USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Melrose > City of Melrose annual report 1851-1866 > Part 29
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G. M. Fletcher, services as Assessor, -
-
163 37
E. Greene, labor in cemetery, -
-
-
20 00
N. Howard, 66 &c., - - -
-
140 00
J. C. Howes, stove-pipe, labor, &c., -
-
57 54
Thomas Hawkins, labor in cemetery, 1863, -
3 50
A. W. Haskell, printing, 1863, - - -
11 00
C. Howard, services as Treasurer, 1863, -
100 00 -
E. R. Knights, extra services as Town clerk, &c., 1863, 60 60
66
43 50
T. A. Long, services as police, -
-
25 00
A. V. Lynde & T. H. Sweetser, professional services, 75 00
Malden and Melrose Gas Co., -
-
28 84
McIntire & Moulton, printing report, &c.,
-
-
51 00
T. McCoubry, setting tires on hearse, -
-
5 37
C. C. Moody, printing, - - - -
7 50
H. A. Norris, brokerage on loans, - -
-
140 75
J. R. Norton, services as Auditor, - -
-
25 00
H. B. Newhall, services as police, &c., -
-
31 00
E. Paul, painting, - - - - -
1 00
Prentiss & Deland, printing, -
-
-
20 27
Ai Roe, services as police, 1863, -
-
-
16 50
Ai Roe, services as police, &c., - - -
24 50
Calvin Stone, horse hire, 1863, -
- -
6 75
George M. Stevens & Co., repairs of Town clock, - 20 36
S. Severy, balance of salary, 1863, - 17 45
S. Severy, services as Town clerk, and attending court, 10 00
S. Shelton, services as Assessor, 1863, - S. Shelton, 66
-
5 00
- 132 00
J. B. Sandford, services in case of Upham vs. Town, 50 00 John Thompson, care of rooms, Town clock, &c., - 52 08
D. R. Woodward, stock and labor, - 30 44 - - George W. Ware & Co., table and chairs, - 19 62 -
$2,590 03
E. R. Knights, 66 -
111 75
Heath & Lamkin, rent of Lyceum Hall, -
12
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
Bugbee & Barrett, fluid, &c.
-
-
$1 73
R. R. Barter, painting, -
-
- 25 40
W. R. Collins, stock and labor, -
-
-
78 50
N. Curtis, rope, -
-
-
7 80
J. P. Mellus, work on engine,
-
-
1 50
A. J. Morse & Son, tinning boiler,
-
-
3 00
Malden and Melrose Gas Co.
-
-
4 12
S. F. Oliver, gas pipe and fittings, 11 00 -
John Thompson, care of engine, -
30 00
M. C. Warren, pump and pipe, -
14 72
D. R. Woodward, stock and labor, -
47 57
Endeavor Engine Co. and Fire Wards, pay for ser- vices to May, 1864, -
123 38
HIGHWAY.
P. R. Ellis, building culvert, 1863, -
125 26
W. Lynde, lumber and labor on bridge, -
15 37
J. Norton, labor, - -
- 20 00
E. B. Southwick, labor and disbursements, 289 17 -
L. C. Towner, labor,
12 00
461 80
LAMPS.
S. W. Nichols & Son, setting posts, and gas fitter's bill, 232 25 James Perkins, ten lamp posts, 300 00
532 25
DRAINAGE.
W. B. Burgess,
-
-
-
.
40 00
Edmond Davis's heirs,
-
-
-
29 46
Jacob M. Ellis, -
- 45 00
Nancy W. Upham,
-
-
-
20 00
-
-
-
348 72
-
-
-
134 46
13
RECAPITULATION.
Miscellaneous, -
-
-
$2590 03. -
Fire Department,
-
-
-
-
-
348 72
Highway, -
- 461 80
Lamps, -
-
-
-
-
- 532 25
Drainage, -
- -
-
- 134 46
$4067 26
MILITARY.
To cash in hands of Committee, March 1, 1864, - 142 00 " " of Town Treasurer, from March 1, 1864, to March 1, 1865, 5147 00 -
$5289 00
By amount paid to families of Volunteers, 5274 00
on hand, - - 15 00
$5289 00
RECRUITING.
