USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Somerville > Report of the city of Somerville 1858-1867 > Part 1
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org.
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2012 with funding from
Federally funded with LSTA funds through the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners
http://archive.org/details/annualreportofci5867some
REPORTS
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE, SELECTMEN AND TREASURER
OF THE
TOWN OF SOMERVILLE,
TOGETHER WITH A LIST OF THE
TAXES ASSESSED,
For the Year 1853-9.
BOSTON: WILLIAM WHITE, PRINTER, 4 SPRING LANE. 1859.
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
EVERY relative position has its responsibilities, and to discharge the incumbent duties in a manner satisfactory to others and to ourselves, is not always an easy task.
The supervision of any department of learning is attended with difficulty, because of the spiritual nature of what is to be developed, and moulded; and obstacles are indefinitely augmented, when we come to training up children in the way they should go.
No wise and prudent lawgiver would ever issue an order, and define the penalty, unless it was compatible with intel- lectual and moral organization, and ought to be performed.
That there is a right and a wrong teaching, or educating of the young in the family, in our schools, and in our social intercourse, no observing individual will pretend to deny. Much that is defective in the modes of education can be easily pointed out ; how to remedy the evils, is not as easily defined and executed.
The importance of our Common School System is cheer- fully acknowledged by all making any pretensions to philan- thropy or patriotism; and the consummation of its perfec- tion has engaged, and is still engaging the time, and talent of some of the master minds of the nineteenth century.
4
Should not our schools enlist our special attention, if they contain the power of moulding the youth of our land, to industry, virtue, and a sacred love of country ?
These are acquisitions the just and good in all past time have labored to attain, and saw by imagination in the future, but despaired that such perfection could ever be realized.
That every child in the community may be so trained, that a very small per cent. shall become disturbers of the peace, outcasts, and a by-word, direct testimony has abundantly proved.
In the year 1847 Hon. Horace Mann addressed a circular to eight of the most experienced and distinguished teachers of New England, propounding to them the following ques- tions, and asking for answers : -
" 1. How many years have you been engaged in school- keeping, and whether in the country, or in populous towns or cities ?
2. About how many children have you had under your care ?
3. Should all our schools be kept by teachers of high intellectual and moral qualifications, and should all the children in the community be brought within these schools for ten months in a year, from the age of four to that of sixteen years; then what proportion - what percentage of such children as you have had under your care, could, in your opinion, be so educated and trained, that their exist- ence, on going out into the world, would be a benefit and not a detriment, an honor and not a shame to society ? Or, to state the question in a general form, if all children were brought within the salutary and auspicious influences I have
5
here supposed, what percentage of them should you pro- nounce to be irreclaimable and hopeless ?"
" In answering this last important question," says Mr. Mann, "I am supposing all our children to be placed under the care of such a class of men and women as we now honor by the appellation of first class or first rate teachers ; -of such teachers as are able, in the school-room, both to teach and to govern ; and who, out of the school-room, will be animated by a missionary spirit in furthering the objects of their sacred vocation."
All of the eight gave their respective answers, and their unanimity of opinion was remarkable in naming the per- centage that they thought might be so trained as to become good members of society, the supporters of order and law, and truth and justice. They all concurred that more than ninety-eight per cent. of all the youth in our land, if trained as above, would adorn society, and bless the world through the whole course of their lives.
If we are authorized to receive as correct the conclu- sions as stated by these deservedly popular and experienced teachers, how the weight of responsibility is enhanced which rests upon parents and superintendents of the great public educational interests of every community. All that has been said and written upon this momentous subject falls far short of describing the reality, or the great good that would result from the perfect education of every individual.
The imagination can only conceive of a finished educa- tion, by placing before the mind a man perfect physically, intellectually, and morally, and consequently, an eminently good man. Education means the harmonious development of all that constitutes a rational and immortal being.
6
To appreciate our Common School System, it is not enough to provide that schools be kept in every neighbor- hood, and to know that our children attend them punctually ; we must visit the schools, study their internal workings, and become so interested in their success, and that we shall in our domestic relations, and manifest interest in the teachers, evince an ardent desire to do all in our power to make them most efficient and perfect in their operation. Your Committee have, to the best of their ability, labored assiduously to improve and render most productive of good all the public schools of this town; and they flatter themselves that in several particulars they have not been unsuccessful the past year.
Our movements have been of a reciprocal nature respect- ing particulars in the school-room, always endeavoring to show a proper deference to the profession of teaching, feeling that the details of practice can never be fully under- stood by theory.
We have been specially mindful of the wants of the Primary Schools, believing in the proverbial saying, “ As the twig is bent, the tree is inclined."
We feel that the largest and best qualifications are needed for the primary department of teaching; and, not as has been believed, that any body, making any pretensions to learning, would answer to teach children.
