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THIRTY-THIRD
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE OFFICERS OF THE
TOWN OF FRANKLIN,
FOR THE
FISCAL YEAR ENDING JAN. 31, 1891.
FRANKLIN : SENTINEL PUBLISHING COMPANY. 1891.
.
THIRTY-THIRD
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE OFFICERS OF THE
TOWN OF FRANKLIN,
FOR THE
FISCAL YEAR ENDING JAN. 31, 1891.
FRANKLIN : SENTINEL PUBLISHING COMPANY. 1891.
TOWN OFFICERS ELECTED
FOR THE MUNICIPAL YEAR 1890-91.
Selectmen. GEORGE W. WIGGIN. JEREMIAH J. MCCARTHY, CHARLES STEWART.
Town Clerk. HENRY E. RUGGLES.
Treasurer. HENRY R. JENKS.
Assessors.
ASA A. FLETCHER, EUGENE N. THAIN, WILLIAM E. NASON.
Overseers of the Poor. GEORGE E. EMERSON, WARREN H. BRIGHT, C. MILTON ALLEN.
Auditor. NELSON E. NEWELL.
Collector of Taxes. WILLIAM ROCKWOOD.
4
School Committee.
WILLIAM F. RAY,
Term expires March, 1891
LYDIA P. RAY,
66
66 1891
CLARENCE E. GRIFFIN, .6
1892
REBECCA FARNUM,
66 1892
.
GEORGE KING,
66 1893
MARY A. WIGGIN,
66
66
1893
Constables.
LEWIS R. WHITAKER, WILLIAM E. NASON. SILAS W. NICKERSON.
Fence Viewers.
JOSEPH W. HEATON, JEREMIAH DESMOND, STEPHEN C. TAFT.
Field Drivers.
JAMES H. KNAPP, ALDEN T. MANN, JAMES H. MILLER.
Board of Health. GEORGE KING, WILLIAM E. NASON, WALTER M. FISHER.
Keeper of Pound. GEORGE B. PECK.
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APPOINTEES.
Engineers of the Fire Department.
GEORGE E. EMERSON, FRANK A SHINER, WILLIAM F. BUCKLEY, LAWRENCE E. MORRISSEY, THOMAS SPENCE, LAWRENCE J. KELLY.
Auctioneers.
LEWIS R. WHITAKER, WILLIAM E. NASON, DAVID W. CORSON, DANIEL W. HALLORAN.
Surveyors of Lumber.
WILLIAM ROCKWOOD, OTIS F. METCALF, LUCIUS W. DANIELS, JOSEPH W. WHITING,
WALTER M. FISHER, ORAMEL B, BLAKE, JOSEPH H. WADSWORTH.
Measurers of Wood and Bark.
JOSEPH W. HEATON, JOSEPH H. WADSWORTH, J. C. JACOBS, ORAMEL B. BLAKE.
Measurers of Grain.
WILLIAM ROCKWOOD, FRANK D. METCALF, ORLANDO S. STETSON, JOSEPH H. WADSWORTH, CHARLES H. HEATON, JOSEPH W. HEATON.
Weighers of Coal and Hay.
JOSEPH W. HEATON, JOSEPH H. WADSWORTH, J. C. JACOBS, ORLANDO S. STETSON,
WILLIAM MANN, CHARLES H. HEATON.
Sealer of Weights and Measures. CLARENCE E. GRIFFIN.
6
Board of Registration.
HENRY E. RUGGLES.
DANIEL W. HALLORAN, Term expires May 1, 1891
NATHAN C. NYE, 66 1892
BRADLEY M. ROCKWOOD, .. . . 1893
Night Policemen.
ANTHONY CONNOR. SILAS W. NICKERSON.
Special Policemen.
GEORGE BOURBEAU,
CHARLES R. GOWEN,
ALBERT W. NEWELL.
ALMON W. SANBORN,
JOHN W. RICHARDSON, JOSEPH SMITH,
H. W. STOWERS.
JOSEPH T. HUTCHINSON,
WILLIAM H. HOWE,
HERMON B. MILLER.
ALBERT J. SMITH, LAWRENCE J. KELLY,
JEROME B. FITZPATRICK,
EUGENE COLE,
WILLIAM H. WILLIAMS,
NATHAN ARNOLD.
Inspector of Oil. THADDEUS M. TURNER.
Forest Fire Wardens.
