USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Newburyport > City Officers and the Annual Reports to the City Council of Newburyport 1880 > Part 14
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From the treasurer's report, which has been carefully examined and verified by the City Auditor, it appears that an unexpended balance of $6309.89 will be carried to the sinking fund for the extin- guishment of the city debt, of which sum only $3000, was spec- . cifically appropriated for that purpose. In consequence of a change made by the School Committee in the payment of the salaries due the school teachers, (carrying the payment forward one month,) the balance remaining to the credit of the school department is $1500 larger than it otherwise would have been. But I am happy to say the bills incurred in this as well as every other department, so far as it has been possible to obtain them, have been approved and paid, so that the indebtedness of the city at this date is much less than usual.
The detailed statement is as follows :
POOR DEPARTMENT.
Appropriation
$12,000 00
Income
3,272 41-$15,272 41
Expenditures 16,219 89
Overdrawn
$ 1,047 48
-
258
CLOSING ADDRESS.
SCHOOL DEPARTMENT.
Appropriation
$23,500 00
Income.
$1,050.24-$24,550 24
Expenditures
24,590 47
Overdrawn
¥40 23
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
Appropriation $6,500 00
Income
20 00-$6,520 00
Expenditures
7,238 01
Overdrawn
$718 01
HIGHWAYS.
Appropriations, highways, .
.$3,000 00
Sidewalks and edgestones 1,000 00
.6
Stone paving.
2,300 00
Income from highways 111 52
Sidewalks and edgestones 816 20- $7,227 72
Expenditures on highways. .
3,516 59
66
Stone paving.
2,148 50- 7,485 53
Overdrawn
$257 81
INCIDENTALS.
Appropriations $2,000 00
Income, liquor licenses
5,850 00
Non resident bank tax
2,206 89
Corporation tax 1880. 5,856 81
66 sundry other sources 151 58-$16,065 28
Expenditures .
5,693 75
Abatement taxes, 1874 -- 78.
1,011 53
Water commission expenses
1,150 75
Widening Merrimac street. 406 75-$8,262 78
Undrawn
$7.802 50
PUBLIC PROPERTY
Appropriation $4,500 00
Income from City Hall
871 25
.6 Market house and cellar 400 00
66 Burial lots 40 00
66 other sources 91 50-$5,905 75
Expenditures
8,437 26
Overdrawn. $2,531 51
DAY AND NIGHT POLICE.
Appropriation $6.500 00
Income from clerk of police court for witness fees 942 98- $7,442 98
Expenditures 8,250 80
Overdrawn
$807 82
Sidewalks and edgestones. 1,820) 44
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CLOSING ADDRESS
LIGHTING STREETS, &C.
Appropriation
.$5,800 00
Expenditures 5,733 11
Undrawn
$66 89
INTEREST
Appropriations $25,000 00
Income from overdue taxes.
1,297 50
City railroad dividends 2,782 50
on bank deposit 198 37
Discount on County tax 23 80-$29,302 17
Expenditures 29,209 81
Undrawn
$92 36
SALARIES.
Appropriation
$4,200 00
Expenditures 4,027 16
Undrawn.
$172 84
FUEL.
Appropriation $5,000 00
Income
1 10-$5,001 10
Expenditures
3,900 37
Undrawn
$1,100 73
Appropriation $200 00
Undrawu
200 00
PUBLIC LIBRARY.
Appropriation $1,000,00
Income from dog money .
445 10
Town of Newbury 146 00
Fines
20 50- $1,611 60
Expenditures
1,482 28
Undrawn.
$129 32
BRIDGES AND CULVERTS.
Appropriation .$1,200 00
Income
90- $1,200 90
Expenditures, Newburyport bridge. 1,169 14
Essex Merrimac bridge 407 96
Culverts
475 69 - $2 052 79
Overdrawn
$851 89
SINKING FUND.
Appropriation
$3,000 00
Undrawn .
