USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Somerville > Report of the city of Somerville 1872 > Part 6
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His bearing must be dignified; his manner gentle but decided ; and his tones of voice firm but never boisterous. He must abstain constantly from indulgence in bitter sarcasm, and never, under any circumstances, resort to ridicule, which is always " sharper than a serpent's tooth," to a sensitive child. He should cultivate in his pupils self-respect and confidence in their own abilities; and ever be quick to observe and ready to approve whatever is commendable. On all occasions he must be what he would have his pupils become.
A radical change must be effected in our social condi- tion before corporal punishment can be entirely dispensed with in the government of schools.
The young must early be taught lessons of obedience, and of prompt submission to rightful authority.
Whenever a spirit of insubordination manifests itself, and fails to submit to the persuasions of kindness or the dictates of authority, recourse must be had to penal suf- fering.
What we would counsel is, " never resort to corporal pun- ishment until other means have been exhausted." Whenever it seems necessary to inflict punishment the teacher should carefully scrutinize his motives, and raise the inquiry, " Is there not a more excellent way ?"
Corporal punishment is a summary mode of disci- pline ; and the temptation to resort to it is strong, espe- cially when the duties of the school are pressing.
We need to fortify ourselves constantly against tenden- cies in a wrong direction.
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The regulation of our Committee in relation to this matter is as follows : -
"Teachers should aim at such discipline in their schools as would be exercised by a kind, judicious parent in his family, avoiding cor- poral punishment, especially in the case of girls, in all cases where good order can be preserved by milder measures ; and in no case re- sorting to confinement in closets or wardrobe, or to other cruel and unnatural punishment."
The prevailing opinion of educators is indicated by the following extracts from the Regulations of School Com- mittees in various. sections.
"Teachers shall avoid corporal punishment in all cases where good order can be preserved by milder measures."-Boston, Chicago, Os- · wego.
"Corporal punishment shall be resorted to only in cases of persis- tent misconduct and after the failure of all other reasonable means of reformation."-Brooklyn, N. Y.
"So far as practicable teachers are to govern their pupils by the moral influence of kindness, and by appeals to the nobler principles of their nature." -- Cincinnati, Ohio.
"Corporal punishment shall only be resorted to when other means fails." -- Lowell, Mass.
"Corporal punishment shall be avoided except in extreme cases." -Salem, Mass.
"Teachers are to maintain a kind and faithful discipline, avoiding harsh punishments, and provoking and improper language."-Wor- cester, Mass.
"As a general rule, corporal punishment should be resorted to only after milder measures have been fairly tried without success."-Spring- field, Mass.
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PRIVATE EXAMINATIONS.
1
At the meeting of the Committee, held December 5, Sub-committees were appointed to examine the several schools : -
HIGH SCHOOL. . Messrs. Durell, Spencer, Brown, Chapin. GRAMMAR SCHOOLS, 1st Class, " Mills, Chapin.
2d
" Hamilton, Willis.
3d
" Carlton, Spencer.
66
4th
" Morse, Brown.
5th
" Durell, Harding, Hanscom.
66
6th
" Knapp, Moore.
The Primary Schools were examined by the Sub-com- mittees of the several districts.
By this arrangement, all schools of the same grade came under the observation of the same Committee. Hence their comparative merits were more readily deter- mined.
These Committees waived the usual custom of making written reports; but instead thereof, presented at the meeting of the Board, held December 31, interesting ver- bal reports upon the condition and relative standing of the various schools examined by them.
Various causes, beyond the control of teachers, affect the standing and general appearance of different schools of the same grade ; as, the previous preparation of pupils, their home influences, and regular or irregular attend- ance. There are causes also,-not always apparent or
16
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traceable, which make any school appear to a disadvan- tage on certain days, and possibly upon the day of exam- ination. For all of these, Committees are generally dis- posed to make due allowance.
The same amount of work is required of all schools of the same grade, within a given period; and a good de- gree of uniformity exists in the average ability, ages, and previous preparation of the pupils composing them. When, therefore, they are found to differ materially, it is usual to attribute the difference mainly to the teachers ; for it has passed into a proverb, " As is the teacher, so is the school."
