USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Somerville > Report of the city of Somerville 1876 > Part 7
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Stationery and other school supplies ·
929 29
Miscellaneous
511 16
.
77,144 22
Total expenditures
$91,856 87
RECEIPTS.
Tuition of non-resident pupils
$144 04
Rent of school halls
27 00
Sundries,
58 00
.
229 04
Net expenditures .
.
$91,627 83
.
.
.
131
HEALTH.
The education of our public schools is mainly intellectual ; but it should have respect also to physical training and moral culture. A vigorous body, as the habitation of a sound and well-disciplined mind, and high moral principles to control and ennoble all, are mat- ters of vital importance. Any system of education, therefore, is defective that does not aim at the elevation and improvement of our entire being, - physical, intellectual, and moral.
We will consider, briefly, the effect of our schools upon the bodily health and strength of our pupils.
The mind and the body are so intimately connected, harm cannot come to one without producing injury to the other. Hence, while we are endeavoring to cultivate and enrich the intellect, we should never lose sight of the importance of guarding against every influ- ence detrimental to physical health, and of cultivating, constantly, such habits as are essential to its preservation and increase.
The unwelcome fact is ever presenting itself to our observation, that, with all the improvements of modern times in systems of education, there is a gradual diminution of physical energy, of manly vigor. It becomes us, therefore, to consider seriously how far this result is justly chargeable upon the schools, and to what extent we are personally responsible.
In the consideration of this matter, the following question claims attention : Are we requiring of our pupils more mental labor than can be performed by them, in the allotted time, without detriment to physical health and strength ?
From the almost illimitable range of studies, a selection has been adopted, by mutual consent, of such as seem best adapted to pre- pare the young for the ordinary duties of life, and to form the basis of a more extended course of study. The extent to which the studies assigned to the schools shall be pursued, and the apportion- ment of the work among the several classes, are based upon an estimate of the capabilities of pupils of ordinary health and mental capacity.
Pupils of more than medium ability can complete the work of the
132
schools in less time than is required for those of ordinary capacity ; since the regulations of the School Board provide, that individual promotions may be made whenever, in the judgment of the teacher, the subcommittee, and the Superintendent, the interests of pupils require them. Pupils of feeble health or limited capacity are not restricted to any specified time for the completion of the course of study prescribed. It is apparent, therefore, that our school system is sufficiently flexible to meet the conditions of all classes of pupils.
After years of careful observation I am decided in the opinion, that, with judicious management on the part of teachers, no pupil of ordinary health and average mental capacity need receive injury from the performance of school requirements, in the allotted time ; and hence conclude that the demands of the schools are not excessive.
There are, however, in almost every school, ambitious pupils of feeble health and limited physical endurance, and pupils who have been promoted prematurely, who are receiving permanent injury from their attempts to meet the requirements of the schools in the time allotted to pupils who are enabled by vigorous health, suitable age, and previous study to perform their work with ease.
General regulations cannot meet' each individual need. But parents and teachers, from daily observation, have ample opportu- nities to judge correctly of the effect of school work upon each pupil under their charge. To their vigilance, therefore, we must look for protection from harm of pupils of the classes specified.
I apprehend that most of the ill health of pupils consequent upon their connection with the schools is occasioned by their exposure to frequent and sudden changes of temperature, and currents of cold air from open doors and windows, and from imperfect modes of heating and ventilating school-rooms.
Twenty-nine of our school-rooms are heated by means of stoves, - the most objectionable of all modes yet devised ; twenty, by the passage of steam through pipes located in the rooms, - only a slight improvement upon the method of heating by stoves ; twenty- nine, by furnaces ; and two, the large rooms in the High School building, by means of warm air from coils of steam pipe located outside of the rooms. This last method I regard the best yet in-
133
vented, unless the substitution of hot water for steam, in heating the coils, is an improvement.
Our modes of ventilating are similar to those in general use ; but they are altogether inadequate, and are nearly useless in calm weather, when artificial means of ventilation are most needed.
