodgdon, " 13, 1 13 O. A. Melcher, " 16, 6 50 William Marriner, « 21, 2 12 Harrison Snow, " 28 10 95 S. S. Rich, " 27 8 50 Joseph Stimpson, watering trough, " 29 & 30, 3 00 Leonard Lunt, " 31 22 31 A. Toothaker, " 32 1 00 Thomas P . Simpson, " 34 1 75 Thomas E. Jones, " 35 31 00 Amos Varney, " 40 3 00 Charles Muir and E. Seco, work
on bridge, " 3 3 00 D. T. Purrinton, " 6 1 25 A. G. Prince. " 8 1 80
108 20
Bills in Village District, 1881, vis:
Leonard Townsend, to M;iy 1st, 1881, 136 71 L. J. Joyce's bill, work in 1879, 10 8(1 R. H. Stanwood, stone for culvert, 8 75 S. R. Jackson, clay bank, river road, 100 00 Charles Cobb, rebuilding and enlarg
ing culvert. Pleasant street, 114 12 Charles Cobb, rebuilding culvert,
Cushing Street, B. R Jordan, nails and powder, C. E. Townsend nails, A. F . Spollett, making snow plough 1880, James H. Dunning, surveyor, bills of
overwork, 1881, C. H. Colby, lumber for bridges, etc., Trueworthy Brown, '' "
16 00 2 04 40
6 50
300 93 39 71 50 52
7
C. E. Trufajit, one-half cost of repairs on Gurnet Bridge. 26 01
Lighting Streets, viz :
B. L. Dennison, Treasurer Gas Co. W . B. Woodward, oil, chimnies, etc.,
A. G. Poland, " John Furbish, " ''
C. E Townsend, B. R. Jordan, " John Furbish, repairs on lamps, H. P . Dunning, " J. T. Wentworth, '< D. Hammond, H. S. Merriman and
Robert Given, care of and lighting lamps on the hill. 66 67 516 56
364 50 36 30 14 81 5 32 4 75 2 34 11 43 7 85 2 59
812 49
By appropriation, 1,500 00
excess of expenditure, 701 31
2,201 31
2,201 31
POOR ACCOUNT.
The bills for support of poor, though larger than last year, are no larger than the average for five or six years past, the whole amount being $2,307 73, of which $992 29 is for expenses at the almshouse.
We were not so fortunate as to secure for another year the services of Mr. Thomas Ross, our former efficient superintendent of the almshouse, both he and Mrs. Ross, after a faithful service of five years in this position desiring to be relieved of its cares and responsibilities, so we were obliged to employ another person to fill the position. After advertising in several papers and making all due inquiries for a suitable person, we finally employed Mr. Edward H. Gould, he appearing to be the best person for the place who responded to our inquiries. Mr. Gould proved to be a good farmer and an honest and, industrious man ; Mrs. Gould was equally capable and industrious, while both were very kind and considerate in their treatment of the poor placed under their charge. Towards the close of
8
the season, however, Mr. Gould was taken siek, but though not able to
work much, he continued to look after the interests of the house and farm
until compelled to take to his bed, and after a lew weeks' illness, he died
on February 5th.
Mrs. Gould, with the assistance of Mr. Gould's father, continued to
look after the management of the institution, but the unfortunate result of
Mr. Gould's illness renders it necessary that another superintendent
should be employed as soon as it can conveniently be done.
The number of inmates of the almshouse has been somewhat larger
than usual, there having been at one time fifteen, though there are now
but nine, three having died, viz ; Samuel Marriner, Charles Cripps, and
Judi th Hunt, and several, having been admitted for a short time until they
could better provide for themselves, left, or were taken away by their
friends.
There are now nine inmates, viz :
William Toothaker, aged 90. Mary Additon, aged 69. David Eaton, " 81. Roxanna Townsend, " 70.
John Royal, " 68. Mary Pollard, " 69.
William Royal, " 25. And two children of Lewander Card, aged two and five years, res
pectively.
The estimated amount of produce, stock and supplies on hand at
the almshouse is as follows, viz :
Stock—4 cows, 3 swine, lot hens, $225 00
Farming tools, carts, wagons, etc., 225 00
Produce and supplies. 275 00 $725 00
POOR IN T H E HOUSE.
The accounts with the superintendent of the almshouse are settled quarterly, and all bills are paid to January 27th, 1882. The following shows the past year's expenditures and receipts :— Paid Thomas Ross three months' salary to April
27th, bills of supplies and expenses to April 27th,
" labor,
By amount received for products sold, board of inmates, permits for burial,
Net expenses to April 27th, 1882, $28 45
190 00 154 67 15 00
$259 67 $208 72 17 50 5 00 $231 23
9
$225 00
882 61
174 10
107 00
|1,388 71 |1,388 71
1347 00
30 00
16 00
117 00 $510 00
$878 71
28 45
35 13
50 00
Paid E. H. Gould nine months' salary to January
27th, 1882,
bills of supplies and expenses,
" labor,
stock bought,
By amount received for products sold,
board of inmates,
permits for burial,
stock sold,
Net expense paid E. H. Gould, 9 months,
" Thomas Ross, 3 months,
Paid for insurance on buildings and contents,
Dr. Palmer, medical attendance,
Net expense of poor in the house. $929 29
P O O R O U T T H E HOUSE.
The bills for support of poor out of' the house are all paid so far as
is known, except a small amount due for support of a few of our poor
who are in other towns.
Paid Phebe C. Higgins, supplies to Robert Thomp
son six months, $26 00
Mrs. N. A. Purington, board to Robert Thomp
son six months to January 31st, 1882, 26 0(1
A. Day, pair slippers, 90
$52 90 T. F . Bradley, board for Mrs. Jane Fogg one
year to January 23d, 1882, 52 00
John A. Dunning, board for Mary A. Johnson
one year to February 9th, 1882, 78 00
Town of Harpswell, supplies for William F.
Newton's family, 48 14
Town of Peru, supplies for William F . New
ton's family, 38 50
Dr. Cumston, medical assistance to William F.