To cash in hands of Committee, March
1, 1864, 334 00
" " of Town Treasurer, to March
1,1865,
-
17,800 00
$18,134 00
HEARSE HOUSE.
D. R. Woodward, stock and labor per contract,
$350 00
TOWN DEBT.
Mount Vernon Bank,
25,000 00
Aaron Greene,
1,500 00
Eli Upham, ·
·
500 00
Benj. Boardman, .
100 00
Henry Bancroft,
7,200 00
Timothy Fletcher,
2,000 00
Sarah Larabee,
500 00
Benj. Wilson,
.
950 00
-
14
Dole & Phelps,
. $2,300 00
. Malden Savings Bank,
· 12,000 00
Hananiah Temple,
7,000 00 .
Blackstone Bank,
5,000 00
Elbridge Holt,
·
2,000 00
Emery Taylor,
.
2,000 00
Albert French,
275 00
Timothy Corey,
2,500 00
C. Upham,
600 00
J. K. Upton,
500 00
Samuel Rice,
2,500 00
Charlotte Sprague,
100 00
$74,525 00
APPROPRIATIONS AND EXPENDITURES.
Appropriations.
Expenditures.
Schools,
4,600 00
6,168 48
Highways,
2,000 00
2,146 52
Fire Department,
150 00
121 87
Poor,
2,500 00
2,460 17
Contingent,
2,500 00
4,067 26
Hearse House,
500 00
350 00
Military, State aid,
5,147 00
Recruiting,
14,000 00
17,800 00
New Streets,
·
.
1,800 00
1,744 41
Interest,
3,500 00
3,739 58
$31,550 00
43,745 25
FINANCIAL STATEMENT.
CR.
DR. $74,525 00
Town Debt,
Cash in Treasury, .
1,742 40
Uncollected Taxes, 1864,
1,987 88
Due from State,
4,976 00
Greene Street Schoolhouse and land,
4,000 00
Upham St. 66 66 1,500 00
High St. 66 66 6,000 00
·
15
Lynde Street Schoolhouse and land, $4,000 00
Vinton St.
66 3,000 00
Franklin St. 66 66
1,200 00
Cemetery, .
5,000 00
Engine, House and land,
.
2,000 00
Hearse and House,
600 00
Land on Main and Essex Streets,
2,800 00
Balance due from J. K. Roberts,
200 00
Excess of Town Debt,
$35,518 72
LIQUOR AGENT'S REPORT. The Town of Melrose in acc't with W. E. Fuller, Liquor Agt. DR
To cash paid for liquors, and expenses from June 1,
1864, to March 1, 1865, 169 82
66 del'd by order of overseers of poor, 3 33
66
66 " for Record book,
2 75
" Services as Agent, from June 1, 1864, to March 1, 1865,
56 25
$232 15
CR
By am't of sales from June 1, 1864, to Mar. 1, 1865, 183 50
Balance due, .
$48 65
PROFIT AND LOSS.
DR.
To cash for liquor and expenses, 175 90
" Agent's salary,
56 25
$232 15
CR.
By cash for sales of liquor,
183 50
" Stock on hand, ·
17 75
" Agent's salary over profits,
30 90
$232 15
JOHN R. NORTON, - Auditors.
STEPHEN SHELTON, -
39,006 28
16
The RECRUITING COMMITTEE submit the following statement :
We have filled all the quotas of the town of Melrose, em- braced in the various calls of the President, from Oct. 17, 1863, to Dec. 19, 1864, inclusive.
Whole number of men enlisted by us, all three-years
- - 201 men, and credited to Melrose, -
Our quotas under the calls of Oct. 17, 1863, Feb. 1st, March 14th, and July 18th, 1864, - -
- 127
Leaving a surplus of - 74 -
three-years men, which the town had, Dec. 31st, 1864,
as per certificate of District Provost Marshal.
There are included in the above statement 22 naval credits and 3 representative recruits.
