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State af ^Ii0tle Islarxd. 
 
 LAWS PERTAININfi TO EDDCITION 
 
 COMPILED F,Y 
 
 THOMAS B. STOCKWELIv, 
 
 COMMISSIONER OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS. 
 
 PEOVIDENCE, E. I. 
 
 E. L. FREEMAN & SONS, PRINTERS TO THE STATE. 
 1900. 
 
a^^^ 
 m. 
 
 transfer 
 IS 1909 
 
EXTRACTS 
 
 FROM THE 
 
 OTonstitutiou of lllxorlc MaucL 
 
 ARTICLE I. 
 Declaration of Rights. 
 Section 
 
 2. Object of government.— How laws 
 
 should be made and burdens dis- 
 tributed. 
 
 3. Religious freedom secured. 
 
 ARTICLE IX. 
 Qualifications for Office. 
 Section 
 1. Qualified electors only eligible. 
 
 ARTICLE XII. 
 Education. 
 Section 
 1. Duty of general assembly to pro- 
 mote public schools, etc. 
 8. The permanent public school fund. 
 
 3. Donations for support of public 
 
 schools. 
 
 4. Powers of general assembly under 
 
 this article. 
 
 PREAMBLE. 
 
 WE, the people of the State of Rhode Island and Provi- preamble. 
 dence Plantations, grateful to Almighty God for the civil and 
 religious liberty which He hath so long- permitted us to 
 enjoy, and looking to Him for a blessing upon our endeavors 
 to secure and to transmit the same unimpaired to succeeding 
 generations, do ordain and establish this constitution of 
 government. 
 
 ARTICLE I. 
 
 Declaration of Certain Constitutional liights and Principles. 
 
 In order effectually to secure the religious and political Declaration, 
 freedom established by our venerated ancestors, and to pre- 
 
LA^YS PEETAINING TO EDUCATION. 
 
 Eight of the 
 people to 
 make and 
 alter their 
 constitution. 
 
 Objects of free 
 governments. 
 How laws 
 should be 
 made. 
 
 Religious 
 
 freedom 
 
 secured. 
 
 serve the same for our posterity, ^ve do declare that the 
 essential and unquestionable rights and principles hereinafter 
 mentioned shall be established, maintained and preserved, 
 and shall be of paramount oblig-ation in all legislative, judicial 
 and executive proceedings. 
 
 Section 2. All free governments are instituted for the 
 protection, safety and happiness of the people. All laws, 
 therefore, should be made for the good of the whole ; and 
 the burdeus of the state ought to be fairly distributed 
 among its citizens. 
 
 Sec. 3. Whereas Almightj^ God hath created the mind 
 free ; and all attempts to influence it by temporal punishments 
 or burdens, or by civil incapacitations, tend to beget habits 
 of hypocrisy and meanness; and whereas a principal object 
 of our venerable ancestors, in their migration to this country 
 and their settlement of this state, was, as they expressed it, 
 to hold forth a lively experiment, that a flourishing civil 
 state may stand and be best maintained with full liberty in 
 religious concernments : we, therefore, declare that no man 
 shall be compelled to frequent or to support any religious 
 worship, place, or ministry whatever, except in fulfillment of 
 his own voluntary contract ; nor enforced, restrained, mo- 
 lested, or burdened in his body or goods; nor disqualified 
 from holding anj^ ofiice ; nor otherwise suffer on account of 
 his religious belief; and that every man shall be free to 
 worship God according to the dictates of his own conscience, 
 and to profess and by argument to maintain his opinion in 
 matters of religion ; and that the same shall in no wise di- 
 minish, enlarge, or aftect his civil capacity. 
 
 ARTICLE IX. 
 
 0/ QuaMjications for Office. 
 Section 1. No person shall be eligible to any civil office, 
 
EXTRACTS FROM THE CONSTITUTION OF RHODE ISLAND. 
 
 (except tlie office of school committee), unless lie be a quali- ^iectOTs*^oiiiy 
 fiecl elector for such office. 
 
 elisible. 
 
 AETICLE XII. 
 
 Of Editcation. 
 Section 1. The cliftiision of knowledsfe, as well as of virtue, Duty of the 
 
 '^ ^ general as- 
 
 among the people, being essential to the preservation of their mote^pubUc° 
 rights and liberties, it shall be the duty of the general as- education, 
 sembly to promote public schools, and to adopt all means 
 which they may deem necessary and proper to secure to the 
 people the advantages and opportunities of education. 
 
 Sec. 2. The money which now is or which may hereafter The permanent 
 
 public school 
 
 be appropriated hy law for the establishment of a permanent ^'^°'*- 
 fund for the support of public schools, shall be securely in- 
 vested, and remain a perpetual fund for that purpose. 
 
 Sec. 3. All donations for the support of public schools. Donations for 
 
 support of 
 
 or for other purposes of education, which may be received public schools. 
 by the general assembly, shall be applied according to the 
 terms prescribed by the donors. 
 
 Sec. 4. The general assembly shall make all necessary Power of the 
 
 general 
 
 provisions by law for carrying this article into effect. They assembly under 
 
 i- -J -J '^ J this article. 
 
 shall not divert said money or fund from the aforesaid uses, 
 nor borrow, appropriate, or use the same, or any part thereof, 
 for any other purpose, under any pretence whatsoever. 
 
EXTRACTS FROM THE GENERAL LAWS 
 
 State of glltocic island 
 
 PERTAINING TO 
 
 E ID TJ G j^T I O INT. 
 
 CHAPTER 6. 
 
 Classification 
 of voters as 
 registered and 
 unregistered. 
 
 Registered 
 voters, includ- 
 ing personal 
 property 
 voters. 
 
 Of the Rights and Qualifications of Voters. 
 
 Section j Section 
 
 1. Classification of voters as regis- I 3. Right to vote on real estate, sit- 
 
 tered and unregistere.d, and their uated in town other than that in 
 
 rights to vote. i which voter resides. 
 
 Section 1. The two following classes of |>ersoDS have, by 
 the constitution, the first as registered and the second as un- 
 registered voters, a right to vote in the election of all civil 
 officers, and on all q^lestions in all legally organized town, 
 ward or district meetings : — 
 
 First, Every male citizen of the United States, of the age 
 of twenty-one years, who has had his residence and home in 
 this state for two years, and in the town or city, in which he 
 may offer to vote, six months next preceding the time of his 
 voting, and whose name shall be registered, in the town or 
 
Chap. 6.] RIGHTS AND QUALIFICATIONS OF VOTERS. [ 
 
 city where he resides, on or before the last clay of December 
 in the year next preceding the time of his voting" : Prnvided, 
 that no person shall at any time be allowed to vote in the 
 election of the city council of any city, or upon any proposi- 
 tion to impose a tax or for the expenditure of money in any 
 town or city, unless he shall within the year next preceding 
 have paid a tax assessed upon his property therein, valued at 
 least at one hundred and thirty -four dollars. 
 
 Second, Every male citizen of the United States, of the age unregistered, 
 of twenty-one years, who has had his residence and home in voters. 
 this state for one year, and in the town or city, in which he 
 may claim a right to vote, six months next preceding the 
 time of voting, and who is really and truly possessed in his ' 
 
 own right of real estate in such town or city of the value of 
 one hundred and thirty-four dollars over and above all in- 
 cumbrances, or which shall rent for seven dollars per annum 
 over and above any rent reserved or the interest of any in- 
 cumbrances thereon, being an estate in fee-simple, fee-tail, 
 for the life of any person, or an estate in reversion or re- 
 mainder, which qualifies no other person to vote, the convey- 
 ance of which estate, if by deed, shall have been recorded at 
 least ninety days. 
 
 Sec. 2. The following class of persons have, by the con- persons en- 
 
 , . , , . . , , • 1 , , , . 1 1 . titled to vote 
 
 stitution, as unregistered voters, a right to vote m the election in a town tor 
 
 g-eneral 
 
 of all general officers and members of the general assembly, "Sicers, etc., 
 
 in the town or city in which they shall have had their resi- ancnher 
 dence and home for the term of six months next preceding 
 the election : — 
 
 Every male citizen of the United States, of the age of 
 twenty-one years, %vho has had his residence and home in 
 this state for one year, and shall own any such real estate 
 within this state, but out of the town or city in which he re- 
 sides, as is described in the second clause of the first section 
 of this chapter, and Avho shall produce a certificate from the 
 
 town. 
 
LAWS PERTAINING TO EDUCATION. 
 
 [Chap. 
 
 clerk of the town or city in which his estate lies, bearing date 
 within ten days of the time of his voting, setting forth that 
 such person has a sufficient estate therein to qualify him as 
 a voter, and that the deed, if any, has been recorded ninety 
 days. 
 
 CHAPTER 7. 
 
 Of the Regiderlng, Listing and Returning Lists of Voters, 
 and of Proof of their Qualification to Vote. 
 
 Section 
 
 Section 
 
 Registry voters to register them- 
 selves annually. 
 
 Names of property taxpayers to be 
 put on voting list : and annual 
 registry not required. 
 
 Proof of payment of taxes. 
 
 Town clerks, etc., to furnish certi- 
 fied copies of lists of voters on 
 demand, etc. 
 
 Town clerks to give certified copies 
 of registration of voters and other 
 records. 
 
 Electors entitled to certified lists 
 of persons paying taxes, etc., and 
 penalty for refusal to furnish 
 same. 
 
 Registry 
 voters are to 
 register them- 
 selves 
 annually. 
 
 Penalty for 
 
 false 
 
 certificate. 
 
 Persons of a 
 foreign birth to 
 file proof of 
 citizenship. 
 
 Section 2. Every person who is or within a year may be 
 qualified to vote, upon being registered, shall go to the town 
 clerk of the town in which he resides, and shall annually, on 
 or before the last day of December, register his name, and 
 thereby certify to the truth of the facts stated in the appro- 
 priate heads of such registry. Every person who shall 
 knowingly make any false certificate in registering his name 
 in any such registry book shall be fined not exceeding fifty 
 dollars, or be imprisoned not exceeding sixty days : Provided, 
 that before any person's name shall be placed upon the voting 
 list, if such citizen shall be of foreign birth, he shall file 
 proof, at least five days before any meeting of the board of 
 canvassers, with the town clerk, that he is a citizen of the 
 United States, and such proof shall be subject to the ap- 
 proval of the board of canvassers of the town or ward wherein 
 such person shall claim the right to vote. 
 
Chap. 7.] REGISTEEING AND CANVASSING OF VOTERS. 9 
 
 . Sec. 3. The several town and ward clerks shall annually ^ames of 
 
 J property tax- 
 
 place upon the voting list the names of the several persons putlJ^voting ' 
 who have previously been upon the voting- list, according- to annuafregistry 
 
 . ^ not required. 
 
 the provisions oi this chapter, ag-amst whom a property tax 
 to the amount of one dollar or upwards shall have been 
 assessed ; and such persons need not register their names 
 annually as is required of persons not paying a property tax. 
 
 Sec. 8. The proof of the payment of taxes upon real Proof of the 
 
 payment of 
 
 estate or personal property shall be the certificate of the col- '^*^^^- 
 lector of taxes or town treasurer ; and the receipt or returns 
 of the collector of taxes shall be sufficient evidence for the 
 purpose of procuring the certificate of the town treasurer. 
 In case of a school-district or highway tax, when by law the 
 same may be paid, whether in money or labor, to a surveyor 
 of highways or to a district collector, the receipt of such 
 surveyor or district collector shall be sufficient evidence of 
 such payment for the purpose of procuring the certificate of 
 the collector of taxes or of the town treasurer. 
 
 Sec. 12. Every town, ward or district clerk, upon pay- Town clerks, 
 
 , ' J:' 1 J et(; jQ furnish 
 
 nient or tender of his legal fees, which shall be the same for of^'vo'ters^'on 
 the ward and district clerks as for the town clerks, shall fur- u^iSer ofTee. 
 nish to any one demanding- the same a certified copy of any 
 list of voters whose votes have been given in at any election. 
 
 Sec. 13. Every town clerk shall, upon like payment or aiso a certified 
 
 .iP-i, T T1 .n copy of regis- 
 
 tender, lurnish to auy person demanding the same a certified tration of vo- 
 ters and other 
 copy of any registration of voters, and shall also, upon re- records. 
 
 quest of any person and tender of legal fees, and without 
 any unreasonable delay, examine the records and certify to 
 the estate of any person, and shall furnish copies of any in- 
 strument or writing which may be on record or in the files of 
 his office. 
 
 Sec. 14. Every officer authorized to receive taxes shall, futitied%o'^^ 
 upon like request and payment or tender, and without un- of persons ply- 
 
10 
 
 LA\YS PEETAIXIXG TO EDUCATION. [Chap. 25. 
 
 ing taxes, up- 
 on request 
 and tender of 
 fee therefor. 
 
 Penalty. 
 
 reasonable clelaj", furnish to any elector a certified list of 
 those Mho have paid to him state and town taxes, and the 
 amounts and times of such jDayments ; and shall grant certifi- 
 cates setting forth whether a certain person has or has not 
 paid to him snch taxes, and, if paid, to what amount and at 
 what time ; and everj'' such oflicer who shall refuse or un- 
 reasonably delay to furnish such lists or certificates, upon 
 payment or tender as aforesaid, shall for every such ofi^ence 
 be fined not less than twenty -five dollars nor more than two 
 hundred dollars. 
 
 CHAPTER 25. 
 
 Of Oaths, and by ichoni Achninistered. 
 
 Section 
 5. Form of engagement. 
 
 9. Who may administer oaths through- 
 
 out the state. 
 
 10. Who may administer oaths within 
 
 Sectiok 
 
 their respective counties and 
 towns. 
 11. Who may administer oaths in con- 
 nection with their offices. 
 
 Certain offi- Sectiox 5. Every person, except the justices of the supreme 
 
 cers, form of j i 5 i j i 
 
 engagement of. court, elected to office by the general assembly'-, or by either 
 house thereof, or by any town or town council, or under the 
 provisions of the law in relation to public schools, or ap- 
 pointed to office, civil or military, by the governor, shall, 
 before he shall act therein, take the following eng-agement 
 before some person authorized to administer oaths, namely : 
 I, {^naming the 2^&'fson'\, do solemnly swear {or, afiirm) that I 
 will faithfully and impartially discharge the duties of the 
 oflice of \jiaming the office'] according to the best of my abili- 
 ties, and that I will support the constitution and laws of this 
 state, and the constitution of the United States, so help me 
 God: \_0r : This afiirmation I make and give ujDon the peril 
 of the penalty of perjury]. 
 
 Sec. 9. The following persons may administer oaths any- 
 
Chap. 25.] OATHS, and by whom administeeed. 11 
 
 where within the state : The o-overnor, lieuteiiant-o"overnor, oaths. who 
 
 *" ' may ad- 
 
 secretary of state, attorney-general, assistant attorney-g-en- "^rou^cfhout 
 eral, general treasurer, justices of the supreme court, speaker '^•^^'^ st^^*^®- 
 of the house of rejoresentatives, commissioners appointed by 
 other states to take acknowledgments of deeds and deposi- 
 tions within this state, notaries public, the railroad commis- 
 sioner, the insurance commissioner, and the commissioners of 
 shell fisheries. 
 
 Sec. 10. The following persons may administer oaths who, within 
 
 ° their refspec- 
 
 within the respective counties and towns for which they may ^^^^ tTwas*^^ 
 be elected to office : Clerks of courts, state senators, justices 
 and assistant justices of the district courts, justices of the 
 peace, mayors of cities, judges of probate, presidents of town 
 councils, or persons acting as such, town clerks and town 
 w^ardens. 
 
 Sec. 11. The following persons may administer oaths in who, in mat- 
 ters connected 
 relation to all matters connected with, or in administering with their 
 
 ' ^ oaices. 
 
 the duties of, their respective offices : The school commis- 
 sioner, foreman of grand juries, members of committees of 
 either house of the general assembly or of joint committees 
 thereof, chairmen of committees of either board of a city 
 council or of joint committees thereof, members of town 
 councils, auditors, referees, masters in chancery, clerks of 
 school districts, commissioners on insolvent estates, members 
 of the board of state charities and corrections, coroners, 
 deputy-coroners, assessors of taxes, the presiding officer of 
 the state board of pharmacy, general and field officers, judge 
 advocate-general and brigade judge-advocate. 
 
12 
 
 LAWS PERTAINING TO EDUCATION. 
 
 [Cliap. 26. 
 
 CHAPTER 26. 
 
 Of the Construction of Statutes. 
 
 Section 
 
 1. Rules of construction, when to be 
 
 applied. 
 
 2. Genders. 
 
 3. Numbers. 
 
 4. Joint authority of three or more 
 
 authorizes a majority. 
 
 5. "Person." 
 
 6. "'Insane person." 
 
 7. "■United States." 
 
 8. "Town," "town council," "town 
 
 clerk," "ward clerk," "town 
 treasurer," "town sergeant." 
 
 9. "Land" or "lands," "real estate." 
 
 Section 
 
 10. "Oath," "sworn," "engaged." 
 
 11. "Month," "year." 
 
 12. Computation of time. 
 
 13. "Justice of the peace," "district 
 
 court." 
 
 14. "Seal." 
 
 1.^. Acts of incorporation are public 
 
 acts for purposes of pleading. 
 16. Repeal, effect of, in civil cases. 
 
 18. Repeal not to revive statutes re- 
 
 pealed. 
 
 19. Statutes, when to take effect. 
 
 Rules of con- 
 struction. when 
 to be applied. 
 
 Genders. 
 
 Section 1. In the construction of statutes the provisions 
 of this chapter shall be observed, unless the observance of 
 them would lead to a construction inconsistent with the 
 manifest intent of the general assembly, or be repugnant to 
 some other part of the same statute. 
 
 Sec. 2. Every word importing the masculine gender only, 
 may be constructed to extend to and to include females as 
 well as males. 
 
 Numbers. Sec. 3. Ever}^ word importing the singular number only^ 
 
 may be construed to extend to and to include the plural 
 number also ; and every word importing the plural number 
 only, may be constructed to extend to and to embrace the 
 singular number also. 
 
 Joint authority Sec. 4. All woi'ds purporting to give a joint authority to 
 
 TO any three or 
 
 more'is au- three or more officers or persons shall be so construed as to 
 
 thority to the •■■ 
 
 majority. g\\e. such authorit}^ to a majority of them. 
 
 ' Person." 
 
 Sec. 5. The word "person" may be construed to extend 
 to and include copartnerships and bodies corporate and 
 politic. 
 
Chap. 26.] CONSTEUCTION OF STATUTES. 13 
 
 Sec. 6. The words "insane person" shall be construed to "insane 
 
 ^ person." 
 
 include every idiot, person of unsound mind, lunatic and dis- 
 tracted person. 
 
 Sec. 7. The words " United States" shall be construed to "United 
 
 • • 1 TT • States." 
 
 include the several states and the territories of the United 
 States. 
 
 Sec. 8. The word "town" may be construed to include "Town." 
 city, or the District of Narrag-ansett : the words "town "Town 
 
 ■^ ' o J council." 
 
 council," board of aldermen or the district council of the 
 
 District of Narrag-ansett ; the words " town clerk," city clerk " Town clerk " 
 
 or the clerk of the District of Narrag-ansett ; the words " ward "Ward clerk." 
 
 clerk," clerk of election district ; the words " town treasurer," "Town 
 
 treasurer." 
 
 city treasurer or the treasurer of the District of Narragan- 
 
 sett; and the words "town sergeant," city sergeant or the "Town 
 
 ' o 7 of o sergeant." 
 
 -district sergeant of the District of Narragansett. 
 
 Sec. 9. The word " land " or " lands," and the words "real ;;Lanci." or 
 
 ' lands." 
 
 estate," may be construed to include lands, tenements and " Real estate.'' 
 hereditaments, and rights thereto and interests therein. 
 
 Sec. 10. The word "oath" shall be construed to include "Oath," 
 
 " sworn," 
 
 affirmation; the word '"sworn," affirmed; and the word "en- "engaged." 
 gaged," either sworn or affirmed. 
 
 Sec. 11. The words "month" and "year" shall be con- "Month." 
 strued to mean a calendar month and year. 
 
 Sec. 12. Whenever time is to be reckoned from any day, computation 
 
 •^ -^ ' of time. 
 
 date, or act done, or the time of any act done, such day, date, 
 or the day when such act is done, shall not be included in 
 such computation. 
 
 Sec. 13. The words "justice of the peace" may be con- "Justiceof the 
 
 PC3.C6. 
 
 strued to include warden of the peace, and the words " dis- ^ourt "'^'^ 
 trict court " to include warden's court. 
 
14 
 
 LAAYS PEETAIXCSG TO EDUCATION. 
 
 [Cliap. 30. 
 
 ■'• Seal. 
 
 Acts of incor- 
 poration are 
 public acts for 
 purposes of 
 pleading. 
 
 Eepeal, effect 
 of, in civU 
 cases. 
 
 Eepeal not to 
 revive statutes 
 repealed. 
 
 Statutes, when 
 to take effect. 
 
 Sec. Idt. Wlienever a seal is required to be affixed to any 
 paper, the word " seal " shall be construed to include an im- 
 pression of such seal made -nith or without the use of wax or 
 wafer on the joaper. 
 
 Sec. 15. Every act of incorporation shall be so far deemed 
 a public act, that the same ma}' be declared on and given in 
 evidence, without specially pleading the same. 
 
 Sec. 16. The repeal of any statute shall in no case affect 
 any act done, or any light accrued, acquired or established, 
 or anj' suit or proceeding had or commenced in any civil 
 case before the time when such repeal shall take effect. 
 
 Sec. 18. The repeal of any statute shall not be construed 
 to revive any other statute which has been repealed. 
 
 Sec. 19. Every statute which does not expressly prescribe 
 the time when it shall go into operation, shall take effect on 
 the tenth day next after the rising of the general assembly 
 at the session thereof at which the same shall be passed. 
 
 CHAPTER. 30. 
 
 Of the Permanent School Fund. 
 
 Sectiox 
 
 1. Custody and investment. 
 
 2. iloney from auctioneers to be added 
 
 to the fund. 
 
 3. School money forfeited by towns, to 
 
 be added to the fund. 
 
 j Section 
 
 ' 4. Additions, how they are to be in- 
 vested. 
 
 {. 5. Income to be appropriated for sup- 
 port of public schools. 
 
 Custody and 
 investment of 
 the school 
 fund. 
 
 Section 1. The general treasurer, with the advice of the 
 governor, shall have full power to regulate the custody and 
 safe keeping of the fund now constituting the permanent 
 fund for the support of pubhc schools, and shall keep the 
 same securely invested in the capital stock of some safe and 
 
Chap. 31.] 
 
 PUBLIC EECORDS. 
 
 15 
 
 responsible bank or banks or in bonds of towns or cities 
 within this state. 
 
 Sec, 2. The money that shall be paid into the state Money paid to 
 
 the state by 
 
 treasury by auctioneers, for duties accruing to the use of the §" added*to the 
 state, is aproppriated, and the same shall annually be added ^^^^' 
 to said school fund, for the permanent increase thereof. 
 
 Sec. 3. Whenever any money appropriated to any town school money 
 
 forfeited by 
 
 from the state treasury, for the support of public schools * ^^^'^i^^^Vi? ^® 
 therein, shall have been forfeited by such town, the same ^^^'^' 
 shall be added to said school fund, and shall forever remain 
 a part thereof. 
 
 Sec. 4. The general treasurer, with the advice of the gov- 
 ernor, shall from time to time securely invest all sums of 
 money hereby directed to be added to said fund, in the 
 capital stock of some safe and responsible bank or banks or 
 in bonds of any town or city within this state. 
 
 Additions, how 
 to be invested. 
 
 Sec. 5. The income arising from said fund so invested income to be 
 
 ^ appropriated 
 
 shall annually be appropriated for the support of public schooi^^^'^* ^^ 
 schools in the several towns. 
 
 CHAPTER 31, 
 
 Of the Pullic Records. 
 
 Section 
 1. Officers to deliver official records, 
 etc., to their successors in office, 
 or to secretary of state, when. 
 Penalty for neglect. 
 
 Section 1, 
 
 Section 
 2. Penalty for neglect by other than 
 the lawful custodian, to deliver 
 official records, etc. 
 
 Every person who shall hold a public office officers to de- 
 shall, upon leaving the same, deliver to his successor in office, records, etc., 
 
 to their suc- 
 
 or, it there be no successor, to the secretary of state, all o^sors in 
 
 •^ ' office, or to 
 
 records, books, writings, letters and documents, kept or re- state,^when^. 
 
16 
 
 LAWS PERTAINIiSTG TO EDUCATION. [Chap. 36. 
 
 Penalty for 
 neglect, etc.. 
 without cause. 
 
 ceiyed by him in the transaction of his official business, and 
 all moneys in his hands which he shall have received as trust 
 funds from any person or otherwise in the course of his offi- 
 cial business ; and every such person who shall, without just 
 cause, refuse or neglect for the space of ten days after re- 
 quest made in writing- bj^ any citizen of the state, to deliver 
 as herein required such records, books, writings, letters or 
 documents, or to pay over such monej^s, to the person au- 
 thorized to receive the same, shall be fined not exceeding 
 five hundred dollars and be imprisoned not exceeding five 
 years. 
 
 Penalty for 
 neglect by 
 other than law- 
 ful custodian, 
 to deliver offi- 
 cial records, 
 etc. 
 
 Sec. 2. Every person, other than the lawful custodian 
 thereof, who shall have in his possession, or under his control, 
 any such record, book, writing, letter or document as is 
 designated in section one of this chapter, and who shall, 
 without just cause, refuse or neglect for the space of ten 
 days after request made in writing by any citizen of the 
 state, to deliver such record, book, writing, letter or docu- 
 ment to the lawful custodian of the same, shall be fined not 
 exceeding five hundred dollars and be imprisoned not ex- 
 ceeding five years. 
 
 CHAPTER 36. 
 
 Of the Powers of, and of Suits hy and against, Towns. 
 
 Section 
 
 4. Towns may grant money for schools, 
 
 schoolhouses and school libraries. 
 
 5. Towns may establish free public 
 
 libraries. 
 
 6. May appropriate money for the 
 
 maintenance, etc., of such libraries. 
 
 Section 
 7. May appropriate money for free 
 
 public library not its own. 
 21. Town indebtedness limited to three 
 per centum of taxable property. 
 Town taxes limited to one per 
 centum of ratable property. 
 
 22. 
 
 Section 4. Towns may, at any legal meeting, grant and 
 
 Towns may 
 grant money 
 
 schoomo^uses ^'^^^ such sums of money as they shall judge necessary 
 
 and school ji .^ ^;- 4;. ^ ^ j^ jj. ^ 
 
 libraries. 
 
Chap. 36.] POWERS of, suits by and against, towns. 17 
 
 For the support of schools, purchase of sites for and the 
 building- and repair of schoolhouses ; and for the establishing 
 and maintaining of school libraries ; 
 
 Sec. 5. The electors in any town or city qualified to vote Power of, to 
 
 •^ -^ ^ establish free 
 
 iipon any proposition to impose a tax, or for the expenditure fj^rlries 
 of money in such town or city, may, by a majority vote of 
 such electors voting at the annual meeting for the election 
 of town officers, or members of the city council therein, 
 appropriate a sum not exceeding twenty-five cents on each 
 one hundred dollars of the ratable property of such city or 
 town in the year next preceding such appropriation, for the 
 foundation therein of a free public library, with or without 
 branches, for all the inhabitants thereof, and to provide suit- 
 able rooms for such library, which shall be used under such 
 regulations as may from time to time be prescribed by the 
 town council of such town, or city council of such city. 
 
 Sec. 6. Any town or city having established a free public May appro- 
 priate for 
 
 library therein, in manner as aforesaid, may annually, by the ™^such"^°^® 
 majority vote of the electors of said town, qualified as afore- ^^'^'''*"®''- 
 said and voting on the proposition, or by vote of the city 
 council of said city, appropriate a sum not exceeding thirty 
 cents on each one thousand dollars of its ratable property, » 
 in the year next preceding such appropriation, for the main- 
 tenance and increase of such library therein, and may take, 
 receive, hold and manage any devise, bequest or donation 
 for the establishment, increase or maintenance of a public 
 library therein, to be under such regulations for its govern- 
 ment, when they are not prescribed by its donor, as may 
 from time to time be prescribed by the town council of such 
 town, or the city council of such city. 
 
 Sec. 7. Every town not owning a free public library may. May appro- 
 priate for free 
 at the annual town meeting, appropriate a sum not exceed- public library 
 
 '^ ' ^ ^ ^ not Its own. 
 
 ing thirty cents on each one thousand dollars of its ratable 
 
 3 
 
18 
 
 LA^YS PERTAINING TO EDUCATION. 
 
 [Chap. 43. 
 
 Limitation of 
 town's in- 
 debtedness. 
 
 Limitation of 
 town taxes. 
 
 property in the year next preceding such appropriation, for 
 the maintenance and increase of any free public library 
 therein. 
 
 Sec. 21. No town shall, without special statutory au- 
 thority therefor, incur any debt in excess of three per centum 
 of the taxable property of such town, including the indebted- 
 ness of such town on the tenth day of April, one thousand 
 eight hundred seventy-eight, but the giving' of a new note or 
 bond for a pre-existing debt, or for money borrowed and 
 applied to the payment of such pre-existing debt, is ex- 
 cepted from the provisions of this section, and the amount of 
 any sinking fund shall be deducted in computing such in- 
 debtedness. 
 
 Sec. 22. No town shall assess its ratable property in any 
 one year in excess of one per centum of its ratable value, ex- 
 cept for the purpose of paying the indebtedness of such 
 town or the interest thereon, or for appropriations to any of 
 the sinking funds, or for extraordinary repairs for damages 
 caused by the elements ; but assessments for specific benefits 
 conferred by the opening or improving of any public high- 
 way, or for any public sewer, shall not be taken to be within 
 the provisions of this section. 
 
 CHAPTER 43. 
 
 Of the EstaUisJunent and Control of Free Pahlic Libraries 
 
 hy Towns. 
 
 Section 
 1. Town or city council may accept 
 
 gift of public library, or funds 
 
 for. 
 3. Town or city council to elect 
 
 trustees, and may fill vacancies. 
 
 Section 
 
 3. Duties and powers of trustees. 
 
 4. Appropriation for support of library 
 
 to be made annually. 
 
 5. Trustees to accept and receipt for 
 
 legacies. 
 
 Section 1. In case any librarj^, or funds for the establish- 
 ment thereof, may be offered to any city or town on the con- 
 
Chap. 43.] TOWN libraries. 19 
 
 dition that said libraiy shall be maintained as a free public Town or city 
 
 council may 
 
 library, the city council of any city, or town council of any ^^'^'^ep*,?!/'^ of 
 
 J ^ -J J J ■! J public library 
 
 town, is hereby authorized to accept such gift in behalf of °^ ^"°**^ ^°'"' 
 the city or town. 
 
 Sec. 2. Whenever any city or town shall establish a free Town or city 
 
 council to 
 
 public library, or shall become possessed, as above provided, elect trustees. 
 
 of any such library, the aforesaid city council or town council, 
 
 as the case may be, shall proceed to elect a board of trustees, 
 
 to consist of not less than three members nor more than 
 
 seven. As soon as possible after the election of the first Division of 
 
 ■■■ trustees. 
 
 board the members thereof shall meet and be divided by lot 
 into three groups or classes, the terms of office of one group 
 expiring in one year from the date of their election, those of 
 another group in two years, and those of the remaining 
 group in three years. With the expiration of the term of how'^fliiefd.' 
 office of any member the vacancy shall be filled by the city 
 council or town council, as the case may be, for the term of 
 three years. Yacancies occurring by resignation, removal, 
 death, or otherwise, shall be filled as above for the unexpired 
 term thereof. 
 