Newton's family, 13 00
William F . Newton, cash towards his support, 34 88
134 52
10
T. F. Bradley, wood for Sarah A. Lunt, John Wilson, " Sarah A. Lunt, towards her support,
C. M. Bryant, supplies to Peter Williams, E. G. Simpson, wood for " M. Bailey, " "
10 50 3 00 36 72
11 00 3 50 3 25
50 22
17 75 Augustus Manuel, snpport of child of Miss
Wilson, 22 00 C. D. Freeman, board and care of Maria Ben
nett 10 days, 10 00 Dr. Cumston, medical assistance to Maria Ben
nett, R. R. ticket to Richmond for Maria Bennett,
A. T. Campbell, supplies to J. W. Estes, L. D. Snow,
W. B. Woodward, supplies to T. J. Grey, Mrs. S. J. Boardman, Lucy G. Frost, care of Mrs. Grey,
3 00 65
22 00 5 50
10 00 1 25 29 00
J. H. Peterson & Son, supplies to George A. Skeetup, 15 00
Mrs. S. I. Boardman, supplies to George A. Skeetup,
George A. Skeetup, cash towards his support,
Town of Greene, supplies to James Pollard's family,
James A. Gummer, expenses to Greene, do do L. E. Smith, expenses for J. Pollard,
E. D. Toothaker's heirs, supplies for Joseph Herbert,
E. G. Simpson, coal for Joseph Herbert,
W. B. Woodward, supplies for Seco's family, E. Smith, wood for "
2 00 3 00
138 94 6 60 5 00
18 00
7 77
29 00 3 00
13 65
27 50
— 40 25
— 20 00
— 150 54
25 77
32 00
11
B. R. Jordan, supplies to Joseph Williams,
T . F . Bradley, wood for "
Cash to buy medicine for "
W. B. Woodward, supplies for Mrs. Eunice
Edwards,
E. Smith, wood for Mrs. Eunice Edwards,
E. G. Simpson, "
A. Ridley, supplies for H. M. Cripps,
A. Day, boots "
S. Walker & Son, meat "
E. G. Simpson, wood
F. Berry, coffin and robe for Cripps boy,
J . C. Smith, digging grave for "
Elbridge Randall, house rent for 9 months,
J . T. Adams & Co., supplies to F . Bruno,
William Simpson, wood
E. G. Simpson, " "
A. Day, shoes for Eliza A. Coombs,
Eliza A. Coombs towards her support,
Mrs. Levesque, towards her support,
Miss A. Colombe, nursing Mrs. Levesque,
L. W. Ring towards his support,
G. W. L. Groves, wood for George H. Cripps,
Charles I. Gatchell, towards his support,
Railroad tickets for poor,
E. G. Simpson, wood for J . H. Smith, " " MrsMcMahon,
E. Smith, supplies for R. Griffin, ' C. Chambers,
B. R. Jordan, supplies for James Welch,
F . Berry, coffins for poor,
H. Stetson, "
F. H. Wilson, medicine for poor,
A. Day, shoes for Melzer, House,
1 10 3 50 1 50
9 00 0 00 o 00
67 79 3 00
75 8 63 13 00 2 00 36 00
48 00 6 00 1 75
2 15 66 00
38 00
10 80
29 00
1 75 5 00 28 35 1 88 1 75 4 00 2 00 IS 50 40 00 53 00
25 29
1 50
6 10
13 00
131 17
55 75
68 15
48 80
12
" Mrs. Wing, 1 35 C. E. Townsend, wood for J. Walsh. 2 00 A. Potter, care of tramps, 3 25 Supplies to sundry poor persons, repaid, 6 00 Dr. Mitchell, attendance on poor, 50 00 A. C. York, liquors for poor, 75 275 37
1,315 44 Amount brought from poor in the house. 992 29
12,307 73 By Appropriation, $1,800 00
Received from Town of Freeport, 31 00 " " Waterville, 23 00 " Oxford, 17 00 " Phipsburg, 6 00 " Readfield, 3 00
City of Bath, 13 65 " Individuals, 6 00
Excess of expenditure. 408 08
$2,807 73
13
SCHOOLS.
The transactions in relation to schools for the year endiiu January 31st, 1882, are shown in the following table.
6
C M
~.a —- -
Z. X Z » -' 7:
— 5
Village. iNo. 3.
1248 34
§ 1,083 47 82 66
#6.704 36 185 18
#7,787 83 267 84
#4,931 38 121 93
#2.856 15 145 91
4 20 110 00 110 00 105 75 4 25 5. 57 160 42 308 69 469 11 271. 81 192 30 6. 11 70 40 110 00 197 87 182 12 71 85 7. 25 68 136 85 208 10 103 00 94 23 9. 13 87 87 110 00 197 87 182 42 15 45 10. 25 71 25 136 85 208 10 103 00 105 10 II. 24 11 88 131 48 143 36 36 86 106 50 12. 20 67 72 110 00 177 72 167 00. 10 72 13. 44 G3 35 238 88 302 23 186 00* 116 23 14. LIO 86 71 120 74 207 45 135 71 71 71
ia. 17 5 22 110 00 115 22 102 99 12 2.) 16. 21 114 67 115 37 230 04 116 64 113 40 17. 26 69 68 142 22 201 90 121 25 90 65 18. 26 90 80 142 22 233 02 I5G 43 76 59 19. 33 81 01 179 81 260 82 152 52 108 30 21. 23 17 59 126 11 143 70 133 61 10 09 25. no ret's 39 63 39 62 39 62 26. 7 92 00 110 00 202 00 114 76 87 24
1696 #2,297 00 #9,328 76 #11.625 76 #7,296 91 #4,328 85
Paid F . C. Robinson, services as S. S. Committee from March, 1880, to Dec. 1st, 1881, $53 00
F . C. Robinson, horse hire for S. S. Committee, 30 00
Henry L. Chapman, services as S. S. Committee to March 1881, 47 00
C. M. Herrin, services as S. S. Com. 28 50 " horse hire 30 00
C. H. Cumston, services as S. S. Com. 27 00 horse hire " 36 90
George W . Grows, " " 11 00 Henry M. Bowker, " " 54 00 B. G. Dennison, books tor poor chil
dren, 5 29
H
A. G. Tenney, printing for S. S. Com. 6 00
7,62# 70
Due school Districts, Feb. 1st, 1882, 4,328 85 $11,953 55
By Appropriation, $6,000 00
State School Fund, 1880, , 683 38 State School Fund and Mill Tax, 1881, 2,614 02
Interest on Brunswick School Fund, 2:>1 57 Due School Districts, February 1st, 1881, 2,297 00
Excess of expenditure. 137 58 $11,953 55
F I R E D E P A R T M E N T .
The expenses for the Fire Department have been considerably less than the average for ten years past, there having been but one alarm of fire during the year. The pay rolls of the companies amount to $399 00, of which $305 25 are to pay for attendance at the monthly meetings of the engine companies and $93 75 for services of the firemen at the one fire. The pay roll of the fire wardens amounts to $43 50. We have purchased, in accordance with the vote of the town, four hundred feet of new hose, which with four new lanterns and four new axes for the engines, cost $384 50; the balance expended—$176 66, is for the ordinary expenses of the department.
The bills in detail are as follows :—
Paid Thomas Roberts, repairs on cistern, $2 05 Thomas Eaton, Jr., •' hose, 4 35 B. L. Dennison, gas bills for engine
houses, 4 61 John Walker, watching at fire, 1 25
R. D. Hammond, " 2 ^5 A. Potter, work on cistern, 1 50
E. G. Simpson, coal for engine houses, 16 26
15
James Boyd & Sons, 400 feet Lose, 360 00
" 4 lanterns and 4 axes,"
Express bill on do,
Dunham Whitney, care of and run
ning hooks and ladders to fires
one year,
Eaton & Riley, insurance on engine
house on No. 1,
Eaton & Riley, insurance on engine
house No. 2,
B. R. Jordan, paint stock No. 1,
Wm. M. Cobbett, Jr., painting No. 1,
H. P . Dunning, " " 3,
I. S. Balcome, shovel, lamp chimnies,
etc.,
John Furbish, hammer and wrench,
A. P. Woodside, hauling stone cover
for cistern,
A. C. York, alcohol for engines,
C. E. Townsend, oil, brooms, etc., bills of work on cis
terns, C. E. Townsend, testing hydrants at
Dennison's,
C. E. Townsend, repairs on hooks and ladders,
0 . E. Townsend, £ cord wood, engine
house, A. Nickerson, hauling engine to fire, N . E. Whitney, repairs on engine
No. 1, 8 10
N. E. Whitney, services as steward
engine No. 1, 25 00 N. E . Whitney, care of court room, 5 00
24 50
65
10 00
10 00
15 00 2 28 2 50 5 00
3 85
2 26
3 00 7 90
1 25
5 70
2 00
77
2 00 1 00
16
George W. Eaton, work on Protector No. 4.
