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FORTIETH
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE OFFICERS OF THE
TOWN OF FRANKLIN,
FOR THE
FISCAL YEAR ENDING JAN. 31, 1898.
FRANKLIN : SENTINEL PRINT, 1898.
FORTIETH
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE OFFICERS OF THE
TOWN OF FRANKLIN,
FOR THE
FISCAL YEAR ENDING JAN. 31, 1898.
FRANKLIN : SENTINEL PRINT, 1898.
3
TOWN OFFICERS ELECTED
For the Municipal Year of 1897-98.
SELECTMEN :
CHARLES F. NYE, GEORGE P. MASON, JOHN G. CUNNINGHAM.
Town Clerk : ORESTES T. DOE.
Treasurer : HENRY R. JENKS.
Assessors :
WILLIAM ROCKWOOD, JAMES O. CHILSON, ELISHA P. CHAPMAN.
Overseers of Poor : GEORGE E. EMERSON, CHAIRMAN, SAMUEL Y. REED, HIRAM WHITING.
Auditor : NELSON E. NEWELL.
Collector of Taxes : EDWARD H. SHERMAN.
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School Committee :
FRED P. CHAPMAN, GEORGE KING, CHAIRMAN,
Term expires March, 1898
:6 66
66 1899
WILLIAM A. WYCKOFF,
66
66 1900
Board of Health :
GREGORY A. MARTIN, CHAIRMAN,
Term expires 1899
DWIGHT M. HODGE,
66
66 1898
WILLIAM H. COLBY,
66
6: 1900
Constables :
LEWIS R. WHITAKER, FRED L. DAVIS,
KERVIN R. JEWETT.
Fence Viewers :
GRANVILLE H. ELLIS, WILTON A. POND. CYRUS M. ALLEN.
Field Drivers : CARL B. JOHNSON, DOUGLASS P. A. JACOBY, HENRY E. RUGGLES.
Pound Keeper : NORMAN B. STONE.
Committee of Fifteen :
FREDERIC E. ALDRICH, E. LOVELL METCALF, JOSEPH G. RAY, CHARLES H. CORBIN, CHARLES STEWART,
JOSEPH P. BASSETT,
MANCY M. DANIELS, DENNIS F. O'SULLIVAN.
GEORGE N. GASKILL, JOSEPH M. WHITING, GEORGE W. WIGGIN,
TIMOTHY J. HEALEY,
WALTER M. FISHER, AMOS P. WOODWARD,
CHARLES E. WOODWARD.
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5
OFFICERS APPOINTED.
Superintendent of Streets : CHARLES S. RAND.
Special Police :
CHARLES R. GOWEN,
JOSEPH T. HUTCHINSON,
WILLIAMG CODY,
FRED L. DAVIS,
KERVIN R. JEWETT,
EDMUND J. ROCKWOOD,
GEORGE BOURBEAU, AMOS W. STONE, DANIEL W FISHER, WILLIAM REDPATH, WILLARD H. FISH, GEORGE W. HILL.
Surveyors of Lumber :
WILLIAM ROCKWOOD, GEORGE M. WADSWORTH,
CLARENCE H. WOODWARD. WALTER M FISHER.
Measurers of Wood and Bark :
WILLIAM ROCKWOOD. T. JEFFERSON DANIELS,
WILTON A. POND, GEORGE M WADSWORTH,
ALEXANDER M. HAGGART, KERVIN R. JEWETT,
CLARENCE H. WOODWARD, THOMAS B. ALLEN,
NORMAN B. STONE.
Measurers of Grain :
FRANK D. METCALF, JAVES F. RAY, NATHAN B. ARNOLD, GEORGE M. WADSWORTH, CLARENCE H. WOODWARD, WILLIAM ROCKWOOD.
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Weighers of Coal and Hay :
JOSEPH E. CLARK, CLARENCE H. WOODWARD,
GEORGE M. WADSWORTH, KERVIN R. JEWETT,
JAMES F. RAY, NATHAN B. ARNOLD,
ANSON B. LONGWORTH, JESSE D. HOPKINS, THOMAS KEEFE, ALEXANDER M. HAGGART, JAMES B. CROCKER, ELMER M. WADSWORTH.
Sealer of Weights and Measures : GRANVILLE H. ELLIS.
Inspector of Kerosene Oil : GRANVILLE H. ELLIS.
Agents for Burial of Soldiers : EDWIN A. MASON, WALTER M. FISHER.
Inspector of Animals and Provisions : WILLIAM F. KING.
