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THIRTY-FOURTH
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE OFFICERS OF THE
TOWN OF FRANKLIN,
FOR THE
FISCAL YEAR ENDING JAN. 31, 1892.
FRANKLIN : SENTINEL PUBLISHING CO. 1892.
I
THIRTY-FOURTH
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE OFFICERS OF THE
TOWN OF FRANKLIN,
FOR THE
FISCAL YEAR ENDING JAN. 31, 1892.
FRANKLIN : SENTINEL PUBLISHING CO. 1892.
TOWN OFFICERS ELECTED
FOR THE MUNICIPAL YEAR 1891-92.
Selectmen.
GEORGE W. WIGGIN, EDGAR K. RAY, *JAMES HOOD.
*Died November 3d, 1891 .
Town Clerk. HENRY E. RUGGLES.
Treasurer. HENRY R. JENKS.
Assessors.
*ASA A. FLETCHER, WILLIAM E. NASON, EUGENE N.THAIN.
*Died October 29th, 1891.
Overseers of the Poor.
CYRUS M. ALLEN, WARREN H. BRIGHT, GEORGE E. EMERSON.
Auditor. NELSON E. NEWELL.
Collector of Taxes. WILLIAM ROCKWOOD.
4
School Committee.
*CLARENCE E. GRIFFIN,
Term expires March, 1892
+CHARLES STEWART;
66 1892
REBECCA FARNUM,
66
1892
GEORGE KING,
66
66
1893
MARY A. WIGGIN,
1893
J. CUSHING GALLISON, MARY A. HOWARD,
. 6
66
1894
..
1894
*Resigned.
¡Elected to fill vacancy.
Constables.
LEWIS R. WHITAKER, WILLIAM E. NASON, SILAS W. NICKERSON.
Fence Viewers.
WARREN H. BRIGHT, ROBERT A. STEWART, ALBERT HILL.
Field Drivers.
FRED P. CHAPMAN. AUSTIN B. CHILSON, WALTER C. SHERMAN.
Board of Health.
WALTER M. FISHER, GEORGE KING. WILLIAM E. NASON.
Keeper of Pound. CYRUS M ALLEN.
5
APPOINTEES.
Engineers of Fire Department.
GEORGE E. EMERSON,
FRANK A. SHINER,
WILLIAM F. BUCKLEY, LAWRENCE E. MORRISSEY, THOMAS SPENCE, LAWRENCE J. KELLEY.
Auctioneer.
WM. E. NASON, LEWIS R. WHITAKER, DAVID W. CORSON.
Surveyors of Lumber.
WILLIAM ROCKWOOD,
WALTER M. FISHER,
JOSEPH M. WHITING, CLARENCE H. WOODWARD,
LUCIUS W. DANIELS, ROBERT A. STEWART,
ORAMEL B. BLAKE.
Measurers of Wood and Bark.
GEORGE M WADSWORTH,
ORAMEL B. BLAKE,
J. COLLINS JACOBS,
WALTER M. FISHER,
CLARENCE H. WOODWARD), JOSEPH W. HEATON, IRWIN L. SMITH.
WILTON A. POND,
Weighers of Coal and Hay.
JOSEPH W HEATON,
J. COLLINS JACOBS,
CLARENCE .H. WOODWARD,
WILLIAM MANN,
GEORGE M. WADSWORTH, ORLANDO S. STETSON,
CHARLES H. HEATON, WILLIE L. WADSWORTH.
Sealer of Weights and Measures. LEWIS R. WHITAKER.
6
Measurers of Grain.
FRANK D. METCALF, GEORGE M. WADSWORTH,
WILLIAM ROCKWOOD, CLARENCE H. WOODWARD.
ORLANDO S. STETSON, JOSEPH W. HEATON,
WILLIE L. WADSWORTH, IRWIN L. SMITH.
CHARLES H. HEATON.
·Night Police. ANTHONY CONNOR.
Special Policemen.
