USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Somerville > Report of the city of Somerville 1881 > Part 7
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The schools of the present time are essentially unlike those of former years, and in many particulars vastly superior to them ; but the change in popular sentiment in regard to their importance, and the deep interest now existing in their behalf, are still more notice- able. Facilities for their improvement have greatly multiplied, and appropriations for their support are constantly increasing. In 1837, the Board of Education was organized, and Horace Mann was appointed its Secretary. The annual appropriation that year for the support of the public schools of Massachusetts was $387,124. Since that period, the population of the State has increased about two and one half times, but the annual appropria- tions for the support of public schools have increased more than tenfold. During the first year that Mr. Mann was Secretary, he visited eight hundred school-houses in different parts of the State. After his investigations he made the following statement : "Not one third of the public school-houses in Massachusetts would be considered tenantable by any decent family out of the poorhouse, or in it. I have seen many school-houses in central districts of rich and populous towns, where cach seat connected with a desk, consisted only of an upright post or pedestal, without side-arms or back-board ; and some of them so high that the feet of the children sought after the floor in vain."
The commodious and beautiful school buildings which now adorn every city and nearly every town in the Commonwealth, and the excellent schools which occupy them, are in striking contrast with those which passed under the observation of the eminent Secretary.
The following are some of the distinctive features of the schools of the present time : -
1. Marked improvement in discipline. The art of governing by mild means is better understood and much more generally prac- tised than formerly. The government in most schools is similar to that which a judicious parent exercises in the management of his family. 2. The health, manners, and morals of pupils are mat- ters of increasing solicitude and watchfulness. 3. The develop- ment and cultivation of the understanding receive special attention at every stage of the pupil's progress. 4. Increased effort is made to develop correct expression. Hence, exercises in language,
136
spoken and written, constitute an important part of each day's work. 5. In all the grades, pupils read more than formerly ; less time is devoted to vocal drill exercises, and more to secure quick and accurate comprehension of the author's meaning. 6. Writing is begun much earlier in the pupil's course than formerly, and much more time is devoted to exercises for acquiring freedom and rapidity of movement. 7. In arithmetic, less time is employed in memorizing rules and explaining principles. and more to gaining familiarity with processes and quickness in computations. 8. In geography and history, unimportant details are omitted, and there is much less of memoriter recitation than formerly. 9. Music and drawing are peculiarities of comparatively recent date.
Recent strictures upon the public-school system and its results, from comparatively high sources, have led those most deeply inter- ested to propound the following questions for general considera- tion : --
1. " What are the chief defects in our system of public-school instruction ?" 2. " What changes are suggested by which the de- fects may be removed ?"
The following are some of the replies which these inquiries have elicited : -
Defects. - " Lack of teachers of sufficient qualifications." "Too many pupils to each teacher, and as a consequence, the impossi- bility of studying the peculiarities of each child." "Tendency to crowd the curriculum in our schools, and to specialize the studies too soon." "Too much time is spent in mere manipulations and organization." " Too much reliance upon artificial spurs to study." " Tendency to secularize education." "Failure to develop the power of expression." " Failure to develop the memory." " Large numbers leave school at an early age." "Non-attendance is a startling evil."
Remedies. - " Better preparation of teachers for their work, through the instrumentality of professional training in the art and mastery of teaching." "Normal schools should supplement high schools, and not be substituted for them." "Greatest simplicity of organization consistent with the orderly conduct and movement of large numbers." " The public-school system should be more
137
simple and less pretentious, should teach fewer branches and vastly less of minute detail." "More complete attendance at school, of children of school age, by a more stringent system of compul- sion."
Our own schools present much for congratulation and encourage- ment. They are generously sustained, conveniently accommodated, and liberally supplied with all needful appliances for successful work. They are well organized. The course of study, in the main, is satisfactory, and the requirements are well adapted to the capacity of the pupils. Pupils as a whole are orderly, obedient, courteous, and industrious. Those who complete the course of study attain to a respectable rank in scholarship. The high relative standing of the schools and the excellent results secured by them are evi- dences also of the fidelity and ability of the teachers. " We guess the pilot by the sailing of the ship." With all their excellences and commendable qualities, however, the schools are ever revealing imperfections which claim our vigilance, and demand a daily re- newal of intensified effort.
None are more sensible of the defects which expose the schools to criticism, or deplore their existence more deeply, than those under whose observation they are constantly passing, and on whom devolves the duty of their correction.