George W. Eaton, services as steward
engine No. 3, George W. Eaton, sawing wood, Harvey M. Doughty, work on No. 3
engine, Harvey M. Doughty, clerk pay roll
8 00
17 63
I 50
5 00
No. 3, 198 00
Samuel J . Spollett, clerk pay roll No. 1. 5201 00 $960 16
Fire Wardens, viz: $960 16
C. E. Townsend, chief, $25 00
E. H. Woodside, 3 75 A. T. Campbell, 3 75 L. Townsend, 3 ,75 Benjamin Dunning, 2d, 3 75 Henry M. Bowker, 1 75 D. S. Stanwood, 1 75 $4J 50
$1,003 66 Amount unexpended, 596 34
$1600 00 By Appropriation, $1200 00
" for new hose. 400 00
$1600 00
17
S22 40 12 61
17 76
52 77 100 00
52 77 100 00
S 00
8 50 i fi an
C O N T I N G E N T E X P E N S E S .
These include the bills for support of patients at the Insane Hospital, salaries uf Municipal officers, including bills for police services, and all other incidental expenses of the town, for which no special appropriations are made, and in detail are as follows :
Paid B. G. Dennison, blank books,
'• stationery Selectmen's office
steam for heating
William Townsend, ringing bell one year,
A. Potter, care of and repairs of station house
'• services as truant officer 1880,
B. R. Jordan, services as town clerk 1880, 39 00
" water pail and broom Select
men's office, 50
A. G. Tenney, printing 850 town reports,
" 100 lists of voters,
taxjjills,
surveyors' blanks,
advertising warrants for town
meetings, '•) 00 A. G. Tenney, advertising commitment of
taxes, 1 25 101 50
10 00
10 00
60 00
17 50
6 50
1 25
I. P. Booker, services as auditor 1880,
A. G Poland, Maine Insane Hospital, support of
Julia S. Walsh, 118 35
Mary J . Roddrick, 96 87 Harriet Dunning, 121 81 Jane Williston, 115 02
Susan J . Brown, 105 28
Mary J . Alexander. 83 48
For police services as follows,
Louis Norman, 30 00
William Welch, 3 25
39 50
640 81
18
6 00
3 00
6 00
6 50
5 50
75 1 00
62 00
5 00
15 00
14 16
8 00
60 00
Dunham Whitney, Josiah Ward, F. E. D. Field, C. G. Burgess, A. Potter, David Hammond, William Townsend,
H. M. Doughty, services as tything man, John Crawford, agent, use of Lemont Hall for
town meeting, E. G. Simpson, coal for Selectmen's office, Dennis Gatchell, clearing brush from old cem
etery, H. A. Randall, rent of Selectmen's office 1 yr., Leonard Townsend, services as selectman,
assessor, and overseer of poor from Feb. 1 to March 1, 1881, 20 00
Sumner L. Holbrook, do do " witness fees Brunswick
vs. Topsham,
D. T. Purrinton, notifying town officers, serving warrant for town
meeting, D. T. Purrinton, tax deeds,
" for interpreter, on account collecting taxes,
B. F. Goodwin, care of and repairs on town clock one year,
Eaton & Riley,insurance on post office building, Weston Thompson, professional services,
Samuel Snow case, Brunswick vs. Topsham, Witness fees and advice, For amount paid A. A. Dennett,
copy of evidence for law court, S. Snow case, 21 00
181 29
10 00
8 00
18 00
12 80
1 50
2 50
12 95
300 00
329 75
14 50
11 62
70 25
55 00
35 04
19
H. S. Otis, conveying Mrs. Alexander to Insane Hospital, 5 00
Mrs. Courson, cleaning selectmen's office, 6 35 H. S. McKenney, repairing hearse, 2 00
work on bell, 60 2 60
A. F. Spollett's bill, repairs on hearse, 1 50 I. S. Balcome, lock and keys to station house, 3 37 John Furbish, sprinkler, brush and dust-pan, 1 70
bell rope at church, destroyed, 1 85 3 50
George D. Parks, surveying, £ 00 F. H. Purrinton, work on gas-pipe at post-
office, 6,30 M. Bailey, wood for court room and sawing, 3 00 E. H. Woodside, horse hire, policeman, 2 00 A. A. Dennett, clerk of courts, fees of com
missioners to locate line between Brunswick and Topsham, 82 50
John P. Winchell, salary as treasurer, for non-resident taxes b'gt by town, resident " " premium on sinking fund,
" advertising non-resident taxes
James A. Gurnmer, services as selectman, assessor, and overseer of poor, March 7, 1881, to January 31, 1882,
E. G. Simpson, do do Lyman E. Smith, recording deed,
•' for officers' fee serving notice, bill binding blank book,
" for outside windows of post-office, 13 93
advertising for superinten-tendent for almshouse, 1 60
postage stamps, cards and wrappers, 9 10
" Maine State Register, 1 25 services as town agent 1880, 15 00
50 00
155 48
150 76
190 00
7 00
553 24
125 00
553 24
125 00
175 00
50 1 00
75
20
3,226 94
728 56
$1000 00
1,50-3 88
497 50
Lymati E. Smith, services as selectman, assessor and overseer of poor one year to Feb. 1st, 1882, 500 00 543 13
Amount unexpended,
By Appropriation, Overlay on taxes, Rent of post office and town lot,
( Travelling shows, 28 00, J licenses, viz: J Circus, 20 00, S 58 00
( Billiard rooms, 10 00, ) Use of hearse, 3 00 Payment of taxes previously abated to collector, 46 24 Liquor agency, 300 00 Resident taxes sold, 86 99 Non-resident taxes collected by treasurer, 193 05 Town of Skowhegan, repayment of expense for
Mary J. Roddrick at Insane Hospital, 103 17 Robert A. Alexander, repayment of expense for
his wife, 5 00 Condemned liquor bottles sold, 1 90 State railroad and telegraph taxes 1881. 156 77
1,955 50
N I G H T W A T C H .
Paid William Townsend, services as night watchman one year to December 1st, 1881, $400 00
David N. Hammond, services as night watchman one year to January 16th, 1882, 400 00
By appropriation. $800 00 8800 00
$800 00
21
NOTES A N D BONDS.
Paid John P . Winchell, treasurer, temporary loans, $6000 00
$6000 00 By treasurer's notes cancelled. $6000 00
$6000"00
I N T E R E S T .
Paid John P Winchell, treasurer, for 5 per
cent, coupons, $1520 00 " Bridge bond coupons, 130 00
" accrued interest on bonds for sinking fund, 46 67
$1,696 67 By appropriation, $1,500 00
received of D. T . Purrinton, collector, interest on taxes, 125 00
accrued interests on bridge bonds, 31 88 excess of expenditure. 39 79
$1,696 67
ABATEMENTS.
D. T. Purrinton, collector, $985 33 Amount unexpended, 14 67
$1,000 00
By appropriation. $1000 00 11000 00
S INKING F U N D .
Paid John P. Winchell, treasurer, for City of Toledo 8 per cent, bonds, $2,000 00
$2,000 00 By appropriation. $2,000 00
$2,000 00
22
N E W CISTERNS.
In accordance with the vote of the town, there have been constructed three new cisterns, viz : one on McLellan Street, at a cost of $145 82 : one on Jordan Avenue for 55 8 6 ; and one on Elliot Street, costing $352 36.
There was also an appropriation voted for the construction of a cistern near the head of Elm Street, but the location being low and wet, and the season unfavorable, on account of there being so much rainy weather, it was not thought advisable, the past year, to attempt its construction.
On account of our inability to obtain masons earlier in the season, the construction of the cistern on Elliot Street was delayed until late in the season, and when the men could be obtained and the work was begun, the weather came on so wet and unfavorable, the cost of the cistern was considerably more than it would otherwise have been.
