USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Somerville > Report of the city of Somerville 1858-1867 > Part 43
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- -$11,619 16
95,246 41
Received for interest. .
277 54
$98,145 69
BENJ. RANDALL, Collector of Taxes.
The undersigned, having examined the account of the Collector of Taxes, hereby certify that the above account current is correct.
SOMERVILLE, March 6, 1866.
O. S. KNAPP, HENRY F. WOODS, { Auditing Committee.
84
Dr. THE TOWN OF SOMERVILLE IN ACCOUNT WITH WILLIAM BONNER, COLLECTOR OF TAXES.
Cr.
1865. April 1. To cash paid at snndry times to Town Treasurer .. $2,109 35
1865.
April 1, By amount of uncollected taxes, as per account current, March 1, .. .$5,483 60
Less abatements. ... $5 75 " uncollected .... 3,407 95
3,413 70
$2,069 90
Received for interest. 39 45
$2,109 35
$2,109 35
85
WILLIAM BONNER, Collector of Taxes.
The undersigned, having examined the account of the Collector of Taxes, hereby certify the above account current is correct.
SOMERVILLE, April 1, 1865.
O. S. KNAPP HENRY F. WOODS,
Auditing Committee.
86
TOWN DEBT.
Date.
Rate Int.
To Whom Payable.
Am't.
When Pay'ble
Int. Paid to.
July 29, 1859
5% per cent.
George Bell . .
$5,454
July 29, 1879
Jan. 29, 1866
Oct. 1, 1859
5%
Safety Fund Bank .
14,400
Oct. 1, 1879
Oct. 1, 1865
Mar. 16, 1861
6
Warren Inst. for Savings .
5,500
Mar. 16, 1866
Sep. 16, 1865
Dec. 5, 1861
6
Lucius R. Paige .
1,500
Jan. 10, 1872
Jan. 10, 1866
Jan. 10, 1862
6
Cambridgeport Savings B'k
4,500
Jan. 10, 1872
Jan. 10, 1866
Mar. 16, 1862
53
Warren Inst. for Savings .
7,495
May 16, 1872
Nov. 16, 1865
Aug. 25, 1862
5+
60
20,875
Nov. 10, 1869
Nov. 16, 1865
Nov. 25, 1862
6
Levi Jones
5,000
Nov. 25, 1872
Nov. 25, 1865
Nov. 28, 1862
6
John Peabody .
2,500
Nov. 28, 1868
Nov. 28, 1865
June 27, 1864
Margaret Crudden .
20,000
Jun. 27, 1884
Dec. 27, 1865
Sept. 23, 1864
6
Bunker Hill Fire Ins. Co.
6,000
Sep. 23, 1884
Sep. 23, 1865
Sept. 23, 1864
6
-
5,000
Sep. 23, 1884
Sep. 23, 1865
Sept. 23, 1864
6
5,000
Sep. 23, 1884
Sep. 23, 1865
Sept. 23, 1864
6
66
5,000
Sep. 23, 1884
Sep. 23. 1865
Dec. 1, 1864
6
Warren Inst. for Savings . Henry Partridge. .
2,500
May 5, 1866
Not Due.
May 17, 1865
7 3-10“
Cambridge National Bank.
10,000
On Demand.
Feb. 26, 1866
7 3-10“
5,000
On Demand.
Nov. 10, 1865 None Due.
142,724
Dec. 1, 1884
Dec. 1, 1865
May 5, 1865
6
5,000
Aug. 25, 1867
Feb. 25, 1866
Nov. 10, 1862
12,000
5
THOS. CUNNINGHAM, Treasurer.
OVERSEERS OF POOR.
It has not been the practice in this town for the Overseers of Poor to make any public statement of their doings. Although a brief statement at this time may be considered an innovation, the facts presented be found worthy of perusal, and serve as an imperfect guide to the town in its future distribution of its charities.
The number who have applied for, and received assistance; during the year, appears to be 104, representing families of an aggregate of three hundred and forty-three persons (343). Of this number the Nationalities appear as follows :
Americans, 19
England and Provinces, 21
Scotland,
5
Ireland,
298
Some ten of those assisted have settlements in towns or cities of this Commonwealth, which places are chargable with the expenses we have incurred in behalf of these persons. And there will be found about an equal number who have a legal settlement in this town, who have been aided by towns or cities where they are now residing. The aid rendered in such cases is generally temporary and of small amount.