The more prominent evils which mar the schools and impair their efficiency have been classified under the head of " school vices," as follows : " Idleness, whispering, disorderly movements in the school-room, injury to property, and rudeness of speech or act in the intercourse of every-day life." To these may be added, need- less tardiness and inexcusable irregularity of attendance.
Against these vices of the schools stand the following " school virtues," which we aim to cultivate : " Regularity of attendance, promptness, obedience, truthfulness, earnestness, diligence, kind- ness, neatness, and thoroughness in the preparation of lessons."
The fitness of teachers for their vocation is clearly indicated by their treatment of these ever-recurring vices of the schools, and their success in cultivating the opposite virtues enumerated.
The interests of education intrusted to our supervision are worthy our highest endeavor. It has been well said, " The noblest
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and the most difficult of all arts is to train up a child to worthy manhood." Orcutt says, " We cannot add to the stature of our pupils one cubit, nor to their mental capacity one new power; but we can bring them under such a process of training as will subdue their wild and untamed impulses, develop the latent energies of body, mind, and soul, and direct them to a course of right action ; so that the future citizen and law-giver may be fitted for his great work and high destiny."
The ruling purpose in education is an increase of ability to meet the emergencies and to perform the duties of life successfully. The methods employed change with the ever-varying demands of com- munities, and the intelligence and skill of those who devise and apply them ; but the purpose is not affected by lapse of time or revolutions in popular sentiment.
Mental strength and moral power are the reward of earnest, per- sistent, well-directed effort. "There is no royal road to any worthy success." Porphyry says, " Steep and craggy is the path of the gods." The highest rewards are assured to those " who, by patient continuance in well-doing, seek for them." Ability to do is a resultant of doing. The eye gains its clearness and accuracy of perception by patient observation ; the ear its accuteness by attentive listening ; the hand its cunning by constant, careful practice ; and the mind, all that is contained in that comprelien- sive word, culture, by severe, systematic, and long-continued study. Much, indeed, of all that is learned will be forgotten; but the mental power evolved by the acquisition of knowledge which may have passed from the recollection, remains. The wheel of the lapi- dist wastes away, but the lustre imparted to the precious gems endures. Emerson says, " If he have secured the elixir, he can spare the wide gardens from which it was distilled."
The crowning agencies, however, in securing the important ends contemplated in the work of the schools, are the energizing and inspiring presence and the wisely directed efforts of teachers thor- oughly furnished for their work and deeply imbued with a sense of its importance. Carlyle says, " Mind grows, like a spirit, by mysteri- ous contact of spirit ; thought kindling itself at the fire of living thought." To this he adds the pertinent and important question ,
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which all may profitably consider, "How shall he give kindling in whose inward man there is no live coal ?"
With many thanks to you, gentlemen, for your continued kindness and numerous courtesies, this report is respectfully submitted.
J. II. DAVIS, Superintendent of Public Schools.
SOMERVILLE, Dec. 31, 1881.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
SOMERVILLE MYSTIC WATER BOARD.
1881.
CITY OF SOMERVILLE.
IN BOARD OF MAYOR AND ALDERMEN, Feb. 14, 1882.
Referred to the Committee on Printing, to be printed in the Annual Re- port of 1881. Sent down for concurrence.
CHARLES E. GILMAN, Clerk.
Concurred in.
IN COMMON COUNCIL, Feb. 16, 1882. DOUGLAS FRAZAR, Clerk.
CITY OF SOMERVILLE.
OFFICE OF WATER BOARD, Jan. 1, 1882.
To the City Council of the City of Somerville :
THE Somerville Mystic Water Board submit their annual report for the year ending Dec. 31, 1881, and with it the report of the superintendent, containing a full statement of the city's property in water works, with an inventory of stock and tools, and the work done during the year.
There have been laid and set since our last report, 2,977 feet of distribution pipe, 9 stop-gates, and 6 hydrants, making the total throughout the city 45 miles 2,185 feet of pipe, 392 stop-gates, and 283 hydrants.
There have been relaid 2,597 feet of pipe ; 139 new service pipes have been laid, amounting in length to 6,250 feet, at an average cost of $19.74.
Water is now supplied to the following : -
Dwelling-houses
3,645
Families
·
4,972
Stores and saloons
163
Manufactories
25
Offices, halls, and clubs
32
Churches
13
Stables
667
Public schools
82
Hydrants
283
Standpipes for street watering
20
Public drinking fountains
·
8
Miscellaneous
57
·
.
