USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Somerville > Report of the city of Somerville 1858-1867 > Part 15
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look of cheerfulness, and which indicate, on the part of both teacher and pupils, elasticity of spirits and bodily health.
The Committee must confess that cases sometime come under their notice, in which they could wish that the effort to preserve good order were not so apparent-that the teacher had the tact to govern more, and not seem to govern so much. The remark may be indulged in this connection, though applicable to schools of every grade, that the most efficient disciplinarians are themselves disciplined-that their manner is calm and their tone subdued-that a look, or a movement of the finger, is sometimes more effective than a word. The Committee have sometimes seen "confusion made worse confounded," by the teacher's attempt to restore order; have sometimes been in doubt which made the great- er noise, the pupils or the teacher.
The very gratifying success with which some of our Pri- mary teachers seek to develope naturalness of tone as con- trasted with the mechanical drawl, technically known as a " school-tone," leads to the belief that other teachers of the same grade may make decided improvement in the same particular. The success of teachers in this vital department of their labors, is by no means equal. The " tone" of which complaint is here made, is the most serious evil in the schools. Happily, the evil is far from general; it is hoped that it will be removed altogether.
The Committee regret to find that the most unworthy views as to the proper requisites for teaching in Primary schools, are entertained, not alone by the public, but by per- sons applying for the office of teacher. Scores of young ladies apply to the Committee every year, with the modest avowal, that though they do not feel competent to teach in a Grammar, or an Intermediate, they think they could do very well in a Primary school! It is needless to say that every person who makes this stereotyped remark, betrays thereby her utter unfitness for the position to which she aspires. Go into the Grammar school and note the boy or girl who finds study peculiarly hard, who gets discour .
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aged, who falls behind the class, whose progress is always towards the lower classes ; and in four cases out of five, the cause of all is not a lack of natural gift, but a lack of prop- er training in the Primary school-in four cases out of five, it will appear that the dull pupil had the misfortune to start the career of education under the lead of a person, who imagined that any one who had seen the inside of a High School, " would do" for a Primary teacher.
THE INTERMEDIATE SCHOOLS.
About 350 pupils under six teachers are receiving instruc- tion of a high order in the Intermediate schools. The standard of excellence which in former years has been ac- knowledged, has in no particular fallen off; while a few defects, in a few of the schools of this grade, have been mostly removed. The spelling -- a very important department of instruction in the Intermediate grade-has been greatly improved ; the reading continues to be most satisfactory, where before specially praised, and greatly improved where lack of voice and animation had given occasion for complaint; the arithmetic is generally more thorough ; and the general discipline all that can reasonably be expected. It has been noticed that in nearly all the Intermediate schools, pupils in the first class fail to reach independent writing. As many of these pupils never go into a higher grade, would it not be well to carry the writing beyond the simple rudiments, -and this, even though the time employed should encroach somewhat upon that allotted other studies-that of geogra- phy, for example? Certainly, the rudimentary training in writing must on no account be slighted.
THE GRAMMAR SCHOOLS.
The Committee have the satisfaction of reiterating the encomiums heretofore pronounced upon the Grammar schools. Good reading, good spelling, prompt recitations in history, geography and grammar, writing that must satisfy the most fastideous taste, and high moral and efficient dis-
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cipline,-all these things must in justice be said of the four schools and about 350 pupils of the Grammar grade. The difference on the score of merit between the several schools is less than it was a year ago. It is one of the good influ - ences of a really good school, that it spurs other schools on towards equal excellence. Perhaps the Committee have assigned too much work in arithmetic. The only defect in the Grammar Schools worth naming seems to be too great a quantity for the best quality of work in the branch of study just named. Whatever the real evil may be, the Committee have entire confidence in the ability and energy of the teach- ers promptly to rectify the same.
THE HIGH SCHOOL.