The total cost to the town has been - $20,800 00 -
66 " to citizens, as per subscriptions, -
5,589 00
The total cost to town and citizens, - $26,389 00
The average cost per man, to town, is $103 48 66 " to citizens and town, $131 28
Whole number of enrolled men previous to Dec. 1864, 280 Present number of enrolled men, 312
The town has furnished to Government, since the commence- ment of the rebellion, 436 men under an enrolment of 280 men, as per statement below, viz. :
Men enlisted for 3 years previous to Oct. 17, 1863, - 110
Men enlisted for 3 months and 100 days in 1861 and 1864, (estimated) -
40
Men enlisted for 9 months, under call August, 1862, - 85 Men enlisted for 3 years, under calls Oct. 17, 1863, Feb. 1st, March 14th, and July 18th, 1864, - 201
Total,
- 436
For and in behalf of a majority of Committee,
JOHN H. CLARK, Chairman.
ANNUAL SCHOOL REPORT
OF THE
TOWN OF MELROSE,
FOR
THE SCHOOL YEAR ENDING MARCH, 1865-
BOSTON: J. E. FARWELL AND COMPANY, PRINTERS, 87 CONGRESS STREET. 1865.
REPORT.
TO THE INHABITANTS OF MELROSE : -
Deeply sensible of the value and importance of our Common School system, not only in contributing to the welfare and use- fulness of the rising generation, but also in promoting the elevation, good order, and happiness of the whole people, your Committee entered upon the performance of the duties of their office with the determination to act with zeal and fidelity for securing the best interests and advancement of the schools under their charge. That they have accomplished all they desired, is not to be presumed. But their own consciences bear witness that they have acted with strict impartiality, and with the constant endeavor to fulfil, to the best of their judg- ment, the high responsibilities placed in their hands. And we have reason to congratulate you upon the general prosperity of the Schools in the town, during the year just passed. Peace, harmony, and good will has generally existed between the Committee, Teachers, and parents, and with the usual happy results.
Contrary to our intention, in the first part of the year, we avoid referring to the Schools or Teachers specifically or per- sonally (except in some few cases where, in order to faithfully report the true condition of the Schools, duty obliges us so to do), as such a course is often provocative of envy or jealousy, and sometimes both, thereby defeating the ends aimed at ; pre-
4
ferring to follow our predecessors for some years past, in speak- ing of them generally, as to the good or bad that may pertain to them, knowing that all who will may read, and be able to judge of and apply what is applicable to each.
MODE OF TEACHING.
Much of the instruction given in the Schoolroom should be oral. This mode has great advantages over mechanical recita- tions from text-books. Where the eye and ear can be brought to assist the memory and understanding, rapid proficiency may be expected. The names of the different parts of speech, the various classes into which they are arranged as nouns, verbs, adjectives, &c., the relations which they bear to each other, the construction of sentences and their analysis, may all with great profit to the scholar be taught by the lips and blackboard ; indeed, this is the way to awaken an interest in those studies that seem to some pupils so dry and useless, if the great end would be attained. Teachers who have confidence in their own powers will not fail to do this. Classes thus taught are found to know something of the " art of speaking and writing the English language correctly." Where teachers lack the experi- ence and confidence to attempt this, let them at once commence, and by practice they will soon see the desired end attained. A few years ago there were but few blackboards used in schools out of the city ; now, we should as soon expect to find the school without a teacher as without the blackboard. What an advance has been made by this humble instrument ! Look at the facility with which the teacher can illustrate to a class, or to the whole school, a principle, or explain an example in arith- metic. Compare this with the old way of passing from seat to seat to explain a problem, and the saving of time is hardly cal- culable. In the study of arithmetic the pupil is taught to think. It is, or should be, the aim of the Teacher, to make the pupil understand his work, and the reason for every step he takes in
5
the process. The same thoroughness should be demanded in other branches. Teachers should not aim to cultivate the mem- ory alone. The child who recites his lesson well, should be commended ; but he who does this with the full understanding of the lesson in all its parts, is especially to be approved. Teachers are to train, as well as teach. We would here speak of what appears to be a defect in teaching. Young teachers are satisfied with an exact verbal recitation, and require no more. Nor is this confined to them alone. Some experienced teachers fail to awaken the minds of their pupils ; hence, a question. asked by the Committee, or some one else, out of the ordinary line of questions in the book, or in the daily programme, oft- times confounds. Our teachers should aim to stimulate and awaken the inventive and reasoning powers of their scholars. Pupils generally prefer arithmetic to grammar. A reason for this may be found in the different modes of imparting instruction in the respective studies. There is a satisfaction to the mind in the demonstration of a problem in arithmetic or algebra. Observe, for instance, a class in mental arithmetic, - some exercise is given, involving a number of calculations : as the mind of the pupil moves forward in performing the process, there is an exhilaration which cannot be repressed or concealed, - body and mind are both in motion, - a glow of excitement and pleasure beams from the eye and animates the countenance, - the pupil seems to take as much delight in this exercise as in play. The best performance in mental arithmetic during the year, was in the Lynde Street Intermediate School, while under the care of Miss M. E. Putnam, showing at once, great fidelity and ability on the part of the teacher. Why, then, should not the study of grammar be made to delight the pupil also? It is quite as important as any branch taught in our schools, and is in constant use ; daily, hourly, at all times, when awake, the child is using this science. The ideas of language, and knowl- edge of its structure and use, acquired in early years, must go with him perhaps through life.