3,000 00
Total amount of balances undrawn ៛12,564 64 .. 66
overdrawn ..
6,254 75
Carried to sinking fund this year.
$6,309 89
BOARD OF HEALTH.
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CLOSING ADDRESS.
The net cost of the Poor Department to the tax payers of New- buryport, (exclusive of fuel) is $1,846.01 less for the year 1880 than for the year 1879. An additional saving to the city of 3 3-4 cords of wood and 133 1-2 tons of coal has also been effected dur- the past twelve months. Your attention has been called to the necessity that exists in this department for a new and more com- modious almshonse, and some preliminary steps have been taken in relation to its construction, but an order authorizing the com- mittee on almshouse and poor to procure the necessary plans and proceed with the work, failed to meet your approval. The bequest, therefore, of the late Rev. William Horton, D. D., amounting to $19,- 589.23, received June 22, 1880, has been placed in the hands of the sinking fund commissioners for safe keeping, until some defi- nite plan of action is agreed upon.
A recent vote of the school committe in regard to the payment of the salaries of school teachers, to which reference has been made, has reduced the overdrawn balance in that department to $40.28. With the outstanding bills paid the overdraft would exceed $1500.
In addition to the usual expenses of the fire department a new hose carriage has been purchased during the year at a cost of $600, which sum has been charged to the appropriation made for that department.
The paving of Merrimac street commenced in 1879, has been extended to the foot of Green street at a cost this year of $2,148 50. The macadamizing of High street has also been extended to the head of Broad street. If, hereafter, appropriations are made to continue the work now pratically inaugurated, of paving those streets used for the transportation of heavy merchandise and mac- adamizing those that accommodate only the lighter travel, a decided and substantial improvement in our highways will ulti- mately be secured. The straightening and widening of Merrimac street, near the foot of Market street, has been partially completed, and the bills for the improvement made up to the close of the fis- cal year, amounting to $406.75, have been paid. Unavoidable de- lays have rendered it necessary to wait until spring opens before attempting to finish the work. The estimated cost of this improve- ment is $2000, two-thirds of which is assessed upon the county, and one-third upon the city of Newburyport.
The cost of keeping the city teams and the pay of the teamsters has been charged to the appropriations for public property. Credit
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CLOSING ADDRESS.
should be given for the work they have performed, which if done would leave an unexpended balance of about fifteen hundred dollars in that department, instead of an overdraft of $2,531.51 as now appears from the statement submitted.
ESTIMATED EARNINGS OF THE CITY TEAMS.
Highway Department, 625 days, double teams. at $4.00 $2,500 00
321 single
$3.00 963 00
Poor Department,
22 1-2 " double 66 $4.00 90 00
4 1-2 “ single
$3.00 15 00
Fire Department, 9
$2.00 27 00
attendance on steamers at fires $12.50
312 50
hose carriages at $5.00
85 00
Public Property,
4 days' work, double teams at$4.00
16 00
. 6
5 single
$3.00
15 00
Bridges and culverts 1
double
$4.00
4 00
Water Commiss'ers, 1
$4.00
4 00
$4,031 50
A new municipal register has been prepared and published by order of the city council. Some errors and omissions have, un- doubtedly, been made in its compilation, but it is believed that it will be found to be as full and complete a collection of the ordinan- ces, rules, and orders, and other matters relating to the govern- ment of the city of Newburyport, as could reasonably be expec- ted.
An ordinance establishing the office of city auditor has been adopted during the past year, and the committee on finance thereby re- lieved from that personal investigation and verification of the treasurer's accounts which, from the nature of the case, it has been found impossible for them to satisfactorily perform. A thorough and systematic examination of books and vouchers, involving cash transactions extending through a period of twelve months, requires much time, and the experience and peculiar training of a careful and competent expert. Heretofore the work has been wholly neg- lected or hastily and superficially done ; hereafter, with an auditor as competent in the discharge of his duties as the one we now have, the interests of the city will be well protected.