In no former year has the average attendance in the High School reached the number 77. Heretofore the number of pupils who have left through discouragement has been fear- fully large. The past year, a few pupils have left on ac- count of failing health ; but so far as information has reach- ed the Committee, the act of leaving has been felt by both parent and pupil, as a sacrifice. At all events, the present size of the school, and the comparatively small number who, for any cause, have withdrawn, bespeak the true character and reputation of the school. A few years ago, the High School had its basis in the inflexible requirements of the statute; the Committee believe that now it has a much more satisfactory basis in the esteem and appreciation of the com- munity. Questions may at any time be put to pupils in oth- er schools, to ascertain who among them are aiming for "the place where they teach Greek, Latin and Algebra," and it will be seen that even the youngest children in the Primary grade have started for the High School, and will feel its influ- ence as an incitement and a hope through their whole course of instruction ! Even if we throw out of the account. those most valuable results, the knowledge and training imparted in the High School itself, the good the school does in its in- fluence upon all the other schools, would amply compensate
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for its cost. Many a pupil who will never enter within its walls as a student, will nevertheless be benefited by it, and feel the benefit all his days. The scholarly demeanor and methodical habits of the teachers, in the High School, as proved by the thorough classification, thorough recitations, and excellent discipline, need no commendation. A year ago, the school stood well ; it has lost nothing since.
Two years of experience satisfy the Committee that the employment of Mr. S. D. Hadley as Teacher of Music, has been a wise and economical arrangement. His services have done much to improve, as well as to elevate, the "tone" of the schools.
NEW SCHOOL ACCOMMODATIONS.
Two new school-houses have been completed during the year. One of these is on Medford Street, on what was known as the Pound Lot. This very elegant structure accommo- dates a Primary and an Intermediate school, and amply meets the demand of the neighborhood for school accommo- tions.
The other building is located on the site of the old Maple Street school-house ; has four rooms, all finished ; and now contains three Primary Schools-where two years ago, there was but one! This fact sufficiently demonstrates that there was necessity for further school accommodations in this dis- trict. When appropriations were called for with a view to this building, the Committee were in doubt whether to finish more than two of the rooms. It appeared, however, that the other rooms could be finished while the building was being constructed, at a much less cost than at a subsequent period. Hence it was decided to finish all the rooms, even at the risk of slightly exceeding the appropriation. The excess of expenditure above the amount appropriated, is however, comparatively slight.
The Committee will however say in this connection, that while every bill has been called in and paid-so that not a
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dollar is now due from the Town on the School Account- the aggregate of expenses both for building and for current expenses, falls short of the appropriation.
The old school-house on the Maple Street lot was moved to a lot facing Prospect Street, purchased for the purpose, and has been appropriately fitted up for a Primary school. The result has been greatly to relieve the over-crowded and hence unhealthy room of the Primary school in the Pros- pect Hill district.
The Committee hereby make public acknowledgement of the thorough and workmanlike manner in which Benjamin Randall, Esq., builder of the school-house on Medford Street, and Michael Dechan, Esq., builder of the school house on Maple Street, have fulfilled their contracts. Both of these gentlemen have seemed anxious to exceed their obligations, rather than to come short of the same. They have certainly given the Town a large amount of good work, at a very rea- sonable cost.
NAMES OF NEW SCHOOL HOUSES.
It has seemed to the Committee that the name of a street, though it may designate the locality of a school, is not a proper name for a school. While they had occasion to give names to new schools, they deemed it proper to assign names to all the schools heretofore designated by the streets on which they were located.
The school in the new building on Medford Street, was named the BRASTOW SCHOOL-the Chairman, at the time, be- ing absent at the seat of war, and the name determined upon without his consent or even knowledge.
The school on Maple Street was named the JACKSON SCHOOL.
The new school established on Prospect Street, near the Glass Works, was named the UNION SCHOOL.
The school on Cherry Street, in memory of the late Dr. Luther V. Bell, first Chairman of the School Committee of the Town, and otherwise prominently identified with public interests, was named the BELL SCHOOL.
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FURTHER SCHOOL ACCOMMODATIONS NEEDED.
Further school accommodations are needed in the Pres- cott, Forster and Franklin districts. Two rooms remain unoccupied and unfinished in the Prescott school-house; and in view of the fact that the two Primary schools in the building number about 150 pupils, with the prospect of an increase in the Spring, the Committee respectfully ask that an appropriation be made at the annual Town Meeting for the finishing and furnishing of one or both rooms. The es- timated expense for finishing and furnishing the smaller of the two rooms is $250, and for finishing and furnishing the larger room $325. Something might perhaps be saved from these estimates, if both rooms could be finished at the same time, and as both will probably be required at no very distant day, the judgment of the Town is respectfully requested.