During the year twenty-two persons have been sent to the State Alms House at Tewksbury.
There is one family which had been aided by a neighboring town to the amount of nearly two hundred dollars, the settlement of which was either in Somerville or Charlestown, and the evidence relating thereto being extremly complex, in consequence of a long lapse of time, that it was deemed best to compromise the payment of this bill, as there seems to be a fair prospect that no further aid by this family will be needed or required. In doing this, it was expressly stipulated that this arrangement should not be considered as admit- ting a legal settlement of this family in Somerville.
It is highly probable that of the whole number of persons aided, not twenty of them have a legal settlement in this town. The mass of them being aliens, for whom State Alms Houses are provided, and to which we might have sent this class of persons calling for aid, but in most cases we find a widow with children, struggling hard
88
to support her family, and who may, as her children grow up, be able to obtain a comfortable subsistence without the aid of any charity. We think the citizens of Somerville would be very reluctant to send such families to Tewksbury, where final separation might be the result, especially where industry, sobriety and frugality were practiesd at home.
There are, however, serious abuses growing out of the practice of the town regularly furnishing fuel and some groceries to indigent families. Many who might and who should take care of themselves the year round, calculate, as a matter of course, to make no adequate pro- visions for their own necessities during the winter, but spend their earnings injudiciously in the summer, and then quarter themselves upon the town in the winter, determined in one thing, to get the last dollar from the town that will be granted them. When such a spirit becomes chronic, we think Tewksbury to be the best and only remedy.
There are various causes which have appeared to produce so much destitution. Husbands and fathers have fallen in battle or famished in Southern prisons. Intemperance has destroyed health, and even life, or has separated and estranged families that otherwise might have been united and happy.
The State Aid has been discontinued, and fuel, the principal item furnished by the town to the needy, has been extremely expensive, but still the expenditures of our Board will be within the sum oppro- priated by the town for the support of the poor, and we have endeav- ored to relieve cases coming under our notice in a manner which our consciences and judgment would commend.
There are two insane paupers being supported at the Vt. Assylum at Brattleboro,' - one at $100 per annum, the other at a cost of $2.50 per week. These are the only cases that threaten to be per- manently of much expense to the town at present.
The " Poor Debt" thus far has not been burdensome upon the town, and we do not consider it at all probable that its policy in this matter will be at present materially changed. With fair reductions of the prices of the necessaries of life, we feel confident that the expenses of this department may and will be materially reduced.
J. C. MAGOUN.
P. RAFFERTY.
C. BENNETT.
REPORTS
OF THE
School Committee, Selectmen, Treasurer,
AND
COLLECTOR OF TAXES
OF THE
TOWN OF SOMERVILLE,
For the Year ending March 1, 1867.
a
BOSTON: A. B. MORSS, PRINTER, 109 WASHINGTON STREET. 1867. 1
REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
OF THE
TOWN OF SOMERVILLE,
FOR THE SCHOOL YEAR 1866-7.
The School Committee herewith respectfully present their Annual Report.
Rev. Charles Lowe, who was elected a member of our Board, at the annual meeting of last March, resigned shortly after, and Dr. W. K. Fletcher was chosen by a joint vote of the Select- men and School Committee to fill the vacancy occasioned by his resignation.
The town will have occasion to elect, at the March meeting of this year, four members of the Board to fill the places of Messrs. Knapp, Arnold, Hughes and Fletcher, whose term of service expires with the present fiscal year.
The Committee are happy to congratulate their fellow-towns- men, that our schools still continue to enjoy their usual prosperity. Substantially the same plan and system of discipline and in- struction has been advised by the Board that has characterized its administration for the past three or four years.
We are still opposed to large schools ; to large classes ; to the ordinary system of classification and promotion : we are in
4
favor of employing good teachers; of retaining those we have, if reasonably successful ; of selecting our own High School gradu- ates for teachers, other things being equal; of individual pro- motions ; of parallel divisions, and of a judicious expenditure of the money at our disposal. We hope for continued improve- ment in our schools; we study to promote their highest inter- ests. We believe they will average as well as any in the State : we are pleased if we merit the approval of our constituency.
The constantly increasing wants of our schools, growing out of our increased population, have added much to the duties and responsibilities of the Board.
There are now thirty-seven teachers employed in town; two new schools have been opened the past year.