The effort to extend the Bartlet Mall around Pond street, and to improve the same as a public promenade, has failed from causes be-
262
CLOSING ADDRESS.
yond the control of the committee having the matter in charge. The funds necessary to purchase the property in that vicinity were sub- scribed by private citizens interested in the contemplated improve- ment, and by former residents desirous of beautifying and adorning that locality. Negotiations were commenced for a transfer of the land, and the removal of the buildings, but the sudden illness and death of Mrs. Sarah W. Hale, and the subsequent legal difficulties in the way of obtaining a perfect title to that portion belonging to the estate of the late Moses Brown, Esq., has resulted in a tempo- rary abandonment of the scheme. An appeal to the legislature by the next city government, for the right to take this property for the proposed extension of the Mall is the only feasible plan that can be suggested for the furtherance of this desirable object. The com- mittee to whom this contemplated improvement was committed by the city council desire to express their obligations to Edward S. Mosely, Esq., for his earnest and successful efforts to secure the funds necessary to carry out the plans and wishes of the council, as well as for his advice and assistance in the negotiations for the purchase of the property.
The recommendation made in my inaugural address in relation to the sprinkling of High street with water, during the summer months, met with a liberal response from many of our public- spirited citizens, and especially from Michael H. Simpson, Esq., of Boston, who generously offered to donate one thousand dollars to- wards the funds needed to put the plan into practical operation. It was found, however, after careful investigation, that the expense of providing the necessary supply of water, tanks, carts, and other apparatus, and the time required to place them in position, ready for service, would not justify the joint special committee of the council in undertaking to carry out the proposed plan during the summer of 1880. Next year, however, if the work is undertaken, and the arrangements perfected early in the season, the comfort and convenience of a well watered thoroughfare, extending from one end of the city to the other can be secured.
A petition, signed by many influential citizens, asking the aid of the city government in relation to the better accommodation of those who have occasion to frequent the post office in this city, has re- ceived careful attention, and the erection of a suitable building en- sured, by private enterprise, if a convenient and acceptable loca- tion could be obtained. The owners, however, of the most desir-
263
CLOSING ADDRESS.
able lots on State street, and in that immediate vicinity, having de- clined to sell, or even to name a price at which they would dispose of their property, the attempt to provide a structure specially de- signed and built for a post-office has been reluctantly abandoned.
The most important question that has occupied your attention, the past year, has been one relating to the introduction of water into the city of Newburyport. The many considerations involved still render the question one of vital interest to every tax-payer in this community.
The board of water commissioners, elected under chapter 239 of the acts of 1880, have investigated the subject at a cost of $1,150.75 and the bills have been paid and charged to the account of in- cidentals.
Although the conclusions reached and recommendations made by the commissioners failed to receive, at the polls, the two-thirds vote necessary to secure their adoption, nevertheless due credit should be given for the earnest efforts made to present to the public a new, and, in the opinion of the commissioners, satisfactory solu- tion of the problem. After much discussion and the final adjust- ment of legal questions involved, a contract with the Newburyport Water Company was accepted by the city council, submitted to citizens and approved by them. This contract has since been duly signed and executed, and the long contemplated work will un- doubtedly be entered upon early in the spring.
My objections to the proposal as finally agreed upon - making the city of Newburyport a party to the contract for a term of twenty years, - have doubtless been misconstrued and misrepre- sented. I am convinced, after due consideration of the subject, that water can be supplied by a private company cheaper and more acceptably than at the public expense. Six hundred cities and towns in England and Wales, and I know not how many in New England, are thus supplied. But the water should be pure, and the source adequate from whence the supply comes, not liable to be affected when droughts prevail, - and the terms of the contract carefully worded to avoid future controversy. With more time for deliberation I believe some of these points might have been more effectually guarded against, and subsequent complications and annoyances avoided.