It is well known that the life-sustaining element of the atmos- phere, which constitutes about twenty-one per cent of its volume, is rapidly diminished by its passage through the lungs in the process of breathing, and that carbonic acid nearly equal in quantity to the loss of oxygen is emitted. At each respiration, about 4.35 per cent of carbonic acid is added to the air, and about 4.78 per cent of oxy- gen is removed. Since the average number of respirations is about twenty each minute, and the average quantity of air inspired by a person in a state of rest is twenty cubic inches at each respiration, it is apparent that the air of an imperfectly ventilated school-room must soon become vitiated.
When to the air in this condition is added various odors from the clothing of pupils, and noxious gases from imperfect or improp- erly managed heating apparatus, the teacher is strongly tempted to obtain relief through open doors and windows. But during the season when artificial heat is required, which in our climate is from September to June, the temperature of the external air is so much below the proper temperature of the air within the school- room, it cannot be admitted while the pupils are at rest, without exposing them to sudden colds which are liable to result in injurious if not fatal consequences.
The evils resulting from imperfect ventilation can be remedied only by the constant admission into the school-room of large quan- tities of pure air at a temperature suitable for health and comfort, and the exclusion of a similar quantity of air through large venti- ducts artificially heated to produce a strong current.
Under such circumstances, pupils would not be exposed to sud- den changes of temperature and the air of the school-room, at all times, would be pure and healthful.
Such an arrangement would require a larger consumption of fuel, but the additional cost would be compensated for many times by the improvement in the health and comfort of schools which would ensue.
134
We may confidently expect that the time will soon come when the sanitary condition of school-rooms will receive greater attention in the construction of school buildings, and that existing evils will be remedied at any cost. Meanwhile, we must endeavor by con- stant vigilance to diminish as far as possible the consequences of existing defects.
Teachers should become familiar with the working of the heating apparatus, and should insist that the fires be graduated to conform to the temperature of the atmosphere. They should consult their thermometers frequently, and maintain in their rooms a uniform temperature of about 70°. Under no circumstances should pupils be exposed to currents of cold air while they are seated at their desks. Janitors should be required to ventilate the school-rooms thoroughly, at the close of each session, and the air should be changed during every recess, at which time, whenever the condition of the weather will permit, all the pupils should be required to leave their rooms and should be encouraged to engage in healthful sports in the open air.
CONCLUSION.
For many years popular education has been a prominent theme of discussion. It has received the thoughtful consideration of the best minds in every enlightened community, and has been presented in every conceivable aspect. In respect to it, the question is perti- nent, " Is there anything whereof it may be said, See, this is new ? it hath been of old time which was before us." But there are cer- tain standard thoughts pertaining to this important subject which - like the moral code - are always timely, and should ever be kept prominently before the minds of those who direct the education of the young.
Methods are ever changing. Courses of study undergo various modifications to adapt them to the ever-varying demands of com- munities ; but principles are immutable ; the elements of our common humanity remain unchanged; the constituents of the mind do not vary; and the laws of development and growth are permanent. Each new pupil requires the exercise of the same agencies for his information and development that have been suc-
135
cessfully applied to all who have preceded him. The old familiar paths which we have traversed until their novelty has disappeared, will present numerous and varied attractions to the youthful trav- eller at every step of his advancement.
Each succeeding year presents to us additional incentives to the faithful appliance of all the means of education at our disposal. The demands of society are ever increasing. Higher qualifications and more liberal culture than formerly are now requisite to attain high social positions, and to fill acceptably places of trust and emolument.
When our pupils pass from our tuition, they should not only be well versed in the rudiments of learning and amply furnished with important knowledge, but, in consequence of the thorough training of the schools, should possess the ability to make a skilful applica- tion of what they have acquired, since their success in life will depend more upon what they can do than upon what they know.
