The Press., 1886-10-14
Issued Every Thursday Evening.
LOCAL rOplCs -PENN,D AND sCIssoRED.

LOCAL TOPICS -PENN'D AND SCIsSORED.
 Last Friday evenings school meeting in the borough district of Stafford was largely Q meeting of counsel. The prob lem of how to meet the need of more school room had been unexpectedly forced upon the people much sooner than expect ed, and the many houses going up, en- largine of mills, etc., all admonish us that the need is to increase. More money has to be expended. and the question was whether to put 1t on repairs to the old east-side school house, or to sell that build ing, and let the proceeds and cost of re- pairs go to enlarging the new center school house. The former plan is but temporary make-shift any way the latter in the di- rection of meeting an inevitable necessity of the future. The district already has . debt and this fact gave decidedly con servatiye tone to the meeting, but after talking the thing all over tho sentiment of the majority favored the passing of vote to sell the old school house and enlarge the new. Thevote is, to add to the struct- ure according to the plans made originally for enlargement, and substantially sdoubl- ing the size of the building, though but two additional rooms are now to be finish
 
 to superintend the building, consisting of E. K. Taft, J. D. Fenton, and Frank w. Patten, the committee being empowered to choose its own chairman, and reaEricted to ap expenditure of 5000, which, accord ing to statement made 10 the meeting by builder H. M. Day, will cover the cost. The work IS to begin at once.
 Principal Desper made a statement that, with the added rooms, the present number of scholars could be cared for at the new school house with the present number of teachers, while in using the old school house, and collecting in the pupils of that part of the village, only, two or more grades of school must be there carried on, with need of additional teachers. The meeting was quite harmonious, the speech es being, with a single exception, free from personal filings.
 The old building committee refused to superintend the enlargement of the new school house the district committee also refused, as did an warden and others. It is significant, and to be regretted that sensi- tive men who have served the public in this village are generally reluctant to do so again. The community, at least, owes thanks and common courtesy of treatment to men who serve it, especially those who give their time 9ratuiously. If we wish our best men to conduct our public affairs we must alter our manner of treating them and commenting suspiciously on every act and motive. Fortunately we have now a competent committee, and We believe one that will act on their own judgment, and do for the district as they would for them selves. E, EE | The No. 2 district school meeting, last Friday evening instructed the district committee to ask the selectmen to incorpo- rate into the town meeting warrant, aelause empowering action to be taken on the question of consolidating the town into one district Secretary Maxham's report this year, like its predecessors. is strong for the move. The Sunday Republican says: The report is remarkable for the clear and vigorous way in which it treats of the evils affecting the common school system the petty strife engendered among the dwellers in district where each fam fly is trying to fill the position of teacher, the reluctance of competent men to take the position of district committee, the poor quality of teachers caused by constant changes and the desire of children to work in the mills. All these evils have only one remedy in the organization of the dis tfiets under competent head. One sen- tence of the report is we'll worth quoting "Neither of the great political parties has ever exhibited in the hour of victory, and in the midst of the eager clamor for spells, a more wretched spectacle than is seen in miniature in one and another of the dis tricts, when the position occupied perhaps by a conscientious teacher and faithful worker is desired by another person, <
 The count of prohibition ballots cast at the town election in Stafford (75) was disal1- pointing to the politicians of that party, par ticularly as it is known that many who so vot- ed intend to vote straight in November. It is also noted ss signifi cant that the tickets cast were much defaced by scratching, keeping down the average vote.
 l HANfDhN, Mss. P waii has started The machinery in the old Lacowsic mill which has been idle for two years Mrs A H. Thomp-