ALBERT W. NEWELL,
HERBERT M. STOWERS.
WILLIAM H. HOWE,
ALBERT J. SMITH,
JEROME B. FITZPATRICK. CHARLES R. GOWEN,
ALMON W. SANBORN,
JOSEPH T. HUTCHINSON,
HERMON B. MILLER.
LAWRENCE J. KELLEY,
CHARLES BADGER,
NATHAN B. ARNOLD,
WILLIAM H. WILLIAMS,
JAMES GALVIN.
FRED. L. DAVIS,
WILLIAM CROWNINSHIELD.
Truant Officer. SILAS W. NICKERSON.
Fire Wardens.
GEORGE E. EMERSON,
CHARLES E. WOODWARD,
WILLIAM F. KING. WILTON A. POND, THOMAS JEFFERSON DANIELS, HERBERT M. STOWERS.
Roard of Registration.
HENRY E. RUGGLES. NATHAN C. NYE, Term expires May 1, 1892
BRADLEY M. ROCKWOOD. 6. 66
66 1893
JAMES W. DESMOND.
66
66
1894
Inspector of Oil. THADDEUS M. TURNER.
Roadmaster. HERBERT M. STOWERS.
SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
TO THE VOTERS AND CITIZENS OF THE TOWN OF FRANKLIN :
Inasmuch as the principal part of what has usually been embraced in the annual report of the School Committee, touching the condition and needs of our schools, is this year appropriately embodied in our Superintendent's report, by us approved and subjoined below, but little, comparatively, re- mains to be presented by .us. Two or three topics, however, would seem to require at least a brief mention at our hands.
1. And, first, as to
VENTILATION.
It gives us pleasure to be able to report that the ventil- ating apparatus. during this past year introduced into the old high school building on School street by the Smeade Warm- ing and Ventilation Company, is judged to be an unqualified success. As it regards the heating capacity of this new, and as it is esteemed to be, improved method or system, the weather during the school term the present winter has not generally been of a sufficiently low temperature fully to test it in this regard. We are confident, however, that to render it altogether safe and comfortable during the coldest winter days this building will require considerably more protection against the severity of the season. We may be permitted, in this connection, to add that so large an expenditure on such a building for purposes of ventilation was not in accordance with our best judgment: it was forced upon the town by the authorities of the State.
2. We desire to call special attention to what our Super- intendent has felt called upon to say, and, in our judgment, wisely, relative to what ought to be the character, or quality, of the schools to be maintained in our outlying districts.
8
APPROPRIATIONS.
3. Your Committee feel obliged for the year to come to call upon the town for a somewhat increased appropriation for the support of schools ; and, for this reason : formerly, your Com- mittee have depended for funds to support our schools during the month of February - i. e., from the close of our fiscal year, January 31 to March 1 -on certain unexpended balances in other departments of the town's business. Unfortunately, the past year, funds from this quarter, for the purpose named, have not been available. In consequence, to the extent of the school's expenditures for one month, to wit, the month of Feb- ruary, being otherwise unprovided for, we have been under the necessity of running in debt. Our experience, at this point, has taught us that doubtless the wise, business-like method of procedure in this case is. frankly to ask the town for funds adequate for the maintenance of our schools for the whole school year. from March 1 through to March 1 again. Meantime, obviously, under existing circumstances. we are obliged for this once to call for an appropriation large enough to cover the demands of a double February.
An additional reason for a somewhat increased appropria- tion, at the present time, may be found in the fact that, in order to accommodate our pupils. we have been obliged to open another school during the past year.
OUR SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT.