It has been well said, "Teaching has never done its perfect work, until by training the mind has learned to run in accustomed chan- nels, until it sees what is true and feels what is right, with the clearness, force, and promptitude which come only from long-con- tinued habit."
Skill in the performance of whatever may be required of us is the result, mainly, of previous preparation, through long-continued effort. It has passed into a proverb : "Tell me what a man has been doing, and I will tell you what he is."
" Our deeds have travelled with us from afar, And what we have been makes us what we are."
The young are educated not so much by what is communicated to them as by what is wrought out by them. The most successful teacher, therefore, is not the one who imparts the greatest amount of information, but rather the one who succeeds best in stimulating his pupils to patient study and careful investigation, who teaches the art of self-culture, how to gather knowledge most successfully from the written page and the ever-open book of nature, and how to apply most skilfully the knowledge acquired.
As teachers and school officers we cannot emphasize too strongly
136
the importance of the work in which we are enlisted, nor unduly intensify our interest and zeal in its accomplishment.
Horace Mann once said, "If instead of twenty-one years, the course of nature allowed but twenty-one days to rear an infant to the full stature of manhood, and to sow in his bosom the seeds of unbounded happiness or of unspeakable misery, I suppose, in that case, the merchant would abandon his bargains, and the farmer would leave the ingathering of his harvests, and that twenty-one days would be spent without much sleep and with many prayers." But the remoteness of causes does not affect materially the charac- ter of their results.
Having accepted the responsibility delegated to us, of directing the education of the youth of our city, we should labor most earnestly to accomplish for them all that could be secured by affec- tionate and judicious parents under the most favorable circum- stances. With conscientious fidelity, we should guard and promote their physical health and strength, develop their bodily and mental powers, store their minds with useful knowledge, and assist them in acquiring skill in the practical application of what they know. We are to shield them from pernicious moral influences, cultivate in them noble aspirations, and stimulate them to the practice of every virtue. To the utmost extent of our ability, we are to pre- pare them for the successful accomplishment of their life-work.
Respectfully submitted.
J. H. DAVIS, Superintendent of Public Schools.
Dec. 30, 1876.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
SOMERVILLE MYSTIC WATER BOARD,
1876.
CITY OF SOMERVILLE.
IN BOARD OF MAYOR AND ALDERMEN, Feb. 19, 1877.
Received, accepted, and referred to the Committee on Printing with instructions to print the same in the Annual Report of the city. Sent down for concurrence.
CHARLES E. GILMAN, Clerk.
IN COMMON COUNCIL, Feb. 19, 1877.
Concurred in.
SOLOMON DAVIS, Clerk.
CITY OF SOMERVILLE.
IN WATER BOARD, Somerville, February 15, 1877. To the City Council of the City of Somerville :
The Somerville Mystic Water Board respectfully submit their Annual Report, for the year ending December 31, 1876 :
Presenting in detail a statement of the quantity and size of pipe laid, and the number of fire hydrants and stop gates set during the past year ; also a statement of the progress and condition of the works at the expiration of the year 1876.
Three additional stand pipes for the supply of watering-carts have been set the past year, at the request of the Committee of the City Council on watering streets.
The total amount of distribution pipe laid in the streets of the city to December 31, 1876, is 43 miles, 3,853 feet ; number of stop gates set, 340 ; number of fire hydrants set, 245 ; of which 1 mile, 1,514 feet of pipe, 25 stop gates, and 9 post hydrants have been laid and set during the year 1876.
During the year, 137 new service pipes have been laid, the aggregate length of which is 4,625 feet.
The average cost of cach service pipe is $21.33.
Water is now supplied to 3,086 dwelling-houses ; 4,418 families ; 106 shops and stores, 24 manufactories, 514 stables, and nearly all the public buildings, being an increase of 133 dwelling-houses, 187 families, 4 stores, 1 manufactory, and six stables, during the year 1876.
