USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Somerville > Report of the city of Somerville 1887 > Part 9
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The following represents, substantially, the work accomplished in the high school and the several grammar schools : -
The sixth class learn notation, the rudiments of music, the chromatic scales, and sing two-part songs in the Second National Music Reader. The fifth class learn the transposition of the scales, and sing in all the keys. The fourth class finish the Sec- ond Reader, sing three-part songs in the Third Reader, and learn thoroughly all the keys. The third class finish the Third Reader, begin the Fourth Reader, and learn the bass clef and the minor scales. The second class continue the Fourth Reader, practise solfeggios in treble and bass clefs, and sing in three and four parts. The first class finish the Fourth Reader, and sing any ordinary tunes in three and four parts.
In the High School, the practice of singing by note is discon- tinued, and pupils sing at sight the tunes contained in the Fifth, or high school, Music Reader, which contains music of the high- est order from the best masters.
DRAWING.
One-twentieth of school time is devoted to this branch of in- struction. The average annual cost, including instruction, draw- ing-books, and pencils, is about $4,700. No material change has been made in the course of instruction since the introduction of
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ANNUAL REPORTS.
White's drawing-books, six years ago. Instruction and practice are confined mainly to designs for flat surfaces, as geometrical forms and their combinations ; natural forms, as leaves, flowers, etc. ; and historic designs.
For the last twelve years, the graduates of the several grammar schools have prepared, during the month of June, specimens of their writing and drawing. These specimens have been bound each year, and are the property of the schools to which the gradu- ates belonged, and have proved a healthful incentive to succeeding classes.
It will be seen, by a careful examination of these books, that excellent results are obtained within the limited range outlined by the system of drawing used in our schools; but the work of suc- ceeding years exhibits no decided advancement. More extended practice is desired, and, if possible, should be secured, in the representation of solid form, and in freehand drawing from objects.
DISCIPLINE.
Satisfactory order is maintained in all the schools; and the methods pursued, by most teachers, to secure it, are commenda- ble. No case of corporal punishment has occurred in sixteen schools during the year; twelve teachers report one case each ; seven, two cases each ; and eleven, three cases each. The aver- age number of punishments to a school, in seventy-five schools, for the year, is three and six-tenths. Pro rata, the number of pun- ishments in all the schools this year is only twenty-five per cent of the number reported in 1874.
This marked decrease in the amount of corporal punishment in the schools, is most gratifying evidence of decided improvement in the art of school management.
The school is a commonwealth in miniature. The teacher em- bodies the three departments of government, - the legislative, the judicial, and the executive. He is limited by the school regula- tions, and is amenable to popular sentiment; but, with these restrictions, his power in the schoolroom is absolute. The offend- ing pupil has neither advocate nor opportunity for appeal, but is powerless before the tribunal of the school. In view of this dis- parity, the teacher should exercise, at all times, great discretion and clemency.
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REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
Children cherish no resentment, but are keenly sensitive to in- justice, and ever retain the remembrance of it. In our treatment of them we should be regardful of their claims, ever keep in mind the possibilities of their future, and pursue towards them a course which the judgment of their mature years will commend. We should labor to encourage and strengthen self-confidence and self- respect. Under no provocation should we give utterance to expressions that would tend to degrade the child in his own esti- mation or that of his associates.
If we interpret the signs of the times aright, the children of this generation, ere their life-work is completed, will have occasion for all the strength and moral courage God has given them. By no word or act of ours would we deduct an iota therefrom.
INDUSTRIAL EDUCATION.