1. One year ago, in accordance with the earnest recom- mendation of your Committee, with a view to a more perfect supervision of its school system. it was voted by this town that in conjunction with the neighboring town of Walpole, we adopt the plan of employing a School Superintendent. Ac- cordingly. early in the school year, in joint action with the school committee of the town of Walpole, we decided to avail ourselves of the services, in this capacity, of Mr. F. W. Sweet. a gentleman who had already gained much favor as superin- tendent of the schools of Walpole and Bridgewater. And now. after somewhat less than a year's trial of this plan, we take great pleasure in reporting that. in our judgment, the town has
3
made no mistake in this matter. Your Committee are of the opinion that, all things considered, our Superintendent has scored at least a very encouraging, not to say a decided, suc- cess. Entering upon his work here eight months ago, Mr. Sweet, an entire stranger, has naturally labored under certain peculiar and more or less embarrassing difficulties. He has been obliged, of course. to take, and to make the best of things as he found them, initiating at first only such changes as to him seemed absolutely necessary. One full year even is obviously quite too brief a term, and more especially so in case he is under the necessity of dividing his time, energies and efforts between two towns, for any superintendent, what- ever his abilities, fully to show what he can do for the schools of a community. Besides, in order to do his best work, plainly a school superintendent should be clothed with full power to select and recommend his own teachers ; and should be held responsible for results accordingly. Meanwhile, we have ourselves labored under such disadvantages or disabilities in this case as are naturally incident to the present incumbent of this office being a non-resident ; disadvantages, however. which, evidently, will be wholly obviated. when,-as we con- fidently trust, will, in the near future, be the case,-the town of Franklin shall be favored with the undivided services of a school superintendent. Meantime, we cheerfully recognize the fact that Mr. Sweet has already, by his patieut and faithful instruction of his teachers. by systematizing the work of the schools. and, in many instances, improving the grading of the same, as well as by efficiently supervising both the distribution of supplies and the general finances of the schools, rendered invaluable service to the cause of education in our town.
Without claiming for the present incumbent of this very important and responsible office any ideal excellences or accom- plishments, we yet esteem him a very competent, judicious and useful officer. Alert, diligent, enterprising, capable ; well versed in the needs of public schools. the best methods of teaching, and in the duties of his office generally : progressive. an excellent disciplinarian ; genial, yet firm and decided,- your committee consider themselves fortunate in having thus,
.
10
at the very outset of this, their crucial experiment, secured the services of Mr. F. W. Sweet.
In conclusion, we earnestly recommend that this method of school supervision, now so successfully and hopefully initiated in our midst, will assuredly be continued for the year to come. Having once " broken the icc" in this regard. and made this decided advance in educational matters. Franklin. in our judgment, is by no means the town, on this line, to take any backward step.
For the Committee, MARY A. HOWARD,
Secretary.
[The above report was unanimously adopted by the School Board at a meeting held Tuesday, Feb. 2d. 1892. ]
MARY A. HOWARD, Secretary.
Names of Committee :
CHARLES STEWART.
REBECCA FARNUM. GEORGE KING, MARY A. WIGGIN. J. CUSHING GALLISON. MARY A. HOWARD
Summary of School Board Account.
1.
Support of Schools Account.
Dr. Cr.
To Amount of Annual Appropriation, $8,750 00
Amount of Unexpended Balances to pay Feb. bills, 1,062 14
Tuition received from City Mills School, 29 50
Amount of Dog Tax,
542 80
Income School Fund,
134 66
By Paid Salaries of Teachers to Jan. 31, 1892;
$8.606 40
Paid Janitor's Salaries and Care Houses Jan. 31, 1892.
671 41
Paid for Fuel, Jan. 31, 1892,
937 28
Unexpended balance Jan. 31, 1892,
304 01
$10,519 10 $10.519 10
11
II.
School Books and Supplies.
To Amount of Annual Appropriation, $600 00
Amount of Unexpended Balances to pay Feb. bills, 22 49
By Paid for Books and Supplies to Jan. 31. 1892, 666 93
To Amount overdrawn, 44 44
$666 93
$666 93
III. Repairs of School Buildings.
To Amount of Annual Appropriation, $2,500 00
Amount of Unexpended Balance to pay Feb. bills, 118 95
By Paid for Repairs, including Ventilation of Nason St. Buildings.