.
The Fitchburg Railroad Company have laid, at their own expense, 1,644 feet of six-inch cast-iron pipe to supply their engines, and for further protection againt fire in their freight yard, connecting the
144
same with a six-inch gate on Linwood Street, adding a material source of revenue to the water works.
In the report of the city treasurer will be found a full statement of expenditures on the construction, maintenance, and service accounts.
It will be noticed that of the money appropriated for mainte- nance of water works during the year 1881, which contemplated the relaying of five streets, a considerable sum remains unex- pended. The several reasons for this are : The unusual amount of time and labor required in replacing decayed gate and service boxes, resetting hydrants, setting blow-offs, supplying the largely increased demand for services, the extension of water works 2,977 feet ; the constant care and vigilant watch of the superintendent over streets regarded as unsafe, because of the poor condition of the pipe laid in them, he having given his personal attention to the opening and shutting of gates in the case of fires to save them from any extraordinary pressure that might cause bursting or leaking åt such time ; and the relaying of such streets as were known to be unsafe.
These several reasons combined, making it impossible and un- necessary to relay all the streets planned for, have made it possi- ble for us to pass through the year with a much less expenditure than at its commencement was deemed absolutely necessary. It must not be inferred, however, because of past immunity from dan- ger, that we can hope to escape the necessity of relaying, just as fast as circumstances will permit, all the streets in which the pipe now decaying was laid, years before the present processes of manu- facture were understood and adopted.
Confirming our opinion, expressed in former reports, of the supe- rior value and durability of cement pipe for water works, when properly made and laid, are the facts that we have had during 1881 only about one half the number of leaks and breaks that occurred in the previous year, and none in the pipe laid under the present management. This leads us to believe that when the old pipe laid by the American Patent Water and Gas Pipe Company, now the source of all our trouble, shall have been renewed, we shall have water works excelled by none.
145
It is proper for us to state here that the board has, during the past year, placed in the shops of the water works the most approved and perfect machinery known for the manufacture of cement pipe ; and we are confident that the product of our manufacture will com- pare favorably, for cost. durability, and the clear and safe conduct of water distributed, with any iron pipe made. Could we be as se- cure of good, pure, and wholesome water from the Mystic as these pipes would deliver were pure water delivered to them, there would be no further complaint about water supply by the citizens of Somerville.
We regard it as part of our duty to again call the attention of the City Council to the absolute necessity of a system of high ser- vice in connection with our water works.
While at least four hundred families are, by reason of the insuffi- cient quantity of water granted them, never fully protected from the danger of fire, and never have water enough to meet their needs for household purposes, they are with few exceptions, where the flow is meagre beyond description, compelled to pay full rates.
This poverty of water supply is, more than any other one thing, preventing the improvement of the most desirable localities in the city for fine residences.
As will be seen by stock account report, the Board of 1881 leave the water works well supplied with material, all in prime condition for use ; and we are glad to know that, like any well- appointed business, conducted on strictly business principles, the maintenance of the Somerville water works is reduced to a sys- tem which, under careful. and economical management in the future, will secure the best interests of the city in so far as the distribution of water is concerned.
Respectfully submitted,
EDWARD FOOTE. WESLEY C. CRANE. EDWIN S. CONANT. JOHN A. COLE.
10
SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT.
To the Somerville Mystic Water Board :
GENTLEMEN, - The annual report of the Superintendent of the Somerville Mystic Water Works is respectfully submitted, com- prising a statement of all work performed under my direction from Dec. 31, 1880, to Dec. 31, 1881.
WATER PIPE LAID, GATES AND HYDRANTS SET, 1881.
Distribution Pipe laid.
LOCATION.
2 in.
3 in.
4 in.
6 in.
Stop-gates
set, 6-inch.
Hydrants
set.
4 in.
6 in.
Austin Street
292
Chester Place
261
Fitchburg Railroad
1,644
Garden Court.
432
Loring Street ..
105
Joy Street, near Poplar Street.
35
Oxford Street, near School Street
8
Somerville Avenue, near Elm Street ..
24
Summit Avenue .
7
Prospect Street, near Newton Street ..
.. .
. .
... .
......
PIPES FOR BLOW-OFFS.
Beacon Street, near Sacramento Street.