Each school is visited by the Superintendent once a month ; each has a private examination near the close of the winter term, and cach has a public exhibition during the month of July. At each of these examinations and exhibitions the Superintend- ent is expected to be present ; he is a member of cach of the sub-committees, acts as clerk of the Board, approves all bills, keeps the accounts, is the financial committee, supplies the schools with all their material wants, conducts the correspond- ence of the Board, and under the direction of the Committee has the general supervision of all the schools in town. It can well be understood that to perform these duties faithfully, the time of the Superintendent must be nearly all employed. For this service he has received the past year the sum of $500. Your Committee would suggest the propriety of tendering him for his services the coming year a salary very largely increased. By thus visiting the schools, and devoting so large a share of his time in and for them, he gains a familiarity with their defects, their excellences and their wants that no other member of the Board can; he becomes acquainted with the methods of our best teachers, communicates them to others less experienced, is enabled to comprehend the cause of failure in some, and to offer
5
valuable suggestions ; he can see that the system of instruction is uniform, and that the best plans of the best instructors are made serviceable in all our schools.
The salaries of teachers for the year are as follows, viz :
Principal of High School $2000
First Assistant of High School
· 650
Second Assistant of High School
·
500
Principals of Grammar Schools
1400
Female Teachers for the first year
400
Female Teachers after the first year
475
Teacher of Music
300
Sub-committees have examined the several grades of schools and made written reports, which are herewith added as a part of this Report.
PRIMARY SCHOOLS.
At the recent private examinations of this grade of schools it was very evident,- in a majority of them at least,- that good order prevailed, and that thorough instructions had been given. The principal branches taught in these schools are reading, spelling and arithmetic, though other things are expected to be taught, such as punctuation marks, Roman and Arabic numerals, and the abbreviations. In some of the schools these branches seem to have been admirably taught; each pupil gave correct pronunciation, clear enunciation, distinct articulation and proper inflection, and both teacher and pupils manifested that degree of energy and interest that are truly essential to success in our Primary Schools; while in others there appeared to be a defi- ciency in discipline, tact and critical instruction. The teacher was apparently indifferent, and showed a want of true and gen- uine love for the work in which she is engaged, and a similar spirit of indifference and inattention seemed to pervade the
6
whole school. As is the teacher, so are her pupils An energetic, interested, live teacher will always exhibit a school full of en- thusiasm and life. There is still room for improvement in some of our Primary Schools. The idea, which is quite too prevalent, even at the present day, that any young lady is qualified to teach a school of this grade is as erroneous as it is ancient. If mental and moral culture, faculty of governing others and imparting knowledge, love of children, social capacity, tact, en- ergy and experience are essential qualifications to fit a person for any grade of school, the teacher of a Primary School assuredly ought to possess them all. How eminently important it is that the young child should be correctly taught in the rudi- ments of science. There should be great allowance made in regard to the appearance of some of the schools, on account of their size. A lady having under her charge from seventy-five to eighty pupils, with no assistant, could not reasonably be expected to accomplish so much as she could with only fifty. It is the opinion of those best informed in matters pertaining to schools, that no teacher should, have the special charge of more than fifty pupils. Nearly all of the Primary Schools in town are quite too large, for want of suitable accommodations; and, we cannot expect so good results from them, while in this over- crowded condition. The Jackson Primaries have all of them been much larger than they should be, and your Committee have already organized another Primary School in that vicinity ; also, another school has been established at Spring Hill to relieve the Harvard and Spring Hill Primarics, and yet more and better accommodations are really needed in some of these schools. The Jackson, Harvard and Spring Hill Primaries would all be much improved, could desks be furnished for them. The Union School has been supplied with desks during the past year, which add much to the comfort of the pupils and appear- ance of the school. Proper accommodations for, and attention to, this grade of schools will greatly improve the advantages of
7
by far the greater class of our pupils, many of whom do not attend school long enough to receive the benefits derived from the higher grade.
W. K. FLETCHER. S. A. CARLTON. JOHN A. HUGHES.
SUB-GRAMMAR SCHOOL.