None but those of great sympathy, of special exactness of attainments in the elements of language, having a nice and educated musical car, of extensive general knowledge, and a happy tact to communicate, can cherish the fond hope that they may arrive to much eminence as Primary School teachers. The sounds of the letters, and the correct pro-
7
nunciation of words, can only be perfectly and permanently learned with case, before the child is ten years old; for what may be attained after that time in the elementary sounds, will only be accomplished by great care and much perseverance. That too little attention is paid to reading and spelling and correct pronunciation in our Primary Schools, is very obvious to your Committee, notwithstand- ing the great importance they are known to attach to this part of juvenile instruction.
That all the children can be so trained in our Primary Schools, as to make correct speaking general, is not to be expected in the rearing of one generation; but it is no argument against the effort, and furnishes no palliation for neglect on the part of teachers. However imperfect the home pronunciation may be, nothing of the kind should be allowed in the school-room.
The teacher should be more particular in correcting the wrong sound of a letter, than in pointing out arithmetical mistakes, for the latter will correct themselves, but the former will vitiate the taste, mislead the car, and ruin the orthoepy of the pupil. No department of our educational system is so responsible for the correct speaking, reading and spelling as the primary, and hence the great accountability where the results are of a life long continuance.
While the young by reading, spelling, and singing, are being taught the perfect use of the ear, and the true power of the vocal organs, so that correct hearing and correct utter- ance shall afford delight, it is another duty of the Primary Schools to initiate the use of the fingers and hands in drawing lines and figures, to the delight of the child, and so lay the foundation of future excellence in penmanship
S
and sketching. A large proportion of the time usually devoted to the study of arithmetic, we think must ultimately be spent in a manner better calculated to improve the young, by developing those faculties that are most easily impressed in childhood; and thus more effectually secure the full development of the reasoning and comparing pow- ers. Variety must distinguish the Primary School, or dis- cord will prevail; and hence the trouble that so often occurs which proper management might easily have prevented.
The intellect should be reached through the heart and affections ; and then the very way that God has designed for improvement and happiness, and laid irrevocably in the mental constitution of children, will lead the teacher with the greatest certainty to ultimate success.
To attempt to force the young forward in any speciality of learning, and not train them as a harmonious whole, is to attempt to work in opposition to the Divine Architect, and produce a class of disagreeable beings, instead of lovely companions, kind fathers and mothers, and friends of humanity.
Our Primary Schools are on an average as good as we have reason to expect with the present state of public feel- ing, and with the impression that the teachers now have of their responsibilities, and of what parents and the public generally, think they ought to perform.
If stubborn stillness is one of the indispensables of the Primary School, it would be economical to have some mechanical apparatus which would fix the child immovably, and thereby save much time otherwise to be injudiciously expended, by not leaving healthy impressions upon the plastic nature of the children.
9
The immutable laws of body and mind require no such fixtures ; for physical education declares, in unmistakable language, that great intellectual progress is only compatible with fine bodily health.
To weaken the body is to enervate the mind ; and if man- kind are not by intellectual and moral development, to add to their physical comfort, and length of days, there must be a disagreement in ourselves.
It is vastly more important that the physical condition of the pupils in the Primary Schools should be carefully watched by the teacher, than in the higher grades ; for they are less qualified to discriminate for themselves, and their nervous systems are more easily and permanently disordered.
Many teachers have found their schools becoming sud- denly restless and turbulent; and not understanding the cause, they have attempted to quell the tumult by positive requirements, and threatening injunctions ; but the difficulty has increased reciprocally, and a painful alternative finally gave a temporary peace among the innocent sufferers.
All this might have been agreeably accomplished in a few moments by giving to the children additional draughts of pure air to restore a healthy flow of the blood, and remove the morbid condition of the brain; and then, with a few strains of enlivening music their hearts would have been harmonized in mutual love. The cultivation of music in the Primary Schools is indispensable to their prosperity and the perfect success of the pupils in reading. The best singers have the ability, other things being equal, of becom- ing pre-eminently the best readers ; not only on account of their nice distinction of sounds, but also because they have the greater flexibility of the vocal cords.
7
10
Music cultivates the sensibilities, and prepares the pupil to perceive the emotion of the writer, and consequently the voice will be modulated by the sentiment expressed. A perfect knowledge of Phonetics, which we consider an in- dispensable accomplishment for a Primary School teacher, can only be made available in teaching enunciation, by direct application to the distinct expression of letters and syllables, thus leading to the accomplishment of forcible speaking.
This department must be performed with all the perfec- tion of harmony, which belongs to musical sounds, or it will retard rather than facilitate the pupil in the attainment of fine reading.
Nothing should exceed the accuracy with which instruc- tion is imparted in the Primary School.