The cistern is extra large, its capacity being about 15,000 gallons, and it is thoroughly well built.
The following shows the cost of materials and labor for each cistern.
On McLellan Street. Paid Snow & Townsend, for brick,
E. Smith cement, John Perry, covering stone, C. E. Townsend, pails, tub, etc.,
Dills of labor.
On Jordan Avenue.
C. H. Colby, lumber,
I. S. Balcome nails, E. G. Simpson, bills of labor.
On Elliot Street.
Snow & Townsend, bricks, Cyrus Flagg,
#56 00 28 05 14 50
95 46 32
28 37 1 20 25 73
46 00 46 97
145 82
55 30
23
B. R. Jordan, cement and nails. John Alexander, hauling sand,
John Furbish, wire netting and rings, Hugh McLellan use of pump, C. H. Colby, lumber, E. G. Simpson, bills of labor. 176 53 352 36
By appropriations, Tiz: For McLellan Street,
Jordan Avenne, " Elliot Street; " Elm Street,
By excess of expenditure.
51 26 4 50 1 10 4 00 22 00 176 53
150 00 50 00 200 00 150 00 3 48
$553 48
$553 48
N E W I R O N BRIDGE.
The committee chosen at the special town meeting held June 26th, 1880, to superintend the construction of a new straight iron bridge acrops the Androscoggin river at the foot of Main street, has completed its labor and we submit the following statement, showing the cost of the structure.
Paid the King Iron Bridge & Manufacturing Co. for two spans iron bridge, 139 feet each, 278 feet, $9,600 00
bills for testing iron, inspecting bridge, and other expenses payable in part by town of Topsham, 293 26
Cost of two stone piers, viz : paid for stone, 541 50
hauling stone, 77 52 building piers including
cost of cement, 2,215 75 2,834 77
Paid incidental expenses of committee, 30 64
24
Paid cost of rebuilding wooden approach,
Brunswick end, 606 69
interest to King Bridge Co., 94 :J6 for services of committee, $100 each. 3U0 00
$13,759 72
OR.
By old iron bridge returned to King Bridge Co., $4,100 00
old bridge material sold, 158 38 Proportion of cost paid by town of Topsham, viz :
paid King Bridge Co., 1085 43
of other bills, 57 87 " interest, 15 58 1,158 88
$5,417 26
Net cost of Brunswick's proportion of bridge, $8,342 46 Of this amount there was paid in 1880, 6,343 23
" 1881. 1,999 23 $8,342 46
To provide for the payment of this sum, the town, at the special meeting held June 26th, 1880, voted to raise by loan the sum of ten thousand dollars, said loan to be made payable in twenty annual instalments, the rate of interest, therefor, not to exceed five per centum per annum. In accordance with this vote the treasurer, with the approval of the selectmen, has prepared bonds to the amount of $10,000, dated May lUth, 1881, and bearing interest, payable semi-annually, at the rate of four per cent, per annum. These bonds are in denominations of 8500 00, are numbered 1 to 20, and are made payable, one each year. There have been disposed of these bonds $7000, leaving $1,342 46 to be provided for, and it is intended to dispose of the bridge bonds, the further sum of $1,500 00, the overplus to be credited to the contingent or highway account for 1882.
T A B f . K 1. LIABILITIES, RESOURCES AND DEBT OF THE TOWN,
Each y(ar, cnmmniciiix March !«/, 181)2.
YEAR. | LIABILITIES, j RESOURCES.
~#(i,5'ir>~22
DEBT.
1802 $15,715 2::
RESOURCES.
~#(i,5'ir>~22 " #9,190 01 1808 30,72'2 88 ll,97(i 59 18,746 29 1804 57,197 55 15,1:10 90 42,000 78 1865 64,070 74 10,740 77 53,928 78 1866 74.491 70 10,059 08 64,432 07 1867 70,656 40 14,092 80 55,908 60 1^68 65,218 15 10,195 54 55,022 61 1869 60,953 04 9,150 99 51,796 05 187(1 69,945 80 : 2,314 87 37,620 99 1871 64,886 22 "28,225 19 36,161 08 1872 44,901 07 8.205 47 36,095 60 187:1 j 9.904 87 10,48: 80 29,421 07 1874 : 8,846 68 1:J,190 49 25,650 19 1875 38,386 : 8 15,898 11 22,488 19 1876 40.264 00 19,202 57 21,001 43 1877* 44,904 24 28,284 30 £1,669 88 1878* 49,728 42 20,02 s 84 23,099 58 18 79* 40,112 06 19,302 48 20,809 58 1880* 38,890 27 19,143 57 19,252 70 1881* 45,082 18 18,899 80 20,682 33 1882* 47,282 96 22,810 90 24,422 00
•Feb. 1st.
T A 1 5 L K IT.
TAXES, VALUATION, ETC.
YEAR. VALUATION'. TAX ON $1.00. POLLS.
"1862 #1,513,868 10 mills 784 1863 1,582,066 10 mills 796 1864 1,557,912 21 mills 790 1865 1,594,870 80 mills 813 1800 1,622,842 20 mills 889 1807 1,612,188 22 mills 854 1868 1,605,876 21 mills 807 1869 1,000,058 22 mills 880 1870 1,834,089 20 mills 895 18(1 1,924 580 20 mills 976 1872 1,885,193 20 mills 939 1873 1,948,688 17 mills 945 1874 2,023,660 • " 10 mills 963 1875 2,090,180 16 mills 944 1876 2,064,690 15 mills 1,040 1877 2,022,694 17 mills 1,123 1878 2,088,1154 15 mills 1,108 1879 1,953,148 13 mills 1,074 1880 1,979,877 16j mills 1,080 1881 8,826,0481 9* mills 1,177
t"Full fair cash value.' •
26
APPROPRIATIONS VOTED FOR 1881.
For Roads and bridges, (money,) $1,500 00
Support of Poor, 1,800 00
Support of Schools, 6,000 00
Fire Department, 1,200 00 Purchase of new hose, 400 00 Contingent Expenses. 1,000 00 Night Watch, 800 00 Abatement of Taxes, 1,000 00 Payment of town debt, 2,000 00 Payment of Interest, 1,500 00 Building cisterns, 550 00 Interest on Brunswick School Fund, 221 57
Total for town expenses, 817,971 57 Amount of State tax, 12,090 70
County Tax, 3,229 66 Fractional overlay, 1,503 88
Total commitment, $34,795 81 Valuation of Town taken at "full fair cash value", viz ;
In Vill. Dist., Real Estate, 81,447,075 Personal Estate, 1,232,950
Total in Village, 82,680,025
Out of Vill. Di*t., Real Estate". $520,625 Personal Estate, 125,393
Total out the Village, $646,018
Number of polls taxed, viz: In Village District, 800 Out " 377
$3,326,043
1,117
27
Rate of State, County, and Town taxes, $9 40 per $1,000, Poll tax, $3 00 Village District school tax, 50 cts. per $1,000
" poll tax, 30 cts. Voted: To add interest at the rate of six per centum, per annum,
to all taxes remaining unpaid December 1st, 1881. Bills of taxes were committed to the collector, on August 1,1881.
Statement Showing the Liabilities and Resources of the Town, February 1st, 1882.
LIABILITIES .