The Forster school-house is full, and the Franklin over- running-that is, has more pupils than seats, or room for seats. It is doubtful whether any disposition of the pupils will warrant the Committee in deferring a call for appropri- ations to provide more accommodations in both of these dis- tricts. The Town is respectfully requested to consider the question whether to enlarge the present buildings on the present sites, or whether to build anew on other sites. By estimate, the cost of lengthening each of the school build- ings, the Franklin and Forster, about 25 feet, will not vary far from $1,400 each. A matured plan looking to the further school accommodations, will be submitted to the Town at the March Meeting, at which time the judgment of the Town in regard to the suggested enlargement of the build- ings named will be respectfully requested.
APPROPRIATIONS FOR CURRENT EXPENSES.
The amount required for the support of the schools the coming financial year will be-by estimate-as follows :-
For Teachers' Salaries, - $13,800.
Janitors' - 650.
Amount carried forward, $14,450.
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Amount brought forward,
14,450.
66 Fuel, -
-
-
-
1,200.
Repairs, -
-
-
-
1,400.
Insurance,
-
-
200.
Contingent Expenses,
-
-
600.
$17.850.
The Schedule which follows is based upon the statistics of the Summer Term, and of course differs (though but slightly) from the general Tabular Statement given near the beginning of the Report, which statement is based upon the Winter Term. It is thought best to include the Union and Jackson 3d in the Schedule, though they were not formally opened in the Summer Term.
SCHEDULE OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS,
With grade, names of teachers, and number and average age-by schools-of pupils.
NAME.
GRADE.
TEACHER.
No. pupils
*Average Age.
Free High ....
High
Harriette E. Reed, Asst.
71 14 yrs. 8 mos.
Franklin ... . .
Grammar
Mary N. Howard, Asst.
Oren S. Knapp, Princ.
76 12 yrs. 11 mos.
Prescott
Grammar. ....
Isabel S. Horne, Asst.
Edward W. Howe, Prin.
84 12 yrs. 7 mos.
Walnut Hill ..
Gr Int.and Pr.
Susanna C. Russell ...
Franklin .
Intermediate
H. Hill .... C. A. Osborne .. Lydia S. King
Mary O. Giles
Prescott.
Intermediate
Olive B. Jackman
Prescott 2d ... Forster
Intermediate .
Mary E. Proctor
57 9 yrs. 4 mos. 53 7 yrs. 7 mos.
Spring Hill.
Primary
Betsy P. Burgess.
66 7 yrs. 9 mos.
Harvard.
Primary
Elizabeth W. Shelton
Union .
Primary
Abby F. Crocker
77 7 yrs. 9 mas. + + 64 7 yrs. 9 mos.
Jackson 2d ...
Primary.
Augusta A. Roberts
63 6 yrs. 1 mo. +
Jackson 3d ...
Primary.
Amy C. Hudson.
++
Prospect Hill.
Primary. . Irene E. Locke
114 7 yrs. 7 mos.
Brastow.
Primary. .
Caroline S. Plimpton
66 7 yrs. 3 mos.
Prescott .....
Primary.
Henrietta M. Close
73 7 yrs. 1 month.
Prescott 2d ...
Primary.
Susan M. Priest.
83,6 yrs. 1 month.
Forster.
Primary.
Ellen P. Shute
62 6 yrs. 8 mos.
Music Teacher
S. D. Hadley.
* From Annual Report of Examinations, July, 1861.
+ Formerly a part of the Prospect Hill Primary.
Formerly a part of the Jackson 2d Primary,
Elizabeth S. Owen, "
Geo. T. Littlefield, Princ.
59|13 yrs. 4} mos.
Prospect Hill. Grammar
Lizzie Gerry, Asst.
John Wilson, Princ.
88 13 yrs. } mo.
Forster
Grammar
Josephine D. Smith, Asst
Prospect Hill.
Intermediate .
Brastow
Intermediate .
Anna A. Hall
Bell
Primary.
Lucy C. Homer
Jackson
Primary.
Almira L. White .
31 8 yrs. 7 mos. 95 10 yrs. 6 mos. 60 10 yrs. 9 mos. 56 10 yrs. 7 mos. 60 10 yrs. 6 mos. 52 9 years.
Intermediate
Henry H.Babcock, Princ.
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In closing this Report the Committee feel that they may sincerely congratulate their fellow-Townsmen on the prom- ising condition of the Public schools; and they heartily commend these great interests to the continuance of that fos- tering care, and that generous encouragement, which they have ever received at the hands of this community.