2,500 69
By Unexpended balance Jan. 31, 1892,
118 26
$2.618 95
$2.618 95
IV
Ventilation Old High School Building.
To Amount of Appropriation. $2.000
By Paid bills to amount of Balance unexpended Jan. 31, 1892.
1,896 80
103 20
$2,000 00
$2,000 00
V.
Miscellaneous School Expenses.
To Amount of Annual Appropriation, $500 00
Amount of Unexpended balances to pay Feb. bills, 23 13
By Amount of bills paid, Balance unexpended Jan. 31, 1892.
457 11
66 02
$523 13
$523 13
VI.
Superintendent of Schools.
To Amount of Appropriation, $500 00
By Paid Salary of Superintendent of Schools.
$562 50
To Amount overdrawn,
62 50
$562 50
$562 50
* This amount is part of $250 due the Town from State after April 1st, 1892, on account employing a Supt. of Schools.
12
Estimated School Expenses
For the Year Beginning Jan. 31, 1892, and Ending Jan. 31, 1893.
For salary of Superintendent of Schools,
$1500 00
For Support of Schools, including-
(a) Salaries of Teachers.
$9496 00
(b) Fuel,
1250 00
(c) Care Houses,
1400 00
Total,
$12,146 00
Estimated Incomes,
(a) Dog Tax, 540 00
(b) Income School Fund,
130 00
(c) Revenue from State on account of Supt. of Schools, 326 00
Total income, $996 00
Necessary to raise by taxation,
$11.150 00
For Miscellaneous School Expenses,
500 00
For Repairs,
600 00
For Text Books and Supplies.
750 00
Total amount to be raised by taxation,
$14,500 00
REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS.
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE :
The first annual report of your Superintendent of Schools is herewith submitted. In preparing this report it has been my aim to place on record any important changes made during the portion of the year that I have assisted you in the adminis- tration of the schools, to point out what seem our chief needs, and to give such information as may interest the citizens of the town, that all may know something of the aim and spirit of our school work, even if unable to make themselves familiar with it by constant. personal attention. In a limited report like this it is impossible to give more than a slight idea of the Works and aims of our schools. It is of the utmost importance that a close and sympathetic relation should exist between the home and the school, the parent and teacher. We court with closest scrutiny the freest criticism of our work by the citizens, provided they are regular and constant visitors of the schools, acquainted with the methods and aims and sufficiently in- formed to give just criticisms. Every-day visits of citizens, dropping in unexpectedly to see every-day work and encourag. ing pupils and teachers by a display of genuine interest, is what we most need and chiefly like.
TEACHERS.
There have been several resignations and transfers of teachers during the year and appointment of new teachers to fill vacancies. At the close of the summer term resignations were received from the following teachers: Misses Emilie Albee, Susie E. Young. Minerva V. Whitney, Mary J. Burr, Ella G. Daniels and Mr. Chas. R. Adams ; and early in Janu- ary Mr. Geo. H. Chandler resigned as principal of the high school to accept a more lucrative position in the neighboring
14
town of Milford. At the opening of the schools in September Miss Louisa Metcalf was transferred from Primary No. 1 to Intermediate No. 3 ; Miss Rebecca Dunning from Primary No. 2 to Primary No. 1 : Miss Lydia F. Gould from Unionville to Primary No. 2.
Miss Julia G. Stockbridge was elected to vacancy in Inter- mediate No. 1; Miss Ella B. Daniels to Intermediate No. 2 ; Miss Emily T. Morse to Primary No. 6 ; Miss Nellie T. Razee to Unionville ; Miss Susan Senter to 'Latic, and Lucy Tower to the Mount school.
After two months' experience Miss Razee resigned her position at Unionville, and Miss Mary M. Ballou, a teacher of experience, was secured to fill the vacancy.