The water fixtures now in use are designated as follows, viz , 4,538 sinks, 909 taps, 804 bath-tubs, 936 wash hand basins, 982 pan, 786 self-acting, and 85 hopper water-closets ; 41 private hydrants, 27 urinals, 6 fountains, and 494 hand hose.
There are now vacant 281 houses, 58 stables, and 25 stores.
140
About three fourths of the houses vacant are arranged for two families.
There has been no complaint of trouble from frozen water mains or service pipes during the past year, and the Board believe that in the future there will be little to be feared from frozen pipes.
During the past year, action has been taken by this Board in regard to placing the fire hydrants in charge of the Fire Depart- ment, which has resulted in the passage of an order by the City Council to that effect.
In consequence of the caving of the trench for the new main sewer constructed in West Somerville, much damage has been caused to the distribution and service pipes on Beacon, Mosland, and Elm Streets, giving great inconvenience to the water takers on the line of those streets The Board has, under the circumstances, taken every means in its power to lessen the damage caused to the water takers by the conveyance of water to their houses and stables, until such time as the completion of the sewer would allow the repairs to be made on the water pipes.
In the last report submitted by this Board, reference was made to the steps which had been taken towards obtaining a modifica- tion of the Water Contract between the city of Charlestown and the town of Somerville, dated Sept. 21, 1868, and the hope was expressed that erelong a modified contract would be presented for the consideration of the City Council. Circumstances entirely beyond the control of this Board have occurred preventing any decision in the matter. During the past year the subject was referred by the Water Committee of the Boston City Council (to whom it was originally referred) to the Mystic Water Board of Boston, and another hearing was given, at which members of this Board were present, and the facts in the case, on the part of Som- erville, presented to the best of their ability.
The following, which is taken from the last report of the Mystic Water Board to the Boston City Council, dated June 20, 1876, fully explains the result of the hearing before that Board, viz. :
" The petition from the cities of Chelsea and Somerville, and the town of Everett, for a modification of contracts with them, which was presented to the City Council, and referred to the Joint
141
Standing Committee on Water, after one hearing by them was referred by the committee to this Board, with a request that they would report what modifications, if any, should be made in the contracts. The Board, after several interviews and hearings with representatives of the Water Boards of each of the places named, and a careful consideration of the matter, came to the conclusion that it would be unwise to make the changes asked for by the peti- tioners, and that if anything was done it should be to make an entirely new contract, based upon the altered state of things growing out of the annexation of Charlestown to Boston; and that this could be done better by the Boston Water Board, when appointed, who would have charge of both the Cochituate and Mystic Works, than it could be by any existing Board, and they so reported to the committee."
Subsequent to the report from which the above quotation is made, the Water Committee of the Boston City Council reported, recommending that the subject be referred to the new Water Board of Boston, which recommendation was adopted, and the whole matter is now in the hands of that Board.
The works during the year 1876 have been under the general superintendence of Mr. Benjamin Almy, who has performed his duties in a faithful and satisfactory manner.
The engineering has been under the direction of Mr. George A. Kimball, the City Engineer, who has responded cheerfully to any call made upon him.
You are referred to the report of the Superintendent, herewith presented, containing a tabular statement of the amount of pipe laid, and other work performed during the year 1876, as also an inventory of stock and tools on hand at the workshop.
The cost of the works is as follows : -
Value Dec. 31, 1875, $321,047 84
Expended during the year 1876, including stock
now on hand,
6,184 49
Value of 3 stand pipes,
225 00
Total,
$327,457 33
142
The Board desire to express their thanks to the Commissioners, Registrar, and Superintendent of the Mystic Water Works for courtesies extended to them the past year.
During the long time the members of the Board have been asso- ciated together, they have endeavored faithfully and conscien- tiously to perform the duties assigned them ; have in all cases where, in their judgment, the interest of the town or city would admit, granted the petition of the citizens for the laying of distri- bution pipes ; and transfer to the care of their successors in office the 43 miles of distribution pipe, with the appurtenances thereto belonging, in good working order.