Nearly twenty per cent of our present corps of teach- ers have been elected within the year. As vacancies occur, too great caution cannot be exercised in the selec- tion of persons to fill them. We should endeavor to avail ourselves of the best talent that can be procured with the means at our disposal.
Mr. Philbrick, Superintendent of the Public Schools of Boston, says in a recent report, "' All roads lead to Rome ;" so all lines of educational improvement converge into one central object, -the teacher. The importance of other elements that go to make up a good school may be, and often are, over-estimated. Not so with the teacher. The teacher is the school. How to secure to every school a teacher who understands and loves his work,-this is the supreme educational problem, at all times and in every place."
We should aim to secure teachers of scholarly culture and large experience; those possessing professional en thusiasm and a just appreciation of the importance of their work,- who will labor skillfully and faithfully to develop in their pupils whatever is essential to render
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them valuable citizens, - who will be solicitous, not only to secure their intellectual advancement, but also to cul- tivate in them a deeper sense of moral obligation, and greater reverence of heart.
-
Allow me, gentlemen, in concluding my report, to con- gratulate you on the satisfactory condition of the interest committed to your charge,- the great harmony which has ever characterized your deliberations, -the interest of our citizens in the cause of education, - the general faithful- ness of teachers, - the industry, obedience, and orderly deportment of pupils; and, to express to you my grati- tude for your uniform kindness to me personally, and for your constant and cheerful co-operation in my work.
J. H. DAVIS,
Superintendent of Public Schools.
December 31, 1872.
LIST OF CITY OFFICERS
FOR 1872.
MAYOR. GEORGE O. BRASTOW, SUMMER STREET (Office, City Hall.)
ALDERMEN. Ward 1.
WILLIAM H. FURBER ·
Mt. Vernon street.
HORACE HASKINS
Franklin street.
Ward 2.
CLARK BENNETT
DANIEL E. CHASE
Prospect street.
Park street.
Ward 3.
JACOB T. GLINES
Broadway.
JOHN R. POOR
Broadway.
Ward 4.
PERSON DAVIS
Elm street.
JOHN G. HALL
Summer street.
.
116
COMMON COUNCIL. OREN S. KNAPP, President.
Ward 1.
EZRA D. CONANT
Pearl street.
EDWARD A. CURTIS, .
Mt. Vernon street.
MICHAEL DECHAN
Fitchburg street.
CHARLES G. POPE
Lincoln street.
Ward 2.
JOHN T. BOLTON
Highland Avenue. ·
· School street.
· Columbia street.
Beacon street.
Ward 3.
WALTER S. BARNES
Vernon street.
STEWART FRENCH
Chester street.
ALBERT KENNESON
Broadway.
HENRY F. WOODS
Forster street.
Ward 4.
WESLEY C. CRANE
Summer street.
THOMAS H. LORD
· Chestnut court.
NATHANIEL MORRISON .
Morrison street.
CHRISTOPHER E. RYMES
Summer strcet.
CITY CLERK.
CHARLES E. GILMAN .
Walnut street
(Office, City Hall).
CITY TREASURER AND COLLECTOR OF TAXES.
AARON SARGENT .
Broadway
(Office, City Hall).
OREN S. KNAPP
PATRICK RAFFERTY
.
GEORGE W. WYATT
.
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CITY AUDITOR.
CHARLES E. GILMAN . Walnut street. (Office, City Hall).
CITY SOLICITOR.
SELWIN Z. BOWMAN
Broadway.
CITY ENGINEER.
CHARLES D. ELLIOT
Walnut street. (Office, City Hall).
CITY PHYSICIAN.
WILLIAM W. Dow
School street and Union square.
CLERK OF COMMON COUNCIL.
SOLOMON DAVIS .
Cross street.
CITY MESSENGER.
CHIEF OF POLICE.
MELVILLE C. PARKHURST
Milk street
(Office at Police Station).
SUPERINTENDENT OF STREETS.
FRANKLIN HENDERSON Central street.
CHIEF ENGINEER OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.