.
6
THE PRIMARY SCHOOLS.
During the year that has passed, the Teachers in these Schools have been faithful, and have made much progress. With their appearance the Committee have been well pleased.
The rooms now occupied by these Schools are crowded, and soon better accommodations will be needed.
THE MIXED SCHOOLS.
These schools, as the name indicates, are made up of primary and intermediate schools, and it is hoped that soon these can be better graded. The order in all of these has been good. The Teachers are kind, faithful, and well qualified, and the Highland and Green Street Schools have been very successful. In the Upham Street School, owing to sickness of the pupils, the attend- ance has been small, and the advancement of the scholars re- tarded from this cause, with the exception of the fall term, when there was a full attendance and good advancement made.
INTERMEDIATE SCHOOLS.
These schools are supplied with pupils from the Primary Schools. During the year, Miss M. E. Putnam, who had so long been the teacher at the Lynde Street Intermediate School, resigned her situation on account of ill health, and Miss Lydia Atkins was appointed in her place. This is the only change of teachers in this class of schools. Miss Atkins comes well recom- mended, and is fully qualified, so far as your Committee can judge. And if she is as successful as her predecessor, all will be satisfied.
GRAMMAR SCHOOL.
This school is supplied with scholars from the intermediate schools, admitted upon examination once a year. This school for sometime past, and up to the close of the fall term, was under the care of Miss Kate E. Coburn. At the close of the
7
fall term, for reasons satisfactory to the Committee as then con- stituted, she was dismissed, and Miss Narcissa Y. Chase, of Berkley, appointed in her place, who, on account of ill health, was soon obliged to resign. Miss Fosdick, of Watertown, highly recommended as a teacher, was appointed to the situa- tion made vacant by the resignation of Miss Chase.
Miss Fosdick remained in this school till the close of the win- ter term, when she resigned her situation, and Miss K. E. Coburn was recalled to the position, in compliance with peti- tions numerously signed by the citizens of the town, and believ- ing that the majority of those parents having scholars in the school desired the same.
The advancement of this school has not been what it should be. With respect to this school it has been a matter of deep con- cern with the Committee, finding a want of harmony among the parents as to who shall, or shall not be, the teacher. We have not failed to warn against it, for we have often seen such a want to be a never-failing source of discord.
