It is but justice to these towns to so modify the law that they may avail themselves of its provisions and secure to themselves the benefits reaping under it by their neighbors. Indeed, it is of immediate concern to the Commonwealth to secure to all ber children the best possible form of supervision. Among the suggestions that have been made for extending the application of the superintendent law of 1888, the following are noted: 1. Towns whose valuation is under two and one half millions might be authorized to unite with towns whose valuation exceeds this sum, with appropriate State aid for the former. 2. The payment of the portion of the school fund now bestowed on certain towns might be conditioned upon their employing the desired supervision. 3. The towns that come within the provisions of the law of 1888 might be conveniently districted under competent authority from the Legislature. The voluntary plan of organizing superintendent districts now in vogue has, with its great and admitted advantages, the defect that it makes it increasingly difficult for towns still without superintendents to form districts. Some towns are already isolated and almost stranded, with all their neighbors under. supervision, while their possible copartners are scores of miles away. These suggestions are made for present discussion. The first two, if favorably acted on, would encourage the voluntary formation of districts, so far as their formation is still practicable, but would not meet the cases of the stranded towns. Indeed, the second suggestion involves a serious hardship for such towns. The third suggestion merits consideration as the one that promises to go to the root of the matter, and may merit favorable action when the present voluntary growth reaches its threatened limits. The following is a list of the superintendents at the date of the publication of this report, with the towns included in their superintendencies and the places of their address : |