 Sec. 3. The aforesaid trustees shall take possession of prolide^for 
 said library, and shall thereafter be the legal guardians and '^^^^^ ^ ""^'^ 
 custodians of the same. They shall provide suitable rooms 
 for the library, arrange for the proper care of the same, 
 choose one or more competent persons as librarians and fix 
 their compensation, and make all needful rules and regula- 
 tions for the government of the library and the use of the 
 books : Promded, that no fee for the use of the books shall 
 ever be exacted. , 
 
 Sec. 4. . Each city or town acting under this chapter shall for^by'^town ° 
 annually appropriate for the support of the public library an 
 amount at least as much as that which the library shall re- 
 ceive from the state. All appropriations from the city or 
 
20 
 
 LAWS PERTAINING TO EDUCATION. [Chap. 44. 
 
 Trustees are to town and state, and the income of all funds belonging to the 
 
 control funds. ' =" ° 
 
 library, shall be subject to the exclusive control of the trus- 
 tees, and the several city and town treasurers shall pay, 
 within the limits of the appropriations and other library 
 funds in their hands, all bills properly certified by the said 
 trustees. 
 
 Trustees to 
 accept and 
 receipt for 
 legacies. 
 
 Sec. 5. In case of any bequest, legac}^, or gift to, or in 
 favor of, a public library, the trustees thereof are hereby 
 authorized and empowered to accept the same in behalf of, 
 and for the use of, the library, and their receipt shall be a 
 full and sufficient discharge and release to any executor, 
 administrator, or other person authorized to make the pay- 
 ment thereof. 
 
 CHAPTER 44. 
 
 Of Proj)€rty Liahle to and Exemjyt from Taxation. 
 
 Section 
 1. Propei'ty liable to taxation. 
 
 Sectiox 
 2. Property exempt from taxation. 
 
 All property is 
 liable, unless 
 exempted. 
 
 Property 
 exempt from 
 taxation. 
 
 School 
 property. 
 
 Section 1. All real property in the state and all personal 
 property belonging to the inhabitants thereof shall be liable 
 to taxation unless otherwise specially provided. 
 
 Sec. 2. The following property and no other, shall be ex- 
 empt from taxation : Property belonging to the state ; lands 
 ceded or belonging to the United States ; buildings for free 
 public schools, buildings for religious worship and the land 
 upon which they stand and immediately surrounding the 
 same, to an extent not exceeding one acre, so far as said 
 buildings and land are occupied and used exclusively for 
 religious or educational purposes; the buildings and per- 
 sonal estate owned by any corporation used for a school, 
 academy or seminary of learning, and of any incorporated 
 
Chap. 44.] PKOPEETY LIABLE TO TAXATION. 21 
 
 public charitable institution, and the land upon which said 
 buildings stand and immediately surrounding the same, to 
 an extent not exceeding one acre, so far as the same is used 
 exclusively for educational purposes, but no property or 
 estate whatever shall hereafter be exempt from taxation, in 
 any case, where any part of the income or profits thereof or 
 of the business carried on thereon, is divided among its 
 owners or stockholders ; the estates, persons and families of 
 the president and professors, for the time being, of Brown 
 University, for not more than ten thousand dollars for each 
 such officer, his estate, person and family included ; property 
 specially exempt by charter, unless such exemption shall 
 have been waived in whole or in part ; lots of land used ex- 
 clusively for burial grounds ; the property, real and personal, 
 held for or by any incorporated library society, or any free 
 public library, or any free public library society, so far as 
 said property shall be held exclusively for library purposes, 
 or for the aid or support of poor friendless children, or for 
 the aid or support of the aged pOor, or for the aid or support 
 of the poor generally, or for a hospital for the sick or dis- 
 abled, and any fund given or held for the purpose of public 
 education ; almshouses and the land and buildings used in 
 connection therewith, excei^t that almshouse-estates, when 
 belonging to the town, shall be subject to taxation for school 
 purposes, in the school district in which they are situated ; 
 the estate of any person who in the judgment of the assessors 
 is unable, from infirmity or poverty, to pay the tax ; the 
 bonds and other securities issued and exempted from taxa- 
 tion by the government of the United States. 
 
22 
 
 LAWS PERTAINING TO EDUCATION. 
 
 [Chap. 47. 
 
 CHAPTER 47. 
 
 Of Assessing and Collecting Poll Taxes. 
 
 Section 
 
 1. Poll tax to be assessed, when, and 
 
 upon whom. 
 
 2. Assessors entitled to certain in- 
 
 formation from inhabitants of 
 towns and cities. 
 
 Section 
 
 Penalty for refusing to give such 
 information. 
 S. Collection of poll tax. Tax to be 
 applied to support of public 
 schools. 
 
 Poll tax to be 
 assessed, 
 when, and up- 
 on whom. 
 
 Assessors 
 entitled to 
 certain in- 
 formation 
 from the in- 
 habitants of 
 towns and 
 cities. 
 
 Penalty for 
 refusing to give 
 such informa- 
 tion. 
 
 Collection of 
 poll tax. 
 
 Section 1. The assessors of taxes of each town and city 
 shall, at the time of the annual assessment of town and city 
 taxes therein respectively, assess ag'ainst every person in 
 said town or cit}^, who, if registered, would be qualified to 
 vote, a tax of one dollar, or so much thereof as with his other 
 taxes shall amount to one dollar. 
 
 Sec. 2. The assessors of taxes of each town or city, or 
 either of them, or any person by them authorized, may, at 
 any time within three months preceding the time of assess- 
 ing the poll tax in their respective towns or cities, require 
 from any and every inhabitant of such town or cit\^ such in-- 
 formation as may be deemed necessary by them, or either of ' 
 them, to enable said assessors to decide whether or not any 
 inhabitant is liable to assessment for said tax ; and any 
 person who shall refuse to give such information, or shall 
 wilfulh' make any false statements for the purpose of deceiv- 
 ing in the giving of such information, shall be punished by 
 fine not exceeding twenty dollars, or imprisonment in the 
 count}^ jail for a term not exceeding ninety days. 
 
 Sec 3. The assessors of taxes on completing the assess- 
 ment of taxes as prescribed in this chapter, shall date and ' 
 sign, and within three days thereafter deposit the same in 
 the office of the town clerk, except in the city of Providence, 
 and in the city of Providence deposit the same with the city 
 treasurer thereof. The town clerk shall forthwith make a 
 copy of the same and deliver it to the town treasurer, and 
 
Chap. 48.] 
 
 COLLECTION OF TAXES. 
 
 23 
 
 the town treasurer shall forthwith issue and affix to said copy 
 a warrant under his hand, and which need not be under seal, 
 directed to the collector of taxes of the town commanding- 
 him to proceed and collect the several sums of money therein 
 expressed, of the persons liable therefor, by the time directed 
 by the town, and to pay over the same to him or to his suc- 
 cessor in office. Whenever any town shall elect its town 
 treasurer collector of taxes for such town, such warrant shall 
 be issued to the town treasurer as collector of taxes by the 
 town clerk. The tax assessed according to the provisions of J^^ije^i'^to 
 this chapter, shall be applied to the support of the public ^"''"^ '''^°°^'- 
 schools in such town or city. 
 
 CHAPTER 48. 
 
 Of the Collection of Taxes. 
 
 Section 
 
 3. Taxes a lien on real estate. 
 3. Lien, how long to continue. 
 7. Tax may be collected from either 
 
 real or personal estate. 
 9. Collector may advertise and sell. 
 
 10. Real estate may be sold after 
 
 notice ; notice how given. 
 
 11. Notice, how given in case of resi- 
 
 dents. 
 
 12. Notice to persons not taxed who 
 
 have an interest in the property 
 taxed. 
 
 13. If non-residents, a copy of notice 
 
 to.be sent by mail. 
 
 14. Entry upon the land not necessary ; 
 
 return to be made to town clerk 
 under oath ; effect of return. 
 
 15. Deed of real estate sold by collector 
 
 or sheriff for taxes, what title 
 vests in purchaser. 
 
 16. Owner may redeem ,within one 
 
 year. 
 
 Section 
 
 17. Collector may distrain and sell 
 
 personal property. 
 
 18. Property exempt from distraint. 
 
 19. 20. Sales of personal property ; 
 
 notice of, how given. 
 Property to be sold by auction if 
 
 tax is not paid. 
 Surplus to be returned to owner. 
 Collector may remove personal 
 
 property for sale. 
 May follow persons or property to 
 
 any town. 
 Sale may be adjourned. 
 Collector may recover tax, how. 
 Judgment, execution and levy. 
 Proceedings, where person taxed 
 
 is out of state. 
 Warrant of distress to issue, when. 
 Warrant is in force until tax is 
 
 collected. - 
 35. Collector may require aid. 
 
 31. 
 
 33. 
 
 34. 
 
 25. 
 36. 
 27. 
 28. 
 
 29. 
 .34. 
 
 Section 2. All taxes assessed ag-ainst any person in any Taxes alien on 
 
 real estate. 
 
 town for either personal or real estate shall constitute a lien 
 on his real estate therein. 
 
24 
 
 Lien to con- 
 tinue, how 
 long. 
 
 LAWS PERTAINING TO EDUCATION. [Chap. 48. 
 
 Sec. 3. All taxes assessed against tlie owner of any real 
 estate shall constitute a lien on such real estate in any town, 
 for the space of two years after the assessment, and, if such 
 real estate be not aliened, then until the same is collected. 
 
 Tax may be g^Q, 7, If any persou is taxed for several parcels of real 
 
 collected from -^ *- -^ 
 
 estate^^^^°^^^ estate, or for personal and real estate in the same tax, the 
 whole of such person's tax may be collected, either out of the 
 real or personal estate, or any part thereof : Provided, that 
 no land aliened shall be sold, if the person taxed have other 
 sufficient propertj^". 
 
 Collector may 
 advertise and 
 sell. 
 
 Sec. 9. The collector may advertise and sell any real 
 estate liable for taxes in the manner hereinafter directed. 
 
 Real estate 
 may be sold 
 after notice. 
 
 Notice of sale, 
 how to be 
 
 How given in 
 case of 
 residents. 
 
 Nptice to 
 persons not 
 taxed, who 
 have an 
 interest. 
 
 Sec. 10. In all cases where any parcel of real estate is 
 liable for payment of taxes, so much thereof as is necessary 
 to pay the tax, interest, costs and expenses, shall be sold by 
 the collector, at public auction, to the hig-hest bidder, after 
 notice has been given of the levy, and of the time and place 
 of sale, in some new^spaper published in the town, if there be 
 one, and if there be no newspaper published in the town, 
 then in some newspaper published in the county, at least 
 once a week for the space of three weeks, and the collector 
 shall also post up notices in two or more public places in the 
 town for the same period. 
 
 Sec. 11. If the jjerson to whom the estate is taxed be a 
 resident of this state, the collector shall, in addition to the 
 foregoing, cause notice of his levy, and of the time and place 
 of sale, to be left at his last and usual place of abode, or 
 personally served on him, at least twenty days previous to; 
 the day of sale. 
 
 Sec. 12. In case the collector shall advertise for sale any 
 property, real, personal or mixed, in which any person other 
 than the person to whom the tax is assessed has an interest. 
 
Chap. 48.] COLLECTION OF TAXES. 25 
 
 Jie shall, provided the interest of such other person appears 
 upon the records of the town, leave a copy of the notice of 
 such sale at the last and usual place of abode, or personally 
 with such other person, if within this state, twenty days 
 prior to the time of such sale. 
 
 Sec. 13. If such other person have no last and usual place Non-residents 
 
 ^ to have notice 
 
 of abode within this state, then a copy of said notice shall ^^ ™'^"- 
 be sent by mail to such person, at his place of residence, if 
 known, twenty days prior to the time of such sale. 
 
 Sec. 14. No entry upon the land by the collector shall be Entry not 
 
 necessary. 
 
 deemed necessary ; but the collector, in all cases of sales of 
 real estate, shall make a return of all his proceedings under 
 oath into the town clerk's office, within ten days after the 
 sale ; which return shall be evidence of the facts therein 
 stated. 
 
 Sec. 15. The deed of any real estate, or of any interest ^sfeVb^^saie 
 therein, sold for the payment of taxes, made and executed by ^'^'^ ^^^^^' 
 the sheriff or collector who shall sell the same, shall vest in 
 the purchaser, subject to the right of redemption hereinafter 
 provided, all the estate, right and title the owner thereof had 
 in and to such real estate at the time said tax was assessed^ 
 free from any interest or incumbrance thereon of any person 
 to whom the notice required by the provisions of this chapter 
 shall have been given ; and the recitals in such deed shall be 
 evidence of the facts stated. 
 
 Sec. 16. The person who owned any real estate sold for owner may 
 
 redeem within 
 
 taxes, at the time of the assessment, or any interest therein, one year. 
 his heirs, assigns or devisees, may redeem the same upon re- 
 paying to the purchaser the amount paid therefor, with 
 twenty per centum in addition, within one year after the sale, 
 or within six months after final judgment has been rendered 
 in any suit in which the validity of the sale is in question : 
 
26 LAWS PERTAINING TO EDUCATION. [Chap. 48. 
 
 Provided, said suit be commenced within one year after such 
 sale. 
 
 Collector may g^c, 17. The Collector may distrain personal property, 
 except as provided in the section following, and may sell the 
 same in the manner hereinafter directed. 
 
 Property ^EC. 18. Property exempt from attachment or distress by 
 
 exempt from x ^ x 
 
 distraint, etc. ^^^^ j^^^g ^f ^j^^g g^^te or of the United States shall not be 
 liable to be distrained for any taxes whatsoever. 
 
 Sales of Sec. 19. In all cases where personal property shall be 
 
 personal 
 
 notfc^e^of' how le^'ied on by any collector, he shall cause notice thereof, and 
 given. ^j ^1^^ time and place of sale, to be left at the last and usual 
 
 place of abode of the owner, or personally to be given tO' 
 him, at least five days previous to the appointed time of sale,. 
 if such owner have a last and usual place of abode in the 
 state or if personal notice can be given to him. 
 
 Same subject. Sec. 20. The Collector shall also in all cases advertise the 
 same for three successive weeks in a newspaper, if there be 
 one published in the town, if not, in the county, and shall 
 also post up notices in three public places in said town, at 
 least twenty days previous to the appointed time of sale. 
 
 Of sale, tax Qec. 21. If such owner do not pay the amount of the tax,. 
 
 not bemg paid. - i ^^ r 
 
 with the interest or percentage and all costs and charges, by 
 the time appointed for the sale, the collector shall sell the 
 same, or enough to pay said sums, at public auction. 
 
 Surplus to be Sec. 22. Any property or surplus of money remaining 
 
 returned to j s.- i. ^ i. ^ o 
 
 shall be returned to the owner or person entitled to receive 
 it. If no owner or person entitled to receive the same can 
 be found by the collector, he shall deliver such property or 
 surplus of money to the town treasurer, who shall hold ■ the 
 same subject to the call of the owner thereof. 
 
 Sec. 23. Any collector may, with consent of the owner. 
 
 owner. 
 
Cliap. 48.] COLLECTION OF TAXES. 27 
 
 remove personal property for sale to any town or place, collector may 
 
 remove 
 
 where it may be sold to the best advantaofe, a'ivinsr notice to personal 
 
 J o J ^ o property for 
 
 the owner as before provided, and giving" notice as provided ^^^®' 
 by section twenty of this chapter, in the town or place where 
 the sale is to be made. 
 
 Sec. 24. If any person or property taxed in one town re- May foUow 
 
 persons or 
 
 moves or is removed into another town before the tax is col- Y'^^f^J^'^ 
 
 diiy town. 
 
 lected, the collector may follow such person or property into 
 any town, and levy or collect the tax with the same power 
 as if not removed. 
 
 Sec. 25. Any sale of real or personal estate or of any ad^■o^^^|d*'® 
 interest therein, liable for the payment of taxes by the pro- 
 visions of this chapter, may be adjourned from time to time. 
 
 Sec. 26. The collector of any tax may recover the amount i?e°cov°e*i°ta™^'' 
 thereof in an action of the case against the person taxed, 
 and in the declaration it shall be sufficient to set forth that 
 the action is to recover a specified sum of money, being a 
 tax assessed against the defendant, specifying the town in 
 which said tax was assessed and the time of ordering and 
 assessing the same. 
 
 Sec. 27. If judgment be rendered in favor of the collector. Judgment in 
 
 such a case ; 
 
 he shall have an allowance for his reasonable trouble in at- execution, how 
 
 to issue ; effect 
 
 tending to the suit, to be taxed by the court in the bill of °^ ^®^^" 
 costs, and execution shall issue against the real and personal 
 estate of the defendant, and the levy of the execution upon 
 any real estate, upon which a lien for such tax is created by 
 this chapter, shall be deemed to relate back, and take effect 
 from the time of commencement of such lien. 
 
 Sec. 28. If any person legally taxed shall be out of the Proceedings, 
 
 persons taxed 
 
 state, or depart therefrom, leaving no property liable for the the^tate*"^ 
 tax, the collector may summon the attorney, agent, factor, 
 trustee or debtor of such person before the district court of 
 
28 
 
 LAWS PERTAINING TO EDUCATION. [Chap. 48. 
 
 the district in which the town where the tax is assessed is 
 situated, to declare on oath how much property, if any, of 
 such absent person, he has in his possession ; and if he has 
 sufficient property he shall forthwith pay such tax and 
 charges, or deliver to the collector sufficient property there- 
 for. 
 
 Warrant of dis- 
 tress to issue, 
 when. 
 
 Sec. 29. If any person so summoned shall neg-lect to ap- 
 pear, or refuse to make oath, or having made oath shall refuse 
 to p'ciy such tax and charges, or to deliver to the collector 
 sufficient property therefor, if such he has, such district court 
 shall forthwith grant to the collector a warrant of distress 
 against the proper goods and chattels of such person so 
 summoned, and the collector may distrain and sell the same 
 wherever found, or so much thereof as will pay the tax and 
 all interest and expenses, in manner provided by this chapter • 
 and said district court shall have jurisdiction in the premises, 
 although the amount involved shall exceed three hundred 
 dollars. 
 
 Warrants in 
 force until 
 tax is 
 collected. 
 
 Collector may 
 require aid. 
 
 Sec. 34. All warrants for the collecting of taxes shall con- 
 tinue in force imtil the whole tax is collected, notwithstand- 
 ing the time appointed for collecting the tax, or the year of 
 office, may have expired, and notwithstanding the collector 
 may have paid the tax into the town treasury. 
 
 Sec. 35. Every collector shall have the same right to re- 
 quire the aid or assistance of the persons present, in the 
 performance of his duty, which a sheriff now has by law. 
 
Chap. 50.] PEOvisioNS conceening taxes. 
 
 29 
 
 CHAPTER 50. 
 
 General Provisions Concerning Taxes. 
 
 Section 
 
 1. Towns may provide for deduction, 
 
 if tax is paid; and impose per- 
 centage, if tax is not paid. 
 
 2. Officers neglecting' to perform duties 
 
 required of them, liable to be 
 indicted. 
 
 Section 
 
 3. Town taxes to have preference, in 
 
 cases of insolvency. 
 
 4. Compensation of assessors, town 
 
 clerks and collectors. 
 
 5. School district taxes. 
 
 Any town may provide for such deduction Towns may 
 
 provide for 
 
 deduction, etc. 
 
 Section 1 
 from the tax assessed against any person, if paid by an ap- 
 pointed time, or for such penalties by way of percentage on 
 a tax, if not paid at the time appointed, not exceeding twelve 
 per centum per annum, as they shall deem necessary to insure 
 punctual payment. 
 
 Sec. 2. Every officer who shall neglect or refuse to per- officers 
 
 f .... neglecting 
 
 form any duty imposed on him in this title, or who shall not betndicted"^^^ 
 comply with the provisions thereof, or who shall in any wise 
 knowingly violate any provisions thereof, shall be imprisoned 
 not exceeding one year or be fined not exceeding five hun- 
 dred dollars, which fine, in case it be a state tax, shall be 
 paid into the state treasury, or if a town tax, into the town 
 treasury, or if a school district tax, into the school district 
 treasury, or if a fire corporation tax, into the fire corporation 
 treasury. 
 
 Sec. 3. Whenever any person shall become insolvent, or ,Town taxes to 
 
 "^ ^ have prefer- 
 
 die insolvent, town taxes due from him or his estate shall f^solVency. 
 have preference, after debts or taxes due the United States 
 and this state, over all other debts or demands, save those 
 due for necessary funeral charges, and for attendance and 
 medicine during his last sickness. 
 
 Sec. 4. Assessors shall receive such compensation as the 
 town shall allow ; town clerks shall be paid for copying tax 
 
LAWS PERTAINING TO EDUCATION. 
 
 [Chap. 50. 
 
 o?theTs^-^*'°^ ^^^^^ ^^ ^^^ other copies ; and collectors shall be paid for col- 
 cferks^and^^ lecting' at the rate of five per centum, unless they shall have 
 agreed with the town for a less sum ; which fees shall be paid 
 out of the town treasury. In case of distraint of personal 
 property, or levy on land, the collector shall have the same 
 fees as sheriffs have in similar cases. 
 
 School district 
 taxes. 
 
 8ec. 5. The provisions of this title shall apply to all 
 school district taxes, so far as they may be applicable. 
 
 TITLE IX. 
 
 OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION. 
 
 Chapter 51. Of tlie board of education. 
 
 Chapter 52. Of tlie commissioner of public schools. 
 
 Chapter 53. Of the appropriation for public schools. 
 
 Chapter 54. Of the powers and duties of towns and of the town treasurer and town 
 
 clerk relative to public schools. 
 
 Chapter 55. Of the powers of school districts. 
 
 Chapter 56. Of district meetings. 
 
 Chapter 57. Of joint school districts. 
 
 Chapter 58. Of the levy of district taxes. 
 
 Chapter .59. Of the trustees of school districts. 
 
 Chapter 60. Of the powers and duties of school committees. 
 
 Chapter 61. Of teachers. 
 
 Chapter 62. Of legal proceedings relating to public schools. 
 
 Chapter 6.3. Of the normal school, teachers' institutes and lectures. 
 
 Chapter 64. Of truant children and of the attendance of children in the public 
 
 schools. 
 
 Chapter 65. General provisions relating to public schools. 
 
 Chapter 66. Of the Rhode Island college of agriculture and mechanic arts. 
 
 Chapter 67. Of state beneficiaries at the Rhode Island school of design. 
 
 Chapter 68. Of factory inspection. 
 
Chap. 51.] 
 
 BOAED OF EDUCATION. 
 
 31 
 
 CHAPTER 51. 
 
 Of the Board of Education. 
 
 Sectio* 
 
 1. Board of education, how con- 
 
 stituted, and duties of. 
 
 2. How divided, and term of office 
 
 of members. 
 
 3. "Vacancies, liow filled. 
 
 4. Officers of the board. 
 
 5. To hold quarterly meetings, and 
 
 prescribe rules. 
 
 6. Appropriation for free public libra- 
 
 ries. 
 
 7. Board to prescribe conditions on 
 
 which libraries may receive aid. 
 
 Section 
 
 8. Payments, how to be made. 
 
 9. Annual reports to be made to the 
 
 board, by officers of schools re- 
 ceiving state aid. 
 
 10. Private schools to be registered. 
 
 11. Board to furnish forms for returns 
 
 under preceding two sections. 
 13. Chapter 86 unaffected. 
 
 13. Board to report annually. 
 
 14. Travelling expenses of the board to 
 
 be paid, and how. 
 
 Section 1. The e-eneral supervision and control of the constitution 
 
 and duty of 
 
 public schools of the state, with such high schools, normal the board, 
 schools and normal institutes, as are or may be established 
 and maintained wholly or in part by the state, shall be vested 
 in a state board of education, which shall consist of the 
 governor and the lieutenant-governor, as members by virtue 
 of their office, and of one other member from each of the 
 counties of the state, with the exception of Providence 
 county, which shall have two other members. The board of 
 education shall elect the commissioner of public schools. 
 
 Sec. 2. 
 
 continue to be divided into three classes, and to hold their 
 offices until the terms for which they were respectively 
 elected shall have expired. 
 
 term of office 
 of members. 
 
 Two members of the board of education shall be vacancies, 
 
 how filled. 
 
 Sec. 3. 
 
 elected annually at the May session of the general assembly, 
 in grand committee-, from the counties in which vacancies shall 
 occur in said board, who shall hold office for three years, and 
 until their successors shall have been elected and qualified ; 
 vacancies in said board shall be tilled for any unexpired term 
 by an election from the county for which the member whose 
 
32 
 
 Officers. 
 
 Meetings. 
 
 Free public 
 libraries may 
 be aided. 
 
 Board to pre- 
 scribe condi- 
 tions on whicli 
 libraries may 
 receive aid. 
 
 LAWS PEETAIXING TO EDUCATION. [Cliap. 51. 
 
 office is vacant was elected, in the same manner, at any ses- 
 sion of the g-eneral assembly. 
 
 Sec. 4. The governor shall be president, and the commis- 
 sioner of public schools shall be secretaiy of the board of 
 education. 
 
 Sec. 5. The board of education shall hold quarterly meet- 
 ings in the first week of March, June, September and Decem- 
 ber of each year, at the office of the commissioner of public 
 schools, and may hold special meetings at the call of the 
 president or secretary. They shall prescribe, and cause to 5 
 be enforced, all rules and regTilations necessary for carrying 
 into effect the laws in relation to public schools. 
 
 Sec. 6. The board of education may caused to be paid 
 annually to and for the use of each free public library es- 
 tablished and maintained in the state, and to be expended in 
 the purchase of books therefor, a sum not exceeding fifty 
 dollars for the first five hundred volumes included in such 
 library, and twenty-five dollars for every additional five 
 hundred volumes therein : Provided, that the annual pay- 
 ment for the benefit of any one such library shall not exceed, 
 the sum of five hundred dollars. 
 
 Sec. 7. The board of education shall from time to time 
 establish rules prescribing- the character of the books which 
 shall constitute such a Kbrarj^ as will be entitled to the bene- 
 fits conferred by the preceding section, regulating the man- 
 agement of such library so as to secure the free use of the 
 same to the people of the town and neighborhood in which 
 it shall be established, and directing the mode in which the 
 sums paid in pursuance of this chapter shall be expended. 
 No library shall receive any benefit under the foregoing pro- 
 visions, unless such rules shall have been complied with by 
 those in charge thereof, nor until thej' shall have furnished 
 
Chap. 51.] BOARD OF EDUCATION. 33 
 
 to said board satisfactory evidence of the number and char- 
 acter of the books contained in said library. 
 
 Sec. 8. Every payment herein authorized shall be made Payments,how 
 
 , to be made. 
 
 by the general treasurer upon the order of the commissioner 
 of public schools, approved by the board of education, and 
 payable to the librarian or other person having charge of 
 such library or of the funds applied to its support designated 
 by said board. 
 
 Sec. 9. The trustees, officers, or persons in charge of all by officers^of*^ 
 schools and educational institutions supported wholly or in fng-'state^ail!'^' 
 part by this state, whether entirely devoted to education or 
 only partially so, shall make a report annually in the month 
 of July to the state board of education, of such facts as shall 
 show the number of pupils and instructors, the courses of 
 study, the cost of maintenance, and general needs and con- 
 ditions of the school or institution. 
 
 Sec. 10. All private schools or institutions of learning in Private schools 
 
 are to be 
 
 this state shall be registered at the office of the state board legistered. 
 of education, said registry showing- location, name, officers 
 or persons in charge, grade of instruction, and common 
 language used in teaching. They shall also make a report 
 annually in the month of July, to the state board of educa- 
 tion, showing the number of different pupils enrolled, the 
 average attendance, and the number of teachers employed. 
 
 Sec. 11. The board shall provide registers for all such Registers and 
 
 '- ^ blanks. 
 
 schools and institutions, and shall prepare blank forms of 
 inquiry for the facts called for in the tAvo sections next pre- 
 ceding, and in doing so shall have special reference to the 
 requirements of the bureau of education at Washington. 
 
 Sec. 12. Nothing in the three sections next preceding chapter 86 
 
 ^ . unaffected. 
 
 shall be so construed as to repeal, affect, or modify the pro- 
 visions of chapter eighty -six. 
 
43 
 
 LAWS PEETAINING TO EDUCATION. [Oliap. 52. 
 
 Annual report. Qec. 13. The boarcl of education shall make an annual 
 report to the general assembly at the adjourned session at 
 Providence. 
 
 Travelling 
 expenses of 
 board, how 
 paid. 
 
 Sec. 14. The members of said board shall receive no 
 compensation for their services, but the general treasurer 
 shall pay, upon the order of the state auditor, the necessary 
 expenses of the members, when attending the meetings of 
 the board, or when travelling on official business within the 
 state, after the bills have been approved by the general 
 assembly. 
 
 CHAPTER 52. 
 
 To be elected 
 by the board 
 of education. 
 
 May employ a 
 clerk. 
 
 Of the Cormnissioner of Public Schools. 
 
 Section 
 
 1. Commissioner, how elected. 
 
 2. May employ a clerk. 
 
 3. Duties of the commissioner. 
 
 4. To secure uniformity of text-books. 
 
 Section 
 
 5. To prepare and distribute pro- 
 
 gramme for Arbor Day. 
 
 6. To report to the general assembly. 
 
 Section 1. There shall be annually elected a commissioner 
 of public schools in the manner prescribed in the preceding 
 chapter, who shall devote his time exclusively to the duties 
 of his office. In case of sickness, temporary absence,, or 
 other disability, the governor may appoint a person to act as 
 commissioner during such absence, sickness or disability. 
 
 Sec. 2. He may emploj^ a clerk to assist in the duties of 
 his office. 
 
 General duties 
 of the 
 commissioner. 
 
 Sec. 3. The commissioner of public schools shall visit, as 
 often as practicable, every school district in the state, for the 
 purpose of inspecting the schools, and diffusing as widely as 
 possible, by public addresses and personal communications 
 with school officers, teachers and parents, a knowledge of the 
 defects, and of any desirable improvements, in the adminis- 
 
Chap. 53.] APPROPRIATION FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS. 
 
 35 
 
 tration of the system and the goverDinent and instrnction of 
 the schools. 
 
 Sec. 4. He shall, under the direction of the board of ^ext-books. 
 education, recommend and bring about, as far as practicable, 
 a uniformit}^ of text-books in the schools of all the towns ; 
 and shall assist in the establishment of, and selection of 
 books for, school libraries. 
 
 Sec. 5. The commissioner of public schools shall prepare Arbor Day. 
 each year a programme of exercises suitable for the ob- 
 servance of Arbor Day, and shall distribute the same among 
 all of the public schools of the state at least four weeks 
 previous to said day. 
 
 Sec. 6. He shall annually, in December, make a report to Annual report. 
 the board of education, upon the state and condition of the 
 schools and of education, with plans and suggestions for the 
 improvement of said schools. 
 
 CHAPTER 53. 
 
 Of the Appropriation for Public Schools. 
 
 Section 
 
 1. Appropriation from treasury to be 
 paid annually. 
 ' 2. How apportioned. 
 
 3. How expended. 
 
 4. Conditions upon which towns shall 
 
 receive their proportion. 
 
 5. Forfeiture of town's proportion, 
 
 when. 
 
 Section 
 
 Orders on the general treasurer. 
 S. Appropriation for reference 
 books and illustrative appara- 
 tus. How apportioned. 
 Of future apportionments in case 
 applications exceed the amount 
 of appropriation. 
 Evening schools. 
 
 Section 1. The -sum of one hundred and twenty thousand ^^^J'treLsSy ■ 
 dollars shall be annually paid out of the income of the per- 
 manent school fund, and from other money in the treasury, 
 for the support of public schools in the several towns, on 
 the order of the commissioner of public schools. 
 
36 
 
 LAWS PERTAINING TO EDUCATION. [Chap. 53. 
 
 How 
 apportioned. 
 
 Sec. 2. This sum of one hundred and twenty thousand 
 dollars shall be apportioned by the commissioner of public 
 schools among the several towns, as follows : The sum of one 
 hundred dollars shall be apportioned for each school, not to 
 exceed fifteen in number in any one town ; the remainder 
 shall be apportioned in proportion to the number of children 
 from five to fifteen years of age, inclusive, in the several 
 towns, according to the school census then last preceding. 
 
 Sec. 3. The money appropriated from the state as afore- 
 said shall be denominated " teachers' money," and shall be 
 ajjplied to the wages of teachers, and to no other purpose. 
 