T. J. DANIELS,
CHARLES E. WOODWARD, WILLIAM F. KING, JAMES HOOD, H M. STOWERS,
W. A. POND.
Road Master. HERBERT M. STOWERS.
Truant Officer. SILAS W. NICKERSON.
Railroad Police. JOSEPH SMITH.
Report of the School Committee.
TO THE TOWN OF FRANKLIN :
Your School Committee respectfully submit their annual report for the financial year ending Jan. 31, 1891.
The reports of the various committees in past years have dealt so fully with the many needs and aims of our schools, that we do not feel it is necessary at present to make a lengthy report. We desire to call your attention to a few fundamental truths, showing very briefly the work of the schools for the past year, and lay before you what we believe to be the press- ing needs of our schools in the near future.
In this intensely practical age, there seems to be a strong tendency to cut loose from those ancient landmarks which have long been held in high esteem, and to give our time and ener- gies solely to those things which we flatter ourselves have a direct bearing upon our future lives. In the effort thus made our schools have suffered more or less. Many parents have felt that because a certain study is not likely to be used by their son or daughter in after life, therefore the time of the child should not be wasted in an attempt to master such a subject. With this idea in mind the parents have wholly lost sight of the formative and training influence which such a subject may have upon the mind of their child.
Undoubtedly one of the most important questions a young man can ask is, "What must I do to fit myself most complete- ly, not for being a citizen merely. but for being 'all that doth become a man,' living in the full light of the Christian civili- zation of America?" We believe the child should be educat- ed not merely for himself, but also as a member of society, a citizen of the Republic.
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The committee have endeavored to so frame the course of study, and direct the incidental work of the schools, that the scholars who graduate from our schools shall have received a fair training in the several departments of knowledge, which are necessary for the full development of their bodies, the preservation of their health, for a full comprehension of their rights and duties as citizens, a knowledge of the intellectual, moral, religious, and æsthetic nature of men, and a fair foun- dation upon which to build a superstructure, by which they may show to the world that their time has not been wasted nor the foundations laid in vain.
We propose to make such changes in our course of study as time and the practical working of the course suggest. In whatever form our course may be we do not intend that it shall be considered as perfect, but as our conditions and re- quirements change the course must also be changed. We desire to call attention to the fact that any scholar who desires to prepare for admission to college can do so in our High School. We have not laid down a particular course for such scholars, but the course will be adapted to the requirements of the case.
Having thus briefly treated the foregoing in a general man- ner, we desire now to call your attention more particularly to a number of subjects, many of which we deem of such im- portance, as to merit your careful attention, and favorable ac- tion thereon.
HEATING AND VENTILATION.
In the report of last year, the necessity of improved meth- ods of heating and ventilation was fully set forth, and some of the methods adopted by different towns and cities were ex- plained. Recent legislation has imposed certain duties upon your committee which we cannot neglect without great incon- venience and cost.
On Feb. 15, of last year, the committee were served with notice that better and additional ventilation must be provided for the school houses on Nason street. We accordingly inves- tigated the question with much care, visited school buildings
9
where changes had been made in the method of ventilation, and after due consideration, made a contract with Messrs. C. M. Drennan & Co., of Boston. During the summer vacation this firm placed in position a system of heating and ventilation in the two school houses on Nason street. The contract price to be paid C. M. Drennan & Co., is $1926.00, which is not to be paid until the system gives satisfaction to your committee and the State authorities.
In making the changes necessary to place the system in pro- per working order, it became necessary to make certain inci- dental changes and additions which could not be fully foreseen, so that the total cost is more than was anticipated. The bills for the changes and additions made will be found in the Audi- tor's report under the head of "school repairs," and "miscel . laneous school expenses."
During the past few weeks the rooms in these buildings have been frequently visited by the State authorities, who under various conditions have carefully tested the purity of the air, and the temperature of the rooms, with very satisfactory re- sults. They have made some suggestions looking to the great- er efficiency of the system. The State authorities have ex- pressed the opinion that with proper janitor service we have a. system which will meet the requirements of the law. The result of the examinations made by the Inspectors is fully set forth in their report, as it appears in Public Document No. 32, which has recently been published.
We are assured by all who have had anything to do with this kind of work, that the price above named is very reason- able for the results obtained. During the cold weather of December last we had some trouble in heating the rooms properly, but we hope that this difficulty has been wholly removed.
Before leaving this subject it is in order to state that the probability is that you: committee will be called upon to make similar changes in other buildings in the near future, unless the law now in force should be changed.