It is possible, also, that a corporation, controlled by men iden- tified with the material prosperity of Newburyport, and anxious to
35
264
CLOSING ADDRESS.
advance its interests, could have been organized under the act es- tablishing the Newburyport Water Company, if opportunity had been offered, and that better terms for the public and private supply of water would have been submitted.
Briefly stated, then, my objection to the contract as it stands is, that its acceptance excludes from public consid- eration, other proposals of responsible parties more favorable to the public interests. Actuated solely by a desire to secure for the city the best possible proposition that could be obtained, I could not under the circumstances, favor the one that has been finally accepted. Nevertheless I do not wish to be considered as an un- qualified opponent to the introduction of water. My objection ap- plies to this particular contract and the exclusion of all competitors ; not to the broader and more important question-how, when, and from what source shall the city of Newburyport be supplied with pure water for domestic and manufacturing purposes. I do not wish at this time, however, to re-open the discussion of the subject, and merely allude to it now in order that I may place my- self squarely and fairly on record in regard to it.
In conclusion, gentlemen, allow me to thank you for the courtesy and kindly consideration extended to me on all occasions. I have received at your hands a public testimonial of your good will and esteem which I cannot fail to appreciate, and remember with pride and satisfaction. The social gatherings which have brought us into nearer personal relation to each other have been productive of some good if they remind you occasionally, as they surely will me, of the dutes and pleasures forever associated with the administration of municipal affairs in 1880.
The sudden and serious disaster that has fallen up this com- munity would sadden the festivities to which I had intended to in- vite you to-night. A modification of my plans has therefore been rendered necessary, and I now ask you, at the close of this session, to meet in an adjoining room the members of the 'next municipal administration of Newburyport, in order that the retiring city government may exchange a few friendly words and civilities with the incoming one, and practically illustrate the spirit of that an- cient proverb which bids us " Welcome the coming, speed the part- ing guest."
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
OF THE
CITY OF NEWBURYPORT
FOR THE YEAR
1880.
CITY OF NEWBURYPORT
TERRA
MARIQUE
MDCCCLI
NEWBURYPORT : M. C. TEEL & SON, PRINTERS. 4 MERRIMAC STREET. 1881.
REPORT.
CHANGES OF TEACHERS.
The following changes have been made in the teach- ers, viz : Above State street-
Miss Alice H. Olmstead was transferred from the Buck street Primary school to Room A in the Kelley school, taking the place of Miss Florence A. Winn who resigned, and Miss Hattie E. Piper was elected to Room C in same school.
Miss Susie I. Adams was elected to fill the vacancy in the Buck street school caused by the transfer of Miss Olmstead.
Miss Agnes A. Somerby was transferred from the Kent street Primary (2d Division), to be assistant in Currier girls' Grammar school, Forrester street, in place of Miss Mary Agnes Pearson, resigned.
Miss Nellie M. Stanton was transferred from Ist Divi- sion to 2d Division of Kent street Primary, and Miss Carrie M. Bayley was elected to fill her place in the 1st Division of Kent street Primary.
Mrs. Belle P. Winslow was elected as an additional teacher in the High school, being transferred from the Plains school.
Miss Hattie P. Cheney was elected to the Plains school in place of Mrs. Winslow promoted as above.
Below State street the only change was the election
4
SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
of Miss Belle Emerton as assistant in the Jackman Pri- mary school.
Thus during the year five new teachers have entered the school service in this city.
EXAMINATION OF TEACHERS.
Jan. 29th, 1880, an examination was offered to all those who desired to obtain certificates of fitness for teaching in our grammar and primary schools. Seven- teen ladies and one gentleman presented themselves as candidates. The standard previously voted by the board was 70 credits on a scale of 100 for perfect. Eleven of those examined obtained that number and were declared entitled to certificates. Their names in order of rank were as follows :
Misses Carrie M. Bayley, Cora B. Lougee, Alice M. Leach, Harriet C. Piper, Susan True, Etta R. Cutter, Cora B. Ambrose, Maria G. Smiley, Addie R. Hale, Lizzie H. Cheever, Ellen A. Merrill.