The vacancy caused by the resignation of Mr. Chandler has been filled by Mr. H. W. Walker, a graduate of Boston University, who has had some two years' successful experience as a teacher, and it is hoped that the work of this school may continue without further interruption.
Since the opening of schools in January many teachers have been sick with the prevailing "grippe," necessitating the closing of various schools for periods varying from one day to four weeks.
It was found necessary, owing to the crowded condition of the sub-grammar grades, to open a third school of this grade early in September. Suitable accommodations were secured in Morse's block, and the services of Miss Gertrude Bly, who had formerly acted in the capacity of assistant teacher, was secured. Miss Bly, who is a graduate of the high school, with- out any additional training beyond the ideas she was able to pick up as assistant, deserves great credit for the degree of success she has attained in the management of this school.
This, I believe, is a correct statement of the changes made during the year, and I will pass on to say a few words about teachers in general.
No class of workers need to have a higher ideal of their work than do the teachers of our schools ; none need to be more constantly active to improve upon past work ; more courageous in meeting difficulties and persistent in overcoming
15
them. It is very easy to fall into that frame of mind in which we charge all shortcomings of our school to the lack of pre- vious good training of our pupils ; to inability of pupils to do good work on account of real or fancied mental weakness in- herent in them. We should never lose sight of the fact that, however discouraging our circumstances, persistent and intel- ligent effort will always improve them and will add to our own power to successfully cope with future difficulties. Granted that pupils have come to us poorly fitted in preceding work, their future success or failure will depend largely upon our own power of discovering in just what they are lacking and our power to devise means for correcting that weakness, our own intelligent persistence in applying the needed remedy. No teacher in Franklin, at least, is asked to do the impossible in covering a fixed amount of ground without regard to the fitness or abilily of her pupils to do such work. She is expected to be nut only willing, but eager, to give her time and strength freely and unstintedly to the constant study and improvement of her, work and school. Doing this wisely and hopefully she can surely count on future success according to her deserts.
Right here let me say that I have little sympathy with those who hold the school responsible for all the training which belongs to the home. Equally little respect have I for the teacher who, seeing an opportunity to help her children to what they need, will neglect that opportunity (it is a privilege as well), on the score that such work more properly belongs to another. Punctuality, neatness, politeness, cheerful obedi- ence to authority, persistence in right-doing, truthfulness- these, indeed, should be grounded in every child by right home-training, but they should be considered by the teacher as the first and best objects of her work in the school-room as well.
The schools below the high school naturally divide them- selves into two classes, ungraded and graded schools.
UNGRADED SCHOOLS.
In the first class fall the six ungraded schools, in which are found quite a large number of the pupils of the first nine
16
years. These schools range from ten to fifty in the average number belonging and from seven to forty-five in average daily attendance. It will be seen that we have several schools in which close grading is impossible, which are too widely scat- tered to be uuited, and which must be maintained essentially as they are. These six teachers, each obliged to teach nine years' work in preparation for the high school, together, but perform the work which three, or at most four, could easily do in one large building, and much less efficiently than four could do it where they could grade their pupils and divide the field of labor. It is in such schools as these that good results are obtained with greatest difficulty. For their improvement we are in duty bound to make every possible exertion to give the best teachers our money will command, liberal supplies of all helps to good teaching, constant direction of teachers in their work, encouragement of every good effort, and frequent oppor- tunities for teachers to go where good work can be observed and new ideas gained. It is a mistaken notion that anything in the shape of a school is good enough for the country dis- tricts, and that the most capable teachers. highest salaries, best supplies and text-books should be kept for the graded schools. It requires the teacher of the most liberal education, largest experience, best judgment, superior training and highest execu- tive ability to successfully manage one of these schools. These schools can never be made satisfactory to the people who, from force of circumstances. are compelled to send their chil- dren to them, so long as the policy is followed of appointing untrained high school gaaduates without any experience to experiment with these schools for a year or two, and if fairly successful transferring them to the center and replacing them by others of the same kind ; or, if proven a failure, keeping them in the position for fear of injuring the feelings of some townsman by asking them to resign. The salaries paid in these schools, instead of being the lowest, should be the high- est, and should command good talent. and, once secured, a good teacher should be retained. Given the right training and spirit in these teach rs, proper materials to work with, careful instruction in good methods, and we may yet hope to
17
see these schools show results which at present are much beyond their power.