No change of importance has taken place in the arrange- ment of our Primary Schools, with the exception of remov- ing teachers from one school to another; believing in their better adaptation to certain schools.
Few occasions for censure have occurred the past year ; with the exception of too frequent tardiness on the part of a few teachers. The example is so very prejudicial, that we express a hope that the evil may be entirely and speedily discontinued.
The Primary School teacher occupies one of the most honorable, as well as the most responsible, positions connected with the profession, and no fame can be more enduring than that which is incorporated with youthful excellence. Our Intermediate Schools are only a grada- tion of the Primary, and the requisitions resting upon either, are with slight modifications equally applicable to both.
11
. Our Intermediate Schools are successfully and earnestly engaged in drawing out the faculties, and in preparing their classes for the studies of the Grammar Schools.
The gradation now existing in our system of education is adopted to facilitate the tasks of the children in their intellectual progress, by associating minds of nearly equal attainments, thus diminishing the number of classes, and thereby making the instruction more general and impres- sive.
Our Grammar Schools are doing their work faithfully, and it would be productive of no special good to comment upon their comparative merits ; for being situated in differ- ent sections of the town, they consequently are under local influences, which more or less modify their character. At our vacation, last August. the principal and the two female assistants of the High School resigned their places; and after mature consideration it was thought best to so far change the organization of the High School as to substitute a sub-master for two female assistants. We have had no reason as yet to regret the change; and until the number of pupils shall be much increased, no arrangement can be more efficient than the present, By this course, a saving is made to the Town of three hundred dollars in the expense of salary.
After much effort in endeavoring to obtain the most efficient individuals for the High School, we fortunately secured I. N. Beals for Principal, and George Brackett for sub-master. Thus far we have no reason to regret our selec- tion, for we believe our High School is rapidly becoming one of the most efficient educational instrumentalities in our town; and is faithfully perfecting the intellectual
12
and moral exactness which characterizes our Grammar Schools.
The last private examination of the High School was highly satisfactory, and the conduct of the pupils was very pleasing. The recitations showed a full understanding of the principles involved in the different departments of study.
Strict attention has been exercised by the several sub- committees and teachers to preserve and render inviting all the school premises and school-rooms ; and to impress upon the children and youth that economy is a virtue ; that neat- ness of person is likely to be allied to purity of mind ; and that no scholar can give satisfactory evidence of future suc- cess and eminence, who is indifferent about his books, and the means of education provided for his use.
The average attendance has been better the past year, and parents have the power to make it perfect if they would ; but without their co-operation no effort can possibly prove successful. Punctuality is beginning to be duly appreciated by the older pupils, and the number of those who are never tardy is steadily increasing. Irregularity of attendance is an evil of such a serious nature, that it is impossible to prevent its injurious effect upon the whole school, thus involving the innocent and unoffending with the guilty.
The term of office now fixed by statute law for the School Committee, affords them a fair opportunity to make trial of any supposed improvement in the manage- ment of schools; and they are always ready to give all proper information concerning their plans, which parents or guardians may desire to know. The Committee have been selected not only to superintend the schools, but as
.
13
the medium of communication on all matters of importance between parents and teachers; and your Committee feel that no individual is prepared to speak understandingly about any school, or any teacher, unless he has visited the school-room, and seen for himself the manner of the teacher and his modes of instruction.
Your Committee are expected to be untiring in their vigilance for the prosperity of all our schools; and to be impartial in considering the claims of parents and teachers, and that their recommendations will be made, having in view the highest good of all.
It will be necessary to organize one or more Primary Schools the ensuing year, as the Maple Street and Prescott No. 2 are too large to derive the greatest advantage from the money expended, or secure to the children the instruc- tion they absolutely require.
The whole number of scholars at present connected with these two schools is more than one hundred and seventy-five. The increase of pupils in the Forster Grammar School Dis- trict renders the establishment of an Intermediate School in that locality highly desirable; and it is submitted to the consideration of the Town, as a special appropriation would be necessary to the accomplishment of such an object.
The whole amount of money expended for our free schools the past year will exceed $16,000, and the particu- lars will be shown by the Town Treasurer's Report. We have one thousand three hundred and thirty children between the ages of five and fifteen years. We have one High School with twomale teachers, principal, and sub-master ; four Gram- mar Schools with a male principal and female assistant for each; one Intermediate School with two female teachers;
14
and two Primary Schools with two female teachers each ; and ten District Schools with one female teacher each; making in all eighteen distinct schools, with twenty-six teachers, male and female.
The Principal of the High School receives $1,200, and the sub-master, $500 salary. The Principals of the Gram- mar Schools receive each $1,000 salary; and the female teachers and assistants, $300 each, with the exception of Walnut Hill and Maple Street Schools, the teacher of the former having $400, and the latter, $350, the labor in these schools being more arduous and difficult.