From this evil the Grammar school has suffered, and is now suffering. In such schools, where this. evil exists, the registers must present a bad appearance, long periods of absence alto- gether, and frequency in requests to be dismissed before the regular time of closing, a listlessness and indifference to study, or disregard of and disrespect towards their teacher and their necessary and wholesome requirements, which will make such schools but little better (in respect to some who attend there) , than so many gatherings of boys and girls for so many hours in each day for any purpose but that for which they were intended. To meet such a state of things we have suggested to both par- ents and scholars the best counsels of which we were capable, and have required of teachers, that while they should be mild in the enforcement of obligations, they should be equally un- yielding in their purpose to subject the offender to their proper authority ; and when failing, in all this, we have allowed the teacher in a few instances to suspend the leading transgressors
8
from school. In the schoolroom the authority of the teacher should be and of necessity must be, supreme. The teacher must be discreet and judicious, but at all events free from the restraint or constraint of parents. If he is unwise in any respect, or harsh, or severe, there is a full, adequate, and complete remedy ; the Committee may be called on to adjust any difficulty arising. A learned Judge in one of our courts in a case which created some excitement in our State of Massachusetts, said, " Can the authority of the parent, and that of the teacher over the pupil, exist at the same time, in and during the hours of school ? That school approaches nearest to perfection that most resem- bles a well-governed family, where nothing is required, except that which is believed to be for the best interest of every mem- ber, and where all requirements are obeyed, and where all are subject to one head. If a house be divided against itself it cannot stand ; so will it ever be with our schools if the authority of the parent and that of the master enter the schoolroom to- gether. By sending his child to school he surrenders so much of his parental rights over the child as would, if exercised, con- flict with the reasonable rules and regulations of the school."
The schoolroom at present used by the Grammar School is in the upper part of the High School building ; it should be in the lower part and the High School above. This change could be made by raising up the recitation room one story, so that it shall be of the same height as the main building; this can be done with little expense, and we ask a sufficient appropriation to complete this change, and, when done, the town will see both schools benefited thereby.
THE HIGH SCHOOL.
During the past year, and to within a few weeks of the close of the winter term, this school has been under the care of Mr. A. C. Fish, a graduate of Tufts College as Principal, and Miss Sweetser, as assistant. Mr. Fish succeeded well, and the Com-
9
mittee regretted the necessity of his resignation. Mr. Ham- mond, a graduate of the same College, was hired temporarily, and still continues in the school. .
SALARIES OF TEACHERS.
The appropriation made by the town last year was only $ 4,600 ; with this sum we have been obliged to keep the school in session, and pay all the bills attendant upon the same. In our Primary Schools the teachers have been paid only $ 6.50 per week, the Mixed Schools $ 7.00, the Intermediate $ 7.00. These wages are small, quite too small, and if we persist in pay- ing no more, we shall, before another year, lose our best teach- ers, who have been faithful, and whose wages should be in- creased. We ask for a larger appropriation, that we may be enabled to call the best teachers to our schools and retain those who have shown an ability to teach with the best success.
COURSE OF STUDY AND PLAN OF GRADATION.
PRIMARY DEPARTMENT.
The requisite for admission to the Primary Department shall be simply that which is presented by the State statute, five years of age, and residence in the district.
Books : Hillard's Readers, 1, 2, and 3; Eaton's Primary Arith- metic ; Cornell's Primary Geography.
1st Grade, or 3d Class - Scholars in this grade to be taught the alphabet, to read and spell in the First Reader, and to count from one to a hundred.
2d Grade, or 2d Class- Scholars in this grade to be taught to read and spell in the Second Reader, and in the Third Reader, to page 103 ; to read and write numerals, with exercises in Eaton's Primary Arithmetic. .
10
3d Grade, or 1st Class - Scholars in this grade to finish the Third Reader, and to spell and define from the same, and complete Eaton's Primary Arithmetic. The teacher in this department is expected to add to this list of studies various oral exercises, upon subjects with which every child should be made familiar.
INTERMEDIATE DEPARTMENT.
To enter this department, scholars must sustain a fair examination in the studies prescribed for the Primary Department.
Books : Hillard's Fourth Reader ; Hillard's Intermediate Reader; Sargent's Standard Speller ; Cornell's Intermediate Geography ; Eaton's Intellectual Arithmetic; Eaton's School Arithmetic.
1st Grade, or 3d Class - To read in the Fourth Reader, to page 134, with exercises in spelling and definitions; Eaton's Intellectual Arithmetic, through three sections.
2d Grade, or 2d Class -Hillard's Fourth Reader finished, with corresponding spelling and definitions ; Eaton's Intellectual Arithmetic, from the 4th section to the 7th section ; Eaton's Written Arithmetic, through the four fundamental rules.