QUESTIONS FOR THE EXAMINATION OF TEACHERS.
Arithmetic, 10 questions, 2 credits each,-20 credits. Grammar, 15 questions, 1 credit each,-15 credits. Geography, 20 questions, 1 credit each,-20 credits. Spelling, 20 words, 12 credit each,-10 credits. Histo- ry, 10 questions, 1 credit each,-10 credits. Reading marked on a scale of 10 credits. Mental Arithmetic marked on a scale of 5 credits. Draw- ing marked on a scale of 5 credits. Penmanship marked on a scale of 5 credits. "Total, 100 credits.
GENERAL QUESTIONS.
1. What is your full name ?
2. What is your age?
3. Where were you born, and where do you now reside ?
4. Have you ever had any instruction in any foreign language? If you have what?
5. What is your experience in teaching?
ARITHMETIC.
1. Define Involution. Evolution. Meaning of a Power.
5
SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
2. Difference between Arithmetical and Geometrical progression?
3. What is the cube root of 11, to three decimals ?
4. A can hoe 16 rows of corn in one day, B 18 rows, C 20 rows and D 25 rows. What is the smallest number of rows that would keep each employed an exact number of days ?
5. Divide thirty-six, and six thousand nine hundred forty-seven ten thousandths, by five hundred and eighty-nine.
6. Reduce 15 cwt. 3 qu. 14 1b. to the decimal of a ton.
7. How much land is in a field 29 7-13 rods square?
8. From 58 1b. 5 oz. 12 dwt. 10 gr. take 19 lb. 9 oz. 17 dwt. 21 gr. Explain the operation.
9. Find the interest of $1287.53 for 69 days at 7 3-10 per cent ?
10. If a conical stack of hay 15 ft. high contains 6 tons, what is the weight of a similar stack whose height is 12 ft?
GEOGRAPHY.
1. What are Atolls, where are they found and how are they formed?
2. What is the zone or belt of calms.
3. Where is the region of greatest heat about the size of New Eng- land?
4. Where is the region of greatest cold?
5. Bound Kentucky.
6. Name the states and countries that border on the Gulf of Mexico.
7. Give the names of six of the countries of South America.
8. Name several of the principal exports of France.
9. Bound Austria.
10. Tell what parts of Africa are controlled by Great Britain.
11. Name four large islands between Asia and Australia.
12. Name four of the larger peninsulas of Asia.
13. Give approximate number of English speaking people, and the countries where English is used as the common language.
14. Define an Archæpelago.
15. Write the usual route taken in going from New York to Calcutta.
16. Describe the surface of Egypt, and give some idea of its climate and soil.
17. Give the states you would pass through in going by rail from Port- land in Maine to Washington, D. C.
18. Name five of the larger islands in the Mediterranean.
19. What states of the Union furnish the most coal, iron and petro- leum.
20. Give the course of the Ohio river.
GRAMMAR.
1. What properties have nouns ?
2. What does case denote ?
3. How is the possessive plural of nouns formed ?
4. What is the conjugation of a verb ?
6
SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
5. Give the principal parts of the verbs strike, run, hurt. lie. wring, and lay.
6. Name the four kinds of sentences.
7. Analyze the following sentence and parse the words marked : 8 9 10
We were preparing ourselves for the coming storm, when a man, who 11 12 13 was coming down from the last reef, slipped as he stepped on the bul- 14 . 15 warks, and went over backwards into the waves.
HISTORY.
1. When New England was first settled what was the probable num- ber of Indians in the part of (what is now) the United States East of the Mississippi river ?
2. Who was Roger Williams, and give the main incidents of his pub- lic career?
3. When and by whom was New Amsterdam founded, and what is its present name ?
4. Who was Wm. Penn, and what did he do in America?
5. When was the present Constitution of the United States adopted, by whom framed, and who had leading parts in preparing it?
