Medford Historical Society Papers, Volume 3.

[p. 145] to see even one youth growing up in ignorance— wilfulness—& Sloth, (Those—fruitful sources of misery & crime:) we heartily acquiesce in that great and truly republican principal of Law—That the rights & privileges of the many should never be sacrificed to the interest or caprice of the few. We subjoin the testimony of the schools in regard to these cases.

Questions by your Com. Were Samuel & Joseph kind & peaceable companions? No Sir. said every child in the school. Did they obey the rules of the school? No Sir—Did your teacher do right to send them away? Yes Sir. Would you like to have them return? No Sir.

It is said that children & fools always speak the truth: and your Com believe it.

In this connection we mention a case that ocured last April at the close of the school year When three or four large boys, about to leave the school committed depredations on the school house, and on private property in it, to the amount of 10, to 15 dollars. Your Com held a court of enquiry on the cases—called in witnesses—established the facts—Assessed the damage on the parents ÷ who, (most of them) promptly responded to the call, and the money was paid over to the Town Treasurer. Nor does the blame restaltoget her on children, for parents too:—honestly it may be but injudiciously in the opinion of your Com,—take their children from the school for 3,-6, or even 12 months at a time.—And after they have lost their ardour for study—Contracted idle habits—and enlisted their thoughts & affections in other things they are turned back again upon the schools only to mar their beauty, and destroy the order harmony & good feeling that would otherwise prevail in them.

[In view of the facts your Com recommend that hereafter no scholar shall be received or retained in our public schools over sixteen years of age: Except by