2 a
10
NORMAL TRAINING.
After several years experience in the school room, both as teachers and committee, we come to the conclusion that we know of nothing which can fully take the place of a normal training for our teachers. This is more apparent, perhaps, in the lower grades. We do not wish to be understood to imply that all normal graduates make good teachers ; neither do we mean on the other hand, that many of those who have not attended a normal school are not good teachers. We see very plainly the superior methods of those who are graduates of normal schools. They are able to attain a fair degree of effi- ciency much earlier in their career than others. A normal training may not make a good teacher of poor material ; but we venture unhesitatingly to say that the good teacher is a better teacher because of the training for which we ask. Heretofore there has not been that attention paid to normal methods there should have been. It may be accepted as the set- tled policy of your committee as now constituted, to insist upon our teachers having received some training at our normal schools. We believe it will be money and time profitably expended, and that the practical results thereby obtained will justify us in our opinions. We desire to urge upon all who contemplate teaching to take a course of study at one of the State Normal schools.
VISIT OF MR. PRINCE AND MR. EDSON.
Quite recently Mr. Prince of the State Board of Education spent a week visiting our schools. He met the committee and talked freely with us. He pointed out some of the weak places in our schools, and made numerous suggestions, some of which we are endeavoring to put into operation. At the end of the week Mr. Prince and Mr. Edson, another member of the State Board, met all the teachers and the committee and gave some practical lessons and hints on methods of teaching. The exercise was of great profit to all concerned. We believe our schools are better today for the criticisms and help so kindly and freely given by these gentlemen.
11
PRIMARY SCHOOLS.
We believe our primary schools have made fair progress during the past year. The methods of teaching reading have been improved. We are trying to interest the pupils in form- ing habits of good reading, by bringing to them books and papers inculcating lessons of kindness to animals and a regard for truth and honesty, believing we must begin early with such instruction.
DISTRICT SCHOOLS.
We frequently find it difficult to classify the scholars of our district schools properly. Many of the schools are small, yet in these there are scholars from the first grade up to the sev- enth grade. The result is that it is necessary to have a large number of classes. We now have all the district schools as well classified as circumstances will permit, and they are for the most part in excellent condition. We regard these schools as of much importance, and we have not in any way neglect- ed them, having given them as much of our attention as any class of schools in town. We intend that they shall be as well equipped with teachers, books, and the various supplies need- ed as any of our schools.
TEACHERS-CHANGES.
During the past year we have been obliged to make several changes in our corps of teachers, some of which have been made with regret on our part.
Last August Miss Stockbridge resigned her position as teacher of the Unionville school that she might take a college course. We had but little time in which to engage a teacher before the opening of the next term. Fortunately we were able to obtain the services of Miss Lydia A. Gould of Milford, a graduate of Framingham Normal School. She has gained the good-will of her scholars and the respect and esteem of the parents. She is showing the results of her normal training. The school is improving under her care, and there is the promise of much good work being done. This is the largest district school we have, and under the judicious management
12
of Miss Gould we confidently expect this school to rank high.
At the Northwest, Miss Knowlton resigned at the close of last term, owing to ill health. We have secured the services of Mrs. Geo. Rice of Medway to fill the position.
In the Primary schools we have made but one change. Miss Blaisdell was advanced from Primary School No. 6 to Sub-Grammar No. 1. The vacancy was filled by Miss Mi- nerva B. Whitney who had had some experience as a teacher and is a recent graduate of our High school. She gives prom- ise of making an excellent teacher.
There has not been any change in the Intermediate schools. In Sub-Grammar School No. 1 a vacancy occurred by reason of advancing Miss Sawyer to High Grammar No. 2. The vacancy was filled, as mentioned above, by Miss Blaisdell, who had done such excellent work in the Primary school that we felt justified in advancing her to this difficult position, which she is filling creditably.
We have engaged Miss Gertrude Bly, a recent graduate of our High school, as an assistant for this grade. She spends half a day in each school.
High Grammar No. 2 has been peculiarly unfortunate in the many changes we have had to make. For the year ending July 1, 1890, the school had four different teachers. The last one, Miss Blake, we regarded with much favor, and we were not surprised that she soon found a more lucrative position. Miss Mary O. Sawyer took charge of this school last Septem- ber, and amid many discouraging features has done excellent work. There is good prospect that she may bring this school up to the high standard attained in High Grammar No. 1.