C. E. RYMES. CUTLER DOWNER. THOMAS CUNNINGHAM. HORACE HASKINS. R. A. VINAL.
STATEMENT SHOWING TOTAL LENGTH OF DISTRIBUTION WATER PIPE LAID IN SOMERVILLE, TO JANUARY 1, 1877.
Total Miles & Feet.
Feet. 12-inch.
Feet. 10-inch.
Feet. 8-inch.
Feet. 6-inch.
Feet. 4-inch.
Feet. 3-inch.
Feet. 2-inch.
Miles.
Feet.
Laid previous to 1876. Laid in 1876 .
8,542.6
4,586
28,277.6 1,472
88.911.7
84,558
7,446.5
1,747
42
2,339.4
2,399
2,449
474
1
1,514
Total .
8,542.6
4,586
29,749.6 91,340.7
87,007
7,920.5
1,747
43
3,853.4
143
144
SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT.
To the Somerville Mystic Water Board :
GENTLEMEN, - My fourth Annual Report as Superintendent of the Somerville Mystic Water Works is respectfully submitted, comprising a statement of all work performed under my care dur- ing the year 1876, and also an inventory of materials and tools on hand January 1, 1877.
STREETS.
Feet. 8-in.
Feet. 6-in.
Feet. 4-in.
Feet. 3-in.
8-in.
6-in. 4-in.13-in.
| Hydrants set, 1876.
Hydrant pipe, 4-in.
Avon .
Broadway from Weston Av. dead end
Broadway, at New Cross . .
39
230
14
300
1
Brooks, from Main to Heath .
190
70
Beacon, at l'ark Street
Columbus Avenue, at Warren Ave Conwell Avenue
Cherry, at Elm
Cottage Avenue, from Chester Street Day, from Elm
515
2
1
8
Elm, at Willow Avenue
Flint, at Cross
Glen, at Flint
Heath, at Brooks
Herbert, from Day to Chester .
380
187
14
104
65
640
10
1
.
1
1-
. .
·
426
2
Professor's Row, from Curtis
358
. . .
1
203
323
1
1
64
Sacramento, at Beacon
.
1
Wigglesworth, from Otis
143
Washington, corner Hawkins
.
.
·
.
1
8
Washington, at Beacon
. .
.
. .
.
1,472
2,399
2,449
474
1
9
13
2
9
774
.
.
. .
1
22]
Broadway Place - a dead end
1
1
.
1
1
8
Durham. from Beacon
468
1
1
1
1
1 111 1 1
1
Hanson, from Skehan to Durham Leon, from Concord Ave., a dead end Moore, north from Mead, a dead end Main, from Broadway to Brooks Munroe, east from Walnut . Mos-land, at Elm . New Cross, from Broadway, dead end Pitman
63
1
Pierce Court - a dead end .
145
.
1
Professor's Row, from College Ave. Rush, from Pearl to Flint .
.
. .
1
7
12
10}
Bow Street Place - a dead end
· 1,433
PIPE LAID IN 1876. Size of Pipe laid.
GATES SET 1876.
1
1
247
227
145
HYDRANTS MOVED ON ACCOUNT OF STREET IMPROVEMENTS.
Beacon Street, at corner Sacramento, 1
Beacon " opposite Forest Street, Cambridge, 1
Concord Avenue, near Leon Street,
1
Chauncey Avenue discontinued,
1
Repaired thirty-seven leaks on main pipes, four charged to Patent Water and Gas Pipe Company, being guaranteed by them for five years, amounting to $29 ; repacked ten gates, put new valves into twenty-one hydrants, replaced seven gate boxes and one flush hydrant box opposite School Street, Broadway ; cleaned forty-two corporation taps filled with rust, set three stand pipes for watering streets, two on Somerville Avenue below Union Square and one on Washington Street, corner of Boston Street.
MATERIALS ON HAND AT COST.
PIPE LINED.
27 feet 12 in. at
$1 00
$27 00
35
10 “
90
31 50
112 6 8 .