At no period of its existence has the public-school system been so perfect in all particulars as at the present time. Commodious and beautiful school buildings, furnished with every needed com- fort and convenience, abound in every city, and in nearly all the towns, of the commonwealth. Text-books, stationery, and what- ever is essential to successful school work are liberally supplied at public cost. Facilities for obtaining an education are so ample, teachers, as a rule, are more fully equipped for their important and responsible duties at the present time than at any former period. Opportunities for improvement in the art of teaching and of school management are abundant. Books and periodicals containing the mature thoughts of the most eminent educators, past and present, upon all subjects pertaining to the duties of teachers, abound. As a consequence, the schools of the present time exhibit commenda- ble advances in many of the grand essentials of excellence. The art of governing by moral influences is better understood and more generally practised than formerly. Disorderly conduct and re- course to corporal punishment are events of rare occurrence. There is much less of tardiness and absenteeism than formerly. Pupils remain longer in school, and the number of graduates is constantly increasing. Improved methods of instruction are pur- sued, and a higher order of scholarship is obtained.
And yet, notwithstanding these substantial improvements, the schools of the present time are more sharply criticised, and dis-
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satisfaction in regard to them is more wide-spread and pronounced than at any former period.
With these statements in mind, the following questions natually arise : " What has caused this sudden and general dissatisfac- tion ?" "Why is it that our school system, heretofore our boast ; the common schools, free to every child ; the public high schools, with the State universities crowning the system of free public education, and open to all, - are now called in question in the very communities that have most earnestly fostered them ?"
Prominent among the causes which have contributed to these results, are the changes which have been wrought in our social condition in recent years, and the failure of the schools to meet the demands incident thereto.
No unvarying system of education, however excellent, can meet the necessities of different communities at the same time, or of the same community at all times. It is evident, therefore, that systems of instruction and training must change with the ever-varying con- ditions of society ; otherwise, they will fail to meet the require- ments of communities, and, consequently, incur criticisms and dissatisfaction.
Just now we are passing through a transition period. The old order of things has passed away, and new conditions, with their numerous demands are upon us, and we are not fully prepared to meet them.
A very large proportion of our pupils will be obliged to rely upon their own labor to make their way in life. Formerly the education of the schools, though much more elementary in charac- ter and limited in extent than that received by the young of the present day, was supplemented by the apprentice system, - a sys- tem founded and fostered by the conviction that every person should be furnished with the needful qualifications for maintaining himself in honest independence. But the extensive application of machinery to the mechanic arts, and the consequent minute divis- ion of labor, have superseded the apprentice system, and, as yet, no sufficient equivalent has been substituted therefor. Hence it has come to pass that the equipment which the youth of the pres- ent generation are receiving through the education of the public schools, which is mainly intellectual, is altogether inadequate to present demands.
I. Edwards Clarke, A.M., in his report to the Bureau of Educa-
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REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
ion on "American Education in Fine and Industrial Art." says : -
"The present school system ignores the productive faculties of man. The education given to pupils is so utterly one-sided and narrow, they go out into the world to enter the struggle of life with only a few of their faculties developed by school training. Their very education limits them to a narrow range of occupations; and the very abundance of schools each year graduat- ing similarly trained pupils makes it harder for each one to earn a living, because the numbers seeking and fitted for the particular employments are annually increased, while there is no relative increase in the need for workers in these employments."
Communities are demanding that the public schools supply not only what was formerly furnished by the apprentice system, but also such additional industrial and art training as the exigencies of the times require. Fortunately, our school system has great flexi- bility. It has proved adequate to the necessities of every section of our country in all former periods of its history, and doubtless will be found equal to present demands, when sufficient time has elapsed for re-adjustment.
In what manner and to what extent industrial education shall be pursued in the public schools is a leading problem at the pres- ent time, and its solution is occupying the thoughts of many educators in all sections of the country. Already industrial schools, schools of technology, and normal art schools are in successful operation. Drawing is a legal requirement of the schools. Evening drawing schools are rapidly multiplying. Sew- ing is successfully taught in many schools, and without detriment to the regular intellectual requirements. In several cities facilities are afforded for acquiring the skill requisite for various mechanic arts.
In view of the attendant cost, prudence may restrain us from entering the list of experimenters in this regard ; but we may safely predict that, in the future, as in the past, our city will not be remiss in promptly adopting whatever commends itself as pro- motive of the public welfare.
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RETROSPECTIVE.