Last spring Mr. Brodeur, principal of the High school, tendered his resignation to take effect at the close of the school year. He had been with us two years. In parting from Mr. Brodeur, we lost a teacher who had the ability in more than an ordinary degree of inspiring his scholars with a desire for knowledge. He had that enthusiasm for his work so essen- tially necessary for success. He had a high ideal, and worked hard to bring his school up to a high degree of efficiency.
13
From about sixty applicants we chose M -. George B. Chandler, a recent graduate of Bowdoin College, who came to us highly recommended, who seems to be in a fair way of filling the position in such a way as to justify our choice.
We have been able to retain the services of Miss Whiting as assistant in the High school, although she has had several very flattering offers. We consider ourselves fortunate in being able to supplement the work of the principal by the services of such a teacher.
MUSIC.
No changes have been made in music. An earnest effort has been made to fully carry into effect the plan outlined in the report of last year. We believe this department to be of great benefit to our schools.
GENERAL REMARKS.
We believe we have a corps of teachers who are conscien- tiously trying to do the work set before them, and who will bear a favorable comparison with any body of teachers within our knowledge. Some of them are giving much time and thought to their work outside of school hours, and as a conse- quence thereof their schools show a decided improvement. Many, all we trust, have a high ideal of the duties of a teacher and are doing all they can for the moral and intellectual ad- vancement of their scholars.
We prefer teachers of experience, but we realize that expe- rience does not by any means imply success. When the teacher of experience shows by poor methods, or no method at all, or by the results obtained that he or she is not up to the requirements of the times, then we must perform our duty and make the necessary changes. The welfare of scholars is of more importance to us, to the town we represent, than the material prospects of any teacher. We must strive for "the greatest good to the greatest number."
VACCINATION.
The committee wish to call attention to the notices pub- lished concerning vaccination. The law says: "The school
14
committee shall not allow a child who has not been duly vac- cinated to be admitted to or connected with the public schools." -Pub. Stat., Chap. 47, Sec. 9.
The next school term will begin April 6. It is the vote of the committee that the above provision of the law shall be enforced at that time. We trust that parents will attend to this matter and see that children who are not now vaccinated shall be before the opening of next term.
APPROPRIATIONS.
The appropriations for the support of schools for the past three years has been the same, while our expenses have in- creased. We have an increasing school population for whom we must make proper provision. We also feel that there are some of our teachers who are not receiving the pay they ought, but with the amount of funds at our disposal we have not felt justified in increasing their salary. Our expenses for the com- ing year will be somewhat greater than in the past, and we ask for a corresponding increase in the appropriation for our department. Our estimates will be found embodied in the recommendations of the Selectmen in the Auditor's report. We have endeavored to expend the money at our disposal with a due regard for economy and the best interests of our schools. We have kept the school buildings in good repair, and have made some few changes in addition to those made on the Na- son street houses.
We have had a fence built around the Arlington street school house in accordance with the vote of the town last March.
TRUANCY.
Since our last report a truant school has been established by the County Commissioners at Walpole. We regret that it has been necessary to send two of our boys to the school, and yet we believe that they are better off' than they were, and we have good reason to hope that they will be much benefitted by their attendance there. We already see the beneficial effect of this school upon those who formerly thought that it was perfectly
15
safe to be a truant. There are still a few cases which we are carefully watching. We have endeavored with the help of our truant officers to investigate every case of truancy that has come to our knowledge.
ATTENDANCE.
We desire to call the attention of parents to a change that was made last May, in the law relating to the number of weeks a child must attend school each year. Formerly the number was twenty, it is now thirty weeks. The practical effect of the law is that there are but few cases where a child under fourteen years of age can obtain a labor certificate.
We wish that parents could more fully understand the im- portance of regular attendance at school, not only as it may effect their own child, but also the injurious results to other children. Irregularity of attendance results practically in a shortened school year, with no lessening of expense to the town. If our schools are to be efficient and perform their best work, we must have not only good teachers, but scholars who shall be fonnd in their places every day school is in ses- sion.
SUPERINTENDENCE.
The question of employing a superintendent of schools is one that has been before you. We again commend the ques- tion to you for your favorable action thereon. At present the supervision of schools is attended to by a committee of six. We have done the best we could under the circumstances. We have assigned a certain number of schools to each member of the committee. Two members of the committee have special charge of the High school. By this division of labor we do not mean that we do not give attention to those schools which are not especially assigned to us. We have divided the work, but hold the whole committee responsible for the gen- eral direction of all the schools.