Five-twenty bonds at five per cent, interest, dated May, 10th, 1878, $30,000 00
Brunswick School Fund, 3,692 97 Coupons due and unpaid, 220 00 Estimated Abatements, 1,000 00 Due School Districts, 4,328 85 Due collectors, 516 14 '•Brunswick Bridge Bonds," 7000 00 Due towns and individuals 475 00
AVAILABLE RESOURCES. $47,232 96
Uncollected taxes, January 31, 1882, $10,282 44 Due from State for Schools, 1881, 2,614 02 Liquor casks, etc., at agency, 297 19 Due from A. C. York, liquor agent, 11 27 Sinking Fnnd, 7,592 80 Due from town and individuals, 900 00 Balance in treasuary, Feb. 1st, 1882, 1,113 24
Indebtedness of town, Feb. 1st, 1882. 24,422 00
147,232 96
28
T O W N PROPERTY.
Town farm, including 12 acred of woodland, $4,200 00 Town lot in the village, 4,800 00 Post office building, 1,200 00 Engine houses and lockup, 3,300 00 Engines and hose, 4,000 00 Two safes, 200 00 Stock and Implements on town farm, 450 00 Remick house and lot, 150 00
All of which is respectfully submitted,
LYMAN E. SMITH, ) ELBRIDGE G. SIMPSON, f SELECTMEN. JAMES A. GUMMER, \
29
L I Q U O R AGENCY.
A. C. York, in account with Town of Brunswick.
CASH ACCOUNT.
D R .
Cash for liquors sold, $2,144 51
barrels sold. 14 75
C R .
Due A. C York, agent,
Feb. 8, 1881, $43 37
Paid for liquors bought, 1,488 19
" freight, etc., 16 43
Town treasurer, 300 00
Agent's salary one year,
to Feb. 10, 1881, 300 00
Due town Feb. 8, 1882. 11 57
S2.159 26 $2,159 26
D R .
LIQUOR ACCOUNT.
CR.
Liquors, Feb. S, 1881, $305 34
" purchased, 1,488 19
Freight, etc., 16 43
Salary of agent, 300 00
Profit. 346 49
Sales of Liquors, $2,144 51
" Barrels, 14 75
Liquors on hand Feb.
8, 1882. 297 19
$2,456 45 $2,456 45
30
T R E A S U R E R ' S ACCOUNT.
TOWN OF BRUNSWICK IN ACCOUNT WITH J . P. WINCHELL. T U K A 8 U R E R .
Dr.
To Town orders paid from Feb. 1, 1881, to January 31, 1882, inclusive,
Balance in Treasury.
Or.
By balance in Treasury Jan. 31, 1881,
Temporary Loan,
Liquor Agency,
Selectmen for licenses, Repayment pauper expenses, Use of hearse, Rents, Taxes abated, Town of Showhegan for support of Mrs.
Roddrick, R. Alexander, for wife, Liquor bottles sold,
Interest on taxes, from D. T. Purrinton,
State School Fund, 1880,
School Mill Tax for 1880,
Rail Road and Telegraph Tax for 1881,
Delinquent Resident Taxes, collected,
Delinquent Non-resident Taxes, collected,
$7000 4 per cent. Bridge Bonds, sold at par and interest,
D. T. Purrinton, collector for 1876, balance,
1877, 1878,
" 1879,
$30,399 05
1,113 24
$31,512 29
$3,047 50
1,000 00 300 00 58 00 99 65 3 00
497 50 46 24
103 17 5 00 1 90
125 00 683 38
1,717 92 156 77 86 99 193 05
7,031 81
75 10 130 00 244 00 750 76
31
D. T. Purrinton, collector for 1880, 2,155 48 1881, 13,000 00
$31,512 29
J. P. WINCHELL, Treasurer.
UNCOLLECTED TAXES FEB. 1, 1881.
For the yeai 1875, $650 46 u 1877, 60 00 1 1878, 150 89 1 1879, 745 07
1880, 2,200 57 L 1881, 6,475 45 1881,
$10,282 44
J. P. WINCHELL, Treasurer.
AUDITORS' REPORT.
The Auditors of the town of Brunswick having examined the accounts of Receipts and Expenditures presented by the Selectmen, as Selectmen, Assessors, and Overseers of the Poor for the year to, and including January 31, 1882, find them carefully kept and properly vouched.
The statement of J. P . Winchell, Treasurer, shows correctly his official transactions and the present state of the Treasury.
The Sinking Fund has been increased by the addition of the usual annual sum, and by the interest on the investments, and now amounts, at the market value of its securities, to $7,592 80.
Of the bonds authorized for new Bridge, $7,000 have been issued, dated May 10, 1881, with interest at 4 per cent., payable semi-annually, and which were sold at par. I t is probable that $1,500 more will be issued.
The suit between the town and collector for 1875 is not yet determined, and the uncollected taxes for that year appear without change.
Tax statement is as follows : Uncollected taxes Feb. 1, 1881, $7,162 33 Town taxes committed for 1881, 19,475 45
126,637 78
Paid Treasurer by D. T. Purrintou, Collector, for
1876-'77-'78-'79-'80-'81, $16,355 34 Uncollected, Feb. 1, 1882, 10,282 44
$26,637 78
As the books of the sub-surveyors of highways are not before the auditors, they are not able to certify to the accuracy of the transactions in connection jvith the highway labor tax, except that part not assigned to sub-surveyors, and paid to the Selectmen
33
in cash, which to the amount of over $500, has been properly accounted for. I t is hoped the town will not think it advisable again to assess a labor tax.
There is now due the town from the State School Fund and Mill tax $2,614 02, which was the apportionment for 1881.
Tbe following appropriations are recommended :
For Support of Poor, $2,000
Schools, 5,000 Fire Department, 1,200
Night Watch, 800 Contingencies, 1,000
Interest, 1,840
Sinking Fund, 2,000 Abatement of Taxes, 1,000
Roads and Bridges, 5,000
I. P . BOOKER, ) Auditors of P. C. MERRYMAN. f Brunswick.
BRUNSWICK, Feb. 8, 1882.
R E P O R T O F
CHIEF ENGINEER OF FIRE DEPARTMENT.
To the Selectmen of Brunswick:
GENTLEMEN :—The Chief Engineer of the Five De|-:irtmeiit for the municipal year ending February 1st, 1^82, asks leave to submit the following report, viz :
BOARD O F E N G I N E E R S .
C. E. Townsend, Chief.
E. H. Woodside, A. T. Campbell, Leonard Townsend,
Assistants.
H. M. Bowker, Benj. Dunning, D. S. Stanwood,
Wardens.
ASSIGNMENT OF DUTIES .
A. T. Campbell to have charge of Engine, No. 1; E. H. Wo . ; ' side to have charge of Engine, No. 3 ; Leonard Townsend to h J charge of Engine No. 2, of Topsham, when on duty at fires in thb town; Benj. Dunning to have charge of Hooks and Ladders at fires.
H. M. Bowker and D. S. Stanwood to have charge of the removal of goods at fires, and to establish a watch over them when removed from buildings.
sr,
F I R E S A N D ALARMS.
There have been during the year one alarm and two tires, viz :
March 17th. An alarm of fire was given at 1.40 A. M., which
proved to be in the store of II. C. Martin, on the hill, occupied by
A. H. Ridley as a grocery. The fire department was promptly on
hand and the tire was extinguished as soon as located, an intense
smoke covering everything. Loss on building, $100. Fully in
sured. Loss on stock, small. Cause of tire unknown. Time al
lowed, one and one-half hours.
May 2d. Joel Ward's house and barn on McLellan Street were discovered on fire at b'.lO A. M. The buildings were all burned ; no alarm given. Loss $350. Fully insured. Cause of fire unknown.
E N G I N E S .
