CITY OF BOSTON. In School Committee, September 11, 1860. Ordered, That the City Government be requested to provide for the free passage across the Ferries, of the children residing in East Boston, on their way to and from the Public High Schools. Referred to Messrs. Cobb, Ellis, Palmer, of Ward Four, Dennie and Bartlett, as a Committee, to consider and report thereon. Attest: BARNARD CAPEN, Secretary. In School Committee, December 11, 1860. The Report of the Committee to whom was referred the subject of "the free passage across the Ferries, of the children residing in East Boston, on their way to and from the Public High Schools," was read, laid on the table, and ordered to be printed. Attest: BARNARD CAPEN, Secretary. REPORT. In School Committee, Boston, Dec. 11, 1860. THE following order was offered at the quarterly meeting of this Board, held on the 11th of September, and was referred to a committee of five: "Ordered, That the City Government be requested to provide for the free passage across the Ferries, of the children residing in East Boston, on their way to and from the Public High Schools." The Committee on this order begs leave to report: It is well known, of course, that East Boston is singular in its mode of communication with the city proper. No other part of the city can be placed on a parallel with it in this respect. The Ferries are the only thoroughfares which the inhabitants of the Island Ward have or can have. The extra tax upon parents for each child from that ward who attends either of the High Schools, is from $10 to $11 per year, on account of the tolls, -no distinction being made by the ferry companies between school children and others. This tax is seriously affecting the interests of East Boston. It is well known that a large portion of her citizens are of the laboring class, upon whom such an extra tax falls heavily. It is a heavy tax, under the most favorable circumstances, for them to support their children through a regular course at the High Schools, and many of them are to be honored for the self-sacrifices which they have made to this end. But this enormous advance in the cost of crossing the ferries has in several instances proved to be the "last pound by which the camel's back is broken." The tendency of this is to deprive the place of one of its best elements,the intelligent, liberal-minded working-men,- and to build up suburban cities and towns at the expense of Boston. But, aside from these considerations, your Committee think that simple justice demands that the children of East Boston should enjoy the same privileges in attending the Public High Schools that are enjoyed by those of the other portions of our city. From all other parts the children can reach said schools without any necessary expense in so doing; but the children of East Boston, as has been shown, cannot do this. The children of South Boston cannot be placed on a parallel with them, because there are three free bridges connecting that place with the city proper. And the people of East Boston do not ask for anything more than a free bridge over which their children can pass. And as the only alternative, they ask that the ferry shall be made a free bridge for this purpose. Your Committee, believing this request to be just and equitable, recommend the passage of the order. For the Committee, SAMUEL T. COBB, Chairman. |