 Towns to Sec. 4. No town shall receive any part of such state 
 
 receive, on "^ '• 
 
 eciuaP°'^°^^'^ appropriation, unless it shall raise by tax, for the support of 
 appropria ion. p^^j^jj^ schools, a sum equal to the amount it may receive 
 from the treasury for the support of public schools. 
 
 How 
 expended. 
 
 Forfeiture, 
 when ; and 
 forfeitures to 
 be added to 
 school fund. 
 
 The commis- 
 .sioner to draw 
 on general 
 treasurer in 
 (favor of towns 
 entitled. 
 
 Appropriation 
 for reference- 
 books and illus- 
 trative 
 apparatus. 
 
 Sec. 5. If any town shall neglect or refuse to raise or 
 appropriate the sum required in the preceding section, on or 
 before the first day of July, in any year, its proportion of the 
 public money shall be forfeited, and the general treasurer, on 
 being- informed thereof in writing by the commissioner of 
 public schools, shall add it to the permanent school fund. 
 
 Sec. 6. The commissioner of public schools shall draw 
 orders on the general treasurer for their proportion of the 
 appropriation for public schools, in favor of all such towns 
 as shall on or before the first day of July annually comply 
 with the conditions of section four of this chapter. 
 
 Sec. 7. The sum of three thousand dollars shall be 
 annually appropriated for the purchase of dictionaries, en- 
 cyclopedias and other works of reference, maps, globes and 
 other apparatus, for the use of the public schools of the 
 state. 
 
 Sec. 8. Said sum of three thousand dollars shall be 
 
Chap. 53.] APPROPRIATION FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS. 37 
 
 apportioned among- the several towns and districts as follows : Apportion- 
 
 ,..,.. , raent of said 
 
 Jiivery town or district desiring to avail itself of this appro- appropriation. 
 
 priation shall make application therefor to the commissioner 
 
 of public schools, stating- the amount that has been raised or 
 
 appropriated for the same purpose by the town or district. 
 
 Upon the receipt of said application and vouchers for the 
 
 amount actually expended, the commissioner of public schools 
 
 may draw his order on the general treasurer in favor of said audfto^^o^r*^*^ 
 
 applicant for half of the amount of said vouchers, to an 
 
 amount not to exceed twenty dollars in any one year, in favor 
 
 of any district, or, in case of any town not divided into 
 
 districts, at the rate of not more than ten dollars for each 
 
 school, to an amount not to exceed two hundred dollars in 
 
 any one year : Provided, that the gross amount in any one 
 
 fiscal year shall not exceed three thousand dollars. 
 
 Sec. 9. In case the number and amount of applications in of apportion- 
 
 *- ^ ments, when 
 
 any one fiscal year shall exceed the limit of the appropria- l^ms^xceed 
 tion, the commissioner of public schools shall record the date '^pp'*'P"^ ''^'°- 
 of each application, and in the apportionment for the follow- 
 ing year such recorded applications shall have the preference 
 in the order of their dates. 
 
 Sec. 10. There shall be an annual appropriation for the priauoli fo?™" 
 support and maintenance of evening schools in the several schooil 
 towns of this state, under the general supervision of the 
 state board of education, who shall apportion said appropria- 
 tion annually among the several towns and draw orders there- 
 for on the g-eneral treasurer. 
 
38 
 
 LAAYS PERTAINING TO EDUCATION. 
 
 [Chap. 54, 
 
 CHAPTER 54. 
 
 Of the Poicers and Duties of Toiois and of the Town 
 Treasurer and Town Clerk Relative to Puhlic Schools. 
 
 Town to main- 
 tain its schools. 
 witti or with- 
 out districts. 
 
 Districts may 
 be established. 
 
 Sectiox 
 
 1. Towns to maintain schools with or 
 
 without districts. 
 
 2. Towns may be divided into districts. 
 
 3. Schoolhouses, how to be provided. 
 
 4. Towns may abolish school districts. 
 
 5. Powers and liabilities of discon- 
 
 tinued district. 
 Control of public schools to then 
 
 vest in school committee. 
 School committee, how and when 
 
 chosen. 
 Superintendent, how appointed, his 
 
 duties and compensation. 
 Town treasurer to receive and keep 
 
 accovint of school money. 
 
 6. 
 
 Sectiox 
 10. To 
 
 14. 
 
 submit statement of school 
 
 money to committee. 
 To transmit statement of money 
 
 raised and paid out, to commis- 
 sioner. 
 Town clerk to record boundaries 
 
 of districts, and distribute school 
 
 documents. 
 Annual census of children of school 
 
 age to be taken. 
 Blanks, by whom provided and to 
 
 call for what information. 
 Census returns, how arranged and 
 
 disposed of. 
 
 Section 1. Every town shall establish and maintain, with 
 or without forming districts, a sufficient number of public 
 schools, at convenient places, under the management of the 
 school committee, subject to the supervision of the commis- 
 sioner of public schools as provided by this title. 
 
 Sec. 2. Any town may be divided by a vote thereof, into 
 school districts. 
 
 Schoolhouses 
 how to be 
 provided. 
 
 Sec. 3. Any town may vote, in a meeting notified for that 
 purpose, to proA'ide schoolhoiises, together with the necessary 
 fixtures and appendages thereof, in all the districts, if there 
 be districts, at the common expense of the town : Provided, 
 that if any district shall provide, at its own expense, a school- 
 house approved by the school committee, such district shall 
 not be liable to be taxed bj' the town to provide or repair 
 schoolhouses for the other districts. 
 
 Towns may 
 abolish all 
 school 
 districts. 
 
 Sec. 4. Any town may at any town meeting, or at district 
 meetings for the election of town officers, the subject having 
 been duly inserted in the Avarrant for said meeting or meet- 
 
Chap. 54.] DUTIES OF TOWNS TO PUBLIC SCHOOLS. 39 
 
 ings, abolish all of the school districts therein ; and forth- 
 with all title and interest in all of the schoolhouses, land, 
 furniture, apparatus and other property which was vested in 
 the several districts shall be vested in the town. The 
 property so taken by the town shall be appraised by a com- District 
 
 , \ . . property, how 
 
 mission of three disinterested persons to be appointed by the appraised ; 
 common pleas division of the supreme court in the county in 
 which such town is situated, and, at the next annual assess- 
 ment of taxes thereafter, a tax shall be levied upon the whole 
 town equal to the amount of said appraisal ; and there shall remittld^to 
 be remitted to the taxpayers of each district their propor- 
 tional share of the appraised value of the school property in 
 such district : Provided, that if any district be in debt, and District debts. 
 said debt be assumed by the town, the amount of said debt 
 shall be deducted from the whole amount to be remitted to 
 the taxpayers of said district. If, however, the parties in in- 
 terest prefer, the differences in the value of the property of the 
 several districts may be adjusted in such manner as they may 
 agree upon. 
 
 Sec. 5. Upon the abolition or discontinuance of any dis- Powers and 
 
 liabilities of a 
 
 trict, its corporate powers and liabilities shall continue and discontinued 
 remain so far as may be necessary for the enforcement of its 
 rights and duties. 
 
 Sec. 6. When a town shall abolish the school districts control of the 
 
 . . public schools 
 
 therein, the entire control, management and care of all the to then vest la 
 
 " school 
 
 public school interests of the town shall be vested in the committee, 
 school committee of that town, and the number of the school 
 committee in any town abolishing the district system may 
 be, by vote of the town, increased to a number not exceeding 
 seven. 
 
 Sec. 7. The school committee of each town shall consist school com- 
 mittee, how 
 of three residents of the town, or of such number as at the chosrn^*^" 
 
 present time constitute the committee, and they shall be 
 
40 
 
 Superinten- 
 dents of 
 schools, how 
 and when to 
 be elected. 
 
 Town 
 
 treasurer to 
 receive school 
 money, and 
 account 
 therefor. 
 
 LAWS PERTAINING TO EDUCATION. [Cliap. 54. 
 
 divided as equally as may be into three classes, whose several 
 terms of office shall expire at the end of three years from the 
 dates of their respective elections ; and in the case of the first 
 election of a school committee under this chapter, the terms 
 of office of the three classes shall be respectively one year 
 two years and three years; the classes and their terms of 
 office to be determined by lot bj^ the committee at their first 
 meeting after their election. As the office of each class shall 
 become vacant, such vacancy or vacancies shall be filled by 
 the town at its annual town meeting- for the election of state 
 or town officers, or b}^ the town council at its next meeting 
 thereafter. In case of a vacancy by death, resignation, or 
 other-wise than as is above provided, such vacancy shall be 
 filled bj" the town council until the next annual town meet- 
 ing for state or town officers, when it shall be filled for the 
 unexpired term thereof as is above provided. 
 
 Sec. 8. The school committee of each town shall elect a 
 superintendent of the public schools of the town, to perform, 
 under the advice and direction of the committee, such duties, 
 and to exercise such powers, as the committee shall assign 
 him, and to receive such compensation out of the town 
 treasmy as the town shall vote. Said superintendent shall 
 be elected at the first regular meeting of the school com- 
 mittee succeeding the annual election of school committee ; 
 but the committee shall have power to fill a vacancy at any 
 meeting duly called. 
 
 Sec. 9. The town treasurer shall receive the money due 
 the town from the state for pubHc schools, and shall keep a 
 separate account of all money appropriated by the state or 
 town or otherwise for public schools in the town, and shall 
 pay the same to the order of the school committee, and he 
 shall credit the public school account, on the first Monday of 
 May in each year, with the total amount of money received 
 
Chap. 54.] DUTIES or towns to public schools. 41 
 
 by him for poll taxes during the year ending- the thirtieth 
 day of April last preceding. 
 
 Sec. 10. The town treasurer shall, before the first day of JtatemSit 
 July in each year, submit to the school committee a state- school co^m- 
 
 .... mittee. 
 
 ment of all moneys applicable to the support of public 
 schools for the current school year, specifying the sources of 
 the same. 
 
 Sec. 11. The town treasurer shall, on or before the first 4ilsioner°S' 
 day of July, annually, transmit to the commissioner of public ^""^^'^ schools. 
 schools a certificate of the amount which the town has voted 
 to raise by tax for the support of public schools for the 
 current year ; and also a statement of the amount paid out 
 to the order of the school committee, and from what sources 
 it was derived, for the year ending the thirtieth day of April 
 next preceding ; and until such return is made to the com- 
 missioner, he may, in his discretion, withhold the order for 
 the money in the state treasury belonging to such town. 
 
 Sec. 12. The town clerk shall record the boundaries of ^^eTreqorVof 
 school districts and all alterations thereof in a book to be scC(fi*"^^°* 
 kept for that purpose, and shall distribute such school docu- distribute 
 ments and blanks as shall be sent to him, to the persons for documents. 
 whom they are intended. 
 
 Sec. 13. The town clerks, or some person whom the board children of 
 of aldermen of any city, or the town council of any town, 
 shall appoint for the purpose, shall annually, in the month of 
 January, take or cause to be taken a census of all persons 
 between the ages of five and fifteen years, inclusive, residing 
 within the limits of iheir respective towns on the first day of 
 said January. 
 
 Sec 14. The bla,nk forms required to carry out the re- census forms 
 
 ^ "^ to be furnished 
 
 quirements of the preceding section shall be furnished by the com^ss/oner. 
 commissioner of public schools to each town on or before the 
 
42 
 
 LAWS PERTAINING TO EDUCATION. [Chap. 55, 
 
 Penalty for 
 refusal to glre 
 information. 
 
 Census returns 
 to be deposited 
 where, and 
 certified to 
 school com- 
 missioner. 
 
 first day of December in each year, and they shall call in 
 substance for the following information, namely, the name, 
 age, number of weeks' attendance upon any school, parents' 
 name and residence, of each person enumerated ; and if any 
 parent or guardian shall refuse to give the above information 
 in regard to his children or wards, or shall knowingly and 
 wilfully falsify such information, he shall be fined not exceed- 
 ing twenty dollars. 
 
 Sec. 15. The returns of said census shall be alphabetically 
 arranged and deposited in the hands of the school committees 
 of the several towns on or before the first day of March in 
 each year; and the receipt of the chairman or clerk of the 
 school committee to the effect that the above returns have 
 been so received by him shall be forwarded to the commis- 
 sioner of public schools before he shall draw his order for 
 the payment of any portion of the public money to that town. 
 
 CHAPTER 55. 
 
 Of the Poioers of School Districts. 
 
 Section 
 1. School districts are bodies cor- 
 porate. 
 3. Powers of school districts. 
 
 3. District may build and repair school- 
 
 houses. 
 
 4. May raise money by tax. 
 
 5. OfQcers of the district. 
 
 6. Powers and duties of district officers. 
 
 Section 
 
 7. District taxes, how collected. 
 
 8. Town collector may collect. 
 
 9. Districts neglecting to organize, 
 
 committee may establish the 
 school. 
 10. District may devolve its duties and 
 powers on the committee. 
 
 School 
 districts are 
 bodies cor- 
 porate, and 
 how . 
 
 distinguished. designation 
 
 Section 1. Every school district shall be a body corpo- 
 rate, and shall be known by its number or other suitable 
 
 General Sec. 2. Every school district may prosecute and defend in 
 
 powers of the 
 
 dtstr?ct« ^^^ actions in which said district or its officers are parties, 
 
 may purchase, receive, hold and convey, real or personal 
 
Otiap. 55.] POWEES OF school districts. 43 
 
 property for school purposes, and may establish and maintain 
 a school library. 
 
 Sec. 3. Every such district may build, purchase, hire and and^use and'^' 
 repair schoolhouses, and supply the same with blackboards, ^^^^ ^^ ^^^^' 
 maps, furniture and other necessary and useful appendages, 
 and may insure the house and appendages against damage 
 by fire : Provided, that the erection and repairs of the school- 
 house shall be made according to the plans approved by the 
 school committee or, on appeal, by the commissioner of 
 public schools. 
 
 Sec. 4. Every such district may raise money by tax on powers of 
 the ratable property of the district, to support public schools, 
 and to carry out the powers given them by any of the pro- 
 visions of this title : Provided, that the amount of the tax 
 shall be approved by the school committee of the town. 
 
 Sec. 5. Every such district shall annually elect a moder- officers of 
 ator, a clerk, a treasurer, a collector and either one or three 
 trustees, as the district shall decide, and may fill vacancies in 
 either of said ofiices at any legal meeting. The moderator 
 may administer the oath of ofiice to all the other officers of 
 the school district. i^See Chapter SOJf., Puhlic Lavjs.) 
 
 Sec. 6. The clerk, collector and treasurer, within their re- Powers and 
 «pective school districts, shall have the like power, and shall officers. 
 perform like duties, as the clerk, collector and treasurer of a 
 town ; but the clerk, collector and treasurer need not give 
 bond, unless required by the district. 
 
 Sec. 7. All district taxes shall be collected by the district collection of 
 
 district taxes. 
 
 or town collector, m the same manner as town taxes are 
 collected. 
 
 'Sec. 8. Any district may vote to place the collection of may collect ^""^ 
 any district tax in the hands of the collector of town taxes, * ®"^' 
 
44 
 
 LAAYS PERTAINIXG TO EDUCATIOX. 
 
 [Chap. 56. 
 
 School com- 
 mittee to 
 organize the 
 school when. 
 
 District may 
 devolve its 
 povrers on 
 school 
 committee. 
 
 who shall thereupon be fully authorized to proceed and 
 collect the same, upon giving bond therefor to the district 
 satisfaetorj' to the school committee. 
 
 Sec. 9. If any school district shall neglect to organize, or, 
 if organized, shall for any siDace of six months neglect to es- 
 tablish a school and em^Dloy a teacher, the school committee 
 of the town may themselves or b}" an agent establish a school 
 in the district schoolhouse, or elsewhere in the district, in 
 their discretion, and employ a teacher. 
 
 Sec. 10. Any district may, with the consent of the school 
 committee, devolve all the powers and duties relating to 
 public schools in the district on the school committee. 
 
 CHAPTER 56. 
 
 Of District Meetings. 
 
 1. Meetings, notice of, how and by 
 
 whom to be given. 
 
 2. Annual meeting, when held. 
 
 3. Special meetings, how called. 
 
 4. District meeting, where held. 
 
 Section" 
 
 5. I^otice of time and place, how to be 
 
 given. 
 
 6. Qualification of voters. 
 
 7. Clerk to record names of voters on 
 
 request. 
 
 Notice of 
 meeting for 
 organization, 
 or of other 
 meetings, by 
 whom to be 
 given. 
 
 Annual 
 meeting. 
 
 Sectiox 1. Xotice of the time, place and object of hold- 
 ing the first meeting of a district for organization or for a 
 meeting, either annual or special, to choose officers or to 
 transact any other business, shall be given by the trustees or, 
 in case of the death, removal, resignation or disability of the 
 trustees, bj^ the clerk of the district ; in case there be no 
 trustee or clerk authorized to call a meeting such notice shall 
 be given by the school committee of the town. 
 
 Sec. 2. Every school district when organized, shall hold 
 an annual meetiug in the month of April of each year for 
 choice of officers and for the transaction of any other business 
 relating to schools. 
 
Chap. 56.] DISTRICT meetings. 45 
 
 Sec. 3. The trustees or, in case of the death, removal, special meet- 
 
 ' ' ' ings, now 
 
 resignation or disabiHty of the trustees, the clerk may call a °''^^^^^- 
 special meeting for election or other business at any time, 
 and shall call one to be held within seven days on the written 
 request of any five qualified electors stating the object for 
 which they wish it called ; and if the trustees or clerk, as 
 above provided, neglect or refuse to call a special meeting 
 when so requested, the school committee may call it and fix 
 the time therefor : Provided, that no special district meeting consent of 
 
 school corn- 
 shall be called without the consent of the school committee, mitteere- 
 
 ' quired, when. 
 
 to consider any subject which shall have been acted on by 
 the district at any time within six months previous to the 
 time of such proposed meeting. 
 
 Sec. 4. District meetings shall be held in the schoolhouse, pistnct meet- 
 
 ° ^ ing to be held, 
 
 unless otherwise ordered by the district. If there be no where. 
 schoolhouse or place appointed by the district for its meet- 
 ings, the trustees or, in case of the death, removal, resigna- 
 tion or disability of the trustees, the clerk, and, if there be 
 no trustees or clerk, the school committee, shall determine 
 the place, which shall always be within the district. 
 
 Sec. 5. Notice of the time and place of every annual 5-°*^*^'^°^ 
 meeting, and of the time, place and object of every special 
 meeting, shall be given, either by publishing the same in a 
 newspaper published in the district, or by posting the same 
 in two or more public places in the district for five days 
 before holding the same. 
 
 Sec. 6. Every person residing in the district may vote in Qualification 
 
 of voters. 
 
 district meetings to the same extent and with the same re- 
 strictions as he might at the time vote in town meeting ; but 
 no person shall vote upon any question of taxation of prop- 
 erty, or expending money raised thereby, unless he shall 
 have paid or be liable to pay, a portion of the tax. 
 
 Sec. 7. The clerk of the district shall record the number 
 
46 
 
 LAWS PERTAINING TO EDUCATION. [Chap. 57. 
 
 District clerk 
 to make 
 record of 
 votes taken, 
 if requested. 
 
 and names of the persons voting, and on which side of the 
 question, at the request of any quahfied voter. 
 
 CHAPTEK 57 
 
 Of Joint School Districts. 
 
 Section 
 
 1. Adjoiuicg districts may establish ad- 
 
 vanced school. 
 
 2. Such districts to constitute a dis- 
 
 trict as to such school. 
 
 3. Organization. 
 
 4. Public money, how drawn. 
 
 5. Adjoining districts in the same town 
 
 may consolidate. 
 
 6. To receive public money as if not 
 
 united. 
 T. Organization. 
 8. Adjoining districts, or parts, in 
 
 Section 
 
 adjoining towns may be formed 
 into joint districts, and discon- 
 tinued. 
 9. Organization. 
 
 10. Powers of such joint district. 
 
 11. Public money to be apportioned. 
 
 12. Corporate property, how owned. 
 
 13. Apportionment, when district is 
 
 divided. 
 
 14. Payment when, by part of a district 
 
 added to district. 
 
 Ad.>oining 
 districts may 
 establish an' 
 advanced 
 school. 
 
 Such districts 
 are a school 
 district as to 
 such school. 
 
 Organization. 
 
 Section 1. Any two or more adjoining school districts in 
 the same or adjoining towns maj^, by a concurrent vote, es- 
 tabhsh a school for the older and more advanced children of 
 such districts. 
 
 Sec. 2. Such associating districts shall constitute a school 
 district for the purposes of providing a schoolhouse, fuel, 
 furniture and apparatus, and for the election of a board of 
 trustees, to consist of one member from each district so 
 associating, and for levying a tax for school jDurposes, with 
 all the rights and privileges of a school district, so far as 
 such school is concerned. 
 
 Sec. 3. The time and place for the meeting for organiza- 
 tion of such associate district may be fixed by the school 
 committees, and any one or more of the associating districts 
 may delegate to the trustees of such school the care -and 
 management of its primary school. 
 
 Sec. 4. The school committee of the town or towns in 
 
Chap. 57.] JOINT SCHOOL districts. 47 
 
 which such school shall be established, shall draw an order Public money, 
 
 how to be 
 
 in favor of the trustees of such school, to be paid out of the drawn. 
 public money appropriated to each district interested in such 
 school, in proportion to the number of scholars from each. 
 
 Sec. 5. Any two or more adjoining school districts in the Adjoining 
 
 districts in 
 
 same town may, by concurrent vote, with the approbation of same town 
 
 •J ' •' ' J- A may con- 
 
 the school committee, unite and be consolidated into one ^o'^'^'^^te. 
 district for the purpose of supporting public schools, and 
 such consolidated district shall have all the powers of a single 
 district. 
 
 Sec. 6. Such consolidated district shall be entitled to re- Entitled to 
 
 state aid as if 
 
 ceive the same proportion of public money as such districts "oMate,! 
 would receive if not united. 
 
 Sec. 7. The mode of organizing such consolidated dis- organization, 
 trict and calling the first meeting thereof shall be regulated 
 or prescribed by the school committee, and notice thereof 
 given as prescribed in section five of chapter fifty-six. 
 
 Sec. 8. Two or more adjoining districts, or parts of dis- Adjoining 
 
 districts or 
 
 tricts, in adjoining towns may be formed into a joint school ad^ofnln'^^*^^^'^ 
 
 district by the school committees of such towns concurring fo^ld^o? ^^ 
 
 therein ; and all joint districts which have been or shall be as joint school 
 formed may by them be altered or discontinued. 
 
 districts. 
 
 Sec. 9. The meeting for organization of such joint dis- organization. 
 trict shall be called by the school committees of such towns, 
 and notice thereof shall be given as prescribed in section five 
 of chapter fifty-six. 
 
 Sec. 10. Such joint district shall have all the powers of a Powers of 
 
 '- such joint 
 
 single school district, and shall be regulated in the same 'district. 
 manner, and shall be subject to the supervision and manage- 
 ment of the school committee of the town in which the 
 school is located. 
 
48 
 
 LAAYS PEETAIXING TO EDUCATION. [Chap. 58. 
 
 State aid to be 
 apportioned. 
 
 Corporate 
 property. 
 
 Apportion- 
 ment, when 
 district is 
 divided. 
 
 Contribution, 
 when, by part 
 of a district 
 added to 
 district. 
 
 Sec. 11. A whole district making a portion of such joint 
 district shall be entitled to its proportion of public money, 
 in the same manner as if it had remained a single district; 
 and whenever part of a district is taken to form a portion of 
 such joint district, the school committee of the town of 
 which such district is a part shall assign to it its reasonable 
 proportion. 
 
 Sec. 12. Whenever any two or more districts shall be 
 consolidated, the new district shall own all the corporate 
 property of the several districts. 
 
 Sec. 13. Whenever a district is divided and a portion 
 taken from it, the funds and property, or the income and pro- 
 ceeds thereof, shall be divided among the several parts in 
 such manner as the school committee of the town or towns 
 to which the districts belong may determine. 
 
 Sec. 14. Whenever a part of one district is added to 
 another district or part of a district owning a schoolhouse or 
 other property, such part shall pay to the district or part of 
 a district to which it is added, if demanded, such sum as the 
 school committee may determine, towards paying for such 
 schoolhouse and other property. 
 
 CHAPTER 58. 
 
 Of the Levy of District Taxes. 
 
 Section 
 
 1. District taxes, liow levied. 
 
 2. Town assessors to assess' value of 
 
 property in what cases. 
 
 3. Notice of assessment. 
 
 4. Commissioner in certain cases may 
 
 order assessment. 
 
 5. Errors in assessment, how cor- 
 
 rected. 
 
 Sectiox 
 
 6. Abatement of taxes, when and how 
 
 made. 
 
 7. Schoolhouse taxes and expenses by 
 
 joint districts, by whom to be 
 approved. 
 
 8. Assessment of taxes in joint or as- 
 
 sociated districts. 
 
 Section 1. District taxes shall be levied on the ratable 
 
Chap. 58.] LEVY OF district taxes. ,49 
 
 property of the district, accordino' to its value in the town District taxes, 
 
 how to be 
 
 assessment then last made, unless the district shall direct levied. 
 such taxes to be levied according- to the next town assess- 
 ment ; and no notice thereof shall be required to be given by 
 the trustees. 
 
 Sec. 2. The trustees of any school district, if unable to fsseTs^value of 
 agree with the parties interested with regard to the valuation what^ca^'e!"^ 
 of any property in such district, shall call upon one or more 
 of the town assessors not interested, and not residing in the 
 district, to assess the value of such property so situated, in 
 the following cases, namely : Whenever any real estate in the 
 district is assessed in the town tax bill with real estate out 
 of the district, so that there is no distinct or separate value 
 upon it ; whenever any person possessing personal property 
 shall remove into the district after the last town assessment ; 
 whenever a division and apportionment of a tax shall become 
 necessary by reason of the death of any person, or the sale 
 of such property ; whenever a person has invested personal 
 property in real estate and shall call upon the trustees to 
 place a value thereon ; and whenever property shall have 
 been omitted in the town valuation. 
 
 Sec. 3, The assessors shall give notice of such assessment ^ggessm^nt 
 by posting up notices thereof for ten days next prior to such 
 assessment in three public places in the district ; and after 
 notice is given as aforesaid, no person neglecting to appear 
 before the assessors shall have any remedy for being over- 
 taxed. 
 
 Sec. 4. If a district tax shall be voted, assessed and ap- when commis- 
 sioner of public 
 proved of, and a contract legally entered into under it, or schools may 
 
 such contract be leg-ally entered into without such vote, ^^^^s^™®'^*- 
 assessment, or approval, and said district shall thereafter 
 neglect or refuse to proceed to assess and collect a tax suffi- 
 cient to fulfill such contract, the commissioner of public 
 
50 LAWS peetaixixCt to education. [Cliap. 58. 
 
 scliools, after notice to and liearing- of the parties, may ap- 
 l^oint assessors to assess a tax for that purpose, and may 
 issue a warrant to the collector of the district, or to a col- 
 lector by him appointed, authorizing and rec^uiring' him to 
 proceed and collect such tax. 
 
 Errors, how Sec. 5. Errors in assessing a tax may be corrected, or the 
 
 corrected. 
 
 tax re-assessed, in such manner as may be directed or ap- 
 proYed by the commissioner of public schools. 
 
 4xe^s^wiiwi°^ Sec. 6. Whenever anj' person who has paid a tax for 
 and how made, i^^^ji^^i^^g q^ repairing a schoolhouse in one district shall, by 
 alteration of the boundaries thereof, become liable to paj" a 
 tax in any other district, if such i3erson cannot agree with 
 the district, such abatement of the tax may be made as the 
 school committee, or in case of a district composed from 
 different towns, as the commissioner of public schools, may 
 deem just and proper. 
 
 Schoolhouse g^c. 7. "Whenever a ioint district shall vote to build or 
 
 taxes and '' 
 
 jouiTdfstrict. repair a schoolhouse by tax, the amount of the tax and the 
 
 ow appi T . pi^^ ^^^ specifications of the building and repairs shall be 
 
 approved bj^ the school committees of the several towns, or, 
 
 in case of their disagreement, by the commissioner of public 
 
 schools. 
 
 taxirin joint^^ ^^c. 8. In case of assessing a tax by a joint or associate 
 districts!^ ^ district, if the town assessments be made on different princi- 
 ples; or the relative value be not the sanie, the relative value 
 and proportion shall be ascertained by one or more persons, 
 to be appointed bj' the commissioner of public schools, and 
 the assessment shall be made accordingly. 
 
Chap. 59.] TRUSTEES OF SCHOOL DISTRICTS. 51 
 
 CHAPTER 59. 
 
 Of the Trustees of School Districts. 
 
 Section 
 
 1. Trustees to have charge of the 
 
 school property, and to employ 
 teachers. 
 
 2. To provide school facilities, visit the 
 
 schools, and report. 
 .3. To furnish bookcases. 
 
 4. To make out tax hills and issue tax 
 
 warrants. 
 
 5. To make returns to school com- 
 
 mittee. 
 
 6. The trustees to receive no compen- 
 
 Section 
 
 satiou out of the school moneys 
 for their services. 
 
 7. May admit scholars from without 
 the town or state, when. 
 
 S. School committee, similarly em- 
 powered, if town is not divided 
 into districts. 
 
 9. Disposition of money received for 
 
 tuition. 
 10. Attendance of scholars from with- 
 out the district, where reckoned'. 
 
 Section 1. The trustees of scliool districts shall have the havfcareof 
 
 custody of the schoolhouse and other district property, and property, and 
 
 shall employ one or more qualified teachers for every fifty teachers. 
 scholars in averag-e daily attendance. 
 
 Sec. 2. The trustees shall provide schoolrooms and fuel, schoof™*^ 
 and shall visit the schools twice at least durino' each term, the schools 
 
 and report. 
 
 and notify the committee or superintendent of the time of 
 opening" and closing' the schools. 
 
 Sec. 3. The trustees shall provide a suitable cabinet or bookcases 
 bookcase in each schoolroom, for the reception and care of 
 such text-books and school supplies as may be furnished by 
 the school committee. 
 
 Sec. 4. The trustees shall make out the tax bill against tax'bms! and 
 the persons liable to pay the same, and deliver the same to warrants. 
 the collector with a warrant by them signed annexed thereto, 
 requiring him to collect and pay over the same to the 
 treasurer of the district. 
 
 Sec. 5. The trustees shall make returns to the school ^li^nstothe 
 committee in manner and form prescribed by them or by the committee. 
 commissioner, or as may be required by law, and perform all 
 
52 
 
 LAWS PERTAINING TO EDUCATION. [Chap. 59. 
 
 other lawful acts required of them by the district, or neces- 
 sary to carry into full effect the powers and duties of dis- 
 tricts. 
 
 To receive no g^c, Q^ The trustees shall receive no compensation for 
 
 compensation ■■- 
 
 schocfi moneys, services out of the money received from either the state or 
 town appropriations, nor in any way, unless raised by tax by 
 the district. 
 
 May admit 
 scholars from 
 without town 
 or state, when. 
 
 Sa7ne subject : 
 School com- 
 mittee may. 
 when. 
 
 Tuition money, 
 how to be 
 applied. 
 
 Such attend- 
 ance to be 
 reckoned, 
 where. 
 
 Sec. 7. The trustees of any school district may allow 
 scholars from without the town or the state to attend the 
 public schools of such district, on such terms as the trustees 
 may determine: Provided, that such terms shall be ap- 
 proved by the school committee. 
 
 Sec. 8. Whenever a town shall not be divided into school 
 districts, or whenever public schools shall be provided with- 
 out reference to such division, the school committee may 
 exercise the powers provided in the jjreceding section to be 
 exercised by trustees. 
 
 Sec. 9. All moneys received for tuition as hereinbefore 
 provided shall be paid into the district or town treasurj", as 
 the case ma}' be, and shall be used for school purposes only. 
 
 Sec. 10. No attendance upon the public schools authorized 
 bj^ the preceding three sections shall be reckoned in determin- 
 ing- the average attendance for the pur]30se of regulating the 
 distribution of school monej^ ; but such average attendance 
 shall be returned to the district where such scholars reside, 
 and be there reckoned with the average attendance of the 
 schools of that district, upon demand bv the trustee thereof. 
 