3d Grade, or 1st Class - Hillard's Intermediate Reader to page 124, with spelling and definitions ; Eaton's Intellectual Arithmetic finished ; Eaton's Written Arithmetic to Fractions ; Cornell's Inter- mediate Geography through U. States ; to be able to explain readily the differences between latitude and longitude, and the relative position of leading cities and countries. Attention to be paid to map-drawing, and to the tracing of States and continents from memory, with writing, daily. Declamation, writing, with exercises in the sounds of letters, punctuation, abbreviation, &c., to be pursued in this department.
MIXED SCHOOLS.
Books : Hillard's 1, 2, 3, 4, and Intermediate Readers ; Eaton's Primary Arithmetic ; Eaton's Intellectual Arithmetic ; Eaton's Written Arithmetic ; Cornell's Intermediate Geography.
The grade in these schools the same as in the Primary and Inter- mediate Departments, and the same course to be followed throughout.
11
GRAMMAR DEPARTMENT.
Books : Hillard's Intermediate Reader ; Hillard's Fifth Reader ; Sargent's Standard Speller ; Tower's Grammar ; Cornell's Grammar School Geography ; Eaton's Written Arithmetic ; Quackenbos's History of the United States.
2d Grade, or 2d Class - Hillard's Intermediate Reader, from page 124; Sargent's Standard Speller, with definitions; Tower's English Grammar commenced, and go half through ; Eaton's Written Arithmetic, from fractions to duodecimals ; Cornell's Geography, from United States.
1st Grade, or 1st Class - Writing, daily, Payson & Dunton's No. 4 ; reading, twice a week, in Hillard's Fifth Reader ; spelling, four times a week, in Adams's Speller; Tower's English Grammar, finished ; review of Geography, four times a week ; Quackenbos's History of the United States, daily ; Eaton's Written Arithmetic, commence at duo- decimals and finish the book ; compositions and declamation every Wednesday morning, with map-drawing.
HIGH SCHOOL.
Books : Hillard's Sixth Reader ; Mitchell's Ancient Geography ; Loomis's Geometry ; Brocklesby's Astronomy ; Quackenbos's Natural Philosophy ; Wayland's Moral Science ; Political Economy ; Paley's Natural Theology ; Davies's Trigonometry ; Sherwin's Algebra ; Dut- ton & Payson's system of Bookkeeping ; Worcester's General History ; Latin, Greek, and French Languages.
Grade 3, Class 3 - Review of preparatory studies, Ancient Geog- raphy, General History, Algebra, English Grammar, Latin Language begun.
Grade 2, or Class 2- Algebra, Geometry, Bookkeeping, Rhetoric, Trigonometry, with its application to Surveying, Navigation, Mensura- tion, Astronomical Calculations, Latin continued, with Greek Language.
Grade 1, Class 1 - Trigonometry continued, Drawing, Astronomy, Natural Philosophy, Moral Philosophy, Political Economy, Natural Theology, Straus's Lectures on English Literature ; Latin and Greek Languages, with the study of French.
Each and every class has exercises in penmanship, spelling, reading, and English Grammar, with the reading of compositions and declama- tions on every Wednesday morning.
12
In connection with the High School, a partial course has been arranged for those who propose to prepare for a business life, and will not complete the course of study laid down above.
After a careful examination of what we consider to be the wants of the Schools, we are obliged to ask an appropriation for the Schools for the ensuing year larger than that of last year. This we do in good faith, believing all will see the urgent necessity of voting the desired increase. After a full investigation we have agreed to ask an appro- priation of six thousand dollars for the ensuing year, believing that to be the lowest sum the town should raise. The table below shows, as near as we have been able to gather the same, the manner in which the money has been used that was appropriated last year ; the particu- lars of the same will be found in the Auditor's office, and it will be seen at once that we have exceeded the amount raised by some three hundred dollars.
EXPENDITURES.
High School, year .
$ 950 00
Assistant, 42 weeks
294 00
Grammar School
336 00
Three Primary Schools, $ 252.
756 00 ,
Three Mixed 66 306.
918 00
Two. Intermediate Schools, $ 294
588 00
Salaries .
. $ 3,842 00
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