Hoping the ensuing year may be even more propitious than the past; that the children and youth may render themselves more distinguished by their virtues, and high intellectual attainments; that in future they may refer to our free schools as largely instrumental in securing their happiness and prosperity, we respectfully submit the fore- going as our Annual Report.
NATHANIEL J. KNIGHT. GEORGE H. EMERSON. GEORGE D. CLARK. MARTIN DRAPER, JR. CHARLES S. LINCOLN.
AARON SARGENT. JOHN R. POOR. SAMUEL E. BRACKETT. REUBEN E. DEMMON.
SOMERVILLE, March 7, 1859.
SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
The Selectmen of Somerville, at the close of their official term, ask leave to submit to the citizens of the town the following statement :-
From the commencement of the year, a gradual but manifest improvement in the appearance and prospects of the town has been observable.
The highways, from a variety of causes,-imperfect drainage in some cases, heavy grades in others, ill- defined boundaries, calling for constant watchfulness to prevent encroachments, and the almost total want of sidewalks,-necessarily require, if they do not in all cases receive, a large share of attention from a Board of Selectmen.
Notwithstanding these impediments to a rapid advancement, it is believed that some progress has been made, and that the time is not far distant when the difficulties peculiar to this locality will, in a great measure, be surmounted. Alterations in the grade have been thought expedient in some few places ; but with these exceptions, our operations upon the high- ways have been confined principally to the usual repairs.
16
A considerable amount of labor has been performed, in various portions of the town, towards establishing and grading sidewalks, but in no place so satisfactorily as on Broadway, Winter Hill, where, for a distance of half a mile, the abutters having furnished stone edging, the town was enabled to form and pave suitable gutters. It has been ascertained that stone adapted to this pur- pose can be procured, if wanted to any considerable extent, within the county, at a moderate expense ; and if the town should order a supply to be kept on hand, carting and setting without charge for such of our citizens as would pay the cost for the stone, encour- agement could thus be given to an improvement greatly needed, and a favorable change in the appearance of our roads might soon be reasonably expected.
The southerly end of School Street has been widened to forty feet, and nearly $500 have been expended upon it in grading and removing fences. Another season will be required to complete the street to Broadway, when a perfectly straight avenue, nearly a mile in length, can be opened to the public. Great delay has attended this work, and numerous difficul- ties have been encountered, but it is believed that the ultimate result will be highly beneficial to the town.
To meet such drafts upon the treasury as might be necessary for the uses of this board, in the execution of the various duties imposed upon it,-including the expenses of the highway service,-there was appro- priated, at the annual meeting in April last, the sum of $8,200, this amount being $3,400 less than was expended for similar purposes the preceding financial year. While abundant opportunity for a judicious disposition of all the money thus placed within their
17
control has not been wanting, so great has been the desire on the part of the Selectmen to avoid any excess in their expenditures, that many really needful improvements have been deferred, and several hun- dred dollars of this appropriation remain still unex- pended. For a single object alone,-that of renewing fences which are deemed necessary in dangerous places by the side of the highways,-this entire balance could very properly have been used. While such unsightly and dilapidated structures of this kind as now exist are allowed to remain, private citizens will be as neglectful in improving the aspect of vacant lots, and the growth of the town be in some degree retarded by its uninviting appearance.
The encroachments on Milk Street, referred to in the report of the last Board of Selectmen, have been removed, and the boundary line of the street, hereto- fore somewhat unsettled, has been definitely estab- lished.
Encroachments are believed to exist at numerous points on our roads, and changes are felt to be neces- sary in many other places. On the older and most important thoroughfares, well-defined boundaries are rarely to be found, and a fixed grade is nowhere estab- lished. On these matters, each Board of Selectmen differs from its predecessors, thus increasing the diffi- culty by a want of unity of action. A permanent and effectual remedy for such a condition of things can only be found in a complete and accurate survey of the town. The outlay required for this purpose would be the only objection that could be urged to its adoption, but the beneficial results that would cer- tainly follow, would more than compensate for any
18
necessary expenditure devoted to this object. In this connection it may be proper to suggest, that some of our fellow citizens believe it to be a matter of the highest importance to the future welfare of the town, to provide prospectively for a central avenue, com- mencing at some point in Charlestown near the Mill- dam, crossing the Joy estate, Washington Street, and the Lowell Railroad, to Church Street, and through that street, in nearly a direct line to West Cambridge village. Such an avenue-four miles in length, three of which are within our corporate limits-would afford innumerable delightful sites for private resi- dences, and open the centre of the town to a direct communication with the city of Boston, tending also largely to an increase in population and wealth. A survey of such a route could not involve a great ex- pense, and might prevent the erection of buildings in a position where they would interfere with carrying out this or any similar plan hereafter.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.