Respectfully submitted,
GEO. O. BRASTOW, JOHN G. HALL, JOSEPH E. HOWARD,
AARON SARGENT, CHAS. S. LINCOLN,
JOHN P. MARSHALL,
GEO. D. CLARK,
CYRUS F. CROSBY,
GEO. H. EMERSON.
REPORT OF THE SELECTMEN.
The municipal year which has just closed, has been an eventful one in the history of the country ; and, while it has demanded from all the exercise of econo- my and self-denial in private affairs, has rendered necessary, in public and national concerns, unusual expenditures and great sacrifices.
At a large and enthusiastic meeting of the citizens, held at the Town Hall, on Wednesday, April 17, 1861, the very liberal sum of $4,323 50 was pledged for the purpose of rendering assistance to the mem- bers of the Somerville Light Infantry and their fami- lies-the 5th Regiment Mass. Volunteers, to which the Somerville company was attached, having been suddenly ordered to proceed to Washington, to aid in the defence of the National Capitol, then greatly im- perilled by a threatened attack from those who had wickedly risen in rebellion against the best and most progressive form of government upon the face of the earth. (A brief account of this meeting, and also of the ceremonies at the departure and return of the company, have been registered for preservation upon the records of the town.)
The sum thus raised, over and above what was paid to the company at the time, was, by a vote of the .
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meeting, placed in the keeping of the Selectmen, with directions to deposit it in bank, and to disburse ac- cording to the intent and purpose for which it was raised. The Selectmen feel that this may be the prop- er time to render an account of their stewardship, in this, as in all other matters entrusted to their charge.
Of the sum thus subscribed, $4,133 50 was from time to time collected, leaving a balance of $190 yet unpaid.
Various articles of necessity or comfort were pur- chased for the company, and presented to them previ- ous to their departure ; and sundry drafts from the commander, while at the seat of war, were duly hon- ored. Several families of members of the company have been aided, in sums varying according to their necessities, to the amount of $881 53 : and subse- quently to the return of the company, it was voted by them to request the Selectmen to appropriate the re- mainder as a bounty for those members who should re-enlist, in the ratio of $20 for a married man, and $10 for a single man. This arrangement seemed to the Selectmen to be a very judicious one, and was accordingly adopted.
The account, therefore, upon the 1st of March, 1862, stands as follows :
Whole amount subscribed, -
$4,323 50
Amount paid to Company at the time,
$700 00
to members afterwards,
495 12
66 for claims against Company,
618 62
on drafts of commander,
382 00
to families aided,
881 53
transportation and burial of body of F. H. Moore, 230 00
for re-enlistments, 440 00
uncollected,
190 00
balance on hand, 386 23
$4,323 50
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In accordance with instructions received at the April meeting,-at which time an appropriation was made for the purpose,-the Selectmen have aided a large number of the families of residents of this town, who have left in defence of the national government. This has been no easy task. From the frequent at- tempts upon the part of some applicants to deceive or mislead ; and from the mistaken ideas entertained upon the subject by nearly all of them,-caused, in no small degree, we are sorry to say, by the florid and extravagant advertisements of recruiting officers,-it has been necessary to visit most of the families aided, and to exercise the utmost caution in considering the claims and appeals of all those assisted. Many of those who are serving in the army, notwithstanding its well apportioned condition, and the good degree of regularity with which payments are now made, re- mit but little or nothing to their families ; and some instances have come under the observation of the Se- lectmen, where the wife, with perhaps four or five children dependent upon her, instead of receiving any aid from the husband and father, has been importuned to send him money, clothing, &c., evidently supposing that however great his neglect of his family, they would receive all needed aid from the fund placed at the disposal of this Board.
In order to carry out the instructions received, in their fair spirit and interpretation, the Selectmen have endeavored to keep constantly in view a course of conduct, which, while it should be charitable and sympathetic, should also be prudent and economical.
The Act passed at the special session of the Legis-
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lature, in May last, authorizing the raising and dis- bursing of money in aid of the families of volunteers, provides that an annual statement of the disbursments of the Selectmen shall be made upon the first of Janu- ary in each year, in order to enable the towns to ob- tain the amount of re-imbursement to which they may be entitled by the provisions of the Act. This state- ment has been made, certified to, and rendered in; and although the amount expected to be obtained from this source has not yet been received, and will not probably cancel the amount paid out, yet it is ex- pected that not more than one thousand dollars of the five thousand appropriated, will be consumed.