Chap. 60.] POWERS and duties of school committees. 
 
 CHAPTER 60. 
 
 Of the Powers and Duties of School Cornrnittees. 
 
 Section 
 
 1. Chairman and clerk, how choseu 
 and removed. 
 
 2. Stated meetings, wlien lield. 
 
 3. Committee may alter and discon- 
 tinue districts. 
 
 4. To locate all sohoolhouses. 
 Land for schoolhouse sites, if taken 
 
 without owners" consent, how 
 
 appraised. 
 Owner of land may petition for 
 
 relief. 
 Instruction to be given in pliysi- 
 
 ology and hygiene. 
 Committee to examine teachers ; 
 
 and to annul certificates, when. 
 To visit schools, when and how 
 
 often. 
 To make rules and regulations for 
 
 schools. 
 May authorize children to attend 
 
 school in adjoining town or 
 
 district. 
 
 5. 
 
 7. 
 
 10. 
 
 11. 
 
 Section 
 
 12. May suspend pupils. 
 
 13. Committee to manage schools, if 
 
 town is not divided into districts. 
 
 14. Apportionment of the town's share 
 
 of the state school money to the 
 districts. 
 
 15. Notice of apportionments to be 
 
 given to trustees. 
 16—18. Orders on town treasurer, la 
 what cases and on what condi- 
 tions to be given. 
 
 19. Money forfeited or unexpended, to 
 
 be divided. 
 
 20. Annual report of school.committee. 
 
 21. Expense of printing report, how to 
 
 be paid. 
 23. School committee to furnish books 
 
 and supplies. 
 2.3. Change in school books, how made. 
 
 53 
 
 Section 1. The scliool committee of each town shall f^hoof *^"^^ 
 choose a chairman and clerk, either of whom may sign any *^°'^°'^ ®®- 
 orders or official papers, and may be removed at the pleasure 
 of said committee. 
 
 Sec. 2. The school committee of each town shall hold at Meetings of 
 
 the school 
 
 least four regular meetings in every year, at such time and committee. 
 place within the town as the committee shall by general 
 order fix and determine. 
 
 Sec. 3. The school committee maj' alter and discontinue committee 
 
 may vary 
 
 school districts, and shall settle their boundaries when unde- school districts 
 
 atter notice 
 
 fined or disputed ; but no change shall be made in the *^'^^^^ ^^^®^- 
 boundaries of any district except at a meeting, notice of 
 wdiich, with the proposed changes, has been posted upon the 
 schoolhouses and sent to the trustees of the districts whose 
 boundaries are liable to be affected, for at least five days be- 
 
54 
 
 LAWS PERTAINING TO EDUCATION. [Chap. 60. 
 
 Hestriciion on 
 the formation 
 of Dew district. 
 
 fore lioldiug' the same ; and no new district shall be formed 
 ^dtli less than forty children between the ages of four and 
 sixteen, unless with the approbation of the commissioner of 
 public schools ; and the clerk of the committee shall transmit 
 to the town clerk a certified copy of all votes affecting the 
 boundary lines of the districts immediately on the jDassage 
 thereof. 
 
 Location of 
 the school- 
 hoiases. 
 
 Sec. 4. The school committee shall locate all schoolhouses, 
 and shall not abandon or change the location of any without 
 good cause. 
 
 Land for a' 
 schoolhouse 
 site, taken 
 without 
 owners' con- 
 sent, is how 
 appraised. 
 
 Persons 
 aggrieved may 
 petition for 
 relief to 
 common pleas 
 division. 
 
 Sec. 5. In case the school committee shall fix upon a 
 location for a schoolhouse in any town or district, or shall 
 determine that the schoolhouse lot ought to be enlarged, and 
 the town or district shall have passed a vote to erect a school- 
 house, or to enlarge the schoolhouse lot, and the committee 
 shall fix upon a location for a schoolhouse, and the proprietor 
 of the land shall refuse to convey the same, or cannot agree 
 with the town or district for the price thereof, the school 
 ^committee of their own motion, or on application of the town 
 or district, may appoint three disinterested persons, who 
 shall notify the parties and decide upon the valuation of the 
 land ; and upon the tender or payment of the sum so fixed 
 on, to the proprietor, the title to the land so fixed on by the 
 school committee, not exceeding one acre, shall vest in the 
 town or district for the purpose of maintaining thereon a 
 schoolhouse and the necessary appendages thereof. 
 
 Sec. 6. Any person aggrieved thereby may, within six 
 months after any tender as aforesaid (but not after any paj"- 
 ment as aforesaid), petition the common pleas division of the 
 supreme court in the county for such relief in the premises, 
 by way of damages or otherwise, as to law and justice shall 
 appertain, in the manner and with the same procedure pre- 
 scribed in sections fifteen and sixteen of chapter forty-six 
 
Chap. 60.] POAVEES AND DUTIES OF SCHOOL COMMITTEES. 55 
 
 in the case of petition for relief for over-assessment for 
 taxes. 
 
 Sec. 7. The school committees of the several towns shall instruction in^ 
 make provision for the instruction of the pupils in all schools ''ysiene. 
 supported wholly, or in part, by public monej^, in physiology 
 and hygiene, with special reference to the effects of alcoholic 
 liquors, stimulants and narcotics upon the human system. 
 
 Sec. 8. The school committee may examine, bj" them- committee to 
 
 examine 
 
 selves or by some one or more persons by them appointed, teachers ; to 
 every applicant for the situation of teacher in the public wi'en''*'^*^' 
 schools of the town, and may, after five daj's' notice in writ- 
 ing, annul the certificate of such as upon examination by 
 them proved unqualified, or will not conform to the regula- 
 tions of the committee, and in such case shall give immediate 
 notice thereof to the trustee of the district in which such 
 teacher is emploj'-ed. {See Chap. 51i.J+^ Sec. 9-12., Pah. Laws.) 
 
 Sec. 9. The school committee shall visit, bv one or more To visit the 
 
 schools. 
 
 of their number, every public school in the town at least 
 twice during each term, once within two weeks of its opening- 
 and once within two weeks of its close ; at which visits tliej^ 
 shall examine the register and matters touching the school- 
 house, library, studies, books, discipline, modes of teaching 
 and improvement of the school. 
 
 Sec. 10. The school committee shall make and cause to be To make rules 
 
 for the 
 
 put up in each schoolhouse, rules and regulations for the at- schools. 
 tendance and classification of the pupils, for the introduction 
 and use of text-books and works of reference, and for the 
 instruction, government and discipline of the public schools, 
 and shall prescribe the studies to be pursued therein, under 
 the direction of the commissioner of public schools. 
 
 Sec. 11. Whenever the school committee of any town 
 shall find that it is more convenient or expedient for any 
 
56 
 
 LAWS PERTAINING TO EDUCATION. [Chap. 60. 
 
 May aatnorize 
 children to 
 attend school 
 in adioining 
 town or 
 district. 
 See section 18. 
 
 May STispersd 
 pupils. 
 
 Tc manage 
 schools, ■when. 
 
 Apportion- 
 ment of the 
 state school 
 money to the 
 districts. 
 
 Minimnm of 
 money tc each 
 school. 
 
 Apportion- 
 ment, when to 
 be made, and 
 what notice 
 giver. 
 
 child residing in said town to attend school in an adjoining- 
 town or district, said committee may arrange with the school 
 authorities of such town or district for the attendance of such 
 child at their schools, and may pay for such tuition out of the 
 toAvn appropriation for public schools. The amount so paid 
 shall be used for school purposes only. {See Chap. oJ^J^, Sec.' 
 o. Pub. Laws.) ' 
 
 Sec. 12. The school committee may suspend during pleas- 
 ure all pupils found guilty of incorrigibly bad conduct or of' 
 violation of the school regulations. j 
 
 Sec. 13. Where a town is not divided into districts, or 
 shall vote in a meeting duly notified for that purpose to pro- i 
 vide schools without reference to such division, the school 
 committee shall manage and regulate said schools, and draw 
 all orders for the payment of their expenses. 
 
 Sec. 14. Whenever the public schools are maintained by 
 district organization, the committee shall apportion among 
 the districts, equally, according to the number of schools 
 maintained in each, the whole of the town's proportion of 
 the one hundred and twenty thousand dollars received from 
 the state, and in addition thereto at least one fourth as much 
 more from the town appropriation for the support of public 
 schools ; the remainder of the town appropriation, and the 
 moneys received from poll and dog taxes, from school funds, 
 and from other sources, shall be divided into two equal parts, 
 one part to be apportioned to the several districts, according 
 to the average attendance of the schools therein, for the year 
 preceding ; the other part to be apportioned at the discretion 
 of the committee : Provided ahoays, that the total apportion- 
 ment for each school shall not be less than one hundred and 
 eight}^ dollars. 
 
 Sec. 15. The school committee shall make the apportion- 
 ment among the several districts as provided in the preceding 
 section on or before the first Monday of July in each year, 
 
Oliap, 60.] POWERS AND DUTIES OF SCHOOL COMMITTEES. 57 
 
 and immediately thereafter give notice to the trustees of the 
 amount so apportioned to each district. 
 
 Sec. 16. The school committee shall draw an order on the orders on the 
 
 town treasurer 
 
 town treasurer in favor of such districts onl}^ as shall have disStets, when 
 
 ^ J. J. i_i • IP . 1 T 1 to be drawn by 
 
 made a return to them in manner and lorm prescribed by the school 
 
 .. i<iTii ^ committee. 
 
 iliem or by the commissioner of public schools, or as may be 
 required by law, from which it shall appear that for the year 
 ending- on the first day of May previous one or more public 
 schools have been kept for at least six months by a qualified 
 teacher in a schoolhouse approved by the committee or com- 
 missioner, that the money designated "teachers' money," 
 received the year previous, has been applied to the wages of 
 ieachers and to no other purpose, and that the register 
 properly kept has been deposited with the committee or with 
 some person by them appointed to receive the same. 
 
 Sec. 17. Such orders may be made payable to the trustees To whom 
 
 . , ... . " payable. 
 
 or their order, or to the district treasurer, or teacher ; and if 
 the treasurer receive the money, he shall pay it out to the 
 order of the trustees. 
 
 Sec. 18. The school committee shall give no such order, orders, when 
 
 to be drawn. 
 
 until they are satisfied that the services have actually been school 
 
 J J -^^^j-i. (committee 
 
 performed for which the money is to be paid ; and they shall SoHn*'"'^ 
 
 1 . ,1 J i T p IT certain cases. 
 
 have power, m case the average attendance oi any school gee section it. 
 ialls below five, to suspend said school in their discretion and 
 to make such other provisions as the}'- may deem best for the 
 attendance of the children, properlj^ belonging to said school, 
 upon some other public school ; but such suspension shall 
 not work the forfeiture of the public money to any district 
 provided for by section sixteen of this chapter. The school 
 committee may allow scholars residing in one district to 
 attend school in any other district. {See Chap. 5If.!f., Sees. 1, 
 7, 8, Pub. Laws.) 
 
 Sec. 19. At the end of the school year, any money ap- 
 
 8 
 
58 
 
 LAWS PEKTAINING TO EDUCATION. [Chap. 60. 
 
 Money f or- 
 feited or un- 
 expended, to 
 be divided. 
 
 Annuai report 
 of the school 
 comDjittee. 
 
 Printing 
 report, how 
 paid for. 
 
 Schooj 
 
 committee ic 
 furnish books 
 and svipplies. 
 
 Change in the 
 school books 
 how made. 
 
 propriated to auy district which shall be forfeited and th& 
 forfeiture not remitted, or which shall remain unexpended^ 
 shall be divided by the committee among the districts the 
 following- year. 
 
 Sec. 20. The school committee shall prepare and submit 
 annually to the commissioner of public schools, on or before 
 the first day of July, a report in manner and form by him 
 prescribed ; and until such report is made to the commis- 
 sioner, he may refuse to draw his order for the money in the 
 state treasury belonging to such town : Provided, that the 
 necessary blank for said report has been furnished by the 
 commissioner on or before the first day of May next pre- 
 ceding ; they shall also prepare and submit annually, at the 
 annual town meeting, a report to thetown^ setting forth their 
 doings, the state and condition of the schools and plans for 
 their improvement, which report, unless printed, shall be 
 read in open tow^n meeting ; and if ]3rinted, at least three 
 copies shall be transmitted to the commissioner on or before 
 the first day of July in each year. 
 
 Sec. 21. The school committee may reserve annually out 
 of the public appropriation, a sum not exceeding forty dollars- 
 to defray the expense of printing their annual report. 
 
 Sec. 22. The school committee of every city and tow^n 
 shall purchase, at the expense of such city or town, text- 
 books and other school supplies used in the public schools • 
 and said text-books and supplies shall be loaned to the 
 pupils of said public schools free of charge, subject to such 
 rules and regulations as to care and custody as the school 
 committee may prescribe. 
 
 Sec. 23. A change may be made in the school books in 
 the public schools of any town by a vote of two-thirds of the 
 whole school committee ; and in the city of Providence by a 
 vote of a majority of all the members elected to the school 
 
•Chap. 61.] TEACHERS. 59 
 
 committee, uotice of the proposed change having- been given 
 in writing at a previous regular meeting of said committee : 
 Provided, that no change be made in any text-book in the 
 pubhc schools of any town oftener than once in three years, 
 unless by the consent of the board of education. 
 
 CHAPTER 61. 
 
 Of Teaehers. 
 
 Section 
 
 1. Certificate of qualification required. 
 
 2. Certificate valid for liow long. 
 
 3. Qualifications of teachers. 
 
 4. When teachers may be dismissed. 
 
 Section 
 
 and certain records, and make re- 
 port. 
 6. School officers ineligible to teach in 
 public schools. 
 
 5. Teachers to keep register of scholars T. Moral instruction. 
 
 Section 1. No person shall be employed by any trustee 
 
 Certificate of 
 
 to teach as principal or assistant in any school supported qualification 
 
 ^ ^ " ^ '- i-equired. 
 
 entirely or in part by the public money, unless he shall have 
 a certificate of qualification signed either by the school com- 
 mittee of the town, or by some person appointed by said 
 committee, or by the trustees of the normal school. {See 
 Chap. oJfJi-, Sec. 9, Fuh. Laws.) 
 
 Sec. 2. Such certificate, unless annulled, if signed by the Howiona: 
 school committee, shall be valid within the town for one year ^^ ' ' 
 or for such portion thereof as shall be specified in said cer- 
 tificate. {See Chax). o^Jf, Sec. 9, Pah. Laws.) 
 
 Sec. 3. The school committee shall not sign any certifi- Qualification 
 cate of qualification unless the person named in the same teachers. 
 shall produce evidence of g'ood moral character and be 
 found on examination qualified to teach the various branches 
 required to be taught in the school. {See Chap. 544; Sec. 9, 
 Pub. Laws.) 
 
 Sec. 4. The school committee of any town mav, on reason- Teachers may 
 
 ^ - be dismissed, 
 
 able notice and a hearing of such teacher, dismiss any ^'^®^- 
 teacher for refusal to conform to the regulations bv them 
 
60 
 
 LAAVS PEETAINING TO EDUCATION. [Chap. 62, 
 
 Teachers to 
 keep a register 
 of scholars, 
 and certain 
 records, and 
 make repoi-t. 
 
 School ofiicers 
 are ineligible 
 to teach in 
 pablic schools. 
 
 Moral 
 instniction. 
 
 made, or for other just cause ; and in such case shall give 
 immediate notice to the trustees of the district. 
 
 Sec. 5. Every teacher in any public school shall keep a 
 register of the names of all the scholars attending said 
 school, their sex, age, names of parents or guardians, the 
 time when each scholar enters and leaves the school, the 
 daily attendance, together with the days of the month on 
 which the school is visited by any officer connected with 
 public schools, and shall prepare the return of the district to 
 the school committee of the town. 
 
 Sec. 6. No superintendent of schools or member of the 
 school committee of any town, or trustee of any school dis- 
 trict, shall, so long as he continues in said office of superin- 
 tendent, member of the school committee or trustee of school 
 district, be eligible or employed to teach as principal or 
 assistant in any school supported entirely or in part by the 
 public money, within the town where said superintendent^ 
 member of the school committee or trustee resides. {See 
 Chap. 620, Pub. Laws.) 
 
 Sec. 7. Every teacher shall aim to implant and cultivate 
 in the minds of all children committed to his care the prin- 
 ciples of morality and virtue. 
 
 CHAPTER 62. 
 
 Of Legal Proceedings Pelating to Public Schools. 
 
 Appeals from decisions relating to 
 public schools, to whom made ; 
 duty of commissioner to hear and 
 decide. 
 
 Statement of facts may be presented 
 to justice of supreme court. 
 
 Appeals, rules of to be prescribed 
 by commissioner. 
 
 Matters in dispute may be submit- 
 ted to commissioner by agree- 
 ment. 
 
 Votes ordering district taxes, final 
 unless appealed from. 
 
 Section 
 
 6. Costs, in what cases not to be 
 
 taxed against school officers. 
 
 7. Suit against district may be 
 
 answered by inhabitant or tax- 
 payer. 
 
 8. 9. Judgment against school district, 
 
 how satisfied. 
 
 10. Process against school district, 
 
 how to be served. 
 
 11. Record of clerk of district is prima 
 
 facie evidence, 
 
 12. Commissioner may remit certain. 
 
 fines, penalties and forfeitures. 
 
Chap. 62.] LEGAL PROCEEDINGS RELATING TO SCHOOLS. 61 
 
 Section 1. Any person aggrieved by any decision or Appeals to 
 doings of any school committee, district meeting, trustees, or commissioner. 
 in any other matter arising under this title, may appeal to 
 the commissioner of public schools who, after notice to the 
 party interested of the time and place of hearing, shall ex- 
 amine and decide the same without cost to the parties : Pfo- 
 vided, that nothing contained in this section shall be so 
 construed as to deprive such aggrieved party of any legal 
 remedy. > 
 
 Sec. 2. The commissioner of public schools may, and if ^ifpreme'co^irt, 
 requested on hearing such appeal by either party shall, lay 
 a statement of the facts of the case before one of the justices 
 of the supreme court, whose decision shall be Unal. 
 
 Sec. 3. The commissioner of public schools may from Rules of 
 time to time prescribe rules regulating the time and manner 
 of taking such appeals, and rules to prevent appeals for 
 triflins' and frivolous causes. 
 
 Sec. 4. Parties having any matter of dispute between submission to 
 
 o J J. commissioner 
 
 them arising under this title, may agree in writing to submit to ble^n^.^'^*' 
 the same to the adjudication of said commissioner, and his 
 decision therein shall be final. ■ 
 
 Sec. 5. If no appeal be taken from a vote of a district S^'^lg^n*^®""^ 
 relating to the ordering of a tax, or from the proceedings of if norappeaied 
 
 from. 
 
 the officers of the district m assessing the same, or it, on 
 appeal, such proceedings are confirmed, the same shall not 
 again be questioned before any court of law or magistrate 
 whatsoever : Provided, that this section shall not be so con- 
 strued as to dispense with legal notice of the meeting, or with 
 the approval of the votes or proceedings by the school com- 
 mittee or commissioner of public schools, whenever the same 
 is required by law. 
 
 Sec. 6. In any civil suit before any court against any 
 
62 
 
 LAAYS PERTAINING TO EDUCATION. 
 
 [Chap. 62. 
 
 Costs not 
 taxed, when. 
 
 scliool officer for any uiatter which mig-ht by this chapter 
 have been heard and decided by the commissioner of public 
 schools, no costs shall be taxed for the plaintiff if the court 
 are of opinion that such officer acted in good faith. 
 
 Sec. 7. Any inhabitant of a district, or person hable to 
 
 Judgment 
 against a 
 school district, 
 bow to be 
 satisfied. 
 
 Suit against 
 
 district may be 
 
 answered by i. i.i - i n i i j. j. 
 
 resident or tax- pay taxes therein, may be allowed by any court to answer a 
 
 paver. ." "■ . ' " . . . 
 
 suit brought therein against the distnct, on giving security 
 for costs, insuch manner as the court may direct. 
 
 Sec. 8. Whenever judgment shall be recovered in any 
 court of record against any school distnct the court render- 
 ing judgment shall order a warrant to be issued, if no pro- 
 ceedings operating as a stay be taken, to the assessors of 
 taxes of the town in which such district is situated, or, in 
 case of a joint district composed of parts of towns, then to 
 one or more of the assessors of each town, with or mthout 
 designating them, requiring them to assess upon the ratable 
 l^roperty in said district a tax sufficient to pay the debts or 
 damages, costs, interest and a sum in the discretion of the 
 court sufficient to defray the expenses of assessment and 
 collection. Said assessors shall, without a new engagement, 
 proceed to assess the same, giving notice as in case of other 
 district taxes. 
 
 Same subject. gj,(-,_ q. Said warrant shall also contain a direction to the 
 collector of the town, or, in case of a joint district, then to the 
 collector of either town, as the court may direct, requiring 
 him to collect said tax ; and said warrant, with the assessment 
 annexed thereto, shall be a sufficient authority for the col- 
 lector, without a special engagement, to proceed and collect 
 the same with the same power as in the case of a town tax ; 
 and when collected, he shall pay over the same to the parties 
 to whom it maj' belong, and the surplus, if any, to the district. 
 And the court may require a bond of the collector. 
 
 Sec. 10. Whenever any writ, summons or other process 
 
Chap. 63.] NORMAL SCHOOL, INSTITUTES AND LECTURES, 
 
 63 
 
 shall issue ag-ainst any school district in any civil suit, the Process against 
 3ame may be served on the treasurer or clerk ; and if there served. 
 are no such officers to be found, the officer charged with the 
 same may post up a certified copy thereof on the door of the 
 schoolhouse, and, if there be no schoolhouse, then in some 
 public place in the district, and the same, when proved to the 
 satisfaction of the court, shall constitute a sufficient service 
 thereof. 
 
 Sec. 11. The record of the district clerk that a meeting Record of 
 
 ■ clerk, prima 
 
 has been duly or legally notified shall be prima facie evidence f^cie evidence. 
 that it has been notified as the law requires. The clerk shall 
 obtain at the expense of the district a suitably bound book 
 for keeping the record therein. 
 
 Sec 12. The commissioner of public schools may, by and Sone?may 
 with the advice and consent of the board of education, remit ^^n.^°^^' 
 all fines, penalties and forfeitures incurred by any town, dis- 
 trict or person, under any of the provisions of this title, ex- 
 cept the forfeiture incurred by any town for not raising its 
 proportion of money. 
 
 CHAPTER 63. 
 
 Of the Normal School, Teachers Institates and Lectures. 
 
 Section 
 
 Normal school, management of. 
 Qualification of applicants for 
 
 tuition. 
 Diploma, who to receive. 
 Trustees to examine applicants to 
 teach. 
 
 When may pay travelling expenses 
 of pupils. 
 
 Section 
 
 6. Teachers' institutes, and educa- 
 
 tional publications, etc., appro- 
 priation for. 
 
 7. Commissioner of public schools to 
 
 account to state auditor for ex- 
 penditures. 
 
 Section 1. The normal school shall be under the manage- Normal school, 
 
 how to be 
 
 ment of the board of education and the commissioner ot managed. 
 
 public schools as a board of trustees. 
 
€4 
 
 LA"\YS PERTAINING TO EDUCATION. [Chap. 63. 
 
 Qualification 
 for free tuition. 
 
 Diplomas to 
 ^vhom. 
 
 Examination, 
 and 
 
 certificate of 
 qualification to 
 teach. 
 
 Travelling 
 expenses of 
 pupils to be 
 paid in what 
 cases. 
 
 Appropriation 
 for institutes 
 and lectures. 
 
 Sec. 2. All applicants from the several towns in the state 
 shall be admitted to free tuition in said school, after having 
 passed such an examination as may be prescribed by the 
 board of trustees, and after having given to such board satis- 
 factory evidence of their intention to teach in the public 
 schools of this state for at least one year after leaving- the 
 said school. 
 
 Sec. 3. Persons who shall have ]3assed the regular course 
 of studies at the normal school shall, on the written recom- 
 mendation of the principal, receive a diploma signed by the 
 trustees of the school. 
 
 Sec. 4. The said trustees may, by themselves or by a com- 
 mittee of their board, examine all applicants to teach in the 
 public schools, and shall give certificates to such as are found. 
 Ciualified to teach school. (See Chap. 51^]^, Sec. 9- 12, Pub, 
 Laics.) 
 
 Sec. 5. The trustees of the normal school may pay to 
 each pupil who shall reside within the state and not within 
 five miles of said school, who shall have been duly admitted 
 thereto, and who shall have attended the regular sessions of 
 said school and complied with the regulations thereof during 
 the term next preceding such paj-ments, not exceeding ten 
 dollars for each cpiarter year for travelling expenses; but 
 such payments in the aggregate for such travelling expenses 
 shall not exceed the sum of fifteen hundred dollars in any 
 one year, and shall be made to the respective pupils entitled 
 to the same in proportion to the distance they may reside 
 from said school. (See Chap. 4-19, Pah. Laws ) 
 
 Sec. 6. A sum not exceeding five hundred dollars shall be = 
 annually paid for defraying the necessary expenses and I 
 charges for teachers and lecturers for teachers' institutes, to ^| 
 be holden under the direction of the commissioner of public 
 schools ; and a sum not exceeding three hundred dollars 
 shall be annually paid under the direction of the board of 
 
Oliap. 64.] ATTENDANCE OF CHILDREN IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS. 
 
 65 
 
 education for publishing- and distributing- among the several 
 towns educational publications, providing lectures on educa- 
 tional topics and otherwise promoting the interests of educa- 
 tion in the state. 
 
 Sec. 7. The commissioner of public schools shall render Annual ac- 
 count of com- 
 
 an annual account to the state auditor of his expenditures ^JbUc'schoois 
 under the provisions of this chapter with his vouchers there- 
 for. 
 
 CHAPTER 64. 
 
 Of Truant Children, and of the Attendance of Children in 
 the Puhlic Schools. 
 
 Section 
 
 1. Attendance at day schools required. 
 
 2. Private school may be approved. 
 
 3. Truant officers, and their appoint- 
 
 ment, duties and fees. 
 
 4. Inquiry to be made into causes of 
 
 neglect to attend school. 
 
 Employment of children between 
 
 twelve and fifteen years of age 
 
 forbidden, when, unless, etc. 
 
 Penalty. 
 
 Duties of truant officers, as to 
 
 children employed. 
 
 5-7. 
 
 Section 
 
 10. Penalty for employment of children 
 
 unable to read or write, when. 
 
 11. Ordinances to be made concerning 
 
 truancy and idle children. 
 
 12. 13. Commitment and discharge of 
 
 minors convicted under such 
 ordinances. 
 
 14. School committee to report of 
 
 action of town under this chapter. 
 
 15. Fines, how to inure. 
 
 16. Jurisdiction of district court. 
 
 17. Officers need not give surety for 
 
 costs. 
 
 Section 1. Every person having under his control a child ^j^^Jf ""^P *° ^*' 
 between the ages of seven and fifteen years shall annually tfmefn eaSi'^* 
 cause such child to regularly attend for at least eighty full ^^^^' 
 school days some public day school in the town or city in 
 which such child resides ; and while such child is not law- 
 fully employed to labor at home or elsewhere said person 
 shall cause such child to attend a public day school reg-ularly 
 during the days and hours that the public schools are in 
 session in the city, town, or district where such child resides ; 
 and for every neglect of such duty the person so offending- penalty, ex- 
 shall be fined not exceeding twenty dollars : Pi'ovided, that causes. 
 
66 LAWS PERTAINING TO EDUCATION. [Cliap. 64. 
 
 if the person so charged shall prove, or shall present a cer-, 
 tificate, made by or under the direction of the school com-: 
 mittee of the city or town wherein he resides, setting forth 
 that the child has attended for the required period of time a. 
 private day school approved by the school committee of the 
 city or town where said school is located, or that the child 
 has been otherwise furnished for a like period of time with 
 the means of education, or has already acquired the elemen- 
 tary branches of learning taught in the public schools, or 
 that his physical or mental condition was such as to render 
 his attendance inexpedient or impracticable, or that the child 
 was destitute of clothing suitable for attending school and 
 ,^ that the person in charge of said child was unable to provide I 
 
 such clothing, or that the child has been excused from at- ' 
 tending school by the school committee of the city or town 
 where he resides, then such penalty shall not be incurred. 
 {See Chap. S87, Pub. Laws.) 
 What private Sec. 2. For the purposes of this chapter the school com- 
 
 schools may be 
 
 approved. mittees of the several towns and cities shall approve a private 
 school only when the teaching therein is in the English lan- 
 guage and when they are satisfied that such teaching is thor- 
 ough and efficient, and when the persons in charge of said 
 school shall keep the record of the attendance of the pupils 
 thereof upon the blanks provided by the state for such pur- 
 pose and shall render to the school committee of the tow^n or 
 city Avliere said school is located a detailed report of the at- 
 tendance of any pupil for any specified time : Provided, that 
 the request for such rei3ort is made in writing and sets forth 
 that such pupil is suspected of irregular attendance or tru- 
 
 Truant Sec. 3. The town council of each town, and the board of 
 
 officers ; now 
 
 ancy. 
 Sec 
 
 thei?^dutfes^"^^ aldermen of each city, shall annually appoint one or more 
 special constables, and fix their compensation, who shall be 
 truant officers and who shall, under the direction of the school 
 committee, inquire into all cases arising under the provisions 
 
Chap. 64.] ATTENDANCE OF CHILDREN IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS. 67 
 
 of this chapter, or under any ordinances made in pursuance 
 thereof by the town or city by which such officers were ap- 
 pointed, and shall alone be authorized, in case of violation 
 of any of the provisions of this chapter, or of any such ordi- 
 nances, to make complaint therefor ; they shall also serve all 
 legal processes issued in pursuance of this chapter or of any 
 such ordinances, but shall not be entitled to receive any fees 
 for such service : Provided, hoioever, that in case of the com- in what cases 
 
 fees to be 
 
 mitment of any person under the provisions of any section allowed. 
 of this chapter, or of any ordinance made in pursuance there- 
 of, or for default of payment of any fine and costs imposed 
 thereunder, such officer shall be entitled to the regular fees 
 allowed b}^ law for similar service. • . 
 
 Sec. 4. The truant officers and the school committees of inquiry to be 
 
 made into 
 
 the several towns and cities shall inquire into all cases of negiect'fo at- 
 neglect of the duty prescribed in section one of this chapter 
 within their respective towns and cities, and ascertain the 
 reasons, if any, therefor ; and such truant officers, or any of 
 them, shall, when so directed bj^ the school committee, pros- 
 ecute any person liable to the penalty provided for in said 
 section one. 
 
 Sec. 5. No child between the ages of twelve and fifteen Employment 
 
 of any child 
 
 years shall be employed in any manufacturing, mechanical j-'^^gYve^^^^^ 
 or mercantile establishment, or by any telegraph ol' telephone age*^fs"forbid °^ 
 ■company in this state, except during the vacations of the unless, etc. 
 public schools of the city, town or district in which such child se\ai°on i. ^^ ' 
 resides, unless, during the twelve months next preceding such 
 ■employment, he shall have attended school as provided for 
 in section one of this chapter, or shall have already acquired 
 the elementary branches of learning taught in the public 
 schools, or shall have been excused by the school committee 
 of the town or city in which such child resides ; nor shall 
 ■such employment continue unless such child shall attend 
 school as above provided each year, or until he shall have 
 
68 
 
 LAWS PERTAINING TO EDUCATION. [Chap. 64. 
 
 Employer to 
 keep on file 
 what 
 
 certificate of 
 children. 
 
 acquired the elementary branches of learning taught in the 
 public schools. 
 
 Sec. 6. No child between the ages of twelve and fifteen 
 years shall be so employed who does not present a certificate 
 made by or ander the direction of the school committee of 
 the city or town in which such child resides, of his compli- 
 ance with the requirements of section five of this chapter ;. 
 and said certificate shall also give the place and date of birth 
 of such child as nearly accurate as may be ; and every owner, 
 superintendent or overseer, of any establishment or company 
 employing any such child shall keep such certificate on file 
 so long as such child is employed therein. The form of said 
 certificate shall be furnished by the secretary of the state 
 board of education. 
 