6. Who was Gen. Gage, and what had he to do in the war of the Rev- olution ?
7. How and when was West Virginia made a state ?
8. Which were the most important military events in the war of the Revolution? Name three of them.
9. Who was at the same time king of Denmark, Norway and Eng- land? and when?
10. When did railroads first come into use as common carriers of pas- sengers in England and America? Give first passenger railroad built?
SPELLING AND DEFINING.
1. OSCILLATE. To vibrate or swing.
2. DESICCATE. To dry.
3. SYMMETRY. Due proportion.
4. EMBARRASSMENT. Perplexity.
5. SIBYL. A woman supposed to be endowed with a prophetic spirit.
6. STALACTITE. A cone of carbonate of lime pendant from a cave.
7. PARALLELOGRAM. A four sided figure whose sides are parallel.
8. PONIARD. A small dagger.
9. RECOMMEND. To praise to another.
10. SURREPTITIOUS. Done by stealth.
11. SAPONIFY. To convert into soap.
12. SCURRILOUS. Abusive.
13. ESCUTCHEON. Family shield.
14. HICCOUGH. Short cough.
7
SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
15. MEERSCHAUM. A soft stone or clay used for pipes.
16. PORTEMONNAIE. Pocket book.
17. AVOIRDUPOIS. A measure of weight.
18 POIGNANT. Sharp.
19. SCREECH. Shrill cry.
20. COLONNADE. A series of columns.
DRAWING.
1. Bisect a straight line.
2. Erect a perpendicular at the end of a line.
3. Draw a line parallel to another straight line.
4. Construct an equilateral triangle.
Б. Construct an ellipse. Explain your methods for the above work.
PRIMARY SCHOOLS.
The system of Primary school instruction in this city has never embraced object teaching, properly so called, though many teachers have wisely introduced the prac- tice of exciting the attention and training the per- ceptive faculties in geography and arithmetic, by using globes, by blackboard exercises, and by drawing. Our schools are not so well furnished as they might be with large maps, and not at all with those numerous small articles which would be required if it had been thought advisable to embark our schools in the schemes of object teaching. There are many who wish to see the methods tried which are claimed to have been so ef- ficient in Quincy, but on the other hand it may be said that such methods require a considerable expense, and furnishing. They imply an average degree of intelli- gence and capacity for development, which are not gen- erally possessed except by those who have advantages at home. At all events, memorizing cannot be dispensed with in learning the tables of numbers; and it would take a more numerous corps of teachers than we have, and those specially trained for the work to teach according
8
SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
to the methods of Froebel. In many places where the system is introduced, teachers do not really follow Froe- bel, but teach frivolously. They store the young minds entrusted to their care with considerable general infor- mation, but fail to cultivate those habits of plodding in- dustry which are absolutely essential to the common mind, and which can hardly be dispensed with by those having genius. And it has been well said that "Indus- try is only another name for talent." It is much if our schools cultivate the habit of continuous application, and useful employment. It may even be pernicious, if too much effort is made to induce the belief that study is a species of pastime and pleasure. Far better that the child should feel that the pleasure is to come from the results attained, and that he or she should learn to re- gard study as a duty and means of elevation and prog- ress than that it is a pleasure merely. There may not be so much present delight from our methods; children may not go so eagerly to school as where they are taught to count or to get their letters by games, blocks, pictures, &c., but their real progress will be more satisfactory, and their discipline of mind more direct by realizing that work is work, and not play. Believing these principles as a whole are sound, there has long been in this city, and is now, a course of study, called the primary course, which is designed to consume four years of time in read- ing, writing, spelling, arithmetic and geography. Dur- ing this period in reading, the first four books of the Franklin series are used, and by this course, children should learn to read all words of two syllables or less, and the most common words even longer than two syl- lables. But by reason of frequent absences from school of pupils, not more than sixty per cent. of those who
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