IvKNXtBEc, N J . 1. Number of men, 7o. Engine was built by Butti<a <& Sou, Waterfowl, X. Y in 1807. Diameter ot cylinder, 111 inches; suction ho*ie, 2b feet; leading hose, 1,03b' feet; 400 feet in poor condition.
NIAGARA, N O . 3. Number of men, 7.">. Engine was built by Hunneman & C<>., Boston, Mass., in 1870. Diameter of cylinder, 5 7-8 inches; suction hose, 24 feet; leading hose, 1,200 feet; 5:jll feet in poor condition.
PROTECTOR, NO. 4. In fair condition. Company disbanded.
HOOKS &' LADDERS.
The Hooks and Ladders are in good condition.
R E S E R V O I R S A N D H Y D R A N T S .
There are thirty reservoirs and three hydrants, three reservoirs having been built during the year, one on McLellan Street, one on Jordan Avenue, and one on High Street. The reservoir at the head ot Elm Street was not rebuilt, on account of the wetness of the season. The rest are in good condition.
36
In conclusion, I would congratulate the citizens of the town on the good fortune which has attended us duripg the year just past; but if the firemen's services had been needed, we would have found them ready to respond to the alarm, well organized and in good condition.
All of which is respectfully submitted,
C. E. T O W N S E N D ,
Chief Engineer.
BRUNSWICK, January 31st, 1882.
A N N U A L REPORT OF THE
SUPERINTENDING SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
I t is manifestly impossible for us to give anything like a complete report of all the schools of the town, and we shall not attempt it Enough, however, will be given so that any one who cares to know, can form a tolerably correct idea of the condition of common school education in our midst.
W e feel that there are many things to be thankful for, and some to deplore, in the conduct of our schools during the past year.
In the first place it is a cause for great thankfulness, that so much interest was felt in the schools by the citizens of the town, that they were willing, at the last town meeting, to vote an additional $1000 for their support.
It is a further cause for thankfulness that so many of both teachers and scholars have seemed to realize, to so great a degree, their responsibilities and privileges, and have devoted themselves so heartily to their work.
The result has been that, in spite of some conspicuous failures we believe, as a whole, the schools have been kept up to the hio-h standard of excellence always demanded by the people of
this town. But that things in general have been so well, should not
blind our eyes to some very deplorable ones. In the first place, it is deplorable that the schools should be
1 ft to take care of themselves so much by the parents. Scarcely ver does a parent visit a school except there be some sort of exhi
bition at its close. Thus the only ideas they can get of it are derived from outside talk, and in this way very wrong judgments are frequently formed.
38
Another very deplorable thing is what we believe to be the false economy, in reference to teachers' wages, especially in the districts outside the village.
As long as teachers are sought who are willing to work for wages, such as are given to second-class servant girls, in most cases only inferior ones will be obtained. Teachers who have spent much time and money in fitting themselves for their work, cannot afford to teach for two or three dollars per week.
It may be said that increasing the wages of the teachers would necessitate shorter schools in places where they seem already too short. Let it be so then. A school of a few weeks with a live, energetic teacher is far more profitable than a longer one with a poor teacher. For example, we find that, owing to the generous increase of appropriation by the town, already referred to, more weeks of schooling were provided in many districts. This may seem to be and is a gain, but in our judgment the gain would have been for greater had the extra money been added to the pay of the teachers. And this would have been just as true, had the same teachers, in most cases, been employed, for teachers cannot help thinking that it does not require a great deal of work to earn the money they in many places get.
It is true we have some control over the matter by refusing certificates, and we make as much use of this power as we can conscientiously, but we could be far more exacting, did we not know that better material could not possibly be expected tor the price.
CENSUS A N D A P P R O P R I A T I O N .
By the census returns of the different districts, we find that the whole number of scholars in town April 1st, 1881, was 1,696. The number for 1880 was 1,639, showing a gain of 57. The o-ain, however, has been in the village district only. The outside districts have lost slightly, t h t numbers being, for 1880, 454 ; for 1881, 448. The money available for the schools of the town, except the $500 raised by the village district for its own schools, and the $250 received from the State for the Free High School, was $9,518.97, derived from the following sources :
39
Amount voted by the Town, $6,000 00 From the State School Fund of 1880, 683 38 From the State School Fund and Mill Tax, 1881, 2,614 02 From Brunswick School Fund, 221 57
89,518 97
This sum, being considerably in excess of that received last
year, made it possible to increase the appropriation per scholar
from $4.60 to $5.50. This was a result in every way desirable, for
the money available had been growing smaller for several years,
owing to less being received from the State. We most earnestly
hope that at least as much as this may be available for the coming
year.
It is needless for us to say that money spent for the schools
is well invested. Besides the good that it does in elevating the
standard of intelligence of the citizen, it is also true that there is no
better advertisement for a town than that it liberally supports its
schools.
A T T E N D A N C E .
The whole attendance and average attendance for the past year have been almost exactly what they were the preceding year. As the attendance last year was better than for years, it is gratifying to believe that the gain then noticed was a permanent one. Thus about 800 pupils have attended, with an average attendance of 83 per cent., as nearly as can be made out from the registers already received.
This may seem a small attendance, considering the fact that there are more than 1,600 scholars in town. We think, however, that it will be found fully up to that of other towns, which like this, contain a large number of foreigners, whose children do not attend the common schools.
Good as these figures are, however, they can and ought to be improved. In the first place, scholars are allowed by their parents to leave school at far too early an age. W e do not, of course, refer to those cases where it is absolutely necessary for chil-
40
dren to earn money for their own or parent's support, but to the cases of those, whose parents are in easy circumstances and who could go to school longer if they chose.
It happens that in this village there are exceptionally good opportunities for children to earn money, so that when boys especially, reach that peculiar period of boyhood, when the restraints and discipline of school life are borne with some impatience, when, in short, they feel ' too big to go to school," they are allowed to have their own way, and leave school, as they say, "to go into business."
In short, just when they need most, both the mental and physical discipline of the school-room, when they are just beginning to lay a good foundation for future years, they stop and subject themselves to the (for children) dwarfing influence of the store or factory.
Having now nothing in the way of study to tax their minds, they seek unnatural excitement by standing around the street corners, nights and Sundays, to the injury of the good name of the town, and the disgust of decent people.
We do not pretend that all such lead notoriously bad lives, but it is perfectly plain that if their minds are not occupied with their own improvement, they are in the best possible condition to receive evil. If they do not make positively bad citizens, certainly they do not make as good ones as they should.
So that not only should parents be interested to keep their children in school as long as possible, but every one who has the welfare of the town at heart should be equally interested.
We feel, perhaps, more deeply upon this subject than upon any other connected with the schools, and would most earnestly ask the hearty co-operation of all in our attempts to bring up the attendance to what it should be.
T E X T BOOKS.
No change of text books has been made during the past year, which involved all the schools in town. Some changes have been made in the village district, which will be noticed when speaking of it.
41
U N P R O F I T A B L E SCHOOLS.
I t would not be strange, if among the nearly 75 terms of schools held during this year, there should have been some which were very ready, if not quite, failures. The wonder is that there were so few. W e will not mention them by name, and it is needless to say that they were all outside of the village.
Those living in the districts where they were held, know well enough which ones we mean.
An unprofitable school may be the fault of the teacher or it may not. We have had both kinds.
The policy of the committee has been that, if the teacher was evidently at fault, to recommend the closing of the school as soon as possible. But if a teacher was manifestly qualified to teach the school, even though he or she may not have been as pleasing in manner, or judicious in speech as we might have wished, we have suffered the school to continue.