Police Officers : SILAS W. NICKERSON, ANTHONY CONNOR, WILLIAM REDPATH.
Auctioneers :
LEWIS R. WHITAKER,
DAVID W. CORSON.
Deputy Collector of Taxes : JEROME B. FITZPATRICK.
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Forest Fire Wards :
CHARLES S. RAND, ALMON SANBORN, WILLIAM F. KING, T. JEFFERSON DANIELS,
CHARLES E. WOODWARD, JAMES M. PARKER, ALBERT J. NEWELL, ELLIOT POOR,
NORMAN B. STONE.
Engineers of Fire Department : JOHN G. CUNNINGHAM, JAMES B. MCKINNON,
EDGAR A. METCALF, GEORGE I. PECK, WILLIAM F. BUCKLEY.
Registrars of Voters :
NATHAN C. NYE, BRADLEY M. ROCKWOOD,
Term expires May, 1898
66
1899
JAMES E. KELLY,
. .
66
66
1900
ORESTES T. DOE, Ex-officio Clerk.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
OF THE
TOWN OF FRANKLIN
FOR THE
YEAR ENDING JANUARY 31, 1898.
Dr. GEORGE E. KING, Chairman, Term Expires March 1899 FRED P. CHAPMAN.
66 1898
WILLIAM A. WYCKOFF, Secretary,
66 64 1900
E. D. DANIELS, Superintendent.
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Report of School Committee.
TO THE INHABITANTS OF FRANKLIN :
While it is our duty to make annually a detailed report of our Public Schools, containing such suggestions and informa- tion as we may think necessary to promote their interests, we do not deem it of importance to make it so elaborate as we otherwise might, were it not that the Superintendent's report is also published with the Town report, dealing more fully than ours in matters relating to the schools.
SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS.
We regard it a striking feature of our public school sys- tem that our ancestors should have incorporated into it such strenuous and elaborate provisions for securing to all children and youth brought under its influence such a high standard of morals and those noble and patriotic sentiments, which we have found, from sad experience, of such vital importance in maintaining our country undivided with its republican government and free institutions.
Their solemn injunctions expressed in the following schools statutes cannot, we believe, be kept too fresh in the minds of all parents and teachers, viz. : "It shall be the duty of all preceptors and teachers of academies and all other instruct- ors of youth to exert their best endeavors to impress on the minds of children and youth committed to their care and instruction, the principles of piety and justice and a sacred re- gard to truth ; love of their country, honesty and universal be- nevolence ; sobriety, industry and frugality ; chastity, moderation and temperance,and those other virtues which are the armament
.
12
of human society, and the basis upon which a republican con- stitution is founded." * * "And also to point out to them the evil tendency of the opposite vices."
Where in any ancient classical writings can be found more comprehensive and elevating sentiments to secure the greatest happiness and prosperity to all members of society than these? In fulfillment of such obligations we have en- deavored to procure such teachers as should be able, not only to give instruction in such studies as are required to be taught in our schools in this department of learning, but also, by their personal examples at all times, both by word and deed, to be a shining example for their scholars to follow. If the community in general should exert an equally good in- fluence, who can doubt the salutary effects on our school children and on the young of the rising generation, and the greatly improved moral condition of society at large? Some, witnessing the dire evils of intemperance in society, are dis- posed to think that more time, relatively to other studies, should be given to those branches which they lay so much stress on to overcome it. While we are ready to acknowl- edge that much can be extended by such teaching, we believe it is often much overrated in comparison with the salutary effects of a good example and such other means as could be used to suppress it. Any one at all familiar with the number of studies required to be taught in our schools must realize that the amount of time devoted to this one department of study must, of necessity, be very limited. However, con- sidering the importance of moral character, would it not be well for parents and others to seriously consider the feasibility of seconding the efforts of our teachers in this direction, by resorting to some such expedient as have the Western com- munities? It is stated on good authority that, at least, three hundred towns and cities in the West have adopted curfew laws, compelling all children under fifteen years of age, un- less accompanied by parents or absent with leave, to be at home at nine o'clock in the evening in summer and eight in the winter. It is also stated that police officers generally tes- tify to a marked decrease of arrests in places where the law
13
has been enforced, and school teachers notice a decided im- provement in their pupils.
In this respect we believe that our schools are in a much better condition than those in many places where less strenu- ous efforts are made to suppress the causes that degrade the morals of children. Of one thing we feel assured, that none have a more favorable influence exerted over them than by our corps of teachers.