I would call your special attention to the
UNIONVILLE SCHOOL ..
In point of numbers this school is much too large to be successfully handled by one teacher. Even if the pupils were all of one grade or class it would be too large. Much bettor results could be attained, and it would be a great advantage, if this school was divided and two teachers employed. I would recommend the remodelling of the building in such manner as to provide two independent rooms and the employment of a primary teacher. The expense of remodelling need not exceed one thousand dollars, and possibly could be done for less.
GRADED SCHOOLS.
By far the large: number of pupils are to be found in the centre graded schools. In these schools, where the work is divided among the teachers, so that no one is required to carry an unreasonable load, is to be shown what standard of work we can maintain. What they do for their pupils will determine what preparation the ungraded schools must give their candi- dates for the high school. The conditions for good work here are such that success is assured if we but improve our opportuni- ties. The grading of the Arlington street primaries received my early attention, and, with your consent, they were regraded. By the former method each teacher had three grades, and the two schools were alike; by the present arrangement all the first year pupils are in one room and the second and third year pupils in the other. A similar change was made in the Nason street intermediate schools, each teacher at present having only one year's work, whereas by the other plan each teacher had two classes Upon the completion of the new high school building a similar improvement can be made in the high gram- mar grades by putting all the pupils of the eighth year in one room and all ninth year pupils in the other.
The greatest need of the schools at present is unification. This is gradually being achieved by means of teachers' meet- ings and a course of study. The work for each year is care-
18
fully laid out and each teacher asked to come as near as cir- cumstances will permit. Teachers' meetings have been held, the courses discussed and methods suggested, outlines have been furnished in writing. language, geography and numbers, and are already in the hands of the teachers, and others are in preparation.
PRIMARY METHODS.
Within a comparatively few years primary school work has undergone a complete change in its methods and its scope has been greatly enlarged. Pupils no longer are allowed to get through two or three years of school life before they begin to write. The A, B, C method of teaching reading is as dead as is the opposition with which a better was at first met. The test of a child's power to spell is now conceded by his ability to write words correctly, and no oral repetition of the names of the letters, however fluent, can atone for the failure to write the word. In arithmetic, real numbers are at last the objects of study, and figures and signs are recognized for what they are-symbols representing real things. Phonics, form, color, music-all these the modern primary teacher is expected to be able to teach as well as the standard three R's, which we have always with us. Primary teaching is an art, requiring careful preparation by her who would practice it, and she who is in the work without such preparation must learn that she can hope to succeed only by becoming a student and revising her work only in the light of what she learns. And what is true of the untrained teacher is true of her who has had some techni- cal training, though the latter is much the better able to master her work. No teacher can be trusted to do good work unless she is a student all the time, learning from those who are her superiors in technical knowledge, learning always the lessons of experience within her own school.
Some consideration of the most common primary studies may not be out of place here, that we may reach a clear agree- ment as to the objects of each and the methods to be employed to secure the desired results. If what is said is conceded to be true, some changes in present methods will be seen to demand the attention of our teachers.
19
READING.
All teaching of reading has for its object the cultivation of the child's power to get thought from the printed page (silent reading), and to IMPART that thought to others (oral reading). By this success in securing these results all our methods and devices are to be judged. If our children, provided with proper material, cannot tell in their own words what they have just read, or if their oral reading consists in simply "calling" the words one by one, with no regard to the thought expressed by the whole sentence, we may safely infer that their reading is not reading at all, since they neither get nor give the thought ; that something is radically wrong in our teaching and must be changed if we would be successful.
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