These schools are intermediate, between the Primary and Grammar. They are eight in number. The greatest number attending any one of them is at the Jackson, 55; the least number is at the Forster, 32. The whole number attending them all is about 420, giving an average for each of about 50. They are all under the instruction of experienced and compe- tent teachers. Although reading is well taught in most of them, yet the Committee would be pleased to find in two or three of them more attention paid to the vocal drill. All those exer- cises that develop voice, that cure unpleasant tones, that culti- vate smoothness of utterance and distinctness of articulation, should be daily practised in this grade of schools. Spelling, arithmetic and geography are generally as well taught as can reasonably be expected. All that relates to a pupil's voice, his style of speech, is of first importance, and that branch of study and those exercises that shape these should receive especial consideration. Hence any and every indication that a teacher understands how to instruct her pupils in reading is gratifying evidence that she is at least so far fitted for her work.
E. R. MORSE, L. A. ARNOLD, S. C. WHITCHER, Committee.
GRAMMAR SCHOOLS.
These schools have been, in the main, under the discipline and instruction of tried and approved teachers. The excellence of
8
that discipline is evinced by the deportment of the pupils, and the good order prevalent in the schools; and the fidelity of teachers in imparting wholesome instruction is attested by the very commendable progress made by their respective classes in the various branches to which their attention has been directed.
Some pupils have more comprehensive minds, quicker intel- lects, larger capacities for acquiring knowledge, and some have an earlier development of their faculties, than some others. Hence some members of a class appear much better on exami- nation than some others, though the latter may have been even more industrious in their studies than the former. Hence, too, some classes are more brilliant than others. Some schools afford much better material for accomplished scholarship than some others. In the visitation of schools all these diversities are observable, and have their influence on the minds of visitors, and must be taken into account in the reports of committees.
At the late annual examination, in the minutes of the recita- tions of the respective classes examined, the marks made by the examiners give these schools a rank deservedly high. Though there is still room for progress, yet, in the judgment of the com- mittec, these schools are, on the whole, all that the town could reasonably expect of schools of this grade.
In the department of grammar, the Committee observed with great pleasure a marked advance. They anticipate a still higher advance in the year to come. This department seems to have been in former years too much overlooked and neg- lected.
The man of business becomes familiar with the science of numbers, or at least with their practical use, from bringing his arithmetic into daily exercise. But how often do those who, through success in business, have attained to a high social posi- tion, or to public office and honor, on taking the pen or the platform, vainly regret their want of familiarity with the gram- mar of their native tongue. It is therefore very gratifying to
9
know, that this interesting and very important branch of a com- mon school education is receiving a larger share of time and attention in these schools than formerly.
It is not deemed necessary to extend this report farther, ex- cept to say, that, so far as they can judge, these schools are gen- erally in a very gratifying and satisfactory condition.
E. PORTER DYER,
O. S. KNAPP,
J. H. DAVIS,
Committee.
THE HIGH SCHOOL ..
This school continues to merit and enjoy in a high degree the confidence of the School Committee, and is gradually grow- ing in public favor.
It is highly gratifying to witness the increasing desire of the pupils of the Grammar Schools to enjoy its excellent privileges.
In September 1859, it contained forty-three pupils in three classes. The course of study extended over three years. The first class was studying the Latin Reader. No pupils had ever been prepared for college. The attendance was very irregular. There was no graduation of pupils completing the course.
In 1860 a four years' course of study was established, which has been modified from time to time as the wants of the school seemed to require. In seven years, the number of pupils has increased one hundred and twenty-one per cent, and is now larger in proportion to the population of the town than in most High Schools in the State. The number who complete the course, though not as large as is desirable, is larger in proportion to the number entering than in most High Schools in the vicinity of Boston.
Since 1862, diplomas have been awarded to forty-two grad- uates, of whom five are students in college, two in the Massa-
2
10
chusetts Institute of Technology, and ten have engaged in teaching.
The whole number of pupils in the school the past year
has been
. 109
Greatest number at one time
. 95
Admitted during the year .
36
Graduated
8
Present number
88
of whom 13 are fitting for college.
Average attendance for the year . 98.2 per cent.
Greatest average for one month, July '66 99.9
Least 66 January '67 96.6 66
For six months the attendance of the first class
was
100 66
For two months the attendance of the second class was 100 66
For three months the attendance of the third class was 100
For one month the attendance of the fourth class was
100 66
The order of the school is excellent, approaching nearly to perfection, and yet no case of discipline has occurred during the seven years it has been under the direction of the present principal.
The results evinced by the public exhibition and private examination reflect great credit upon teachers and pupils.
The following studies are prescribed for the regular course :
FIRST YEAR.
First Term - Algebra, Book-keeping, Latin, History, Reading. Second Term -- Algebra, Natural Philosophy, Latin, History, Reading.