When we consider the advancement and standing of our schools in other respects, in comparison with other schools of our state, we believe they may fairly be classed as good or very good. We certainly have none that can be regarded as poor. If we have none that can take first rank in their advancement, we feel confident that it is not from want of ability on the part of some of our teachers that they have not attained that distinction, but rather to certain retarding conditions which, as yet, the school management have not been able to fully ob- viate. Of these the principle one is, that we have been so seldom able to procure and retain thoroughly trained teachers for our lower grades of schools for the salary which it has been the custom of the school committees of this town to pay . Many persons entertain the opinion that graduates from our High school should be allowed to teach such grades without additional preparation. We regard this as an erroneous idea, and it has no doubt many times led to their employment much to the disadvantage of the schools. We quite agree with the most experienced superintendents and other close observers of our school system, that graduates of high schools should, be- fore becoming candidates for teachers, have a complete and careful review of the work of the primary and grammar schools. To accomplish this in the most thorough manner, we would earnestly recommend such to take a normal course, and when possible supplement it by attending for six months a training school supervised by an expert superintendent. The attempt of some graduates of high schools to substitute for such a course a "short cut" by attending for a short time in the summer what is termed a "training class," has proved ineffectual, and some have even thought it harmful, inasmuch
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as it leads to imitation of the practice observed, without the teaching of the fundamental principles underlying it, and the necessary practice to make it useful.
Until we are able to procure teachers that have had such advantages or their equivalent, we have no good reason to ex- pect any very decided advancement in the standard of our higher grades, however well they may be equipped with teachers and supervision. We have reason to think that we shall soon be able to do so in a large degree, as four additional normal schools in this state open during the year, and Rad- cliffe and other colleges have already established departments for the training of teachers.
We fully sympathize with those graduates from our high schools who desire to teach, but have not the means to pur- sue a more extended course. But we deem it unwise to let our sympathies divert us from the importance of doing all that is possible to secure a good and sure foundation for such a noble structure as is our public school system. As only about one-third of the teachers in the public schools of the state are normal graduates and are for the most part employed in cities and wealthy towns, we cannot expect, for the present, to secure such for our schools in any large degree. But we do believe that if committees and superintendents would more strenuously insist on employing such, that the supply would rapidly increase. Under such conditions the best we have been able to do has been to procure as many teachers as pos- sible, who were graduates of high schools and who had had practice in teaching under good supervision. We have sev- eral such teachers in the different grades whom we regard as excellent teachers and whom we hope to be able to retain. But we are compelled to say that some who had, for a long time, done us good and faithful service, have resigned and are now teaching in larger towns and cities where larger salaries are paid. In a few cases, where we were compelled to se- lect a teacher on short notice, and at a time when the larger part of the most desirable teachers were occupied in teaching, they, after a short trial, proved unsatisfactory, and we were obliged to get others to fill their places. It is gratifying, how-
15
ever, for us to be able to say that we have several teachers in our higher grades who are either college or normal gradu- ates and have had such long and successful experience in teaching that they are fully entitled to rank as first-class.
While we are not always able, from one year's observa- tion, to determine the exact degree of progress made in our schools, as a whole, still a more extended one assures us that some advancement, at least, is being made. When our ob- servation is directed to some particular branches of study, the changes are often more noticeable. We will only call atten- tion to one at this time. Some time last year we substituted in the low schools the vertical for the slanting system of writing, which has been so long and universally in use in all our schools. A careful examination of specimens from all the scholars of several schools convinces us that the vertical method is superior to the other in securing a more legible and useful style for practice work in school and book-keeping. Several branches of study that are not now taught in our schools, viz. : Agriculture, drawing and use of tools and the art of cooking, and which by some are thought to be more useful than some that are taught, may be introduced at the option of the School Committee. Time my determine the propriety and usefulness of having them taught, but in the present condition of our schools we do not see how they can be taken up to advantage.
HIGH SCHOOL
What has been said in regard to the necessity of improv- ing our lower grades of schools for the advancement of the higher is equally applicable to the High School. Owing to the greater variety of studies necessary in this grade in pro- portion to the lower, the cost per scholar for the teaching force is, under the most favorable conditions, very much greater. But when the number is such as to make the classes small, the disproportion in cost is very much greater than when the numbers are such as to make the classes of nearer the maxi- mum size that can be taught. by nearly the same number of teachers with equally good results.
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We believe it to be quite true that the present number of about sixty-five scholars in this school could be nearly doubled with comparatively little increase of cost for teaching, which, of course, would make the cost per pupi! very much less. Quite a number of the classes have now from one to eight or nine scholars in each, whereas it is believed by most good teachers that the number might be increased to about twenty in many studies with equally good advancement.