 Penalty on 
 employer, 
 parent or 
 guardian. 
 
 Sec. 7. Every owner, superintendent or overseer of any 
 such establishment or company who emploj^s or permits to 
 be emploj^ed any child in violation of either of the two next 
 preceding sections, and everj^ parent or guardian who per- 
 mits such employment, shall be fined not exceeding twenty 
 dollars. 
 
 Truant officers 
 to visit places 
 of employ- 
 ment, and 
 report. 
 
 Sec. 8. The truant officers shall, at least once in every 
 school term, and as often as the school committee require,, 
 visit the establishments or companies employing such chil- 
 dren in their respective towns and cities, and ascertain whether 
 the provisions of the three next preceding sections hereof 
 are duly observed, and report all violations thereof to the 
 school committee. 
 
 To demand 
 names of 
 children em- 
 ployed and 
 require 
 certificates. 
 
 Sec. 9. The truant officers shall demand the names of the 
 children under fifteen years of age employed in such estab- 
 lishments or companies in their respective towns and cities^ 
 and shall require the certificates of age and school attendance, 
 prescribed in section six of this chapter, to be produced for 
 
Oliap, 64.] ATTENDANCE OE CHILDREN IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS. 69 
 
 their inspection; and a refusal to produce such certificates Penalty, 
 shall be punished by a fine not exceeding- ten dollars. 
 
 Sec. 10. Every owner, superintendent or overseer of any Penalty for 
 
 •^ employing 
 
 such establishment or company who employs or permits to ^Krea'd or 
 be employed therein a child under fifteen years of age who «," mlbuc'^^ 
 
 , . T , i- • 1 1 •! 1 schools are in 
 
 cannot write his name, age and place oi residence legiDly, session. 
 while the public schools in the town or city where such child 
 lives are in session, shall for every such offence be fined not 
 exceeding twenty dollars. 
 
 Sec. 11. The town council of each town, and the city coun- [^Jj^^^^^^feon^ 
 cil of each city, shall make all needful provisions and arrange- and"idfe*™^''*^ 
 ments concerning habitual truants and children who may 
 be found wandering about in the streets or public places 
 therein, having no lawful occupation or business, not attend- 
 ing school and growing up in ignorance, and shall make such 
 ordinances as will be most conducive to the welfare of such 
 children and to the good order of such town or city; and 
 shall designate or provide suitable places for the confine- 
 ment, discipline and instruction of such children. 
 
 Sec. 12. Every minor convicted, under an ordinance made f/^J^^^^^ndfor 
 under the provisions of section eleven of this chapter, of idic|^ess under 
 being an habitual truant, or of wandering about in the streets 
 and public places of a town or city, or of having no lawful 
 employment or business, or of not attending school and of 
 growing up in ignorance, shall be committed to any institu- 
 tion of instruction or suitable place designated or provided 
 for the purpose under the authority of said section eleven, 
 for a period not exceeding two years. 
 
 Sec. 13. Children so committed may, on satisfactory proof f^^°|jfj|®^^ 
 of amendment or for other sufficient cause, be discharged ^'^^^ children. 
 from such institution or place by the court which committed 
 them. 
 
70 
 
 LAWS PERTAINING TO EDUCATION. 
 
 [Chap. 64. 
 
 School com- 
 mittee to re 
 
 In cases of 
 failure, school 
 money is to be 
 ■n-ithheld. 
 
 Sec. 14. The school committees of the several towns and 
 chaptCT^^"^ ^^^^ cities shall annually report to the state board of education 
 whether their towns or cities have made the provisions re- 
 quired by this chapter; and in case the town council of 
 any town, or the board of aldermen and citj^ council of any 
 city, shall in any year refuse or neg-lect to comply with the 
 provisions of section three and section eleven of this chapter, 
 or of either of them, after having been duly notified by the 
 commissioner of public schools, fifty per centum of the money 
 apportioned to such city or town from the state for school 
 purposes shall be T\ithheld until the provisions of said sec- 
 tion three and section eleven of this chapter have been com- 
 plied with. 
 
 Fines, how to 
 inure. 
 
 Jurisdiction of 
 district courts. 
 
 Sec. 15. All fines under the provisions of this chapter 
 shall inure and be applied to the support of the public schools 
 in the town or city where the oftence was committed. 
 
 Sec. 16. The district courts of the state shall have juris- 
 diction in their respective districts of all cases arising under 
 this chapter and all ordinances passed in conformity with 
 this chapter. 
 
 Officers com- g^c. 17. Xo oflicer Complaining under anv of the provis- 
 
 plammg not i o .; i 
 
 g?ve"^surety for ^°^® ^^ ^^^^ chapter, or uuder the provisions of any ordinance 
 that may be passed in pursuance hereof, shall be required to 
 give surety for costs ; and such oflicer shall not in anywise 
 become liable for anj^ costs that may accrue on such com- 
 plaint. 
 
Chap. 65.] GENERAL PE0VI8I0NS RELATING TO SCHOOLS. 
 
 71 
 
 CHAPTER 6; 
 
 General Provisions Relating to Public Schools. 
 
 Section 
 
 1. Exclusion from school to be by 
 
 general rule. 
 
 2, 3. District ofBcers to be engaged in 
 
 office ; record of district clerk is 
 prima facie evidence. 
 
 4. Tenure of office of such officers. 
 
 5. Penalty for neglect of duties. 
 
 6. School committee, board of educa- 
 
 tion and commissioner may visit 
 schools aided by the state. 
 
 7. Penalty for refusing to permit such 
 
 visitation. 
 
 8. Nuisances near schoolhouse, pro- 
 
 hibited. 
 
 9. Construction of the word "town," 
 
 as to the city of Providence. 
 
 Section 
 
 10. Public schools in city of Provi- 
 
 dence, how governed. 
 
 11. Taking of fees, etc., for promoting 
 
 sale or exchange of school books, 
 etc., prohibited. 
 
 12. Offering of fees, etc., to public 
 
 school ofScers for such purpose, 
 prohibited. 
 
 13. Children of deceased soldiers and 
 
 sailors, when admitted free to 
 public schools. 
 
 14. Pupils not allowed to attend public 
 
 schools without certificate of 
 vaccination. 
 
 15. Penalty for violation of provisions 
 
 of this chapter. 
 
 16. Special statutes prevail. 
 
 Section 1. No person shall be excluded from any public Exclusion to be 
 
 by general 
 
 school in the district to which such person belongs, if the ^uie. 
 town is divided into districts, or, if not so divided, from the 
 nearest public school, on account of race or color, or for 
 being- over fifteen years of age, nor except by force of some 
 general regulation applicable to all persons under the same 
 circumstances. 
 
 Sec. 2. Every school district officer elected or appointed fchooM?steic*t^ 
 under the provisions of this title, except the moderator of a ° ^^^^' 
 district meeting, shall take an engagement, before some per- 
 son authorized to administer oaths, to support the constitu- 
 tion of the United States, the constitution and laws of this 
 state, and faithfully to discharge the duties of his office so 
 long as he shall continue therein. 
 
 Sec. 3. The record of the district clerk that any school E^*^ence of 
 
 «^ sucn engage- 
 
 district officer has been duly engaged shall be prima facie '^^^^' 
 
 evidence thereof; and no school district officer shall enter 
 
 upon the duties of his office without taking an engagement. 
 
72 
 
 LAAYS PERTAINING TO EDUCATION. [Cliap. 65. 
 
 Tenure of 
 office of such 
 officers. 
 
 Penalty for 
 neglect of 
 duties. 
 
 Schools aided 
 
 by state 
 
 to be visited. 
 
 Penalty for 
 refusal. 
 
 Nuisances pro- 
 hibited near 
 schoolhouses. 
 
 Sec. 4. Every school district officer elected or aiapointed 
 under the provisions of this title shall, without a new engage- 
 ment, hold his office until the time of the next annual election 
 or appointment for such office and until his successor is 
 elected or appointed and qualified. 
 
 Sec. 5. Every officer who shall make any false certificate,] 
 or appropriate any public school money to any purpose not 
 authorized by law, or who shall refuse for a reasonable charge 
 to give certified copies of any official paper, or to account 
 for or deliver to his successor any accounts, papers or money! 
 in his hands, or shall wilfully or knowingly refuse to perform I 
 any duty of his office, or violate any provisions of any law 
 regulating public schools, except where a x^articular penalty ( 
 may be prescribed, shall be fined not exceeding five hundred | 
 dollars or be imprisoned not exceeding six months, and shall I 
 be liable to an action of the case for damages to be brought' 
 by any person injured thereby. 1 
 
 Sec. 6. Any school receiving aid from the state, either by 
 direct grant or by exemption from taxation, may be visited 
 and examined by the school committee of the town in which 
 such school is situated, and by the members of the board of 
 education and the commissioner of public schools, whenever 
 they shall deem it advisable. 
 
 Sec. 7. Whenever such school shall refuse to permit such 
 visitation, when requested, its exemption from taxation shall 
 thereafter cease and be determined. 
 
 Sec. 8. No person shall keep any ST\dne in any pen or i 
 other enclosure, or shall keep or suffer to be kept any other* 
 nuisance, within one hundred feet of any schoolhouse or 
 within one hundred feet of any fence enclosing the yal'd of 
 any such schoolhouse. 
 
 Sec. 9. In the construction of this title, except in the 
 
Chap. 65.] GENERAL, PEO VISIONS RELATING TO SCHOOLS. 73 
 
 construction of chapter sixty-four, and sections six and seven construction 
 of this chapter, and section twenty-three of chapter sixty, ^jg^f ^'^'^ 
 the word " town " shall include the city of Providence only P^o^ic^^^ce- 
 so far as to entitle said city to a distributive share in the 
 public money, upon making a report to the commissioner in 
 the same manner as the school committees of other towns 
 are required to do. {See Chap. Ji-20, Pah. Laws.) 
 
 Sec. 10. The public schools in said city shall continue, as 1°^°?^!^^^ 
 heretofore, to be governed according to such ordinances and 
 regulations as the proper city authorities may from time to 
 time adopt. {See Chap. J^QO, Pah. Laws. 
 
 Sec 11 No superintendent or school committee of any Fees, ot _ 
 
 yjih\j, -LJ.. -i--<vy Kjui^^v^ ^ pecuniary in- 
 
 town, or any person officially connected with the government g[|J^?o'"P" 
 or direction of the public schools, shall receive any private school officers. 
 fee, gratuity, donation or compensation in any manner what- 
 soever for promoting the sale or the exchange of any school- 
 book, map or chart in any public school, or be an agent for 
 the sale or the publisher of any school text-book, or be di- 
 rectly or indirectly pecuniarily interested in the introduction 
 of any school text-book ; and any such agency or interest 
 shall disqualify any person so acting or interested from hold- 
 ing any school office whatsoever. 
 
 Sec. 12. No person shall offer to any public school officer offering of 
 any fee, commission or compensation whatsoever, as an in- prohibited. 
 ducement to effect through such officer any sale or promo- 
 tion of sale, or exchange, of any schoolbook, map, chart or 
 school apparatus. 
 
 Sec. 13. All the public schools in the state, including the ^'^^If^fsed''' 
 State Normal School, shall be open to the children of officers salfors ad° 
 
 - . - . mitted free, 
 
 and soldiers -belonging to the state, mustered into the service wiien. 
 of the United States, and of those persons belonging to the 
 state, and serving in the navy of the United States, who 
 died in said service during the late rebellion against the 
 
74 
 
 LAWS PERTAINING TO EDUCATION. [Chap. 66. 
 
 authority of the United States, or who were discharged from 
 said serAdce in consequence of wounds or disease contracted 
 in said service, or who were killed in battle, without any cost 
 or expense for taxes or other charges imposed for purposes 
 of public education. 
 
 aiiowfito ^■^^- ^'^- -^^ person shall be permitted to attend any 
 
 school wFthont public school in this state as a pupil, unless such person shall 
 vaccination. furnish to the teacher of such school a certificate of some 
 practicing physician that such person has been properly 
 vaccinated as a protection from smallpox ; and every teacher 
 in the public schools shall keep a record of the names of 
 such pupils in their resjDective schools as have presented such 
 certificate. 
 
 Penalty for Sec. 15. Every person violating any provision of this 
 
 violating this ./ j. = ./ i 
 
 chapter. chapter shall be fined not exceeding fifty dollars or be im- 
 
 prisoned not exceeding thirty days, unless herein otherwise 
 provided. 
 
 Special 
 statutes to 
 prevail. 
 
 Sec. 16. The foregoing provisions of this title are subject 
 to the provisions of any special statutes respecting schools, 
 or the management of schools, in any particular town or 
 cit}^, none of which are repealed hereby. 
 
 CHAPTEPv 66. 
 
 Of the lihode Island College of Agriculture and Mechanic 
 
 Arts. 
 
 Shctio:s' 
 
 1. Continued a body corporate for 
 
 what purposes. 
 
 2. Location. To have moneys received 
 
 from the United States. 
 
 Section 
 
 3. Board of managers ; term of ofiQce, 
 
 vacancies, and residence. 
 
 4. OflBcers of the board. 
 
 5. Duties of offlcersfand teachers. 
 
 Section 1. The present board of managers of the Rhode 
 Island College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts, and their 
 
Chap. 66.] COLLEGE or ageiculture and mechanic arts. 75 
 
 '■ 
 successors, for the terms for which they have been or for r.i. college ' 
 
 of Agriculture 
 
 which they hereafter may be appointed or elected as such and Mechanic 
 
 Arts, IS to 
 
 managers, shall continue to be a body politic and corporate body"'^^^ 
 for the purpose of continuing- and maintaining said college °"'"p°'"^ ®- 
 corporation as a college where the leading object shall be, Leadingobject. 
 without excluding other scientific and classical studies, and 
 including military tactics, to teach such branches of learning 
 as are related to agriculture and the mechanic arts, in order 
 to promote the liberal and practical education of the indus- 
 trial classes in the several pursuits and professions of life, as 
 provided in the act of the Congress of the United States ap- 
 proved July 2, 1862, entitled " An act donating public lands 
 to the several states and territories which may provide col- 
 leges for the benefit of agriculture and the mechanic arts," 
 and for the purpose of continuing and maintaining an agri- 
 cultural experiment station as a department of said college 
 under and in accordance with, and to carry out the purposes 
 of, the act of Congress approved March 2, 1887, entitled "An 
 act to establish agricultural experiment stations in connec- Experiment 
 
 station. 
 
 tion with the colleges established in the several states under 
 the provisions of an act approved July 2, 1862, and of the acts 
 supplementary thereto," by the said name of " Rhode Island 
 College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts," with all the 
 powers and privileges, and subject to all the duties and lia- 
 bilities set forth in chapter one hundred seventy-seven. 
 
 Sec. 2. Said college and experiment station shall until Location. 
 otherwise ordered continue to be located in the town of South 
 Kingstown upon the estate now occupied by them, and all 
 moneys hereafter received under said act of Congress ap- 
 proved March 2, 1887, and under the act of Congress ap- to have the 
 proved August 30, 1890, entitled, "An act to apply a portion S^^vedlrom 
 
 United States. 
 
 of the proceeds of the public lands to the more complete en- 
 dowment and support of the colleges for the benefit of agri- 
 culture and mechanic arts, established under the provisions 
 
76 
 
 LAWS PEETAIXING TO EDUCATION. [Cliap. 66. 
 
 Duty of 
 managers and 
 officers. 
 
 of an act of Congress approvecl July 2, 1862," and all otlier 
 moneys whicli shall be received by the state for the promo- 
 tion of agriculture or the mechanic arts under or by virtue of 
 any act of Congress, shall, as and when received, be paid over 
 to the treasurer for the time being of said college corporation, 
 to be used and applied and accounted for bj" the manag-ers and 
 officers of said corporation for the time being, as required by 
 the respective acts of Congress under which the same are re- 
 ceived. And the managers and officers of said corporation 
 shall perform all the duties, and make and publish, distribute 
 and render all bulletins and reports required by said acts of 
 Congress, or by any acts in amendment thereof or supple- 
 mentary thereto ; and shall also report to the general assem- 
 bly annually at its January session. 
 
 Term of office 
 and future 
 appointment 
 of managers. 
 
 Vacancies. 
 
 Future 
 members. 
 
 Sec. 3. The several members of said present board of 
 managers of said college corporation shall continue to hold 
 their respective offices during the terms for which they Avere 
 last appointed and until their respective successors are qual- 
 ified to act ; and upon the expiration of the term of office of 
 that member of said board whose term shall expire next after 
 the General Laws shall go into operation, and in everj^^ year 
 thereafter, there shall be one member of said board appointed 
 by the governor, with the advice and consent of the senate, 
 for the term of five years and until his successor shall be 
 qualified to act. In case of a vacancy in said board such va- 
 cancy shall be filled, if the general assembly be in session, 
 by the governor with the advice and consent of the senate, 
 if not in session by the governor until the next session of the 
 general assembly, when, as soon as maj- be, an appointment 
 shall be made by the governor with the advice and consent 
 of the senate, to fill such vacancy, and the person so" ap- 
 pointed shall hold his office for the remainder of the unex- 
 pired term. And every future member of said board shall 
 be a domiciled inhabitant of the same county as was the re- 
 
Cliap. 66.] COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE AND MECHANIC ARTS. 77 
 
 tiring member of the board whose place he is appointed to 
 fill. 
 
 Sec. 4. Said board of managers shall annually elect one Board of 
 
 . .'" managers, 
 
 of their own number to be president of the board, who shall officers of. 
 
 also be the president of the corporation and shall continue 
 
 in office until his successor is elected. They shall also from 
 
 time to time appoint a treasurer and a clerk, who shall also 
 
 be officers of the corporation, and who may be, but need not 
 
 necessarilj' be, the same person or members of the board, 
 
 and who shall hold their respective offices at the pleasure of 
 
 the board. The treasurer before entering upon his office Treasurer to 
 
 give bond. 
 
 shall give bond to the state for the faithful discharge of his 
 duties, in form to be approved by the attorney -general, in a 
 penal sum to be fixed by the said board of managers and 
 with surety or sureties to be approved by the governor ; such 
 bond to be filed and to be kept on file in the office of the 
 secretary of state, and which bond shall be renewed when- 
 ever required by the board of managers or by the governor. 
 And the treasurer shall make a full detailed report annually Treasurer to 
 
 make an 
 
 to the general assembly, at its January session, of all his re- annual report. 
 ceipts and expenditures, properly audited by the board of 
 managers or a committee thereof. 
 
 Sec. 5. Said board of managers shall have the general ^"ftfypi-o? 
 care and management of said estate in South Kingstown and ruies!and ap- 
 
 £ ■ T -n 1 • L L L- 1 1 point a faculty. 
 
 of said college and experiment station, and may employ 
 professors, teachers and other persons in and about the same 
 and prescribe their duties and fix their compensation, and 
 from time to time make rules and regulations for their gov- 
 ernment ; and may also make by-laws, rules, and regulations 
 to govern their own meetings and proceedings. Said board studies! and 
 of managers shall from time to time appoint the faculty of degrees and 
 
 diplomas. 
 
 said college ; and such faculty shall from time to time arrange 
 the courses of study, conforming to said acts of congress in 
 this behalf, and prescribe such qualifications for admission 
 
78 
 
 LAWS PERTAINING TO EDUCATION. [Chap. 67. 
 
 of students, and sucli rules of study, exercise, discipline, and 
 government, as they shall deem proper ; they may also grant 
 academical degrees and diplomas appropriate to the courses 
 of study to those students of good moral character who shall 
 have pursued the prescribed courses and passed satisfactory 
 examinations. 
 
 CHAPTER 67. 
 
 Of State Beneficiaries at the Rhode Island School of Design. 
 
 Section 
 
 1. Appropriation for. 
 
 2. Annual report. 
 
 3. Ex-o£ficio directors. 
 
 Section 
 4, 5. State beneficiaries, and how ap- 
 pointed. 
 6. Tuition fees, how paid. 
 
 for^the'K^"°'^ Section 1. Such sums as shall be from time to time ap- 
 r)es?gii,°how propriated by the general assembly to the Rhode Island 
 of board of Scliool of Design, shall be paid by the general treasurer 
 
 education. 
 
 upon the orders of the state board of education, who are 
 hereby empowered and authorized to visit and examine said 
 school at their pleasure. 
 
 Annual report. ^ec. 2. The directors of the above-named school of design 
 shall make an annul report to the state board of education 
 in manner and form prescribed by said board of education. 
 
 Ex-officio 
 directors. 
 
 Sec. 3. The state board of education are hereby author- 
 ized and empowered to elect two of their number who, by 
 virtue of said election, shall be members of the board of 
 directors of said school of desiern. 
 
 Qfltiie^^'^^ Sec. 4. The state board of education are hereby author- 
 the R. I. School ized to appoint as state beneficiaries at the Rhode Island 
 
 of Design. 
 
 School of Design, persons of proper age, character and ac- 
 quirements, who have not the means of defraying the ex- 
 pense of instruction in said school themselves. 
 
Chap. 68.] 
 
 FACTORY INSPECTION. 
 
 79 
 
 Sec. 5. The secretary of the board of education shall re- Appointments, 
 
 how to be 
 
 ceive and file in their order the applications of all persons ™ade. 
 who desire to receive such appointment ; and in making- their 
 appointments the board shall, as far as practicable, make 
 them so that the people of the several counties may partici- 
 pate in the advantages as nearly as possible in proportion to 
 the respective populations of the counties according- to the 
 last United States census. 
 
 Sec. 6. The board of education are hereby authorized to Tmtion fees, 
 
 howtobe paid. 
 
 draw their orders on the general treasurer for the payment 
 of the tuition fees of the beneficiaries appointed by them as 
 above. 
 
 CHAPTER 68. 
 
 Of Factory Inspection. 
 
 Section 
 
 1, 2. Children under 12 years of age 
 not to be employed in factories. 
 
 Section 
 3. Factory inspectors ; appointment, 
 tenure of ofQce and duties. 
 
 Section 1. No child under twelve years of age shall be children under 
 
 ° twelve years of 
 
 employed in any factory, manufacturing or mercantile estab- empfo°yed* "^^ 
 
 lishment, within this state. It shall be the duty of every ^^°^" 
 person, firm or corporation employing children, to keep a 
 
 register in which shall be recorded the name, birthplace, age Register of 
 
 children under 
 
 and place of residence of every person employed under the sixteen years 
 
 age of sixteen years ; and said register shall be produced for ^^^^' 
 inspection on demand by either of the inspectors appointed 
 under this chapter. - 
 
 Sec. 2. No person, firm or corporation employing less what deemed 
 
 to be employ- 
 
 than five persons who are women or children shall be deemed ment under 
 
 ^ this chapter. 
 
 a factory, manufacturing or mercantile establishment within 
 the meaning of this chapter. 
 
80 
 
 LAAYS PERTAINING TO EDUCATION. 
 
 [Chap. 68. 
 
 Eemovalfrom sUCCeSSOIS sliall QUalifv 
 
 office, and -^ ■^ 
 
 vacancies. 
 
 Duties of 
 inspectors. 
 
 I^^^?n.^\r.^r Sec. 3. The o-overuor shall, between the fifteenth and' 
 
 spectors ; now ~ ^ ; 
 
 term'oroffice.*^ thu'tieth clays of June, in the j^ear eighteen hundred ninety-;- 
 seven, and between the fifteenth and thirtieth days of June 
 in every third year thereafter, appoint two factory inspectors, 
 one of whom shall be a woman, whose term of office shall be! 
 three years from date of their appointment and until their 
 
 They shall at all times be subject 
 to removal by the governor for neglect of duty or malfeasance 
 in the discharge of duty; and in case of removal as afore- 1 
 said, or of vacancies in said offices from any cause, the gov- !■ 
 ernor shall appoint successors to fill such vacancies for the 
 unexpired term of said office. The said inspectors shall be 
 empowered to visit and inspect, at all reasonable hours, and 
 as often as practicable, the factories, workshops and other 
 establishments in the state employing women or children, ; 
 and shall report to the general assembly of this state at its 
 January session in each year, including in said report the 
 names of the factories, the number of such hands employed, 
 and the number of hours' work performed each week. It 
 shall also be the duty of said inspectors to enforce the pro- 
 visions of this chapter, and to prosecute all violations of the 
 same before any court of competent jurisdiction in the state. 
 The said inspectors shall devote their whole time and atten- 
 tion to the duties of their respective offices. In case of any 
 conflict of authority between the said inspectors, either of 
 them may apply for instructions to the governor, whose de- 
 cision of the controversy, after hearing the statement of each 
 inspector and making such further investigation of the 
 circumstances as he may deem necessary, shall be final. 
 
Chap. 85.] DEAF, BLIND, AND IMBECILE CHILDEEN. 
 
 81 
 
 CHAPTER 85. 
 
 Of Provision for the Education of Deaf, Blind, and Imbecile 
 
 Children. 
 
 Section 
 
 1. State beneficiaries. 
 
 2. Supervision, and annual report. 
 
 Section 
 
 3. Clothing, how furnished. 
 
 4. Bills, how approved and paid. 
 
 children as 
 
 state 
 
 beneficiaries. 
 
 What limita- 
 tions. 
 
 Section 1. The governor, on recommendation of the state Deaf, blind, 
 
 imbecile 
 
 board of education, upon application of the parent or guar- 
 dian, may appoint any deaf, blind or imbecile child, being 
 a legal resident of this state, who shall appear to said board 
 to be a fit subject for education, as a state beneficiary at any 
 suitable institution or school now established, or that may be 
 established, either within or without the state, for such period 
 as he may determine : Provided, that no beneficiary shall re- 
 ceive educational aid for a longer time than ten years ; and 
 the governor shall have the power to revoke any such ap- 
 pointment at any time for cause. {8ee Chapter 322, Public 
 Laws.) 
 
 Sec. 2. The board of education are hereby clothed with education to 
 the duty and responsibility of supervising the education of vfslon.'^^^'^ 
 all such beneficiaries, and no child appointed as above shall 
 be withdrawn from any institution or school except with 
 their consent, or the consent of the governor ; and said board Annual report. 
 shall annually report to the general assembly their doings 
 under this chapter, with such further information in relation 
 to the several institutions at which these beneficiaries have 
 been placed as may be deemed desirable. 
 
 Sec. 3. The board of education may expend in the pur- clothing. 
 chase of necessary clothing for such beneficiaries a sum not 
 exceeding twenty dollars, in any calendar year, for a single 
 child. 
 
 Sec. 4. All bills arising under this chapter shall be ex- 
 
82 
 
 LAWS PERTAINING TO EDUCATION. [Chap. 86. 
 
 Bills, how- 
 approved and 
 paid. 
 
 amined and approved by the board of education, and the 
 state auditor is hereby authorized to draw his orders on the 
 general treasurer for the payment thereof when properly 
 certified by the secretary of the board and approved by the 
 governor, and a sum not to exceed twelve thousand dollars, 
 or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby annually ap- 
 propriated therefor out of any money in the treasury not 
 otherwise appropriated. 
 
 CHAPTER 86. 
 
 Of the Rhode Island Institute fo7' the Deaf. 
 
 Section 
 
 1. Management and control vested in 
 
 trustees. 
 
 2. Trustees, how appointed and term 
 
 of office. 
 
 3. Power of board of trustees to 
 
 admit. 
 
 Section 
 
 4. Who may be admitted. Objects of 
 
 the institute, and how managed. 
 
 5. Trustees to report annually to 
 
 general assembly. 
 
 6. This chapter not affected by chapter 
 
 51, sections 9, 10. and 11. 
 
 E. I. Institute 
 for the Deaf to 
 be managed 
 and controlled 
 by trustees. 
 
 Section 1. The governor and lieutenant-governor to- 
 gether with nine citizens of this state, of whom six shall be 
 men and three women, to be appointed as hereinafter pro- 
 vided, shall constitute a board of trustees in whom shall be 
 vested the management and control of a state institution for 
 the instruction and maintenance of deaf children in accord- 
 ance with the iDrovisions of this chapter. Such institution 
 shall be known as the Bhode Island Institute for the Deaf. 
 
 Trustees of. 
 how appointed, 
 and terms of 
 office. 
 
 Sec. 2. Said trustees, other than the governor and lieu- 
 tenant-governor, shall be appointed by the governor; and 
 said trustees now in ofiice shall continue to serve, in classes 
 of three each, for and during the terms for which they were 
 appointed, respectively ; and in the year eighteen hundred 
 ninety-seven, and once in every two years thereafter, three 
 trustees in the said board shall in the same manner be ap- 
 pointed for a term of six years, to fill the places of those 
 
Chap. 86.] RHODE ISLAND INSTITUTE FOR THE DEAF. 83 
 
 whose terms shall have expired ; and vacancies which may- 
 occur from death and resignation shall be filled by the 
 governor for the Remainder of the unexpired term. The 
 members of said board of trustees shall receive no compen- 
 sation for their services. 
 
 Sec. 3. The board of trustees may admit such persons Power of the 
 
 ■^ ^ board of 
 
 therein as hereinafter is provided. {See Chapter 332, Public atoit^^ ^^ 
 Laws.) 
 
 Sec. 4. Deaf persons between the ages of three and twenty ^^it'fj^ ^® 
 years, and of sufficient capacity for instruction, who are legal 
 residents of the state, shall be entitled to the privilege of the 
 school without charge, and for such period of time in each 
 individual case as may be deemed expedient by the board of 
 trustees ; residents of other states may be admitted upon the 
 payment of such rates of board and tuition as may be fixed 
 by the board of trustees. The primary object of the school fnstltutef 
 shall be to furnish to the deaf children of this state, oral 
 instruction, and the best known facilities for the enjoyment 
 of such a share of the benefits of the system of free public 
 education as their afflicted condition will admit of. The 
 board of trustees shall have charge of the affairs of the in- 
 stitution, with power to make such by-laws and regulations 
 for the government thereof (not inconsistent with the pro- 
 visions of this chapter) as they may deem expedient. They Management. 
 shall elect frona their own number a president and secretary, 
 together with such standing committees as they may deem 
 necessary. They shall apJDoint a principal who shall be the 
 chief executive officer of the institution, and shall have charge 
 of the educational and internal affairs of the institution, and 
 shall also, upon the nomination of the principal, appoint 
 teachers and subordinate officers, prescribe the duties and 
 terms of service of the same, and fix their salaries, and for 
 just" cause remove any or all of them. They shall likewise 
 employ the requisite number of servants and other assistants, 
 
84 
 
 LAWS PEETAINING TO EDUCATION. [Chap. 87. 
 
 Board of 
 trustees are to 
 report 
 annually. 
 
 This chapter is 
 not affected by 
 chapter 51. 
 sections 9, 10 
 and 11. 
 
 and fix the wages of the same, and shall purchase all 
 furniture, schoolbooks, school apparatus and other supplies 
 necessary to the equipment and carrying-on such institution. 
 {See Cliap. 5Jf5, Puh. Laios.) 
 
 Sec. 5. The board of trustees shall annually in the month 
 of January make a report to the general assembly, of the 
 state and condition of the school, and a statement of all ex- 
 penses incurred for salaries, maintenance, tuition and other 
 items of current expense, together with an estimate of the 
 amount of money necessary to meet the current expenses of 
 the next year. 
 
 Sec. 6. The i3rovisions of this chapter are not repealed, 
 affected or modified by the provisions of sections nine, ten 
 and eleven of chapter fifty-one. 
 
 CHAPTER 87. 
 
 Of the /State Home and School for Children. 
 
 Seotiox. 
 1-3. Board of control ; number, term 
 of office, and how appointed. 
 
 4. Secretary, duties and term of ofBce. 
 
 5. Compensation to secretary only, but 
 
 travelling expenses to all. 
 
 6. Government of the school. 
 
 7. What childen to be received ; 
 
 what may be returned, -when, to 
 authorities. 
 
 Section 
 
 8. Object of school, and duty of the 
 
 board. 
 
 9. Jurisdiction of probate courts. 
 Board to keep a register of the 
 
 children in the school. 
 To make anuual report to board of 
 education. 
 