18
Chester Place ..
Elm Street, near Russell Street.
11
Garden Court.
7
7
Franklin Street, near Pearl Street.
7
Marshall Street, near Evergreen Ave ..
17
Oliver Street, near Glen Street ...
17
34
Springfield Street, near Cambridge line, T'enney Court.
7
Thorpe Place
9
Washington Street near Boston line ..
7
Hydrant Pipe laid.
..... ......
18
Hamlet Street ..
147
WATER PIPE RELAID IN 1881.
LOCATION.
3 in.
4 in.
6 in.
8 in.
10 in.
Broadway, near Cutter Street
Broadway
Beacon Street, near Sacramento Street
8
Brooks Street, near Rush Street ...
14
Cross Street, near Broadway to near Everett Avenue. .
484
Chester Street, near Herbert Street ..
7
759
Elm Street, at Cherry Street.
12
Homer Square
7
Hamlet Street ..
7
Jaques Street.
7
Linwood Street, near Poplar Street
5
Mt. Vernon Street, Broadway to Perkins Street.
588
Poplar Street, near Maple Street
7
6
Thorp Place.
7
Walnut Street, near Broadway.
7
Wallace Street, near Holland Street.
16
Webster Street, near Glen Street, to Franklin Street ..
616
HYDRANT PIPE RELAID.
Central Street, near Albion Street.
7
Central Street, near Vernon Street
7
Dane Street, at Tyler Street ..
5
Highland Avenue, near Walnut Street.
5
Somerville Avenue, at Spring Street.
5
Summer Street, near Porter Street
7
School Street, at Avon Street.
7
Webster Street, near Rush Street
4
Holland Street, near Irving Street.
6
DISTRIBUTING MAINS.
The distributing mains have been extended, during the year, 2,977 feet, of which 1,644 feet of six-inch cast-iron pipe have been laid by the Fitchburg Railroad Company on their premises, and connected with the six-inch gate on Linwood Street ; making now forty-five miles 2,185 feet.
Leaks have occurred during the year from causes as follows : -
By rust holes
8
By defective lining of pipe .
.
10
By blows from picks .
2
By joint leaks
.
7
Total .
33 *
* A decrease of twenty-eight from last year.
·
.
16
23
Cutter Street. Broadway to Webster Street.
Somerville Avenue ..
148
Of the streets referred to in a previous report, Mt. Vernon Street has been relaid with a new six-inch pipe with cast-iron joints ; Webster Street, from Glen Street to Franklin Street, with a six-inch pipe with cast-iron joints ; Cutter Street, from Webster Street to Broadway, with a new six-inch pipe ; Cross Street, from Hadley Court towards Everett Avenue, a distance of 484 feet, with six-inch pipe.
I would recommend the extension, as soon as possible, of the six-inch main pipe on Beacon Street, from Kent Street to Sacra- mento Street (distance 525 feet), as that locality has now to depend wholly upon the six-inch pipe running across Sacramento Street, which I consider insufficient in the event of a large fire in the vicin- ity. And also, in making repairs between Central Street and Craig. Street, this locality is entirely deprived of water, causing great complaint.
In order to remove the impurities complained of by residents on Columbus Avenue, I would recommend the extension of the six-inch pipe on said avenue to connect with the four-inch pipe on Walnut Street, a distance of 125 feet, which extension will give a circulation and remove the cause of complaint.
SERVICE PIPES.
The whole number of service pipes laid has been one hundred and thirty-nine, an increase of forty-five over last year.
More than the usual amount of labor was caused the past year by the freezing of service pipes. With three exceptions, those pipes were of lead, and connected on the top of the main in the old way, and they were frozen near the gooseneck. I would recom- mend that these pipes be disconnected from the top and recon- nected in the centre of the pipe, an alteration whereby the difficulty may be remedied.
Bond Street, for a distance of 250 feet, more or less, has been cut down to a new grade since the main was laid ; and the pipe being in some places but two feet below the surface, it is exposed to the action of frost. For the past four winters the services con- nected at this point have frozen, and I therefore recommend that this pipe be lowered to a depth of five feet.
149
The whole number of service pipes laid has been one hundred and thirty-nine. Number of feet, 6,250. Total length of trenching, 6,548 feet. Average cost of services, $19.74.
Thirty-five leaks have occurred during the past year, and were from the following causes : -
Defective soldering
15
Defective coupling
4
Settling of sewer trenches
5
Picks
3
Burst by frost .