However, we are hopeful in the near future of improving these unfavorable conditions in the way that we have indi- cated, and by a judicious selection of studies adapted to the aims and mental condition of those desiring to continue in school beyond the grammar grades, so that a much larger number may be induced to take and continue in a full High School course. With the greatly modified courses in the col- leges including the higher English, and the scientific and the classical, and the large number of technical and industrial schools, it would seem that parents and their advisors might find it less difficult than formerly to decide on a course of study in the High School that would be most likely to sub- serve the best interests of their children in after life. The absolute necessity for a largely classical course, formerly so strenuously insisted upon, has been greatly modified by the larger number of our best educational institutions, and a happy medium is now thought best adapted for that large class who do not expect to earn their living by strictly profes- sional employments. It is our opinion that we have had at all times during the year a very competent and faithful corps of teachers in this school, and that they have exerted their best efforts to make it worthy of its name.
TRANSPORTATION OF SCHOLARS.
Up to the present time we have been able to accommo- date all the scholars from the discontinued schools, in schools previously established, and, therefore, without additional cost for teachers. But the time is near at hand when we shall either have to establish an additional school or employ an as- sistant teacher, if we continue to transport all that we now do.
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Several of our schools have already the number of scholars that can be taught to the best advantage by our teachers. We find that the cost of transporting scholars from the northwest part of the town is about the same as that of supporting the school there. While there are some advantages arising from classification in this course, there are some disadvantages arising from the longer time that it requires to go and return from school. As long as there are enough scholars for a fair- sized school it is doubtful whether it would be justifiable to about double the cost for transporting them, which would be the result if we had to employ an extra teacher. With the probabilities of an increased expense necessary we would advise an increase in the appropriation over last year to enable us to do whatever may be thought best. Some parents sending scholars to the Populatic School have expressed a wish to have the scholars of that school brought up to the Centre ; but, as yet, we do not see the way clear to recom- mend it.
SCHOOL EXPENSES AND ESTIMATES.
It will be seen by the Town Treasurer's report that the expenses for the past year have exceeded the appropriations that were made for support of schools, including salary of Superintendent, repairs of school houses, transportation, etc., etc., by the sum of $177.26. Nearly all this excess was required to pay for changes made necessary in consequence of the alterations made in the Horace Mann school house, rec- ommended by a special committee and authorized by the town, and which, of course, could not have been anticipated by us at the time of making our last year's report.
Our estimate for the fiscal year commencing Feb. 1, 1898, for the support of schools, including salary of Super- intendent, repairs of school house, school books and supplies, miscellaneous school expenses and transportation of scholars, is thirteen thousand five hundred dollars ($13,500), and we recommend that the town raise and appropriate that sum for the above specified purposes.
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SUPERINTENDENT.
We most decidedly recommend the town to continue the employment of a Superintendent of Schools. While we are not fully prepared to recommend the town to raise the addi- tional funds necessary to employ a separate Superintendent we are of the opinion that it has many advantages over the method now in use.
For the School Committee,
GEORGE KING, Chairman. Jan. 31, 1898.
REPORT OF SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT
MEMBERS OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE, GENTLEMEN :
In accordance with custom and the laws of the common- wealth I submit to you my fifth annual report of the public schools of Franklin. In the first place I wish to thank you for your continued confidence and generous support of all plans for the betterment of the schools. The object of this report is not to conceal, but to justly reveal the present con- ditions of the schools and outline plans for the future.
In the unusual amount of work given me this year the greatest trouble has been the finding and retention of excel- lent teachers for the salaries the town is willing to pay. Rules and Regulations of the School Committee, adopted 1895, Chapter II, Section 11 states : "Any teacher intending to resign shall give the superintendent four weeks' notice of such intention." In the history of this year this excellent and almost universal by-law in Massachusetts has become merely a recommendation. What shall be done when the teachers
19
refuse to comply ? One pleads ignorance, yet a copy of the by-laws is in each teacher's desk. Another refuses obedi- ence. Four weeks is ample time to find a suitable person to teach. Four days, two days are not. Barely had the new committee for the school year of 1897-8 organized when notice came that Miss Lee of the Unionville school would leave. Fortunately for the town's interest conditions were such that by the transfer of Miss Bertha Ellis from City Mills to Union- ville, and by the appointment of Miss Pearl Jacobs to the former place, there was little interruption in the work. Miss Lee had proved herself a capable-and most popular teacher, and it is certainly to her credit that the citizens of Unionville and the committee tried so hard to retain her services. Miss Ellis had been most successful at City Mills and was enabled to assume and master the position in spite of the fact that it was in her own village. The school at present is far better than before in respect to thoroughness, balance, discipline and personal interest for each child. It matters little, parents, in the course of years how fast your child progresses if he is not thorough in his tasks.