 10. 
 
 11. 
 
 Board of 
 control. 
 
 Number of 
 board. 
 
 Section 1. The control and maintenance of the state home 
 and school for dependent and neglected children shall con- 
 tinue to be vested in a board of control, to be called the 
 " board of control of the state home and school." Said school 
 shall be known as the State Home and School for Children. 
 
 Sec. 2. The said board shall consist of seven persons, 
 four of whom shall be men and three women, and, in addition, 
 of such person as may be secretary of said board. The 
 
3hap. 87.] STATE HOME AND SCHOOL FOR CHILDREN. 85 
 
 Iterms of office of the members of said board shall begin on Terms of office. 
 the first day of July. 
 
 Sec. 3. The governor, by and with the advice and consent EJI^iQted 
 of the senate, shall appoint the members of said board, other 
 than the secretary ; and he shall annually, upon the expira- 
 tion of the term of office of any of said board, appoint 
 persons to such office in place of those whose terms shall ex- 
 pire, and every person so appointed shall hold his office for 
 three years, unless sooner removed. Every appointment to 
 fill a vacancy shall be for the remainder of the term. 
 
 Sec. 4. Said board may appoint a secretary, who shall by If^^fg^g^l^J^i 
 virtue of his office be a member of the board ; he shall give ^"^^ °^ ''^°^- 
 bond to the state in such sum as the board may require, for , 
 the faithful performance of his duties ; he shall keep a record 
 of all the doings of said board, and shall perform such other 
 duties as may be. by them required. Such secretary shall 
 hold his office during the pleasure of the board. 
 
 Sec. 5. No member of the board, except the secretary, ^o^^^hPlgofetar 
 shall receive any compensation for his services, but every eiung^exVen^sIs 
 member shall be paid out of the state treasury his necessary 
 travelling expenses. 
 
 Sec. 6. The said board shall establish a system of govern- ^f/|^g^f^* ^^ 
 ment for the institution, and shall make all necessary rules 
 and regulations for imparting instruction, and for the proper 
 training of the children. They shall appoint such officers, 
 teachers and employees as shall be necessary, and prescribe 
 their duties and fix their salaries. 
 
 Sec. 7. Thev shall receive, in accordance with rules by what children 
 
 ^ ' are to be 
 
 them established, such children as may be declared vagrant, I'eceived. 
 neglected and dependent on the public for support, as pro- 
 vided in this chapter, who are over four and under fourteen 
 years of age, and who are in a suitable condition of mind and 
 
86 
 
 LAWS PERTAINING TO EDUCATION. [Chap. 87 J 
 
 Children re- 
 ceived, to be 
 returned, 
 when, to 
 autliorities. 
 
 Object of the 
 school, and 
 duty of the 
 board to carry 
 out the pur- 
 poses of this 
 chapter. 
 
 body to be iiistructed ; for exceptional reasons, children under 
 four years may be received, should the board deem it advis- 1 
 able. Any child who shall be found by the board to be of 
 unsound mind, or who may be considered by the board an 
 improper inmate of said institution, shall be forthwith re- , 
 turned by them to the authorities from whom said child was. 
 received, who are hereby required to receive the same ; and 
 all children admitted shall remain until they are eighteen i 
 years of age, unless otherwise ordered by the board. 
 
 Sec. 8. It is declared to be the object of this chapter to ■ 
 provide for neglected and dependent children, not recognized 
 as vicious or criminal, such influences as will lead toward an 
 honest, intelligent and self-supporting manhood and woman- 
 hood, the state, so far as possible, holding to them the paren- 
 tal relation. But if at any time, in the discretion of the 
 board, this object can be better attained by placing a child 
 in a good family, they shall have the power to do so on con- 
 dition that its education shall be provided for by such family 
 in the public schools of the town or city where they may re- 
 side. The board are hereby made the legal guardians of all 
 the children who may become inmates of the home and school^', 
 and charged with the duty of following such children as may 
 be placed in families, with watchful care, and of taking them 
 back to their own immediate supervision if at any time they ; 
 fail to receive kind and proper treatment and a fair elemen- 
 tary education ; and in case any child shall leave without » 
 permission, or be taken by any person unauthorized from 
 said institution or from any family where it shall have been 
 placed by said board, then said board is hereby authorized to' 
 take and restore said child to said institution or to the family. ] 
 
 Certain officers 
 are to bring the 
 children, con- 
 templated by 
 this chapter, 
 before court of 
 probate. 
 
 Sec. 9. It shall be the duty of the superintendents or^* 
 overseers of the poor in the several towns to, and any agent 
 of the Rhode Island Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to 
 Children may, bring before the courts of probate of such 
 
Jliap. 87.] STATE HOME AND SCHOOL FOE CHILDREN. 87 
 
 bowns for examination, children supported in poorliouses or 
 otherwise dependent on the public for support, or other 
 children found to be in a state of vagrancy, want, or suffer- 
 ing, or abandoned by their parents or guardians or not having 
 any home or settled abode or proper guardianship; and there- Jumdiction^of 
 upon it shall be the duty of the court of probate before whom ^^^^ herein. 
 any such child is brought, to investigate the facts and ascer- 
 tain if the child is so supported, or is in a state of vagrancy, 
 want, and suffering, or is abandoned by its parents or guard- 
 ians, or is without home or settled abode or proper guardian- 
 ship, and also to ascertain its name, age and place of birth, 
 and the names and residence of its parents or guardians, if it 
 liave any, and where and for what length of time, if at all, it 
 lias been supported at the expense of the town or state ; and 
 said courts of probate shall have power to compel attendance 
 of witnesses. The parents or any friend may appear in be- fSf^^^aV 
 half of any child, and the court of probate in its discretion chFid^'^'''' 
 may request some suitable person to appear in behalf of any 
 child • and if on such examination the court shall find that ^l^ execution' 
 such child is so supported or dependent, or is in a state of 
 vagrancy, want, and suffering, or is so abandoned, or without 
 home or settled abode or proper guardianship, it shall make a 
 proper order containing a statement of the facts ascertained as 
 to said child, and entrusting said child to the care and custody 
 of the said board, together with a direction to the superintend- 
 ent or overseer of the poor to take said child to the -state 
 home and school, and shall deliver to the superintendent or 
 overseer of the poor, or other person procuring such exam- 
 ination, a certified copy thereof. Such certified copy of such 
 order shall then be delivered with the child at the home and 
 school, to the presiding officer thereof. All expenses attend- 3'bTtVe''^^ 
 ing the foregoing proceedings shall be paid by the town or 
 cit^y in which the child belongs : Provided, that children be- ^^^^o^^^^o 
 tween the ages of four and fourteen supported in the state alms- f^^^.ll^'^'- 
 house may be brought before the probate court of the town 
 
88 
 
 LAWS PERTAINING TO EDUCATION. [Chap. 87. 
 
 of Cranston by the ag'ent of the board of state charities and 
 
 corrections, and said court is hereby clothed with the same 
 
 power over such children, and such proceedings may be had, 
 
 Expenses to be as if they Were regularly domiciled in said town : and all ex- 
 
 paidbythe j & j v 5 
 
 ^*^*^- penses incident to the hearings in said cases before said pro- 
 
 bate court shall be paid by the state, and the state auditor 
 is hereby authorized to draw his orders for the payment of 
 all such bills, when certified by the secretary of the board of 
 control of the state home and school, out of any money in 
 the treasury not otherwise appropriated. 
 
 Register of 
 children. 
 
 Annual report 
 to be made to 
 state board of 
 education. 
 
 Board of educa- 
 tion to report 
 to general 
 assembly. 
 
 Sec. 10. The board shall provide a book in which shall be 
 registered the names, ages and jDlaces of birth of the children 
 under their care ; the residence of the parents or guardians 
 as nearly as can be ascertained ; the date when each child is 
 received and from what town, and when he leaves the school ; 
 and whenever a child is placed in a family, the name, resi- 
 dence and occupation of such family ; and such book shall be 
 open at all times for the inspection of the probate clerks and 
 the overseers of the poor of the several cities and towns of 
 the state. 
 
 Sec. 11. The said board of control shall annually report 
 to the state board of education, in the month of November, 
 upon the condition of the school, the number of inmates 
 thereof, the expenditures for the year, and their estimates for 
 the year ensuing, together with such other matters as may seem 
 desirable ; which report shall be included by said state board 
 of education in its annual report to the general assembly. 
 
 CHAPTER 111. 
 
 Of Dogs. 
 
 Section 
 10. Dogs to be licensed, fees : penalty. 
 15, 16. Mode of appraising damage by 
 
 Section 
 
 dogs. Balance to be applied for 
 support of public schools. 
 
Chap, 111.] DOGS. 89 
 
 Section 10. Every owner or keeper of a clog-, of what age Dogs to be 
 
 . licensed, etc., 
 
 soever, shall annually m the month of April cause such dog to in April ; 
 be reg-istered, numbered, described and licensed from the 
 first day of the ensuing- June, in the office of the town clerk 
 of the town wherein such owner or keeper resides ; and shall 
 cause it to wear a collar around its neck distinctly marked 
 with its owner's name and with its registered number ; and 
 shall pay to such clerk, for such license, one dollar and fifteen fees therefor. 
 cents for a male dog* and five dollars and fifteen cents for a 
 female dog- ; and all licenses g-ranted under the provisions of 
 this chapter shall be valid in every town during- the then cur- 
 rent year ; Provided, however, that any owner or keeper of a May be 
 
 • 1 1 c • licensed, in 
 
 dog" of what age soever may, m the month of Majl^ in any year, May ; fees 
 have such dog licensed as aforesaid, upon paying to such 
 clerk two dollars and fifteen cents for a male dog and six dol- 
 lars and fifteen cents for a female dog ; and provided further, when to be 
 
 licensed within 
 
 that any person who shall become the owner or keeper of a dog, ^o days. 
 of what age soever, after the last day in May in each year, and 
 prior to the first day of April following, shall cause the same 
 to be registered, numbered, collared and licensed, within thirty 
 days after he becomes such owner or keeper, upon the pay- 
 ment of one dollar and fifteen cents for a male dog and five 
 dollars and fifteen cents for a female dog. Every person penalty, 
 owning or keeping a dog not registered, licensed and collared 
 according to the provisions of this section shall be fined ten 
 dollars, one half thereof to the use of the complainant and 
 one half thereof to the use of the town wherein such dog shall 
 have been kept, to be applied by the said town to the support For support of 
 
 ^ ' : public schools. 
 
 of public schools therein. 
 
 Sec. 15. Each town or city council, excepting town Appraisers of 
 
 damage done 
 
 and city councils in the county of Newport, shall annually ^y dogs. 
 in the month of April appoint one or more suitable persons 
 appraisers, who shall be sworn to the faithful discharge of 
 their duties, to appraise the damage that may be done to any 
 
 12 
 
90 
 
 LAWS PERTAINING TO EDUCATION. [Chap. 111.1 
 
 Mode of 
 appraising 
 damage ; 
 damages how 
 paid. 
 
 Balance to be 
 applied to 
 school fund, 
 except when. 
 
 owner of any sheep or lambs, cattle or liorses, liogs or fowls, I 
 suffering loss by reason of the biting, maiming- or killing 
 thereof by any dog or clogs, and to give a statement thereof 
 in writing to the owner suffering such loss ; and such owner, 
 suffering loss as aforesaid, shall, within two clays after such 
 loss shall come to his knowledge, notify the appraiser, so ap- 
 pointed and sworn, living nearest to him in the town wherein 
 such owner resides, of such loss ; and said appraiser shall, 
 on receipt of twenty -five cents for each mile's travel and the 
 sum of one dollar from such owner, appraise the damage and 
 give a statement thereof in writing, with his lawful fees taxed 
 thereon, to such owner ; and said owner shall, within sixty 
 clays thereafter, present the same to the town council of such 
 town, who shall draw an order on the town treasurer for the 
 amount of such appraisal and fees, or for such other amount 
 as they, in their discretion, after careful examination, shall 
 deem just ; and said order, when presented to the town treas- 
 urer, shall be paid in the same manner as any other order 
 made by the town council upon the town treasurer; and 
 should any money, received under the provisions of this chap- 
 ter, remain in the town treasury after April first, the town 
 treasurer shall, on the first Monday in May following, pay 
 over the whole of such money so remaining to the school 
 fund of such town for the support of the public schools 
 therein ; Provided, however, that anj^ town, at its annual meet- 
 ing or at a town meeting specially called for that purpose, 
 may A^ote to retain such money as a separate fund for the 
 payment of damages done as aforesaid. 
 
 Same subject ; 
 in Newport 
 county. 
 
 Sec. 16. Each town or city council in the county of New- 
 port shall annually in the month of April appoint one or 
 more suitable persons appraisers, who shall be sworn to the 
 faithful discharge of their duties, to appraise the damage 
 that may be done to any owner of any sheep or lambs, cattle, 
 horses, hogs or fowls, suffering loss by reason of the biting, 
 
Chap. 111.] DOGS. 91 
 
 maiming- or killing- thereof by any dog, and to give a state- 
 ment thereof in writing to the owner suffering loss ; and such prafslng ^^ 
 owner, suffering loss as aforesaid, shall, within two days after damaleshow 
 such loss shall come to his knowledge, notify the appraiser, 
 so appointed and sworn, living nearest to him in the town 
 wherein such owner resides, of such loss ; and said appraiser 
 shall, on receipt of twenty cents for each mile's travel and 
 the sum of one dollar from such owner, appraise the damage 
 and give a statement thereof in writing, with his lawful fees 
 taxed thereon to such owner ; and said owner shall, within 
 sixty days thereafter, present to the town or city council of 
 the town or city where such damage is done the appraisal 
 thereof, and thereupon the town or city council of such town 
 or city shall draw an order on the town or city treasurer 
 for the amount of such appraisal and fees, or for such other 
 amount as they, in their discretion, after careful examination, 
 shall deem just. And such town or city treasurer shall an- 
 nually, on the last Monday in March, pay all such orders in 
 full, if the gross amount thus received by such town or city 
 under the provisions of this chapter, after deducting all sums 
 previously laid out under such provisions, is sufficient there- 
 for ; otherwise the town or city treasurer shall divide such • 
 amount, after deducting as aforesaid, pro rata among said 
 orders,- and the payment thereof shall be in full discharge of 
 such orders ; and should any money, received under the pro- Balance to be 
 
 applied to 
 
 visions of this chapter, remain in the town treasury after school fund, 
 
 '- ' "^ except when. 
 
 payment provided for herein, the town or city treasurer shall, 
 on the first Monday in May following, pay over the whole of 
 such money so remaining to the school fund of such town or 
 city for the town or city for the support of the public schools 
 therein : P/wided, 'however, that any town in said couaty at 
 its annual meeting, or at a town meeting specially called for 
 that purpose, or any city in said county by its city council, may 
 vote to retain such money as a separate fund for the payment 
 of damages done as aforesaid. 
 
92 
 
 LAWS PERTAINING TO EDUCATION. [Cliap. 166. 
 
 CHAPTER 16fi. 
 
 Of Bills of Exchange and Promissory Notes, and of 
 Legal Interest. 
 
 Section 8. What days shall be holidays. 
 
 Holidays. SECTION 8. The twenty-second day of February (as Wasli- 
 
 ington's birthday), the first Wednesday of April (as State elec- 
 tion day), the thirtieth day of May (as Memorial day), the 
 fourth day of July (as Independence day), the first Monday 
 . of September (as Labor day), the twenty-fifth day of Decem- 
 ber (as Christmas day), and each of said days in every year, 
 such day as the g-overnor of this state shall appoint as Arbor 
 day in every year, the Tuesday next after the first Monday 
 of November in the year eighteen hundred ninety-six and in 
 every second year thereafter (as National election day), or 
 when either of the said days falls on the first day of the week, 
 then the day following it, the first day of every week (com- 
 monly called Sunday), and such other days as the governor 
 or general assembly of this state, or the president or the 
 congress of the United States, shall appoint as holidays for 
 any purpose, days of thanksgiving, or daj^s of solemn fast^ 
 shall be holidays. {See Chapter SSJj., Puhlic Laws.) 
 
 CHAPTER 176. 
 
 Of Lncorporation. 
 
 Section 
 
 11. Miscellaneous corporations are 
 
 formed by what articles of agree- 
 ment, how executed, and, with 
 certificate of fee paid, where filed. 
 Form of certificate of incorpora- 
 tion. 
 
 12. Certificate of incorporation con- 
 
 fers what powers. 
 
 Section 
 1.3. Such corporation may hold prop- 
 erty to what amount. 
 
 14. Articles of agreement may be 
 
 amended, how. 
 
 15. Certified copies of incorporations 
 
 are admissible in evidence. 
 
Chap. 176.] INCORPORATION. 93 
 
 Section 11. All libraries, Ivceums, fire ensriiie companies, Miscellaneous 
 
 ^ ■' ' =■ f > corporations, 
 
 and corporations formed for religious, charitable, literary, ^^ow formed. 
 scientific, artistic, social, musical, agricultural or sporting pur- 
 poses, not organized for business purposes, and all other cor- 
 porations of like nature not hereinbefore otherwise provided 
 for, shall be created in the following manner, viz. : Five or 
 more persons of lawful age shall associate by written articles 
 which shall express : 
 
 First. Their agreement to form said corporation ; Agreement. 
 
 Second. The name by which it shall be known, which name Name, 
 shall not then be in use by any existing corporation of the 
 state ; 
 
 Third. The purpose for which it is constituted ; Purpose. 
 
 Fourth. The town or city in which it is to be located. Location. 
 
 Said agreement shall be signed and acknowledged by all mustbesfgned, 
 tlie members named therein, and shall prescribe the manner and'medln^^ ' 
 
 office of the 
 
 in which the first meeting shall be held and organized. Said secretary of 
 
 ^ ^ state, with a 
 
 agreement shall be filed in the ofiice of the secretary of state, the'^payment 
 and said persons shall pay a fee of five dollars into the gen- 
 eral treasury of the state. When said agreement has been 
 so filed, together with the certificate of the general treasurer 
 that the fee of five dollars has been paid, and the sum of one iifc^'orporation 
 dollar has been paid to said secretary of state for the certifi- secretary of ^^ 
 cate hereinafter required, the secretary of state shall there- 
 upon issue to said corporation his certificate, under the seal 
 of the state, substantially in the following form : — 
 
 State of Rhode Island ajsid Providence Plantations. 
 
 I, secretary of state, hereby certify that [^here insert ce/tmcate. 
 
 names of all the corporators'] have filed in the oflice of the 
 secretary of state their agreement to form a corporation un- 
 der the name of {^here insert name of corporatioii\ for the pur- 
 pose [here insert purpose] in accordance with law, and have 
 also filed the certificate of the general treasurer that they 
 
94 
 
 LAWS PEETAINING TO EDUCATION. [Chap. 176. 
 
 Certificate to 
 confer what 
 powers. 
 
 have paid into the general treasury of the state the fee re- 
 quired by law. 
 
 Witness my hand and the seal of the state of Rhode Island 
 this day of in the year 
 
 Sec. 12. When said certificate has been issued as afore- 
 said said corporators shall be authorized to carry out the 
 purpose of such agreement with all the powers and subject 
 to all the duties and liabilities as provided herein and in 
 chapter one hundred seventy-seven and all amendments 
 thereof and additions thereto, so far as not inconsistent with 
 the provisions of this chapter, and so far as the provisions of 
 said chapter one hundred seventy-seven shall be applicable 
 to such corporation. 
 
 May hold 
 property to 
 amount of 
 1,000 ; in 
 
 charter only. 
 
 Sec. 13. Said corporation shall be entitled to take, hold, 
 transmit and convey real and personal estate to an amount 
 byTplciaf^^"^' ^ot exceeding in all one hundred thousand dollars. But if 
 such corporation desires to take and hold property to an 
 amount exceeding one hundred thousand dollars either orig- 
 inally or by amendment, such privilege shall be granted only 
 by the general assembly on petition thereto. 
 
 Articles of 
 agreement may 
 be amended, 
 how, except- 
 ing as provided 
 in section 13. 
 
 Copies, when 
 certified by 
 secretary of 
 state, to be 
 taken in 
 evidence. 
 
 Sec. 14. Such agreement may be amended in any partic- 
 ular not inconsistent with the provisions of this chapter, 
 excepting as provided in the preceding section, by vote of 
 the corporation and the filing in the office of the secretary of 
 state of a copy of such vote duly attested by the president 
 and secretary of said corporation. 
 
 Sec. 15. Copies of agreements to form corporations, when 
 formed by agreement, or of any amendment thereof, and the 
 fact of their being filed in the office of the secretary of state 
 and the date of such filing, and the filing of the certificate of 
 the general treasurer, shall, when certified to by the secretary 
 of state, be received in evidence before any court, tribunal or 
 authority. 
 
Chap. 279.] offences against peivate property. 
 
 95 
 
 CHAPTER 278. 
 
 Of Offences Against Public Peace. 
 
 Section 7. Disturbing town, ward, religious, scientific, etc., meetings, liow punislied. 
 
 Section 7. Every person who shall wilfully interrupt or dis- Penalty for 
 
 "^ ^ o^ Jr- wilfully dis- 
 
 turb any town or ward meeting, any assembly or people met ingg'"^ ^^^^' 
 for religious worship, any public or private school, any meet- 
 ing lawfully and peaceably held for purposes of moral, liter- 
 ary or scientific improvement, or any other lawful meeting, 
 exhibition or entertainment, either within or without the 
 place where such meeting or school is held, shall be impris- 
 oned not exceeding one year or be fined not exceeding five 
 hundred dollars. 
 
 CHAPTER 279. 
 Of Offences Against Private Property. 
 
 Section 
 53. Of malicious mischief to books, etc., 
 
 of free public libraries. 
 53. Of neglect to return to such libra- 
 
 Section 
 
 ries, books, pamphlets, etc., after 
 due notice. 
 
 Section 52. Every person who, wilfully and maliciously or Penalty for 
 
 1 T . 1 . . . T !■ ^ malicious 
 
 wantonly and without cause, writes upon, injures, defaces, mischief to 
 
 DooJKs, Ctc^ or 
 
 tears or destroys any book, pamphlet, plate, picture, engrav- ubifary^^'^ 
 ing or statue, or other property belonging to any law, town, 
 city or other free public library, or suffers any such injury 
 to be inflicted while said property is in his custody, shall be 
 fined not less than 'one dollar nor more than ten dollars, the 
 same to be for the use of the library. 
 
 Sec. 53. Every person who shall take or borrow from anv of neglect to 
 
 " return to such 
 
 law, town, city or other free or public library any book, pam- ^^am'^hie'ts^^'^' 
 phlet, paper or other property of said library and who, upon notice^*^^'^ ^^^ 
 
96 
 
 LAWS PERTAINING TO EDUCATION. [Chap. 283. 
 
 neglect to return tlie same witliiu the time required and spec- 
 ified in the by-laws, rules or regulations of the library owning 
 the property, has been notified by the librarian or other 
 proper custodian of the property that the same is overdue, 
 shall, upon further neglect to return the same within two 
 weeks from the date of such notice, be considered to have 
 unlawfully converted the property of the library to his own 
 use. A written or printed notice, given personally or sent by 
 mail to the last known or registered place of residence, shall 
 be considered a sufiicient notice. 
 
 CHAPTER 283. 
 
 Of Offences Against Public Policy. 
 
 Sec. 29. Flags or emblems of foreign countries not to be displayed upon 
 public buildings and sehoolhouses. 
 
 Flags or em- SECTION 29. It shall be uulawful to display the flag or em- 
 
 blems of for- J. ^ ^ 
 
 ni?t^o°be°dis^^ blem of any foreign country upon the flagstaff of any state, 
 puwk buifd- county, city or town building or public schoolhouse within 
 sehoolhouses. this state : Provided, however, that when any foreigner shall 
 become the guest of the United States, or of this state, the 
 flag' of the country of which such public guest shall be a 
 citizen or subject may be displayed upon public buildings, 
 except public sehoolhouses. Every person who shall violate 
 the provisions of this section shall be fined not less than 
 twenty-five nor more than one hundred dollars. 
 
PUBLIC LAWS 
 
 CHAPTER 304. 
 
 AN ACT IN AMENDMENT OF CHAPTER 55 OF THE GENERAL Passed Jan- 
 uary 31, 1896. 
 LAWS, "OF THE POWERS OF SCHOOL DISTRICTS." 
 
 It is enacted hy the General Assembly as follows : 
 
 Section 1. Every school district deciding- to elect three of the election 
 
 ■^ _ ° of trustees of 
 
 trustee under the provisions of Chapter 55 of the General tricts^*^^^ 
 Laws, may at its annual meeting* for the election of school 
 district officers elect one of such trustees for a term of three 
 years, one for a term of two years and one for a term of one 
 year ; and annually thereafter shall be elected one trustee to 
 serve for the term of three years. 
 
 Sec. 2. All acts and parts of acts inconsistent with this 
 act are hereby annulled. 
 
 Sec. 3. This act shall take effect on and after February 
 1st, 1896. 
 
 CHAPTER 322. 
 
 AN ACT IN AMENDMENT OF CHAPTER 85 OF THE GENERAL Passed April 
 
 29, 1896. 
 
 LAWS, "OF PROVISION FOR THE EDUCATION OF THE 
 
 DEAF, BLIND AND IMBECILE CHILDREN." 
 
 It is enacted hy the General Assembly as folloivs : 
 
 Section 1. Section 1 of Chapter 85 of the General Laws 
 is hereby amended so as to read as follows : 
 
 13 
 
98 
 
 LAWS PERTAINING TO EDUCATION. [Chap. 332. 
 
 Deaf, blind or 
 imbecile child- 
 ren may be ap- 
 pointed state 
 beneficiaries to 
 certain institu- 
 tions. 
 
 "Section 1. The governor, on recommendation of the 
 state board of education, upon application of the parent or 
 guardian, may appoint any deaf, blind or imbecile child, 
 being a legal resident of this state, who shall appear to said 
 board to be a fit subject for education, as a state beneficiary 
 at any suitable institution or school now established, or that 
 may be established, either within or without the state, for such 
 period as he may determine, within the limit of ten j'^ears : 
 Provided, that he may, upon the special recommendation of 
 the state board of education, extend the period, and that he 
 shall have the power to revoke anj^ appointment at any time 
 for cause." 
 
 Sec. 2. This act shall take effect on and after its passage, 
 and all acts and parts of acts inconsistent herewith are here- 
 by repealed. 
 
 CHAPTER 332. 
 
 Passed May 13, 
 
 Who mav at- 
 tend the R. I. 
 Institute for 
 the Deaf. 
 
 AN ACT IN AMENDMENT OF AND IN ADDITION TO CHAP- 
 TER 86 OF THE GENERAL LAWS, ENTITLED "OF THE R. I. 
 SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF." 
 
 It is enacted hy the General Assemhly as folloivs : 
 
 Section 1. All children of parents, or under the control 
 of guardians or other persons, legal residents of this state, 
 between the ages of three and twenty years, whose hearing or 
 speech, or both, are so defective as to make it inexpedient or 
 impracticable to attend the public schools to advantage, not 
 being mentally or otherwise incapable, may attend the Rhode 
 Island Institute for the Deaf, without charge, under such 
 rules and regulations as the board of trustees of said institute 
 may establish. 
 
 ^Sec. 2. Every person having under his control any such 
 
Chap. 334.J amendments to the qeneral laws. 99 
 
 child between the as-es of seven and eig'hteen years, shall Certain chii- 
 
 " & J 5 dren to attend 
 
 cause such child to attend school at said institute for such ^^^^ institute. 
 period of time or such prescribed course, in each individual 
 case, as may be deemed expedient by the board of trustees 
 and for any neglect of such duty the person so offending 
 shall be fined not exceeding twenty dollars : Provided, that Exceptions. 
 if the person so charged, shall prove to the satisfaction of 
 said board that the child has received or is receiving, under 
 private or other instruction, an education suitable to his con- 
 dition, in the judgment of said board, then such penalty shall 
 not be incurred : provided further, that no child shall be re- 
 moved to said institution or taken from the custody of its 
 parent or guardian except as a day scholar unless such parent 
 or guardian is an improper person to have such custody, 
 and the supreme court in its appellate division shall have 
 jurisdiction in habeas corpus to examine into and revise all 
 findings of said board of trustees under this act. 
 
 Sec. 3. Any child having attended said institute a time 
 or course prescribed by said board, upon leaving the insti- 
 tute shall be entitled to receive a certificate of his proficiency 
 from said board. 
 
 Sec. 4. This act shall take effect from and after its pas- 
 sagre. 
 
 CHAPTER 334. 
 
 AN ACT IX AMENDMENT OF CHAPTEE 165 OF THE GENERAL Passed May 13, 
 
 1896. 
 
 LAWS. 
 
 It is enacted hy the General Assembly as follows : 
 
 Section 1. Section 8 of Chapter 166 of the General Laws Arbor daydes- 
 
 '■ ignated. 
 
 is hereby amended so as to read as follows : 
 
100 LAWS PERTAINING TO EDUCATION. [Ctiap. 419. 
 
 " Sec. 8. The twenty-second daj' of February (as Wash- 
 ington's birthday), the first Wednesday of April (as State 
 election day), the thirtieth day of May (as Memorial day), 
 the fourth day of July (as Independence day), the first Monday 
 of September (as Labor day), the twenty -fifth day of Decem- 
 ber (as Christmas day), the second Friday in May (as Arbor 
 day), and each of said days in every year, the Tuesday next 
 after the first Monday of November in the year eighteen 
 hundred ninety-six and in every second year thereafter (as 
 National election day), or when either of the said days falls 
 on the first day of the week, then the day following it, the 
 first day of every week (commonly called Sunday), and such 
 other days as the governor or general assembly of this state, 
 or the president or the congress of the United States, shall 
 appoint as holidays for any purpose, days of thanksgiving, 
 or days of solemn fast, shall be holidays." 
 
 Sec. 2. This act shall take effect upon its passage. 
 
 CHAPTER 419. 
 
 Passed Oct. 2, AN ACT IIS^ A3IENDMENT OF CHAPTER 63 OF THE GENERAL 
 
 1896. 
 
 LAWS, " OF THE NORMAL SCHOOL, TEACHERS' INSTITUTES, 
 
 AND LECTURES." 
 
 It is enacted hy the general assemhly as foUoios : 
 
 Section 1. Section 5 of Chapter 63 of the General Laws 
 is hereby amended so as to read as follows : 
 
 SvliSfex^^ "iSEC. 5. The trustees of the Normal School may pay to 
 
 pupils. each pupil who shall reside within the State and not within 
 
 five miles of said school, who shall have been duly admitted 
 
 thereto, and who shall have attended the regular sessions of 
 
 said school and complied with the regulations thereof during 
 
Chap. 420.] AMENDMENTS TO THE GENERAL LAWS. 101 
 
 the term next preceding such payments, not exceeding ten 
 dollars for each quarter year for travelling expenses ; but 
 such payments in the aggi-egate for such travelhng expenses 
 shall not exceed the sum of two thousand dollars in any one 
 year, and shall be made to the respective pupils entitled to 
 the same in proportion to the distance they may reside from 
 said school." 
 
 Sec. 2. This act shall take effect on and after its passage, 
 and all acts and parts of acts inconsistent herewith are hereby 
 repealed. 
 
 CHAPTER 420. 
 
 AN ACT IN AMENDMENT OF CHAPTER 65 OF THE GENERAL Passed Got. 2, 
 LAWS, ENTITLED "GENERAL PROVISIONS RELATING TO 
 PUBLIC SCHOOLS." 
 
 It is enacted ly the General Assemlly as follows: 
 
 Section 1. Sections 9 and 10 of Chapter 65 of the General S'g andTa 
 Laws are hereby repealed. 
 
 Sec. 2. In the city of Providence, the school committee Po^^^^^^^^^it. 
 of said city shall hereafter employ the superintendent and ^^encl^""^'" 
 teachers, have charge and custody of all school buildings and 
 school property, manage and regulate the schools, and draw 
 all orders for payment of their expenses from the money ap- 
 propriated by the city council for the support of pubhc 
 schools : Provided, hoioever, that the city council of said city 
 shall have the expenditure of all sums appropriated for the 
 purchase of land for school purposes or for the improvement 
 of the same or for the construction or repair of school build- 
 ings. 
 