75
84 00
287
66
6 66
45
129 15
168
66 4
28
47 04
182
66 3
24
43 68
$362 37
PIPE NOT LINED.
203 feet 10 in. at
$0 75
$152 25
77
66 8 4
58
44 66
1,113 "
6 "
389 55
413 “
4 66
94 99
Sleeves 21 ft. 3in., 17 ft. 8 in., and 74 ft. 6 in.,
681 45
Amount carried forward,
$1,043 82
10
146
Amount brought forward,
SHEET-IRON BRANCHES LINED.
7 double 4 on 6 at
$2 25
$15 75
3 " 4"44
2 10
6 30
2 single 3 " 4 "
2 00
4 00
2
"3"34
2 00
4 00
2 unlined 3 " 6 "
1 75
3 50
CAST-IRON PIPE AND BRANCHES.
16 feet 8 in.
800 lbs. at $0 024
$18 00
15 " 6 "
500
66
024
11 25
12 " 4 "
270
021
6 07
1
" 4 " ¿ turn
55
03
1 65
1
" 4 " special casting,
3 60
1
" 4 " sleeve,
19 lbs.
57
2
" 6 " sleeves, 47 ‹‹ at 03
1 41
CAST-IRON BRANCHES, NOT LINED.
1 double 6 on 6
82 lbs. at
$0 032
$2 87
4
4 - 6
304
033
10 64
5
4 .
285
032
9 97
1 single 6 "8
94
03.2.
3 29
5
4 " 6
315
66
03}
11 02
5
4 “ 4
235 66 03를
8 22
46 01
CAST-IRON BRANCHES LINED.
2 double 4 on 6
$8 00
1 4 " 4
3 50
1 single 4 " 8
4 50
16 00
HYDRANTS ON HAND.
4 inch good order at
$50 00
$200 00
4 to be repaired
45 00
180 00
380 00
Amount carried forward,
$1,561 93
$1,043 82
33 55
42 55
147
Amount brought forward, $1,561 93
GATES ON HAND.
2 4 inch at
$15 30 $30 60
33 66
12 60
37 80
15 gate frames and covers, 86 25
1 small cover, 1 25
155 90
SUNDRY MATERIAL.
300 feet boards, at $26.00 per M.
$7 80
1,500 " plank, " 66 66 39 00
13 bbls. cement, at $1.60.
20 80
10 lbs. oakum,
1 00
¿ ton coal,
1 50
52 lbs. winding rope,
6 24
4 gallons naphtha,
1 40
50 lbs spikes,
2 00
60 lbs. nails,
2 40
1} yds. enamelled cloth,
90
23 yds. cotton drilling, at .12,
2 76
275 lbs. rivets, at .13,
35 75
15 hydrant valves,
12 00
13 66 caps, 75₺ lbs. at .04,
3 02
29 lbs. manilla rope at .14},
4 20
1 iron bound block,
1 25
3 gate boxes,
9 00
8 hydrant rods,
9 00
5 wrench nuts for hydrants, at .75,
3 75
6 hydrant gaskets, at .75,
4 50
2 bbls. tar,
10 00
27 feet fuse,
10
92 lbs. chain,
1 00
10 lbs. ¿ inch wire, 1 00
7 hydrant screws,
70
8 studs for hydrant caps,
48
Amounts carried forward, $181 55
$1,717 83
-
148
Amounts brought forward,.
$181 55
$1,717 83 50 lbs. white lead, 5 00
186 65
Total value of material on hand,
$1,904 48
TOOLS FOR WATER WORKS.
1 lining stand and fixtures,
$25 00
1 punching machine,
250 00
1 rolling
200 00
6 mandrels,
90 00
2 mandrel frames,
10 00
4 sets rollers for forming pipe,
45 00
6 pr. pipe clamps,
12 00
6 pr. pipe rings,
5 00
3 rivet sets,
1 00
1 wire gauge,
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