8
Total
35
Seventeen were stopped by rust, and were retapped at the cor- poration ; twelve were stopped by fish, and twenty-seven by frost ; two hundred and fifteen cast-iron gate boxes have been substituted for decayed wooden ones. Water has been shut off from seventy- two dwellings and stables, during the repair of leakages inside the premises.
STANDPIPE FOR WATERING STREETS.
One new standpipe has been set near the junction of Main Street and Broadway. One on School Street has been removed and located on Somerville Avenue, opposite the cemetery.
I would recommend the setting of four additional standpipes the coming season, in localities to be determined upon.
The cost of setting standpipe on Broadway and repairs upon others has been $77.90.
DRINKING FOUNTAINS.
These have been a source of great trouble during the past year. A number have been broken and defaced by persons un- known, and it has been found almost impossible to keep chains and dippers attached because of theft. The wastes have been often filled up, causing overflow, whereby the immediate vicinity of each fountain has been kept almost constantly in bad condition. To remedy this I recommend an entire change of wastes and supplies.
150
The fountain in Union Square, to which I referred in a previous report, has been frequently out of order and broken by teams, and will either have to be discontinued or some change made.
STOP-GATES.
Stop-gates have been set on old mains and located as follows : -
Marshall Street, near Evergreen Avenue 1 6-inch. School Street, near Avon Street . 1 4-inch.
Walnut Street, near Boston Street 1 4-inch.
Somerville Avenue, near Linden Street 1 6-inch.
Webster Street, near Glen Street 1 6-inch.
Joy Street, near Poplar Street
1 6-inch.
The four-inch gates on the following streets have been replaced by six-inch gates, on account of the laying of larger pipe : -
Broadway, corner Mt. Vernon Street .
1
Mt. Vernon Street, corner Perkins Street ·
1
Broadway, corner Cutter Street 1 .
Cutter Street, corner Webster Street
·
1
Webster Street, corner Franklin Street . 1
One four-inch gate has been set on the extension on Somerville Avenue, opposite Garden Court.
Repairs upon stop-gates have been made as follows : seventy- four have been repacked ; two have had new spindles ; twenty have had new boxes ; nineteen have had general repairs.
Six of the small plug gate boxes have been removed, and re- placed by large boxes with cover and frame.
All have been examined twice the past year, oiled, and are in good order. The whole number of stop-gates in the city is three hundred and ninety-two, twenty of which are marked and used for blow-offs.
BLOW-OFFS.
Of the blow-offs referred to in a previous report, twelve have been set and connected with the sewers, and are located as fol- lows : -
151
Denny Court, near B. & M. R. R. 1 2-inch.
Thorp Place
1 2-inch.
Hamlet Street 1 2-inch.
Washington Street, near Boston line . 1 6-inch.
Springfield Street, near Cambridge line 1 4-inch.
Pearl Street, near Franklin Street 1 4-inch.
Oliver Street, near Glen Street . .
1 4-inch.
Elm Street, near Russell Square . 1 4-inch.
Marshall Street, near Evergreen Avenue 1 4-inch.
Beacon Street, near Sacramento Street 1 4-inch.
Garden Court, near Fitchburg Railroad .
1 4-inch.
Chester Court
1 2-inch.
Making the whole number now set, twenty.
These blow-offs have been found to be of great convenience in keeping the pipes clean, and they also save a large amount of labor. The work can be done during the night; and the water thus having time to settle by morning, little or no inconvenience is caused to consumers.
I would recommend the setting of twelve more in different parts of the city, the locations to be hereafter decided upon.
HYDRANTS.
During the past year the hydrants have received especial care, and a large number of them have been thoroughly repaired. In extreme cold weather they have required constant attention and much labor to insure their proper condition for use in case of fire. As the disk hydrants, of which there is a large number, are so con- structed that the waste is above the main pipe, and also some three inches above the valve, they are rendered unreliable in extreme cold weather on account of freezing. By order of your board, and as an experiment, one of these hydrants has been altered to the Pattee & Perkins patent, and its working has proved eminently satisfactory. Other cities and towns in this vicinity, where the disk hydrants have been in use, are replacing or altering them as above, and I recommend similar action with regard to the remainder of those in our city.
152
Six new hydrants have been set during the year, -five on old mains and one on the extension, - and located as follows : -
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