 Sec. 3. This act shall take effect from and after its pas- 
 sasre. 
 
102 
 
 LAWS PERTAINING TO EDUCATION. [Chap. 485. 
 
 Passed May 21, 
 1897. 
 
 School com- 
 mittee of Prov- 
 idence author- 
 ized to estab- 
 lish a Public 
 School Teach- 
 ers' Retire- 
 ment Fund. 
 
 CHAPTER 485. 
 
 AN ACT TO PROVIDE FOR THE CREATION AND DISBURSE- 
 MENT OF A PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHERS' RETIREMENT FUND 
 IN THE CITY OF PROVIDENCE. 
 
 It is enacted hy the General Assemhly as follows : 
 
 Section 1. The school committee of the city of Provi- 
 dence shall have power to establish what shall be known asi 
 the Public School Teachers' Retirement Fund, which fundi 
 shall be administered by the board of trustees hereinafter 
 provided for. Said fund shall consist of : 
 
 First. All moneys received from donations, legacies, gifts, 
 bequests, or otherwise, for or on account of said fund. 
 
 Second. On and after October first eighteen hundred 
 ninety-seven, the school committee shall reserve and turn 
 over to said fund one per cent, of the salaries paid to 
 teachers who shall prior to that date elect to come under 
 the provisions of this act ; and one per cent, of the salaries 
 paid to all teachers appointed after said date : Provided, 
 that no teacher shall be assessed for more than one per 
 cent, of twelve hundred dollars per annum. 
 
 Fund to be ad- 
 ministered by 
 whom. 
 
 Third. All interest or income derived from the above 
 moneys. 
 
 Sec, 2. The president or chairman of the school com- 
 mittee together with three members chosen by said com- 
 mittee, the superintendent of schools, the city treasurer of 
 the city of Providence who shall be ex-ofiicio the treasurer 
 of said fund, and three representatives to be elected annually .; 
 by those teachers of the public schools who contribute to ' 
 the support of this fund in accordance with section 1 of this 
 act, shall form a board of trustees who shall have charge of 
 and administer gaid fund, and said board of trustees shall 
 
hap. 485.] AMENDMENTS TO THE GENERAL LAWS. 103 
 
 tiave power to invest and re-invest the same as shall be 
 deemed by them most beneficial to said fund, and shall 
 make payment from said fund of annuities granted in pur- 
 suance of this act ; and shall from time to time make and 
 establish such rules and regulations for the administration 
 of said fund as they shall deem best. 
 
 Sec. 3. Whenever a teachers' pay roll shall be certified to certain deduc- 
 
 ■^ •' tions to be 
 
 the city auditor for payment, it shall contain a statement of {^achei^s°™ay- 
 the amount to be deducted from the salary of each teacher fund. 
 who contributes to the support of said fund in accordance 
 with the provisions of this act, which amounts shall be 
 added by said city treasurer to said retirement fund ; and all 
 amounts received by said treasurer for said fund, in accord- 
 ance with the provisions of this act, shall be subject to the 
 order of said board of trustees signed by the president and 
 secretary of said board. 
 
 Sec. 4. Every teacher who has annually contributed to who may be- 
 come a bene- 
 said fund in accordance with the provisions of this act for at f°]^^^ °^ ^^^'^ 
 
 least five years, and shall have taught in public schools, if a 
 man, not less than thirty-five years, or if a woman, not less 
 than thirty years, twenty years of which service in both 
 cases shall have been in the public schools of said city next 
 preceding the time of retirement, may be retired and shall 
 have the right voluntarily to retire from such service and 
 become a beneficiary under this act ; and every such teacher 
 so retired or retiring shall be entitled to an annuity for the 
 remainder of his or her life, to be paid by said board of 
 trustees out of said fund, equal to one half of the salary of 
 such teacher at the time of such retirement, at the same 
 times and in the same proportions as the salaries of teachers 
 are paid : Pfvvided, that the annuity so paid shall in no case 
 exceed six hundred dollars in any one year. 
 
 Sec. 5. Every teacher in the public schools of said city, same subject. 
 who shall have taught continuously therein not less than 
 
104 
 
 LAWS PERTAINING TO EDUCATION. [Cliap. 540. 
 
 ten years and for not less than five years annually con- 
 tributed to said fund in the manner provided in this act and 
 has become, without the fault of such teacher, mentally or 
 physically incapacitated for such service, may retire or be 
 retired therefrom and become a beneficiary of said fund in 
 the same manner and to the same extent as provided in sec- 
 tion 4 of this act : Provided, that such annuity shall cease 
 when such incapacity ceases. 
 
 Sec. 6. In case the fund should be insuflicient to pay the 
 annuities provided for in section 4 of this act, the board of 
 trustees shall make a ratable distribution among the teachers 
 who may be entitled to annuities under the provisions of 
 this act. 
 
 Sec. 7. This act shall take effect from and after its pas- 
 sasre. 
 
 CHAPTER 540. 
 
 Passed April 
 29, 1898. 
 
 AN ACT IN AMENDMENT OF CHAPTfiH 53 OF THE GENERAL 
 LAWS, "OF THE APPROPRIATION FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS." 
 
 It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows: 
 
 Section 1. Section 7 of chapter 53 of the General Laws 
 is hereby amended so as to read as follows : 
 
 " Sec. 7. The sum of four thousand dollars shall be annu- 
 trattv^a*^^a^^ ally appropriated for the purchase of dictionaries, encyclo- 
 ratus. pedias and other works of reference, maps, globes, and other 
 
 apparatus, for the use of the public schools of the state." 
 
 Sec. 2. Section 8 of chapter 53 of the General Laws is 
 hereby amended so as to read as follows : 
 
 Appropriation 
 for reference 
 
 " Sec. 8. Said sum of four thousand dollars shall be appor- 
 appropriation. ^^Qj^g(;^ among the Several towns and districts as follows : 
 
 Apportion- 
 ment of said 
 
Chap. 544.] AMENDMENTS TO THE GENEKAL LAWS. 105 
 
 Every town or district desiring to avail itself of this appro- 
 priation shall make application therefor to the commissioner 
 of public schools, with vouchers for the amount actually 
 expended. Upon receipt of said application and vouchers 
 ihe commissioner of public schools may draw his order on 
 the general treasurer in behalf of said applicant, for half the 
 amount of said vouchers, to an amount not exceeding twenty 
 dollars in any one year in favor of any one district, or at the 
 rate of ten dollars for each school, to an amount not exceed- 
 ing two hundred dollars in any one year for any town : 
 Provided, that the gross amount in any one year shall not 
 exceed four thousand dollars." 
 
 Sec. 3. This act shall take effect on and after its passage, 
 and all acts and parts of acts inconsistent herewith are hereby 
 repealed. 
 
 CHAPTER 544. 
 
 AN ACT TO SECURE A MORE UNIFORM HIGH STANDARD IN Passed May 4, 
 THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS OF THIS STATE. ^^^ 
 
 It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows: 
 
 Section 1. In case any town shall consolidate three or Any town may 
 
 consolidate 
 
 more ungraded schools, and instead thereof shall establish three or more 
 
 ° ' ungraded 
 
 and maintain a graded school of two or more departments ^•^'^°°i®- 
 with an " average number belonging " of not less than twenty 
 pupils for each department, the state shall pay to such town 
 one hundred dollars annually for each department of said 
 schools towards the support thereof. Two or more towns 
 may unite in the establishment and maintenance of such 
 graded school, and in such cases the money paid by the state 
 towards the support thereof shall be divided between the 
 towns thus maintaining said school according to the number 
 of pupils contributed by each town to the whole " average 
 number belonging." 
 
 14 
 
106 
 
 LAWS PERTAINING TO EDUCATION. [Chap. 544, 
 
 Any district 
 with ungraded 
 school may 
 consolidate 
 with district 
 having graded 
 school. 
 
 State aid 
 provided for 
 high school 
 education. 
 
 Applications 
 to whom made. 
 
 Provisions 
 
 against 
 
 forfeiture. 
 
 Sec. 2. In case of tlie consolidation of any district main- 
 taining an ungraded school with another district main- 
 taining a graded school there shall be paid by the state 
 to the town in which the districts are situated, on account 
 of the latter district, the sum of one hundred dollars an- 
 nually for each district so consolidated, the same to be used 
 for the support of the aforesaid graded school, or for the 
 transportation of pupils as provided for by section 8 of this 
 chapter. 
 
 Sec. 3. Any town maintaining a high school having a 
 course of study approved by the state board of education, 
 and in the town of New Shoreham any consolidated district 
 provided for in section 1 of Chapter 57 of the General Laws, 
 shall be entitled to receive annually from the state twenty 
 dollars for each pupil in average attendance for the first 
 twenty -five pupils, and ten dollars for each pupil in average 
 attendance for the second twenty -five pupils. Any town not 
 maintaining a high school, which shall make provision for 
 the free attendance of its children at some high school or 
 academy approved by the statfe board of education, shall be 
 entitled to receive aid from the state for each pupil in such 
 attendance upon the same basis and to the same extent as if 
 it maintained a high school by itself. 
 
 Sec. 4. All applications for aid under this act shall be 
 made to the commissioner of public schools by the school 
 committee of the town ; and said application must be accom- 
 panied by the certificate of the principal teacher of the 
 school on account of which the application is made, setting 
 forth the facts relating to the attendance which is made the 
 basis of the apiDlication. 
 
 Sec. 5. After any school, such as is provided for in section 
 1 of this chapter, has been established it shall not forfeit its 
 claim to its share of the state aid for a failure to maintain 
 the required " average number belonging " unless said " av- 
 
•Chap. 544.] amendments to the general laws. 107 
 
 erage number belongino- " falls below fifteen for the several 
 departments. 
 
 Sec. 6. The sum of twenty thousand dollars, or so much Appropriation. 
 thereof as may be needed, shall be annually appropriated for 
 ihe payment of the several sums which may become due and 
 payable under the provisions of this chapter ; and the state 
 auditor is hereby authorized and directed to draw his orders 
 on the general treasurer in favor of such towns for such sums 
 as shall be certified to him by the commissioner of public 
 schools as due to said towns under the provisions of this 
 chapter. 
 
 Sec. 7. In the apportionment of the annual appropriation consolidation 
 of the one hundred and twenty thousand dollars provided ^n'y parrof^ 
 by law for the support of public schools, no town shall for- ^^ '° money. 
 feit any portion thereof hereafter on account of any reduc- 
 iion in the number of its schools, by reason of the consolida- 
 tion thereof in accordance with the provisions of this act, 
 but each town shall continue to be entitled to the same 
 amount from said annual appropriation upon the basis of 
 the number of schools prior to such consolidation. (See 
 .Sec. 2, Chap. 53.) 
 
 Sec. 8. The school committee of any town may consoli- school com- 
 mittee may 
 
 date any schools the average number belonging of each of schoois*^^when 
 which is less than twelve, for the purpose of establishing 
 a graded school ; and said school committee shall have au- 
 thority to provide, in their discretion, transportation for 
 pupils to and from school. 
 
 Sec. 9. No person shall be employed to teach, as principal Every teacher 
 
 _ '- "^ 5 1 J- must have 
 
 or assistant, in any school supported w^holly or in part by ggrt^oate 
 public money unless such person shall have a certificate 
 of qualification issued by, or under the authority of, the state 
 board of education. {See Sec. 8, Chap. 60, and Sec. 1, Chap. 61.) 
 
108 
 
 Examinations, 
 when and by 
 wliom held. 
 
 Annulment of 
 certificate. 
 
 LAWS PERTAINING TO EDUCATION. [Chap. 545, 
 
 Sec. 10. The state board of education shall hold, or cause 
 to be held, in such jDlaces in different parts of the state, and 
 at such times as they may determine, examinations for the 
 position of teacher in the public schools of this state ; and 
 said board of education is hereby authorized to issue certifi- 
 cates of qualification which shall be valid throughout the 
 state for the grade and time specified therein. 
 
 Sec. 11. Said board of education may at any time annul 
 for cause any certificate issued by them, after due notice to' 
 the holder thereof, and an opportunity for a hearing if de- 
 sired. 
 
 Certificates 
 issued without 
 examination, 
 when. 
 
 Sec. 12. Said state board of education may, in their dis- 
 cretion, issue certificates of qualification without examination 
 to persons who have taught in the public schools in this state 
 for three or more years, upon their filing with said board a 
 written application approved by the school committee of the 
 town where the applicant shall have taught the greater 
 part of the three years next preceding the date of the appli- 
 cation. 
 
 Sec. 13. This act shall take effect on July first A. D. 1898,. 
 and all acts and parts of acts inconsistent herewith are 
 hereby repealed. 
 
 CHAPTER 545. 
 
 Passed May 4, AN ACT IN AMENDMENT OF CHAPTER 85 OF THE GENERAL. 
 '' LAWS, "OF PROVISION FOR THE EDUCATION OF DEAF, 
 
 BLIND, AND IMBECILE CHILDREN." 
 
 It is enacted by the General Assembly as folloius : 
 
 Section 1. Section 4 of Chapter 85 of the General Laws, 
 is hereby amended so as to read as follows : 
 
Chap. 569.] AMENDMENTS TO THE GENERAL LAWS. 109 
 
 " Sec. 4. All bills arising under this chapter shall be ex- Appropriation 
 amined and approved by the board of education, and the of deaf, blind, 
 
 and imbecile 
 
 state auditor is hereby authorized to draw his orders on the children. 
 general treasurer for the payment thereof when properly 
 certified by the secretary of the board and approved by the 
 governor ; and a sum not to exceed fourteen thousand dollars, 
 or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby annually 
 appropriated therefor out of any money in the treasury not 
 otherwise appropriated." 
 
 Sec. 2. This act shall take effect on and after its passage, 
 and all acts and parts of acts inconsistent herewith are 
 hereby repealed. 
 
 CHAPTER 569. 
 
 AN ACT TO PROVIDE FOR THE CREATION AND DISBURSE- Passed May 6, 
 
 1898. 
 
 MENT OF A PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHERS' RETIREMENT : 
 
 FUND IN THE CITY OF NEWPORT. 
 
 It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows : 
 
 Section 1. The school committee of the city of Newport sohooi com- 
 mittee of New- 
 shall have power to establish what shall be known as the port author- 
 
 ^ ized to estab- 
 
 public school teachers' retirement fund, which fund shall be schoof^^'^^ 
 administered by the board of trustees hereinafter provided tfrement fund. 
 for. Said fund shall consist of 
 
 First, All moneys received from donations, legacies, gifts, 
 bequests, or otherwise, for or on account of said fund, and 
 also any appropriation which the city council of said city 
 may see fit to make'from time to time for the benefit of said 
 fund, which appropriations are hereby authorized to be made 
 by said city council. 
 
 Secondi On and after September 1, 1898, the school com- 
 mittee of said city shall reserve and turn over to said fund 
 
110 LAWS PERTAINING TO EDUCATION. [Chap. 569. r 
 
 one per cent, of the salaries paid to teachers who shall, prior 
 to that date, elect to come under the provisions of this act ; 
 and one per cent, of the salaries paid to all teachers ap- 
 appointed after said date : Provided, that not more than one 
 per cent, of twelve hundred dollars per annum shall be de- 
 ducted from the salary of any one teacher. 
 
 Third, All income or interest derived from the above 
 moneys. 
 
 Fund to be ad- Qec. 2. Three members of the said school committee, 
 
 ministered by 
 
 or how. chosen annually by said committee, the superintendent of 
 
 schools, and three representatives to be elected by those 
 teachers of the public schools who contribute to the support 
 of this fund in accordance with section 1 of this act, shall 
 form a board of trustees who shall have charge of and ad- 
 minister said fund, and said board of trustees shall have 
 power to invest and re-invest the same as shall be deemed 
 by them most beneficial to said fund, and shall make pay- 
 ment from said fund of annuities granted in pursuance of this 
 act, and shall from time to time make and establish such rules 
 and regulations for the administration of such fund as they 
 shall deem best. The city treasurer of said city shall be ex- 
 officio the treasurer of said fund. Of the three representatives 
 to be elected by the said teachers at the time of their first 
 election, one shall be chosen for a term of one year, one for 
 two years, and one for three years, and thereafter one such, 
 representative shall be chosen each year to serve for the; 
 term of three years. 
 
 ^j^rtemdeduc- ^-^^^ ^ Whenever a teachers' pay-roll shall be certifiedl 
 
 teachers'^pay- to the city auditor of said city for payment, it shall contain,'! 
 
 fund. a statement of the amount to be deducted from the salary ofi 
 
 each teacher who contributes to the support of said fund inj 
 
 accordance with the provisions of this act, which amounts; 
 
 shall be added by said city treasurer to said retirement t 
 
Ohap. 569.] amendments to the general laws. Ill 
 
 fund ; and all amounts received by said treasurer for said 
 fund, in accordance with the provisions of this act, shall be 
 subject to the order of said board of trustees, signed by the 
 president and secretary of said board. 
 
 Sec. 4. Every teacher who has annually contributed to said ^me'alfenefi- 
 fund in accordance with the provisions of this act for at least tnni. °^ ^^^^ 
 6ve years, and shall have taug-ht in public schools for not 
 less than thirty years, fifteen years of which service shall 
 have been in the public schools of said city, may be retired, 
 and shall have the right voluntarily to retire from such ser- 
 vice and become a beneficiary under this act ; and every 
 such teacher so retired or retiring shall be entitled to an 
 annuity equal to one half the amount of salary received at 
 the time of retirement, for the remainder of his or her life, 
 to be paid by said board of trustees at the same time and in 
 the same proportion as the salaries of public school teachers 
 in said city are paid : Provided, that no annuity shall be 
 paid till such retiring member shall have contributed to the 
 fund a sum equal to all the assessments for thirty years had he 
 been assessed hereunder upon his salary during said term, 
 except under the conditions prescribed in section 5, and 
 provided also, that the annuity so paid shall in no case ex- 
 ceed six hundred dollars in any one year. 
 
 Sec. 5. Every teacher in the public schools of said city, same subject. 
 who shall have taught continuously therein not less than 
 ten years, and for not less than five years annually contrib- 
 uted to said fund in the manner provided in this act, and 
 has become, without the fault of such teacher, mentally or 
 physically incapacitated for such service, may retire or be 
 retired therefrom, and become a beneficiary of said fund in 
 the same manner and to the same extent as provided in sec- 
 tion 4 of this act ; except that the teacher so retired may at 
 the discretion of the board be exempted from the obligation 
 to make good thirty full assessments as above, and such in- 
 
112 
 
 LAWS PEETAINING TO EDUCATION. [Chap. 587i 
 
 Contributors 
 to fund, if dis- 
 missed, to re- 
 ceive what pro- 
 portion of 
 amount by 
 them paid to 
 same. 
 
 Proceedings in 
 case fund is in- 
 sufficient to 
 pay annuities. 
 
 capacity shall be determined by the attending physician and 
 one sent by the board of trustees, and the annuity shall cease 
 Avhen the incapacity ceases. 
 
 Sec. 6. Any teacher who shall be dismissed before having 
 served ten years shall receive back all the money which such 
 teacher may have contributed to the fund herein provided 
 for ; but if dismissed after ten years and before having served 
 twenty years, shall receive only two thirds of the amount so 
 contributed ; and after twenty years only one third of the 
 amount so contributed. 
 
 Sec. 7. In case said fund should be insufficient to pay the 
 annuities provided for in sections 4 and 5 of this act, the 
 board of trustees shall make a ratable distribution thereof 
 among the teachers who may be entitled to annuities under 
 the iDrovisions of this act. 
 
 Sec. 8. This act shall take effect from and after its passage. 
 
 CHAPTER 587. 
 
 Passed June 15, AN ACT IN AMENDMENT OF CHAPTER 64 OF THE GENERAL. 
 
 ^-^ LAWS, ENTITLED "OF TRUANT CHILDREN AND OF THE- 
 
 ATTENDANCE OF CHILDREN IN THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS." 
 
 It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows : 
 
 Of the attend- SECTION 1. The school Committee of the city of Providencee 
 
 ance of chil- 
 
 Uc^sohoois of^ shall divide the school year into two school terms of appro xi- 
 dence^ Provi- j^j^^giy equal length ; and every person having under his- 
 control a child between the ages of seven and fifteen years- 
 residing in said city shall cause such child to regularly 
 attend some public day school in said city for at least the: 
 whole of one of such terms in each year, subject to the sam©: 
 penalty and the same provisos as are specified in section 1 ofl 
 Chapter 64 of the General Laws ; and, in said city, attend- 
 
Chap. 593.] amendments to the geneeal laws. 113 
 
 ance as aforesaid shall be required under all the provisions 
 of Chapter 64 of the General Laws in the place and stead of 
 the attendance for eighty full school days specified in said 
 section 1 of said chapter. 
 
 Sec. 2. All acts and parts of acts inconsistent here- 
 with are hereby repealed, and this act shall take effect from 
 and after its passage. / 
 
 CHAPTER 593. 
 
 AN ACT TO AUTHORIZE AND EMPOWER THE SCHOOL COM- Passed June 2, 
 
 lo9o. 
 
 MITTEE OF THE CITY OF PROVIDENCE TO CONTRACT 
 WITH THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE RHODE ISLAND 
 NORMAL SCHOOL. 
 
 It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows : 
 
 Section 1. The school committee of the city of Providence Provision for 
 
 ■^ the education 
 
 is hereby authorized and empowered to contract from time rlidents^t 
 to time with the board of trustees of the Rhode Island Tohoofs^fn '*' '° 
 normal school for the education of children residing in the sciiooi buiid- 
 
 ing. 
 
 city of Providence, in schools maintained in the Rhode 
 Island normal school building and controlled by said board 
 of trustees, upon such terms and conditions as may be mutu- 
 ally agreed upon by said school committee and said board of 
 trustees. 
 
 Sec. 2. All expenditures of money by said school com- Expense of 
 
 said education 
 
 mittee made necessary by any contract made in pursuance how and by 
 
 "^ ■' "^ -^ wiiom to be 
 
 of the authority hereby granted shall be made out of the ^^^^' 
 appropriations mad'e by the city council of the city of Provi- 
 dence for the support of public schools. 
 
 Sec. 3. This act shall take effect upon its passage, and 
 all acts and parts of acts inconsistent herewith are hereby 
 repealed. 
 
114 
 
 LAAYS PEKTAmmG TO EDUCATION. [Chap. 620. 
 
 CHAPTER 620. 
 
 Passed March AN ACT IN AMENDMENT OF SECTION 6, CHAPTER 61 OF THE 
 3, 1899. 
 
 GENERAL LAWS, "OF TEACHERS." 
 
 It is enacted hy the General Assembly as follows : 
 
 Section 1. Section 6, Chapter 61 of the General Laws, 
 " Of teachers," is herebj" amended so as to read as follows : 
 
 Members of 
 school com- 
 mittee and 
 trustees of 
 school districts 
 are ineligible 
 to teach in pub- 
 lic schools. 
 
 " Sec. 6. No member of the school committee of any town, 
 or trustee of any school district, shall, so long as he continues 
 in said office of member of the school committee or trustee; 
 of school district, be eligible or employed to teach as prin- 
 cipal or assistant in smj school supported entirely or in part 
 by the public monej^, within the town where said member of 
 the school committee or trustee resides." 
 
 Sec. 2. This act shall take effect from and after its passage, 
 and all acts or parts of acts inconsistent herewith are hereby 
 repealed. 
 
INDEX. 
 
 Abatement of taxes, when and how made, 50. 
 Absentees, provisions and arrangements for, 69. 
 Account of school commissioner to State auditor, 65. 
 
 of scliool moneys, penalty for neglect to deliver to successor, 72. 
 Acts of incorporation, public acts, 14. 
 Additions to district, liable how far, 48. 
 Admission to R. I. School for Deaf, by trustees, 83. 
 Advanced school provided for, 46. 
 Advertisement of sale of property for taxes, 24, 26. 
 Agreement to submit dispute to commissioner, when, 61. 
 Agriculture and Mechanic Arts, R. I. College of, 74-78. 
 Aid, collector of taxes may require, 28. 
 Afcohol, instruction as to effect of, upon human system, 55. 
 Aldermen, Board of, words "toMai council" construed to mclude, 13, 
 
 penalty for neglect of, to appoint truant officer, 70. 
 
 to appoint special constables under truant law, 66. 
 Amount of tax to be approved by school committee, 43. 
 Annual meeting of districts, notice of, 44. 
 
 when to be held, 44. 
 Apparatus, appropriation for, 36, 104. 
 
 applications therefor to be recorded, 37. 
 how apportioned, 3,7, 105. 
 Appeals from condemnation proceedings, 54. 
 
 to school commissioner, 61. 
 Apportionment of property where district is divided, 48. 
 
 of public money to districts, 56. 
 when to be made, 56. 
 
 of State appropriation for libraries, 32. 
 for public schools, 36. 
 Appraisal of land for schoolhouse, how made, .54. 
 
116 LAWS PERTAINING TO EDUCATION. 
 
 Appropriation, State, for apparatus and reference books, 36, 104. 
 for evening schools, 37. 
 for graded schools, 105, 107. 
 for high schools, 106, 107. 
 for lectures and teachers' institutes, 64. 
 for libraries, 32. 
 for public schools, 3.5. 
 
 for travellmg expenses of pupils of Xormal school, 64, 100. 
 to School of Design, 78. 
 towTi, for libraries, 17, 19. 
 for schools, 17, 36. 
 Arbor Day, programme for, 35. 
 
 to be a legal holiday, 92, 100. 
 Assessing and collecting poll taxes, 22. 
 Assessment of tax, errors m, how corrected, 50. 
 notice of, 49. 
 
 when ordered by school commissioner, 49. 
 Assessors of taxes, compensation of, 29. 
 Associate districts, how formed, 46. 
 organization of, 46. 
 powers of, 46. 
 
 public money how paid to, 47. 
 Attendance at school of non-residents, how reckoned, 52. 
 required of what children, 65, 112. 
 rules for, made by school committee, 55. 
 Auctioneers, duties paid by, added to school fund, 15. 
 
 Beneficiaries at School of Design, 78. 
 
 blind, deaf, and imbecile, 81, 98. 
 bills for, how paid, 82, 108. 
 Bequests and legacies to libraries, how treated, 20. 
 Blackboards, school districts may supply, 43. 
 Blanks and registers to be provided, 33. 
 
 for school census, 41. 
 
 for report of school committee, 58. 
 Blind, imbecile, and deaf children, education of, 81, 98. 
 Board of Education, State, 31. 
 
 constitution of, 31. 
 
 duties of, 31, 32, 37, 63, 78, 107, 108. 
 
 how divided, 31. 
 
INDEX. 117 
 
 Board of Education, State, how elected, 31. 
 
 may appoint beneficiaries, 78. 
 
 meetings of, 32. 
 
 may annul teachers' certificates, 108. 
 
 officers of, 32. 
 
 terms of office of, 31. 
 
 to appropriate money and make rules for libraries, 32. 
 
 to hold examinations, for teachers, 108. 
 
 to issue teachers' certificates, 107, 108. 
 
 to make report to general assembly annually, 34. 
 
 to receive reports, 33, 78, 88. . 
 
 to supervise education of deaf, blind, and imbecile children, 81. 
 
 travelling expenses of, how paid, 34. 
 Boundaries of school districts, how changed, 53. 
 
 to be recorded by town clerk, 41. 
 Bribery of school officers prohibited, and penalty for, 73. 
 
 Census of children of school age, 41. 
 
 retu^rns of, certified to school commissioner, 42. 
 deposited with school committee, 42. 
 Certificates of attendance at school, kept by employer, 68. 
 of incorporation, confer what powers, 94. 
 form of, 93. 
 
 issued by secretary of state, 93. 
 of qualiflcdtion of school teachers, valid how long, 59. 
 
 when needed, 59, 107. 
 of vaccination, required when, 74. 
 Certificate voters, 7. 
 
 Change in text-books by committee, how made, 58. 
 Children, employment of, prohibited when, 67, 68, 79. 
 See State Home and School for Children. 
 Christmas Day, to be a legal holiday, 92, 100. 
 City, word "town" construed to include, 13. 
 
 clerk, words "to\^ai clerk" construed to include, 13. 
 Classification of voters, 6. 
 Clerk, commissioner may employ, 34. 
 of school committee, 53. 
 
 of school district, election, powers, duties, 43-45, 63. ' 
 to record votes, when, 45. 
 See Toivn Clerk. 
 
118 LAWS PERTAINING TO EDUCATION. 
 
 Clothing for blind, deaf, and imbecile children, 81. 
 Collection of taxes, 23. 
 
 from persons taxed being out of State, 27. 
 of district taxes, 43. 
 Collectors of taxes, 43. 
 
 compensation of, 30. 
 'may adjourn sale, 27. 
 may advertise and sell real estate, 24. 
 may distrain, when, 26. 
 may follow persons or property, 27. 
 may recover tax, how, 27. 
 may remove personal property, 27. 
 may require aid, 28. 
 to give bond, when, 43, 62. 
 Commissioner of public schools, 34. 
 
 duties of, 34, 35, 36, 37, 41, .58, 61, 64, 65, 70, 104, 105. 
 
 election of, 31. 
 
 may employ clerk, 34. 
 
 may visit schools receiving aid from State, 72. 
 
 may withhold school money from town, when, 41. 
 
 poAvers of, in case of tax by jomt or associated districts, 50. 
 
 to admmister oaths, 11. 
 
 to correct errors in assessing tax, 50. 
 
 to order abatement of tax, 50. 
 
 to remit fines, 63. 
 pro tempore, may be appointed by the governor, 34. 
 school committee to prescribe rules and studies under direction of, 55. 
 term of office of, 34. 
 
 to apportion appropriation for public schools, 36. 
 to approve plans for schoolhouses, when, 43. 
 
 tax, repairs, etc., of joint district, when, 50. 
 to be secretary of Board of Education, 32. 
 
 trustee of Xormal School, 63. 
 to furnish blanks, 41, 58. 
 to draw appropriation for apparatus, 37. 
 
 for free libraries, 33. 
 
 for public schools, 36. 
 to hear appeals and decide on matters of dispute, when, 61. 
 to hold teacher's institutes, 64. 
 to notify authorities of neglect under truant law, 70. 
 
INDEX. 119^ 
 
 Commissioner of public schools, to order assessment and collection of 
 district tax, when, 49, 50. 
 
 to prepare programme for Arbor Day, 35. 
 
 to receive application for aid for high and consolidated schools, 106. 
 
 to receive reports, 41, 42, 58. 
 
 to report annually to Board of Education, 35. 
 
 to secure uniformity of text-books, 35.- 
 
 to submit statement to justice of supreme court, when, 61. 
 
 to visit schools, 34. 
 Committee. See School Committee. 
 Compensation of assessors, 29. 
 
 of superintendent of schools, 40. 
 
 of trustees, 52. 
 Complainant ui case of truancy, 67. 
 Computation of time, 13. 
 
 Condemnation of land for schoolhouses, how made, 54. 
 Condition of aid to free public libraries, 32. 
 
 of employment of children, 67. 
 
 of receiving teachers' money, 36. 
 Consent of school committee for district meeting, when required, 45. 
 Consolidated district entitled to Avhat moneys, 47. 
 
 how formed, 47. 
 
 organization of, 47. 
 Consolidation of ungraded schools, 105. 
 
 by school committee, when, 107. 
 Constitution of the State, extracts from, 3. 
 
 declaration of rights in, 3. 
 
 educational provisions of, 5. 
 
 objects of government under, 4. 
 
 qualifications for office under, 4. 
 
 religious freedom secu.red by, 4. 
 Construction of statutes, 12. 
 
 of word "gender," 12. 
 
 "land" or "lands," 13. 
 "number," 12. 
 "oath," 13. 
 "person," 12. 
 ' 'seal," 14. 
 "town," 13, 
 
 of words giving joint authority, 12. 
 
120 LAWS PERTAINING TO EDUCATION, 
 
 Construction of statutes. 
 
 of words "insane person," 13. 
 
 "justice of peace," 13. 
 
 "month" and "year," 13. 
 