W e are always ready and anxious to hear anything, whether of praise or blame, about a school, for it helps us in judging of a school to know how the teacher is thought of outside of the school. But it must not be expected that we will do a lasting injury to a teacher by closing the school, upon the complaint of a few, even though their opposition may be sufficient to make it on the whole unprofitable.
I t is one of the evils of the district system that bitter feelings
started, perhaps at the school meeting, should work for the injury
of the schools during the year? Hardly a year passes without
something of this kind being manifest, and this year has proved no
exception.
SUGGESTIONS
Most suggestions that we would make, can be inferred from
what has already been said. In addition, we would make the fol
lowing : That teachers should pay less attention to requiring schol-
to memorize the text books, and more to actually instructing
42
them. Text books, as we look upon them, are chiefly valuable as guides, and should not be made too much of. Hence, it should not be regarded as such a great matter, if all scholars have not the same books.
When we visit a school, and find that scholars cannot answer questions that are not in the book, or that are not asked in the same way as in the book, and when asked what direction north is, for example, point to the ceiling of the room, we cannot but feel that a principal part of the teacher's work has been neglected.
Of course, in order to have much reform in this matter, in some cases more competent teachers must be employed. This, as we have already suggested, can only be done by offering more wages, and this would perhaps necessitate shorter schools.
We most earnestly wish that, at least, some agents would put this suggestion in practice during the coming year, promising, on our part, to stand ready to assist them with all our power.
THE V I L L A G E SCHOOLS.
In addition to its share of the town money, there have been available for the village schools, $750, of which $500 were raised by taxation, 1250 being received from the state tor the Free High School.
There have been more changes ol teachers in the village, than for several years previous. The High School teachers have been entirely changed. In the first place, Mr. G. C. Purington, the principal, and Miss Nellie Bunker, the second assistant, felt obliged to leave, at the close of the last school year, the former to take charge of the larger High School, in Auburn, and the latter to take charge of a husband. In each of these, the school met with a great loss. They belong to that class of teachers, thoroughly devoted to their work. W e hoped that they would remain for many years longer, assisting in the growth of the school, for which they had done so much, but we can hardly expect that either would refuse the flattering offer received. They will long be remembered by those with whom they came in contact, both in and out of school.
Mr. Charles Pish and Miss Mary W. Sanford were elected
43
to take the places ot these, Mr. Fish, being, at that time, principal of the High School at Oldtown, Maine, and Miss Sanford having been recently assistant at the Topsham High School.
Both being experienced and successful teachers, the school bid fair, under their labors, assisted by the experience and efficiency of Miss E. F . McKeen, not only to maintain its high position, but to make substantial gains, as it had been doing from year to year. But before the close of the first term, Miss McKeen was called away by sickness in her family, and soon after resigned her position in the school. If it should prove that her work in the school is ended, as seems probable, it is much to be regretted, for the effect upon the school, of her character and teaching, was in every way admirable. Few teachers exert such an influence for good over their pupils.
As temporary assistant for the succeeding term, Miss Carrie Potter was chosen, a choice, as it seems to us, eminently suitable.
In the Intermediate school, Miss Hattie Otis was promoted to the principalship, in place of Miss Mitchell; Miss Octavia Merry-man promoted to Miss Otis's former place, her place in turn being tilled by the promotion of Miss Hattie Perry, her former assistant. This left a vacancy, which was filled by the appointment of Miss Abbie Lunt, of the last graduating class of the High School
The other changes were in the Bath Street Primary School, where Miss Laura Stover was promoted to Miss Field's place, leaving a vacancy, which was filled by appointing Miss Mary Stinson, also of the last class of the High School.
These chances were made1 by the Board of Agents, as in
their judgment, they were necessary to give increased efficiency to
the schools. The teachers removed, have crone faithful work in the
h l - for many years, and lay down their work with the best . . 0f a n for their continued prosperity. The teachers promoted
. i y w ere entitlecrto promotion at the first opportunity, and
t ikcn hold of their new duties with their accustomed energy.
T i . e W teachers, Misses Lunt and Stinson, are putting forth their
fforts, and their schools are in a prosperous condition.
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At the close of the School year in June, quite a large class
graduated from the High School, holding their graduating exercises
in Lemont Hall.
The following are the names of these with the titles of their
original parts:—
Latin Salutatory—Finis coronat opus, Miss Ahrbie A. Lunt. Oration—Labor, the Philosopher's Stone, C. H. Tarr. Essay—Lessons from the Rocks, Miss Ida M. Porter. Essay—Heu pietas! hen prisca fides I Miss Nellie G. Elliot. Essay—Laughter, Miss Mabel W . Swett.
Oration—Safeguards of the Republic, Eugene Thomas. Essay—Commonplace People, Miss Mary C. Robinson.
Essay—Advertisements, Miss Susie P. Toothaker. Oration—Commerce, Orlando Dyer.
Class History, Miss May E. Potter. Valedictory—Eheu, fugaces labunter anni. M. Estelle Stinson.
Changes have been made in the following text books in the village schools the past year : Swinton's series of Grammars have been introduced into the Grammar School in place of Harvey's; Monteith's large Geography has been replaced by Harper's in the Grammar School ; Krusi's series of Drawing books has been exchanged for Walker Smith's.
STATISTICS OF T O W N SCHOOLS.
VILLAGE DISTRICT : Board of Agents ; J. C. Crawford, G-B. Tenney, John H. Peterson, P . 0 . Merryman, H. W Wheeler.
The school year in the Village is composed of 36 weeks, divided into three terms, Records for the Spring and Fall terms only can be given, as the winter term is not yet completed.
H I G H SCHOOL. Spring Term. Mr. G. C. Purington, Principal ; Miss E. F. McKeen, 1st Assistant; Miss Nellie Bunker, 2d, Assistant. Whole attendance 55 ; average 50.
Fall Term, Mr. Charles Fish, Principal; Miss E. F . McKeen, 1st Assistant; Miss Mary W. Sanford, 2d Assistant. Whole attendance, 52; average 48.
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GRAMMAR SCHOOL. Spring Term. Mr. W . H. W . Newell, Principal; Miss A. F . Merryman and Miss Laura Hatch, Assist. ants. Whole attendance, 81 ; average, 76.
Fall Term. Same teachers. Whole attendance, 95 ; average, 90.
INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL. Spring Term. Miss E. A. H. Mitchell, Principal, and Miss Hattie M. Otis, Assistant. Whole attendance, Miss Mitchell's room, 42 ; average, 34. Miss Otis's room, 29 ; average, 25.
Fall Term. Miss Hattie M. Otis, Principal; Miss Octavia Merryman, Assistant. Whole attendance, Miss Otis' room, 26 > average, 24 ; Miss Merryman's room, 29 ; average, 25.
C E N T R E S T . PRIMARY SCHOOL. Spring Term. Miss Oc
tavia M. Merryman, Principal; Miss Hattie O. Perry, Assistant. Whole attendance, Miss Merryman's room, 23 ; average, 16J ; Miss Perry's room, 53 ; average, 31.
Fall Term. Miss Hattie O. Perry, Principal; Miss Ahbie A. Lunt, Assistant. Whole attendance, Miss Perry's room, 27 : average 22^ ; Miss Lunt's Room, 6 1 ; average 41.
UNION S T . PRIMARY SCHOOLS. Spring Term. Miss E. A.
S. Pennell, I'rincipal; Miss Annie C. Elliott, Assistant. Whole attendance, Miss Pennell's room, 3 1 ; average, 24; Miss Elliott's room, 55 ; average, 34.