JAMES R. HOPKINS
Wigglesworth street.
WATER STREET.
CHRISTOPHER E. RYMES, Chairman, Summer street.
ROBT. A. VINAL, Clerk,
Walnut street.
CUTLER DOWNER
Central street.
THOMAS CUNNINGHAM . Oak street.
HORACE HASKINS . Franklin street.
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OVERSEERS OF THE POOR.
GEO. O. BRASTOW (Mayor)
Chairman, ex officio,
Summer street.
(Office, City Hall.)
OWEN S. KNAPP
School street.
(President of the Common Council,) ex officio.
ABRAM WELSH
Linden street.
(Deceased May 18th, 1872.)
THOS. CUNNINGHAM
Oak street.
(Successor to Abram Welsh, June 1st, 1872.)
ANSEL LEWIS
Webster street.
ASSESSORS.
JOHN C. MAGOUN,
Broadway.
SABIN M. SMITH
Flint street.
THOS. CUNNINGHAM
Oak street.
SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
GEO. O. BRASTOW, (Mayor)
Summer street.
Chairman ex officio,
(Office, City Hall.)
OREN S. KNAPP
School street.
(President of the Common Council) ex officio.
Ward 1.
URIAH R. HARDING
.
Pearl street.
HENRY M. MOORE .
.
Myrtle street.
SANFORD HANSCOM
·
Perkins street.
Ward 2.
GEORGE W. DURELL .
Summer street.
JOHN W. F. HAMILTON
Everett street.
EDWIN MILLS
Dane street.
Ward 3.
SAMUEL A. CARLTON .
Broadway.
HENRY F. SPENCER
·
Sycamore street.
REUBEN WILLIS .
.
Broadway.
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Ward 4.
BENJAMIN G. BROWN .
· Professor's row.
HORACE CHAPIN
· Beach street.
ENOCH R. MORSE
Spring street.
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS. JOSHUA H. DAVIS Myrtle street.
JOINT COMMITTEES OF THE CITY COUNCIL.
On Finance. - The Mayor, Aldermen Bennett and Furber, the President of the Common Council, and Councilmen Lord, Bolton, Conant and Woods.
Accounts. - Aldermen Davis and Glines, and Councilmen Woods, Pope and Bolton.
Public Property. - Aldermen Poor and Hall, and Council- men French, Rafferty and Crane.
Water. - Aldermen Chase and Davis, the President of the Common Council, and Councilmen Rymes and French.
State Aid and Soldiers' Relief. - Aldermen Furber and Ben- nett, and Councilmen Bolton, Rafferty and Curtis.
Fuel and Street Lights. - Aldermen Haskins and Chase, and Councilmen Barnes, Curtis and Lord.
Fire Department. - Aldermen Chase and Hall, and Council- men Lord, Bolton and Curtis.
Highways. - Aldermen Poor and Haskins and Councilman Kennison, Rymes, and Rafferty.
Printing. - Aldermen Furber, and Councilmen Barnes and Morrison.
120
Burial Grounds. - Aldermen Davis and Glines, and Council- men Rafferty, Crane and Woods.
Ordinances. - Aldermen Bennett and Poor, and Councilmen Pope, Rymes and Woods.
Claims. - The Mayor, Alderman Furber, the President of the Common Council, and Councilmen Conant and Kenneson.
Health. - Aldermen Hall and Haskins, and Councilmen De- chan, Wyatt, and Barnes.
COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD OF MAYOR AND ALDERMEN.
On Police. - The Mayor, and Aldermen Chase and Glines.
Elections and Returns. - Aldermen Bennett and Hall.
Enrolled Ordinances and Resolutions. - Aldermen Furber and Davis.
Drains and Sewers. - Aldermen Glines, Davis, and Bennett.
Licenses. - Aldermen Glines and Haskins.
COMMITTEES OF THE COMMON COUNCIL.
On Elections and Returns. - Councilmen Crane, Barnes and Pope.
Enrolled Ordinances and Resolutions. - Councilmen Curtis, Rymes and Bolton.
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569 1872 4798 REF. STACK
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