 "town clerk," 13. 
 
 "town council," 13. 
 
 "towTi sergeant," 13. 
 
 "town treasurer," 13. "^ 
 
 "r'nited States," 13. 
 
 "ward clerk," 13. 
 Corporations, literary and scientific, how formed, 93. 
 
 powers of, 94. 
 Costs not taxed to school officers, when, 62. 
 Court may discharge convicted truants, when, 69. 
 
 Deaf, blind, and imbecile, period of education of, may be extended, 98. 
 
 provision for education of, 81, S2, 98, 108. 
 Debts of districts, how treated, 39. 
 Deduction of taxes allowed when, 29. 
 Difference hi value, how adjusted, 39. 
 Diplomas, Xormal School, condition for receivmg, 64. 
 Discontinued districts, powers and duties of, 39, 
 Dismissal of teacher, when and how, 55, 59. 
 Dispute may be submitted to commissioner, when, 61. 
 Districts may be abolished by to^^n, 38. 
 may be formed, 38. 
 
 See School District. 
 District boimdaries to be kept by tcmi clerk, 41. 
 meetmgs, 44. 
 
 aiotice of, by whom given, 44. 
 
 how given, 45. 
 where to be held, 45. 
 officers hold how long, 72. 
 must be engaged, 71. 
 penalty for neglect of duty by, 72. 
 property, how to be appraised, 39. 
 taxes, how collected, 43. 
 how levied, 49, 
 
 when assessors to be called on to assess, 49. 
 Disturbance of school or any public meeting, 95. 
 
INDEX. 121 
 
 Division of district, how treated, 48. 
 
 Documents, i3enalty for unlawful refusal to deliver official, 16. 
 
 Dogs, 88. 
 
 to be licensed, 89. 
 Donations for support of public schools, .5. 
 
 Education of deaf, blind, and imbecile, 81, 98. 
 
 provisions of constitution for, 5. 
 Election Day, national, to be legal holiday, 92, 100. 
 
 State, to be legal holiday, 92, 100. 
 Election of school committee, 39. 
 
 Electors, rights and qualifications of, 6-10. See Voters. 
 Employer to keep certificate of attendance at school, 68. 
 
 register of all under 16, 79. 
 Employment of children forbidden, when, 67, 79. 
 Engagement of district officers, 71. 
 evidence of, 71. 
 
 to office, form of, 10 
 Entry by collector unnecessary, 25. 
 Errors in tax to be corrected, how, .50. 
 Evening school appropriation, 37. 
 Evidence of engagement to office, 71. 
 
 that district meeting has been duly notified, 63. 
 Examination of pupils for l^ormal School, 64. 
 
 of teachers, 55, 59, 64, 108. 
 Exclusion from school must be by general rule, 71. 
 Execution for tax sale, how issued, 27. 
 Exemption from liability to send child to school, 66. 
 
 from taxation, 20, 21. 
 Experiment station established, 75. 
 Expenses of State board of education, 34. 
 
 Factory and manufacturing establishments defined, 79. 
 inspectors, 79. 
 
 duties of, 80. 
 how appointed, SO. 
 Failure to comply with truant law forfeits school money, 70. 
 Fees allowed truant officer, when, 67. 
 
 for books in free public library not to be exacted, 19. 
 not to be offered to school officers, 73. 
 
 16 
 
122 LA^YS PERTAINING TO EDUCATION. 
 
 Fees not to be received by school officers, 73. 
 
 of collector of taxes, 30. 
 Fines for disturbing meetings or schools, 95. 
 
 for employment of children in factories, 68, 69. 
 
 for injury to property of libraries, 95. 
 
 for neglect of duty, 72. 
 
 in school matters, commissioner may remit, 63. 
 
 imder truant law, how used, 70. 
 Flags, foreign, not to be put up on schoolhouses, 96. 
 Foreigners to file proof of citizenship, 8. 
 Forfeited or unexpended money, how treated, 58. 
 Forfeiture of teachers' money, 36. 
 Formation of district, restrictions on, 54. 
 Forms of engagement to office, 10. 
 Fourth of July, to be legal holiday, 92, 100. 
 Free public libraries, aid for, 32. 
 
 how established, 17, 18, 19. 
 
 how maintained, 17, 19. 
 
 payments to, how made, 33. 
 
 to comply with rules of board of education, 32. 
 Free text-books to be supplied by school committee, 58. 
 Fund, permanent. See Permanent School Fund. 
 
 for free public libraries may be accepted by town or city cormcil, 19. 
 
 Gender, how construed, 12. 
 General powers of school districts, 42. 
 provisions concerning taxes, 29. 
 
 relating to public schools, 71. 
 General tax laws applicable to school districts, 30. 
 General Treasurer to have custody of school fund, 14. 
 Gift to free public library, how receipted for, 20. 
 Governor may administer oaths anywhere in State, 11. 
 
 member and president of State board of education, 31, 32. 
 to advise as to investment of permanent school fund, 14. 
 to appoint board of control for State Home and School, 85. 
 commissioner of public schools pro tempore, 34. 
 factory inspectors, and may remove them, 80. 
 State beneficiaries, blind, deaf, etc., 81, 98. 
 trustees of E. I. Institute for the Deaf, 82. 
 
INDEX. 123 
 
 High Schools, State aid for, 106. 
 Holidays, legal, what are, 92. 
 
 as amended, 100. 
 Hygiene, mstruction m, to be provided, 55. 
 Idiot, provisions for edncation of, 81, 98. 
 Imbecile, deaf, and blind children, 81, 98. 
 
 Improper children at State Home and School may be returned, 86. 
 Income of school fund, how to be used, 15. 
 indebtedness of town, limit of, 18. 
 Incorporation, 92. 
 
 Incorrigible pupils may be suspended, 56. 
 Insane person, how construed, 13. 
 Institutes and lectures for teachers provided for, 64. 
 Insurance of schoolhouses, 43. 
 
 Joint authority, how exercised, 12. 
 
 may be exercised by whom, 13. 
 Joint school districts, 46. 
 
 how formed, 47. 
 
 organization of, 47. 
 
 powers of, 47. 
 Joint district tax, how approved, 50. 
 Joint or associate tax, provisions concerning, 50. 
 Judgment against a district, how satisfied, 62. 
 Jurisdiction, justice courts to have, m truant cases, 70. 
 
 over State Home and School cases, with probate court, 87. 
 Justice of peace, how construed, 13. 
 
 of supreme court, when may be appealed to, 61. 
 
 Labor Day, to be legal holiday, 92, 100. 
 Land, or lands, how construed, 13. 
 
 how condemned for school purposes, 54. 
 Lectures on subjects of education, how provided, 64. 
 Legacy to free public library, how discharged, 20. 
 Legal proceedings relating to public schools, 60. 
 Letters, retiring officer to deliver official, to whom, 15. 
 Levy of district taxes, 48. 
 Libraries, free public, establishment and control of, by towns, 18. 
 
 how aided, 32. 
 
 how incorporated under general law, 93, 94. 
 
124 LAWS PERTAINING- TO EDUCATION. 
 
 Libraries, free piiblic, malicious mischief to, 95. 
 neglect to return books to, 95. 
 powers of town to appropriate money for, 17, 19. 
 to report to board of education, 32. 
 trustees of, election and duties, 19. 
 school, powers of toAvn to vote money for, 17. 
 school districts may maintain, 43. 
 Lieutenant-Governor, ex-officio member of State board 
 
 of education, 31. 
 Limitations of town indebtedness, IS. 
 
 of towTi taxes, IS. 
 Literary associations, how organized as corporations, 93, 94. 
 Location of R. I. College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts, 75, 
 of schoolhouses, 54. 
 
 Malicious mischief to libraries, 95. 
 
 rianufacturing establishments, employment of minors in, 67-69, 7£ 
 
 Maps and other school apparatus, provision for, 36, 104. 
 
 school district may supply, 43. 
 Masculine gender includes feminine, 12. 
 Meetings, district. See School District. 
 
 of school committee, 53. 
 Memorial Day, to be legal holiday, 92, 100. 
 Mercantile establishments, employment of minors m, 67, 79. 
 Mileage for I^ormal pupils, provision f oi', 64, 100. 
 Minimum apportionment of public money, 56. 
 Minors, convicted imder truant law, commitment of, 69. 
 
 employment of, prohibited when, 67-69, 79. 
 
 to attend school, 65. 
 Miscellaneous corporations, as libraries, how formed, 93. 
 
 limited as to property, 94. 
 
 may amend agreement, 94. 
 Money for schools, distributed how and when, 56, 57. 
 
 statements of, to be made by town treasurer, 41. 
 to be received and paid out by town treasurer, 40. 
 unexpended or foi'feited, how treated, 58. 
 
 tuition, used how, 52. 
 Month and year, how construed, 13. 
 Moral mstruction must be given, 60. 
 
INDEX. 125 
 
 Neglect of duties by officers, 29, 12. 
 to return books to libraries, 95. 
 to send children to school, to be inquired into, 67. 
 Newport, teachers' retirement fund in, 109. 
 No person to be excluded from school save by general rule, 11. 
 Normal School, how managed, 63. 
 
 graduates from, entitled to diploma, 64. 
 
 may give teachers' certificate, 64. 
 
 qualifications for free tuition m, 64. 
 
 to be open to children of deceased soldiers and sailors, 73. 
 
 travelling expenses of pupils in, 64, 100. 
 
 trustees of, how constituted, 63. 
 
 to prescribe examination of applicants for admission, 64. 
 Notice of assessment, when given by town assessor, 49. 
 of district meetings, by whom given, 44. 
 
 how given, 45. 
 of tax sale, how given, 24. 
 to non-residents, 25. 
 to parties interested, 24. 
 to residents, 24. 
 of personal property, 26. 
 Number, singular and plural, how construed, 12. 
 Nuisances prohibited near schoolhouse, 72. 
 
 Oath, how construed, 13. 
 
 by whom administered, 10. 
 
 who may administer in counties and towns, 11. 
 in matters of their ofiices, 11. 
 throughout the State, 11. 
 
 of office and how admmistered, 10. 
 
 of school district officers, evidence of, 71. 
 except moderator, 71. 
 Offences, against private property, 95. 
 
 agauist public peace, 95. 
 
 against public policy, 96. 
 Officers, joint authority to three or more, how construed, 12. 
 
 liability of, for neglect of duty, 29, 72. 
 
 offering of fees to, forbidden, 73. 
 
 of public schools, forbidden to receive fees, etc., 73. 
 
126 LAWS PERTAINING TO EDUCATION. 
 
 Officers of school district, 43. 
 powers of, 43. 
 
 of scliools receiving State aid to report annually, 33. 
 
 to surrender official records, when and to whom, 15. 
 Orders on school fimd dra\^^l when, .57. 
 
 payable to Avhom, 57. 
 Ordinances to be made for attendance of children in schools, 69. 
 
 Parents to cause child to attend school, 65, 112. 
 
 penalty on, for illegal employment of children, 68. 
 Payment of taxes, proof of, 9. 
 Payments to free public libraries, how made, 33. 
 Penalty for disturbing meetings or schools, 95. 
 
 for employing child contrary to law, Q8. 
 who cannot write, 69. 
 
 for failure to deliver official records, 16. 
 to send children to school, 65, 112. 
 
 for making false registry, 8. 
 
 false returns or other neglect of duty, 72. 
 
 for malicious mischief to property of libraries, 95. 
 
 for misappropriating moneys, 72. 
 
 for non-payment of taxes, 29. 
 
 for non-remittance of returns, 41, 42, 58. 
 
 for refusal to give information, in school census, 42. 
 
 to permit schools to be visited by school committee, &c. 
 
 for truancy, 69. 
 
 general, 74. 
 Penalties, etc., school commissioner may remit what, 63. 
 Permanent school fund, 5, 14. 
 
 additions to, 15. 
 
 custodian of, 14. 
 
 investments for, 14, 15. 
 
 not to be diverted by General Assembly, 5. 
 
 town share of school money, when to be added to, 15, 36. 
 
 uses of mcome of, 15. 
 Person, how to be construed, 12. 
 Personal property and registry voters, 6. 
 Personal property voters not to register annually, 9. 
 Physiology and hj'giene, instruction m, to be given, 55. 
 Place ot district meetmgs, 45. 
 
INDEX. 127 
 
 Places of employment to be visited by factory inspectors, 80. 
 
 by truant officers, 68. 
 Plans for building or repairs to be approved, 43. 
 Plural number includes singular, 12. 
 Poll taxes, collection of, 22. 
 
 for support of piiblic schools, 23. 
 
 method of assessing, 22. 
 
 when and on vvrhom assessed, 22. 
 Powers and duties of district officers, 43. 
 
 of school committees, 53. 
 
 of towns and town officers, 38. 
 
 of, and suits by and against, towns, 16. 
 
 of associate districts, 46. 
 
 of consolidated districts, 47, 48. 
 
 of joint district, 47. 
 
 of school districts, 42. 
 Preference of taxes in insolvents, 29. 
 Printing report, money reserved for, 58. 
 Private schools, may be approved when, 66. 
 
 to be registered and report, 33. 
 Proceedings in case of children in State almshouse, 87. 
 Proceeds of dog licenses to be used for schools, 90, 91. 
 Process agamst district, how served, 63. 
 
 under truant law, by whom served, 67. 
 Proof of payment of taxes, 9. 
 Property exempt from distraint, 26. 
 
 liable to, and exempt from, taxation, 20. 
 Providence, school committee of, may make contract with trustees E. I. 
 Normal School, 113. 
 
 schools of, how to be governed, 73, 101. 
 attendance of children in, 112. 
 
 teachers, retirement fund in, 102. * 
 
 Title IX. how for applicable to, 73, 101. 
 Public libraries. See Libraries. 
 Public money apportioned to jomt districts, 48. 
 
 how paid to associate district, 47. 
 Public records, 15. 
 Public schools. See Schools. 
 Pupils. See Scholars. 
 
128 LAWS PERTAINING TO EDUCATION. 
 
 Qualifications and rights of voters, 6. 
 
 for free tuition in Xormal School, 64. 
 for office, 4. 
 
 for voting in district meeting, 4-5. 
 required of teacliers, .59, 107. 
 
 Real estate, deed of, for taxes, what title vested in purchaser by, 2.5. 
 
 how advertised and sold for taxes, 24. 
 
 how condemned for school purposes, 54. 
 
 if aliened, not to be sold for tax, in what case, 24. 
 
 may be sold for taxes, 24. 
 
 taxes agahist owner of, a lien on, 23. 
 how long, 24. 
 
 voters, 7 
 Record of district clerk prima facie evidence, 6-3. 
 Record vote, when to be taken, 45. 
 Redemption by owner of land sold for taxes, 25. 
 Reference books, appropriation for, 36, 104. 
 Refusal to allow visitation forfeits State aid, 72. 
 Register of scholars to be kept by teachers, 60. 
 
 to be deposited where, 57. 
 Registering and listing of voters, 8. 
 Registry and personal property voters, 6. 
 Registry list to be furnished by town clerk, 9. 
 Regular appropriations for support of schools, 35. 
 
 Religious purposes, buildings and land held for, exempt from taxation, 20. 
 Religious societies, what property of, exempt from taxation, 20. 
 Remission of fines and foi-feitures, how done, 63. 
 Repeal of statutes, effect of, 14. 
 Report of Board of Control of State Home and School, annual, 88. 
 
 of board of education, annual, 84. 
 
 of Commissioner of public schools, 35. 
 
 of school committee to commissioner, 58. 
 to town meeting, 58. 
 
 of trustees of R. I. Institute for the Deaf, annual, 84. 
 
 to board of education, of schools aided by State, 33. 
 Retirement fmids for teachers, 102, 109. 
 
 beneficiaries of, who may be, 103, ill. 
 
 payments to, when and how made, 103, 104, ill, 112. 
 
 sources of, 102, 109. 
 
INDEX. 129 
 
 Retirement funds for teachers, treasurer of, 102, 110. 
 
 trustees of, 103, 110. 
 Returns made to school committee by trustee, 51. 
 Returns of school census, where deposited, etc., 42. 
 Rhode Island College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts, 74. 
 
 a body corporate, 75. 
 
 board of managers of, adopt course of study, 77. 
 duty of, 76. 
 employ faculty, 77. 
 officers of, 77. 
 
 location of, 75. 
 
 object of, 75. 
 
 terms of office of members of corporation, 76. 
 
 to have moneys received from United States, 75. 
 
 treasurer of, to give bond, 77. 
 
 to make annual report to general assembly, 77. 
 
 vacancies in corporation, how filled, 76. 
 Rhode Island Institute for the Deaf, 82. 
 
 management of, 88. 
 
 may issue diplomas, 99. 
 
 object of, 83. 
 
 who may attend, 98. 
 
 who may be admitted to, 83. 
 
 who must attend, 99. 
 Rhode Island School of Design, 78. 
 
 board of education, how appoint beneficiaries at, 79. 
 how pay tuition fees, 79. 
 to elect two directors of, 78. 
 
 State beneficiaries at, 78. 
 
 to make annual report, 28. 
 Rights and qiialifications of voters, 6. 
 Rules and regulations, for appeals, 61. 
 
 for libraries, 19, 32. 
 
 to be made by committee, 55. 
 
 Sailors, children of dead or invalided, schools free to, 73. 
 
 Scholars authorized to attend in adjoining town or district, when, 55. 
 
 if less than five, school may be suspended, 57. 
 
 in normal school, privileges of, 64. 
 
 may be suspended, when, 56. 
 
 17' 
 
130 LAWS PERTAINING TO EDUCATION. 
 
 Scholars not to attend school unless vaccinated, 74. 
 
 register of, to be kept by teacher, 60. 
 
 school committee to make rules for classification of, 55. 
 
 text-books and supplies to be loaned to, 58. 
 
 to be taught principles of morality and virtue, GO. 
 
 transportation of, 106. 
 
 without town, admitted by trustee, when, 52. 
 Schoolbooks. See Text-Books. 
 School census, returns of, made to whom, 42. 
 
 taken when, 41. 
 School Commissioner. See Commissione7- of PuhKc Schools. 
 School Committee, alter district boundaries, Avhen, 53. 
 
 appeal from, how taken, proceedings thereon, 61. 
 
 choice of, 39. 
 
 fees to, prohibited, 73. 
 
 may annul certificates, 55. 
 
 may consolidate schools, when, 107. 
 
 may dismiss teachers, when, 59. 
 
 may excuse child from attendmg school, when, 66. 
 
 may fix time and place to organize associate district, 46. 
 
 may reserve money for printing report, 58. 
 
 may suspend pupils, when, 56. 
 
 may suspend school, when, 57. 
 
 members of, ineligible to teach public school, 60. 
 
 meetings of, 53. 
 
 no special district meeting without consent of, when, 45. 
 
 number of, increased when, 39. 
 
 oflftcers of, 53. 
 
 power of, to abate tax in certain cases, 50. 
 
 to approve tax for erection and repairs of schoolhouses in joint 
 
 districts, 50. 
 to change text-books, 58. 
 
 to form and regu^late joint school districts, 47. 
 when districts are abolished, 39. 
 
 schools to be u.nder care of, 38. 
 
 to apportion money, etc., when district divided, 48. 
 
 to approve amount of tax ordered by school district, 43. 
 
 to approve bond of collector of district tax, 43. 
 
 to approve organization of consolidated district, 47. 
 
 to approve plans for erection and repairs of schoolhouses, 43. 
 
INDEX. 131 
 
 School Committee, to draw orders, when, 47, 57. 
 to elect superintendent of schools, 40. 
 to examine teachers, 55. 
 to furnish free books and supplies, 58. 
 to have care of schools in discontinued districts, 44. 
 to have entire control of districts abolished, 39. 
 to locate schoolhouses, 54. 
 to make apportionment, when, 56. 
 to make rules and regulations, 55. 
 to manage schools wholly, when, 56. 
 
 to provide for attendance of children in adjoining town or district, 56. 
 to provide instruction in physiology, etc., 55. 
 to report to board of education, 70. 
 
 to commissioner, 58. 
 
 to town, 58. 
 to visit schools, 55. 
 
 when and how call meeting to organize district, 44. 
 when call special meeting of school district, 45. 
 when may exercise powers and duties of district, 44. 
 
 of trustees, 52. 
 when to organize school in districts, 44. 
 School district, a body corporate, 42. 
 
 associate, for having advanced schools, how formed, 46. 
 
 clerk, collector, treasurer of, duties, powers of, 43. 
 
 consolidated, how formed, 47, 106. 
 
 general powers of, 42. 
 
 joint, how formed, 47. 
 
 judgment agamst, how satisfied, 62. 
 
 legal process against, how may be served, 63. 
 
 may be'abolished, 38. 
 
 may build and repair schoolhouses, 43. 
 
 may devolve power on school committee, 44. 
 
 may vote a tax, 43. 
 
 meetings of, annual, when held, how notified, 44. 
 
 for organization, how notified, 46, 47. 
 
 ■special, how called, how notified, 45. 
 moderator of, may admmister oath to other officers, 43. 
 officers of, 43. 
 
 evidence of engagement of, 71. 
 
 except moderator, in what form to be engaged, 71. 
 
132 LAAYS PERTAINING TO EDUCATION. 
 
 School district, officers of, tenure of office of, 72. 
 
 providing sclioolhouses, not to be taxed for others, 38. 
 
 suits against, wlro may answer, 62. 
 
 trustees of. See Trustees of School Districts. 
 
 what powers remaiii to discontinued, 39. 
 
 when divided, property of, how apportioned, 48. 
 
 when not to be formed, 54. 
 School fund. See Permanent School Fund. 
 Schoolhouses, foreign flags not to be raised over, 96. 
 
 how provided by associate districts, 46. 
 
 how supplied with furniture, fixtures, etc., 38, 43. 
 
 land for, how condemned, 54. 
 
 may be built by town, 38. 
 
 nuisances near, prohibited, 72. 
 
 to be in custody of trustees, when, 51. 
 
 to be located by school committee, .54. 
 School libraries, power of to^^'n to vote money for, 17. 
 
 State appropriation for works of reference, etc., for, 36. 
 School of Design. See Bhocle Island School of Design. 
 School officers prohibited from takmg fees, 73. 
 
 what ones are ineligible to teach, 60, 114. 
 School property, in care of trustees, 51. 
 Schools aided by State, to be visited by public school officers, 72. 
 
 to report to board of education, 33. 
 
 consolidation of ungraded, 105. 
 
 by school committee, when, 107. 
 
 provisions agauist forfeiture of State aid in case of, 106, 107. 
 
 general supervision of, vested in board of education, 31. 
 
 high. State aid for, 106. 
 
 must be maintained, 38. 
 
 private, to register and report to board of education, 33. 
 
 scholars may attend, in another district, when, 57. 
 in another tcrni, 52, 56. 
 
 school committee may establish. 44. 
 
 suspended when, 57. 
 
 time of opening and closing, trustees to give notice of, 51. 
 
 to be visited by committee, 55. 
 
 imgraded, may be consolidated, 105. 
 School supplies furnished at expense of town or city, 58. 
 Seal, what is meant by, 14. 
 
INDEX. 133 
 
 Singular number, how construed, 12. 
 
 Soldiers and sailors, children of, have free tuition when, 73. 
 
 Special district meetings, how called, 45. 
 
 illegal when, 45. 
 State Home and School for Children, 84. 
 
 board of control of, how appointed, 85. 
 how constituted, 84. 
 secretary of, duties and term of otHce of, 85. 
 
 to have compensation, 85. 
 to establish system of management, 85. 
 to keep register of children, 88. 
 to report to board of education, 88. 
 to receive what children, 85. 
 control and maintenance of, vested in whom, 84. 
 establishment of, 84. 
 object of, 86. 
 
 what children may be sent from State almshouse to, 87. 
 State school money, how apportioned, 36. 
 Statutes, construction of, 12. 
 repeal of, effect of, 14. 
 special, to prevail, 74. 
 take effect when, 14. 
 Studies in schools, how prescribed, 55. 
 Submission by agreement to school commissioner, 61. 
 Successors in office, retiring officers to deliver official possessions to, 15. 
 
 what officers contmue m office till qualification of, 72. 
 Suit agamst district may be answered by whom, 62. 
 Superintendent of schools, compensation of, 40. 
 duties of, 40. 
 how elected, 40. 
 Supreme court, justices of, to hear and decide on school appeals, when^ 61. 
 Surety for costs not to be given by truant officer, 70. 
 Surplus of tax sale returned to owner, 26. 
 Suspension of pupils by school committee, 56. 
 
 Tax, abated when and how, 50. 
 
 certified lists of persons paymg, to be furnished when and by whom, 
 
 10. 
 collected, from real or personal estate, 24. 
 
134 LAWS PERTAINING TO EDUCATION. 
 
 Tax, compensation of assessors, collectors of, etc., 29. 
 
 deductions from, when, 29. 
 
 for free public libraries, what and when, 17. 
 
 general provisions concerning, 29. 
 
 lien on real estate, how long, 23, 24. 
 
 limitation of, 18. 
 
 may be voted by school district, 43. 
 
 of joint district, how approved, 50. 
 
 penalty for non-payment of, 26, 29. 
 
 proposition to impose, who not permitted to vote on, 7. 
 
 school district, collection of, 30, 43. 
 
 to be assessed by trustees, 51. 
 
 to qualify persons to vote, 8, 9. 
 
 town to raise by, for schools, amount equal to State appropriation, 36. 
 Taxation, property liable to, and exempt from, 20, 21. 
 Tax collector to furnish certificates of taxpayers, 10. 
 Tax sale, notice of, given owner and others interested, 24, 25. 
 
 redeemable, when, 25. 
 
 vests what title, 25. 
 Teachers, 59. 
 
 certificates to, by State Board of Education, 107. 
 
 by trustees of normal school, 64. 
 
 duty of school committee to examine, 55, 59. 
 
 may be dismissed, when, 59. 
 
 must have what qualifications, 59, 107. 
 
 retirement funds for, 102, 109. 
 
 school district neglecting to employ, school committee may employ, 44. 
 
 State appropriation for schools to be applied to wages of, 36. 
 
 to be hired by trustee, when, 51. 
 
 to have certificate of qualification, Avhen, 59, 107. 
 
 to impart what moral instruction, 60. 
 
 to keep record of pupils vaccinated, 74. 
 
 to keep registers and make reports, 60. 
 
 what school ofiicers ineligible as, 60, 114. 
 Teachers' certificates, how long valid, 59. 
 Teachers' Institutes, appropriation for, how expended, 64. 
 Teachers' money, drawn on order of commissioner, 36. 
 
 forfeiture of, 36. 
 
 State appropriation to be denominated, 36. 
 
 what, and how used, 36. 
 
INDEX. 135 
 
 Tenure of office, of board of control of State Home and School, 85. 
 
 of board of managers of E. I. College of Agriculture and Mechanic 
 Arts, 16. 
 
 of commissioner of public schools, 34. 
 
 of school committee, 39. 
 
 of school district officers, 72. 
 
 of State board of education, 31. 
 
 of trustees of R. I. Institute for the iJeaf, 82. 
 Text=books, may be changed, how, 58. 
 
 how m Providence, 58. 
 
 receivmg or offering fees for exchange of, forbidden, 73. 
 
 school committee to place m school rules for use of, 55. 
 
 to be furnished at expense of town or city, 58. 
 Thanksgiving Day, appointment of, as legal holiday, 92, 100. 
 Time, how computed, 13. 
 Title vested by tax sale, 25. 
 Town, how construed, 13. 
 
 entitled to what part of State appropriation for scliools, 36. 
 
 entitled to State aid for providing high school facilities, 106. 
 
 may abolish districts, 38. 
 
 may be divided into districts, 38. 
 
 may build schoolhouses, 38. 
 
 may consolidate schools, 105. 
 
 may establish and maintain free public libraries, 17. 
 
 may vote money for free library not its own, 17. 
 
 may vote money for schools, 17. 
 
 power of, to assess ratable property, limited ; exceptions, 18. 
 to incur debt, limited ; exceptions, 18. 
 
 powers and duties of, relative to schools, 16, 38. 
 
 to make appropriation for free public library, 19. 
 
 to maintain schools, 38. 
 Town assessors to give notice, 40. 
 
 when to aid in levy of district taxes, 49. 
 Town clerk, how construed, 13. 
 
 to furnish certificate of records, 9. 
 
 to furnish registry list, 9. 
 
 to record district boundaries, 41. 
 
 to take school census, 41. 
 Town collector may collect district taxes, 43. 
 Town council, how construed, 13. 
 
136 LAWS PERTAINING TO EDUCATION. 
 
 Town council, penalty for neglect of, to appoint officers or make ordi- 
 nances under truant law, 70. 
 
 to appoint special constables under truant laAv, 66. 
 
 to elect board of trustees of free public library, 19. 
 
 to fill vacancy in school committee, 40. 
 
 to make ordinances, etc., concerning truants, 69. 
 Town or city council may receipt for gift of free library, 19. 
 Town sergeant, how construed, 13. 
 Town treasurer, construction of words, 13. 
 
 custo'dian of all school money, 40. 
 
 duties of, in receiving and paying school moneys, 40. 
 
 to make statement to committee, 41. 
 
 to report to school commissioner, 41. 
 Travelling expenses of pupils in Normal school, money for, 64, 100. 
 Treasurer of school district, election, powers, etc., 43. 
 Truant children and attendance at school, 6-5, 112. 
 Truant officers, duties of, 67. 
 
 how appointed, 66. 
 
 to demand names of children employed, 68. 
 
 to visit all places employing children, 68. 
 Truant orduiances to be made, 69. 
 Truants, district courts have jurisdiction of, 70. 
 
 may be committed to suitable places of instruction, 69. 
 
 may be discharged, when, 69. 
 Trustees of free public library, divided into classes, 19. 
 
 elected by town council, 19. 
 
 to have charge of library, 19. 
 
 vacancies in, how filled, 19. 
 Trustees of R. I. Institute for the Deaf, how appointed, 82. 
 
 how constituted, 82. 
 
 to report to assembly, 84. 
 Trustees of Rhode Island ]N'ormal School, how constituted, 63. 
 
 may contract with school committee of city of Providence, 113. 
 
 may give certificates of qualification, 64. 
 Trustees of school districts, 51. 
 
 appeals from decisions of, how taken, and proceedmgs, 61. 
 
 election of, 43, 97. 
 
 how call meetings of districts, 44, 45. 
 
 how engaged, 71. 
 
 ineligible to teach m public schools, 60, 114. 
 
INDEX. 137 
 
 Trustees of school districts may allow pupils from out of town to at- 
 tend, 52. 
 
 of associate districts, how appointed, 46. 
 
 to employ teacher, 51. 
 
 to have custody of schoolhouse, 51. 
 
 to have no pay save from district funds, 52. 
 
 to make out tax hills, 51. 
 
 to make returns to school committee, 51. 
 
 to provide cases for schoolbooks, 51. 
 
 to provide school facilities, 51. 
 
 to visit schools, 51. 
 
 when determine place of meeting, 45. 
 
 when may be chosen separately, 97. 
 Tuition money, how to be used, 52. 
 
 United States, includes what, 1.3. 
 Unregistered voters, 7. 
 
 Vacancy in board of managers for college of agriculture, how filled, 76. 
 
 in office of trustee of free public library, how filled, 19. 
 
 in school committee, how filled, 40. 
 
 in school district officers, how filled, 43. 
 
 in State board of education, how filled, 31. 
 Vacation in public schools, children employed during, 67. 
 Vaccination, compulsory, as a prerequisite to enter school, 74. 
 Violation of laws relative to public schools, penalties on, 74. 
 Voluntary associations, how formed, 92-94. 
 Voters, classified, 6. 
 
 in school districts, qualifications of, 45. 
 
 lists of, furnished by clerks, 9. 
 
 rights and qualifications of, 6. 
 Vote to levy tax final, when, 61. 
 
 Ward clerk, how construed, 13. 
 Warrant of distress, how to issue, 28. 
 
 to collect, in force till tax collected, 28. 
 Wasliington's birthday, to be legal holiday, 92, 100. 
 Words, construction of, in statutes, 12-14. See ConMruction. 
 
 Year, how construed, 13. 
 
 18 
 
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