11
1
SECOND YEAR.
First Term - Geometry, Natural Philosophy, Latin, Rhetoric. Second Term - Geometry, Chemistry, Latin, Rhetoric.
THIRD YEAR.
First Term - Trigonometry, Chemistry, Latin, English Liter- ature, French.
Second Term - Surveying, Chemistry, Latin, English Litera- turc, French.
FOURTH YEAR.
First Term - Astronomy, Physical Geography, English Class- ics, French, History.
Second Term - Arithmetic, Botany, Intellectual Philosophy, French, History.
Vocal Music, Composition and Declamation throughout the course.
About one-fourth of the time is devoted to Latin and French, one-fourth to Mathematics, one-fourth to the Natural Sciences, and one-fourth to English Literature and Ethics.
During the year, forty-seven specimens of minerals from the Pacific Coast, the gift of Mr. S. C. Bradshaw, of California, have been added to the cabinet.
We hope soon to see the school supplied with a suitable library for reference, containing standard works upon the various branches pursued by the pupils.
For several years, the school has suffered great inconvenience from the lack of recitation rooms sufficiently large to receive the increasing classes.
When the contemplated alterations on the lower floor of the school building are completed, and for which an appropriation has already been made, teachers and pupils can work to much better advantage. These alterations will be made as soon as the Forster School is removed to the new building on Winter Hill.
12
From year to year the pupils, by voluntary contributions, amounting in all to some $200, have procured engravings and statuary for the decoration of their school-room. These exert a favorable influence upon the taste and morals of the school. Emulating their example, the Committee will soon take measures to render the immediate surroundings of the school building more attractive.
O. S. KNAPP, E. P. DYER, WM. K. FLETCHER, J. H. DAVIS,
1
Committee.
FORSTER SCHOOL.
At the annual meeting held in March last, Messrs. John R. Poor, Austin Belknap, Charles S. Lincoln, John C. Tenny, E. E. Cole and S. A. Carlton were elected a Building Committee, with full powers to provide for the erection of a suitable school build- ing in this district. Fifteen thousand dollars ($15,000) was appropriated for the erection of a wooden building to contain six rooms, and $2,000 for furnishing it.
At a subsequent meeting in April, $1,000 was appropriated to purchase additional land. At this meeting, members of the Building Committee stated, that a brick building of eight rooms could be erected for $20,000, whereupon an additional appro- priation of $5,000 was voted, provided such a house could be contracted for with responsible parties for a sum not exceeding $20,000; otherwise this vote was to be of no effect or validity.
At a meeting held the following June, the Building Committee reported that they were unable to make a contract on such favorable terms as they had expected, and asked the town to remove the restrictions imposed on them at the April meeting, and to appropriate $5,000 additional. The town, with its accus- tomed magnanimity, granted their requests.
13
In November, the town voted to finish off the upper story of the building then in process of erection for a Town Hall, and at the February meeting $2,600 was appropriated for that purpose. It was also voted to appropriate $1,000 for fur- nishing the hall and for the purchase of a bell; making the appropriations stand as follows :
March 26, 1866, $15,000 for wooden building.
66
2,000 for furnishing.
April 30,
1,000 for land.
5,000 additional for brick building instead of wood.
June 20,
5,000 additional.
Feb. 13, 1867, 2,600 for finishing hall.
1,000 for furnishing hall and for bell.
Total thus far, $31,600
It is expected this building will be ready for occupancy about the first of April next. When completed, it will furnish accom- modations for the present and anticipated wants of the district.
The entries, clothes closets and school-rooms are ample in their proportions, and are provided with modern improvements. The hall is designed for the use of the school, also for town meetings ; the bell, for the school and for an alarm bell. The size and style of the building attest, in unmistakable terms, the liberality of the town in its expenditures for school purposes, and the cost at which it has been erected reflects great credit on the financial ability of the building committee. The school is still kept in the High School Building.
PRESCOTT SCHOOL.
The Prescott School-House was destroyed by fire on the 31st of December last. The building was insured for $15,000.
14
The loss being regarded but partial, we recovered of the Insur- ance Companies only $11,625. The schools have been provided with accomodations, while a new school building is being erected, in the vestries of the Baptist and Orthodox churches. At the recent town meeting, held in February, $20,000, in addition to insurance money, was appropriated for the erection of a new building.
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