Wherever superintendents are employed we hear the system highly commended. Franklin is in a position to join with some other town in the employment of superintendent, and
16
receive a certain sum from the State treasury sufficient in part to pay the salary of the superintendent. We hope you will consider it for the best interest of the town to employ such an officer, as the total cost of supervision is not likely to be in- creased.
BOOKS AND SCHOOL SUPPLIES.
We have made few changes in text books. The chief change was the discarding of Harper's geographies for But- ler's. In order that the teachers and scholars should have proper material with which to work, they must have more reference books, maps and apparatus. This applies to all grades of our schools. In the High school we are lacking very much in scientific apparatus.
INCREASED SCHOOL ACCOMMODATIONS.
There is an increasing need of more school accommodation. For three years we have been obliged to have a school in the Town House, which is denounced by all as wholly unfit for the purpose, endangering as it does the health of both scholars and teachers. We have had more sick scholars in this school than in any other in town. Within a year two of the teachers who have taught there have been obliged to give up on ac- count of ill-health, which seemed to be fairly attributable to the injurious influence of the house. We have endeavored to obtain some more suitable location for this school but have not been able to do so.
The two Sub-Grammar schools are by far too full. We have put additional seats in the rooms, so that the utmost limit has been reached and passed. Sixty scholars of the Sub- Grammar grade are too many for our rooms and too many for one teacher to instruct properly. In these two schools there are today in attendance one hundred and sixteen (116) schol- ars, enough for three good schools. In each school there is a class of over thirty-five (35). We have sought to relieve the hard worked teachers of these schools by the employment of an assistant. The classroom used by the assistant is a small cloak room entirely unsuitable for the purpose. What is
17
needed and must be had is another school for this grade. The prospect is that these schools will be even fuller another year.
At the High school we have only one small class room suit- able for a dozen scholars at most, and yet the entering classes the past two years have numbered over twenty, and we have been obliged to crowd the full class into this small room. This room is also the girls' cloak room.
Anyone who will honestly consider the needs of our schools must at once come to the conclusion that we require more schoolrooms. Having in mind the present condition of our schools, the growth of the town, the number of scholars we are likely to have, and having a due regard for the comfort and health of both scholars and teachers we must again urge upon you the pressing and immediate necessity of increased school accommodation. We trust the report of the committee ap- pointed last March to act on this subject will be such as to receive your approval.
On the following page will be found a brief abstract of the school census.
For the Committee.
C. E. GRIFFIN.
WILLIAM F. RAY, LYDIA P. RAY, CLARENCE E. GRIFFIN, R. M. FARNUM, GEORGE KING,
MARY A. WIGGIN,
School Committee.
3a
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SCHOOL CENSUS.
May 1, 1885, No. scholars between 5 and 15 years of age, 796
" 1, 1886, 66
869
" 1, 1887, 66
66
66
66
66 930
" 1, 1888,
66
66
66 924
" 1, 1889, 66
٠٠
968
" 1, 1890, 66
66
.6
66 1012
May 1, 1885, No. scholars between 8 and 14 years of age, 465
" 1, 1886,
66
66
66
66 531
" 1, 1887, 66
66
٠٠
66
583
" 1, 1888,
66
66
66 591
· 1, 1889,
66
.6
66
66
597
·· 1, 1890, 66
66
625
66
66
66
Reports of Town Officers.
Special Police Report.
TO THE SELECTMEN OF FRANKLIN :
I received my appointment from the Selectmen in March last for one year and have attended to the duties of prosecuting officer to the best of my ability during the time. I have made three seizures, and prosecuted five individuals for illegal keep- ing and selling of liquor, four of which were proven guilty and received sentence.
The case against Seth K. Freeman was not proven as against Freeman, but against his hired man, Linnehan, who has fled the State.
I have sworn out and served eight search warrants, and prosecuted twenty-one individuals for drunkenness, and con- victed one as a common drunkard, all of which either paid fines or served time at Dedham.
The sale of liquor a year ago seemed to be well under con- trol in the whole town and has continued so during the year with the exception of a time in the summer when I was dis- abled ; the persons who were in the habit of selling liquor and creating disturbance took advantage of the situation and for a month or so caused me some trouble.
Since the seizure of liquors from Fitzpatrick and his indict- ment before the Grand Jury at Dedham for keeping a com- mon nuisance the town has been very quiet.
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