Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1830-04-21


cred that, the resources of the town, aid
ed as they are by the law of the state,
are adequate to meet all the necessary
expenses Of instruction to all the children
Of the town between the ages of seven
and twenty one, who would avail them
selves ofa system of Free school instruc-
ton: as the whole number would not
much exceed 600; provided the ratio is
not greater here than it was in PrOvi-
dence in 1894: When with population
of about $4,000 their public schools
which were open freely to all did not
contain at any season of the year over
900 pupils. The opinion of the commit
tee is much strengthened by the lam
guage of the last report Of the school
committee, who represent that, all the ex-
ertions "by public advertisements, and
personal representations" have failed to
collect a greater number than could be
accommodated in the Mill street school
house. One additional school house cal
culated to accommodate 800 pupils, the
cost ofwhich, if built Of wood, is estimat-
ed by your committee ut from $4,000 to
$500, would be amply sufficient, with
the house in Mill-street to accommodate
all the youth of this town.
Your committee it will be perceived,
do not pretend to calculate the cost of u
school house with that precision which
might be expected from practical men;
but, they are satisfied that the largest sum
uamed is fully adequate to the expense
which would be incurred in the erection
of such house. Your committee are
Ofopinion that if another school honse is
built, the doors of both houses should be
thrown open to all who are disposed to
receive such instruction and both
schools established under the same reg
ulations
The school fund, agreeably to the re-
port of the commissioners Of the Mill
street school on the-day of June last,
amounted to S2675 Al, sum considera-
bly, more than sufficient to erect suita-
BILE building with all the requisite fix
lures. The estimated annual fund, will
exceed rather than fall below ST. ,80O.-
The latter sum, with the interest of the
balance ofthe present school fund in the
opinion Of the committee, would be
sufficient for deiraying all the necessary
expenses of both schools. If, however,
there should prove to be any defeien-
,cy, that deficiency could easy be met, by
requiring all the pupils to defray the ex-
pense of fuel, books, and stationary
Leaving it discretionary with the school
committee or town council to release from
that assessment, such scholars as are to-
tally unable to pay. This, your commit
tee believe, would give more general
satisfaction, than the present system of
exclusion of some, and paying all the
expenses of others.
As to the utility of the present school,
the committee take this occasion to ex-
press their qualification at its past Sue
cess, and their confidence, that under the
superintendent of its present able in
structor it cannot fail to prove blessing
to the town. Every praise is due to
those gentlemen who have with so much
iberality and zeal, devoted themselves
to promote its interests: And the COM
mittee trust that in some short period, its
doors may be thrown open to all the youth
of the town indiscriminately, and furnish
instruction to all without distinction, and
without expense.
The committee have been somewhat
surprised at the annual expense of the
school in Mill street not because they
themselves are sufficiently convcrsant
with the business to point out any items
in which retrenchment might be practi-
cable /; but because it is so far beyond
the estimate made by committee of the
town about the time it was established /;
and, because, it considerably exceeds
similar expense in the school in the town
of Providence. BY the statement sub
mitted to the town, it was estimated that
pupils would be taught at an annual ex-
pense of So 10 each. The school inProv-
idence, educate children at somewhat
over $4 each, the expenee of the Mill
street school for the last year, caiculat-
ing the same itims of charge, shows that
the expence of instruction here, is at
least $3.50 each, taking the number
taught to be the average as stated in the
last report of the school committee.
Whether, under all the circumstances,
however, any reduction in the expenses
of that school can be made without di-
minishing its usefulness in equal degree,
the committee are without the knowledge
necessary to form a satisfactory opinion;
and therefore, will not hazard one. Nor
are they at present, prepared to offer any
opinion as to the expedency of immedi-
ately erecting any additional school house
or houses. Being satisfied, that they
discharge the duty expected of them, in
submitting to the town such statement
of facts, in relation to the subject, as
would assist them in deciding these oues-