The account as rendered in upon the first of Janu- ary, was as follows :
Whole number of families assisted, 74 Whole amount paid, - - - $3,293 46
Amount of reimbursement expected, - 2,344 52
Leaving as amount of appropriation expended,
$948 94
To meet the ordinary expenses of the town for the past year, there was placed at the disposal of this Board, in April last, the sum of $10,000; and on account of many unexpected claims having arisen during the year, some of which were for liabilities incurred in the year previous, this has been slightly exceeded.
The highways have, as usual, absorbed a large share of the attention of the Selectmen the past year, and are considered to be, at present, generally, in good condition. The gravel obtained from the lot owned by the town, in Winchester, although requiring consider-
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able time to become compact, has, we think, demon- strated itself to be the very best material ever used upon the roads in Somerville ; and the wisdom of se- curing a supply for a number of years, has become more and more apparent.
There have been a few new streets laid out and gra- ded by the Selectmen the past year, the expense of which has been borne by the abuttors. Among them may be named Tufts Street, leading from Washington to Cross Street. This is now a beautiful street, afford- ing a convenient way of avoiding the bridge over the Lowell Railroad, whenever it may be necessary, and being in a satisfactory condition, should be accepted by the town.
The new road over College Hill, ordered by the County Commissioners, and for which an appropria- tion of $800 was made, has been completed and fenced at a cost of $668 52, and by concurrence with the Board of Selectmen of Medford, has been named Col- lege Avenue.
About two-thirds of the width of Pinckney Street having been graded by the abuttors on one side, and curbstones furnished by them, the Board of Selectmen were petitioned to exercise the powers vested in them, and lay out the same. Accordingly, after having giv- en legal notice to all the parties interested, to attend and show cause, if any existed, why it should not be done, they proceeded to lay it out of a width of forty feet, by taking a narrow strip of vacant land from the large field owned by the heirs of the late Timothy Walker: more than a sufficient equivalent for which will be rendered them, by their obtaining on their long
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line of frontage, all the rights and privileges upon a wide, well graded and accepted street, without con- tributing, in any other way, a single dollar towards its construction. The additional grading and gravel- ing needed is nearly completed, under a contract made for the purpose, the expense of which was guaranteed by the residents upon the street. As but a few days' labor are required, and will be bestowed on the open- ing of the season, its acceptance is recommended.
Cutter Street, which had been previously graded by the abuttors, has been thoroughly macadamized and gravelled, and being of the required width, should be accepted.
An unusual number of requests for setting edge- stones furnished by the abuttors, has this year been made, principally by residents at the East Village. According to previous usage, they have been set at the expense of the town ; and as experience has de- monstrated the necessity of supporting them by pav- ing the gutters, it becomes a costly process, and is a luxury which should be but sparingly indulged in.
A considerable amount of other labor has been per- formed upon the highways, in different sections of the town; prominent among which may be mentioned the macadamizing of Broadway, at Winter Hill and vicinity, thoroughly gravelling of Highland Avenue, filling in and grading at the corner of Cross Street and Three Pole Lane, &c. &c.
The fact that our territory is so extensively cover- ed, as it were, by a network of railroads,-although it affords ample facilities of communication with the Metropolis, and therefore contributes to render our
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town a desirable place of residence,-is fraught with great responsibilities, and imposes a great burden of care and duty upon the town authorities. And not- withstanding the exercise of the utmost vigilance on the part of the Selectmen, to render all our highways safe and convenient for public travel, it is unavoida- ble but that accidents will sometimes occur by reason of these liabilities; and it seems that this must con- tinue to be more and more, as to a certain extent it has been, a source of great expense to us. And the conviction has forced itself upon the minds of this Board, that whenever the depth of snow shall cause a discontinuance of the running of the cars upon the horse railroads through the streets of the neighboring cities, it will be necessary to prohibit the clearing of the snow from the tracks through this town, as our highways are rendered exceedingly dangerous from this cause.
The case of the accident to William Crook, of Med- ford, in January, 1861, is an instance in point. For the injuries sustained by him, by the overturning of his sleigh upon the railroad track at the top of Win- ter Hill, the town was sued for the sum of $2000. As an equitable settlement could not be obtained from him, although strenuous efforts were made to do so, the case proceeded to trial, and a verdict against the Town, with damages in the sum of $530, was obtained, which, with costs of court and other attendant ex- penses, increased it to $984.64. It is, however, ex- pected that the whole or a large part of this, will be recovered from the Charlestown and Medford Railroad Company.
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