Fall Term. Same teachers. Whole attendance, Miss Pennell's room, 41 ; average, 33 ; Miss Elliott's room, 52 ; average, 37.
BATH S T . PRIMARY SCHOOL. Miss Salome M. Field,
Principal; Miss Laura A. Stover, Assistant. Whole attendance, Miss Field's room, 2 3 ; average, 18 ; Miss Stover's room, 3 5 ; average, 27.
Fall Term. Miss Laura A. Stover, Principal; Miss Mary E Stinson, Assistant. Whole attendance, Miss Stover's room, 19, average, 16 ; Miss Stinson's roapi, 33 ; average, 21.
DISTRICT N O . 3. Hartwell Little, Agent. Census of Scholars 34. Appropriation, $185.18.
Summer School, 7 weeks; Miss Georgia Meserve, teacher. Whole attendance, 18; average, 14.
Winter School, 13 weeks ; Miss Lucy H. Thorndike, teacher. Whole attendance, 15 ; average, 1*2.
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DISTRICT N O . 4. Galan Merryman, Agent. Census of scholars. "20. Appropriation, 1110.00.
Summer School, 9 weeks; Miss Florence M. Lincoln,, teacher. Whole attendance, 14 ; average, 12.
Winter School, 12 weeks: Miss Florence M. Lincoln, teacher. Whole attendance, 15 ; average, 13.
DISTRICT No. 5. E. A. Hackett, Agent. Census of scholars, 57. Appropriation, 8308.69.
Summer School, 9 weeks; Miss Addie P . Smullen, teacher. Whole attendance, 25 ; average, 22.
Fall School, 8 weeks; Miss F . G. Barron, teacher. Whole attendance, 28 ; average. 20.
Winter School, 12 weeks; F . P . Knight, teacher. School still in session.
DISTRICT N O . 6. Hiram Cripps, • Agent. Census of scholars, 11. Appropriation, 1110.00.
Summer School, 8 weeks; Miss Mary H. Robinson, teacher. Whole attendance, 6 ; average 6.
Fall School, 8 weeks; Miss Mary H. Robinson, teacher. Whole attendance, 5 ; average, 5.
Winter School, 8 weeks; Miss Mary H. Robinson, teacher. Whole attendance, 6 ; average, 5.
DISTRICT N O . 7. Henry P. McManus, Agent. Census of scholars, 25. Appropriation, 813(3.85.
Summer School, h\ weeks; Miss Effie L. Marriner, teacher. Whole attendance, 1 1 ; average, 8.
Winter School. S. C. Moseley, teacher. School still in session.
DISTRICT No. 9. John H. HoMgdon, Agent. Census of scholars, 13. Appropriation, $110.00.
Summer School, 8 weeks ; Miss Ada P . Purrinton, teacher. Whole attendance, 7 ; average, 4.
Fall School, 7 weeks; Miss Ada P . Purrinton, teacher. Whole attendance, 6 ; average, 5.
Winter School, 10 weeks; W . R. Butler, teacher. Whole attendance, 9 : average, 1\
DISTBIOT No. 10. Ephraim Given, Agent. Census of scholars, 25. Appropriation, $136.85.
Summer School, 8 weeks; Miss Vira Nason, teacher.
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Whole attendance, 12 ; average, 9. Winter School. Edward I. Sawyer, teacher. Whole at
tendance, 12; average, 9. DISTRICT N O . 11. Albert I. Tarr, Agent. Census of schol
ars, 24. Appropriation, $131.48. Summer School, 7 weeks; Miss Almira K. Doughty
teacher. Whole attendance, 12 ; average, 9-|. Winter School, 12 weeks; C. O. Abell, teacher. Whole
attendance, 14 ; average cannot yet be given as school is still in session.
DISTRICT No. 12. Andrew I. Thomas, Agent. Census of scholars, 20. Appropriation, $110.00
Summer School, 8 weeks; Miss Emeline E. Cox, teacher. Whole attendance, 8 ; average 6.
Winter School, 10 weeks ; C. S. Woodbury, teacher. Whole attendance, 16 ; average, 14.
DISTRICT No. 13. H. P . Mallett, Agent. Census of scholars, 44. Appropriation, $238.88.
Summer School, 8 weeks ; Miss Nellie L. Whitman, teacher. Whole attendance, 3 1 ; average, 26.
Fall School, 8 weeks ; Miss Abbie M. Tate, teacher. Whole attendance, 30 ; average, 26.
Winter School, 11 weeks; Miss Ellen F. Simpson, teacher. Whole attendance, 28 ; average cannot yet be given as school is Still in session.
DISTRICT N O . 14. John C. Rideout, Agent. Census of scholars, 22. Appropriation, $120.74.
Summer School, 10 weeks ; Miss Margie D. Simpson, teacher. Whole attendance, 8 ; avenfge, 7,
Winter School, 12 weeks. Miss Angie J . Williams, teacher. Whole attendance, 11 ; average, 9.
DISTRICT N O . 15. Charles A. Wyman, Agent. Census of scholars, 17. Appropriation $110.00.
Summer School, 8 weeks; Miss Hannie Trask, teacher. Whole attendance, 7 ; average, 6.
Winter School, 10 weeks. Miss Mary J . Farrin, teacher. Whole attendance, 6 ; average, 5.
DISTRICT N O . 16- C. J. Sylvester, Agent. Census of scholars 21. Appropriation, $115.37.
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Summer School, 10 weeks. Miss Edith A. Dyer, teacher. Whole attendance, 13, ; average, 12.
Winter School, 12 weeks. Miss Edith A. Dyei, teacher. Whole attendance, 17 ; average cannot be given, as school has not yet closed.
JimTEiCT No. 17. Edward S. Hacker, Agent. Census of scholdfadS. Appropriation, $142.22.
Summer School, 12 weeks. Miss Louise C. Atkinson, teacher. Whole attendance, 1 1 ; average, 9.
Winter Schools. E. W. Mallett, teacher. School not yet finished.
DISTRICT No. 18. John B. Stinson, Ageiit. Census of scholars, 26. Appropriation, $142.22.
Fall School, 8 weeks; William H. Thomas, teacher. Whole attendance, 18; average, 16.
Winter School, 9£ weeks; William H. Thomas, teacher. Whole attendance, 24 ; average, 20
DISTRICT N O . 19. Joseph Gatchell, Agent. Census of scholars, 3 ;. Appropriation, $179.81.
Summer Sihonl, 10 weeks ; Miss Sadie A. Sawyer, teacher. Whole attendance, 20; average, 16.
Fall School, 10 weeks; Miss Sadie A. Sawyer, teacher. Whole attendance, 17; average, 14.
Whiter Term 10 weeks; Miss Sadie A. Sawyer, teacher. Whole attendance, 17 ; average, 14.
DISTRICT N O . 21. Palmer O. Spinney, Agent. Census of scholars, 23. Appropriation, $126.11.
Summer School, 8 weeks. Miss Mariam S. Merryman, teacher. Whole attendance, 16 ; average, 14.
Winter School, 12 Weeks. A. C. Rich, teacher. Whole attendance, 1 5 ; average, 13£,
DisTEitfr No. 26. Calvin A. Dwelly, Agent. Census of scholars, 7. Appropriation. $110.00.
Summer Schools, 8 weeks. Lina B. Lunt, teacher. Whole attendance, 6 ; average, 5£.
Winter School. Miss A. J . Goddard, teacher. School still in session.
Repectfully submitted,
F . C. ROBINSON, ) .Superintending C. H. CUMSTON, } School C. M. H E R R I N G , ) Committee.