Miss Pearl Jacobs at City Mills had many new phases of school life to meet and overcome. A successful teacher must be a student of more than the daily task, must from the given principles of education work out his own methods. Many parents are fond of blaming teachers and school officials for defects in their children for which they are alone responsible. Miss Jacobs is doing quiet, faithful and efficient service for the town.
At 'Latic, the remaining school district not transported, the conditions are not so satisfactory. In January, '97, Miss Rachel Wordell, a recent graduate from Bridgewater Normal school. was elected. She brought the experience of three years in school duties, enriched by the course at Normal, and in the enthusiasm of that light taught a most successful school. After repeated promises of remaining another year, she suddenly-late in August-resigned. What was to be done? The best normal graduates had already been secured. Of the second grade, one promised to remain just long
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enough to fit herself for a position in Quincy. In this dilemma Miss Mabel Perry was secured. Miss Perry is a cultured lady of high character and highest ideals, but is lacking in some of the methods and adaptability always possessed by normal graduates. The parents of this district, realizing the greater advantages secured by the other districts whose pupils are carried to the center graded schools, late last October submit- ted an informal and unwritten petition to the committee ask- ing for the same privilege. Because this petition was un- written and because the committee on repairs, acting on my recommendation had already spent this year considerable money on repairs long needed at 'Latic, this petition has not been acted upon. There was no desire on the part of the parents last spring, as far as I could learn, for transportation. I believe that greater progress and advantage come to all the pupils when the little local school is closed and the pupils are centralized in the larger graded schools. That there may be certain evils attending none can deny, but with responsible drivers the children's health and morals are better cared for here than when running wild at the district schools. Much trouble and dissatisfaction arose, too, this fall at the North- West. Petition and contra-petition came in. It was not my purpose to involve the school department in what seemed a neighborhood quarrel and so, after lengthy inquiry, it was de- cided that the majority in the district should be regarded, and the plan for transportation was wisely continued.
The primary schools at the Brick School, Nason and Arlington Streets, have been taught by the same teachers this year, and with commendable success. Too many supplies . and too much encouragement and support cannot be given to these teachers, for here the foundation is being laid. At the Arlington, Miss Morse is sadly in need of a permanent assist- ant. Fifty pupils in that grade and that portion of the town need much more care and instruction than in some schools. Miss Morse renders faithful service, but it would be economy for the town to give her a permanent assistant in the place of an occasional pupil-teacher. Both Miss Pearl Jacobs and Miss Kate Healy have acted as temporary assist-
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ants this year, and without pay.
It did not seem wise to the school officials to continue the teacher of last spring at the Four Corners. Accordingly your Superintendent recommended for election Miss Bertha Hood of Franklin, who had received one year's training at Fram- ingham Normal and three years' experience at Medway. Miss Hood's service has at all times been faithful and occa- sionally even brilliant. Late in August a petition signed by all the parents sending pupils to this school came before the School Committee, but as all arrangements had been com- pleted several months before, no action could be taken.
Miss Barbara E. Vogler, a Bridgewater Normal graduate of 1897, with the highest commendation of the principal, was elected in place of Miss Stockbridge, who had resigned, at Nason street. This has been a hard school, and the enthu- siasm and devotion of Miss Vogler have won its merited suc- cess. At the School street, more responsibility has been placed upon Miss Reilly, and a slight increase in salary given. Miss Reiley excels in discipline and harmonious management of the schools. She is worthy of more remun- eration from the town. In place of Miss Saxton it seemed eminently wise to employ Mr. Charles Frazer, a Franklin boy, who had trained several months in the High School. In these few months of actual service he has surpassed the expectations of his best friends. Miss Senter was retained at the opening of the year. Later she resigned and insisted that it take place at once. This action left the department of geography in poor condition. Your Superintendent, in the few days granted, made a hurried examination of some fifteen candidates and selected the best presented. She proved a failure, and at the end of the term was obliged to give place to Miss Lizzie D. Fanell. A short sentence, but the untimely resignation of Miss Senter cost the Superintendent fifty letters, three days' time and many miles of travel hunting for the right teacher. Only a few of the candidates wishing to teach are fitted. A day laborer can leave his task any night and not return, with no sense of honor lost. The higher the service the higher and greater the responsibility upon the servant.
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