The following table shows the growth of the city in the last twenty-five years : -
1862.
1887.
Population
8,550
Valuation .
$5,760,000 00
About 33,000 $27,469,300 00
Estimated value of school property
66,650 00
428,554 00
Persons between five and fifteen years of age.
1,851
5,722
Number of schools .
29
108
Number of teachers
30
123
The interesting history of our schools is an assurance of their future prosperity. Hitherto they have uniformly maintained a commendable and honorable position in the front ranks of the best in the commonwealth. Our citizens have ever shown their high appreciation of the importance of education by their generous support of whatever is promotive of the intellectual and moral elevation of the community. Those to whom public interests have been intrusted, have entertained liberal sentiments, and pursued a generous policy in regard to all matters of general interest and utility.
The members of successive school boards have guarded with vigilance the important interests committed to their guidance, and have labored with fidelity to meet their responsibilities, and to adapt the schools to the requirements and necessities of the com- munity. Pursuing a conservative but progressive course, they have combined and applied the best of the past and present, and have promptly adopted new methods whenever their superiority was apparent, but have wasted none of the valuable time of the schools in experimenting upon schemes of doubtful utility.
While earnestly engaged in promoting intellectual culture, and in preparing pupils to perform successfully their life work, they have not been unmindful of the more important duty of inculcating principles of morality and virtue, of laying the foundation of worthy character, and of fostering aspirations to noble manhood. Believing, however, that the teaching in schools maintained at public cost should be entirely free from all sectarian bias, they
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REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
have scrupulously guarded against the introduction of any instruc- tion favorable or adverse to the tenets of any religious sect, and have confined their teaching to those principles of morality con- cerning which all religious denominations are in harmony.
Since the public schools are the most important and effective agency yet devised for the dissemination of intelligence and virtue, upon which our free institutions and all the blessings accruing therefrom must depend for their perpetuity, constant and untiring vigilance should be exercised to divest them of whatever may excite reasonable objections, and all available means should be employed to render them worthy of the confidence and support of all considerate citizens.
PERSONAL.
My connection with the schools of Somerville began with March, 1863, and will end with February, 1888. For the first nine of these twenty-five years it was my privilege to be a member of the school board, and for the last twenty-two years I have been its sec- retary, and the superintendent of the public schools. During this period I have been associated with seventy-nine gentlemen and two ladies who have been members of the school committee, three hun- dred and twenty teachers, and about fifteen thousand pupils of the public schools. From all of these I have uniformly received great kindness and courtesy, and to them all I extend my warmest thanks and kindest regards. The remembrance that nothing has trans- pired in all these years to disturb the harmony or mar the pleasure of our intercourse will ever afford the purest satisfaction.
Respectfully submitted,
J. H. DAVIS, Superintendent of Public Schools.
SOMERVILLE, Dec. 23, 1887.
REPORT
OF THE
SOMERVILLE MYSTIC WATER BOARD.
CITY OF SOMERVILLE.
IN BOARD OF MAYOR AND ALDERMEN, Feb.21, 1888 .
Referred to the committee on printing, to be printed in the annual re- ports. Sent down for concurrence.
GEO. I. VINCENT, Clerk pro tem.
Concurred in.
IN COMMON COUNCIL, Feb. 23, 1888. CHAS. S. ROBERTSON, Clerk.
CITY OF SOMERVILLE.
To his Honor the Mayor and the City Council.
GENTLEMEN, - Two things have kept the Water Department very busy during 1887, - the large amount of building that has been done in the city, and the frequent breaks and necessary repairs of the old mains.
An unusually large number of new buildings was erected in Somerville last year, and the demands for extension of the water service were, consequently, numerous. Owing to lack of money to do the work, not all of these applications could be granted. The Water Department, however, has laid nearly 10,000 feet of new mains, to accommodate new buildings on streets where no mains existed ; and 370 new services have been put in, using 13,867 feet of pipe, at a cost to the applicants of $6,718.77, an average cost of $18.16 for each service. The whole number of services in the city now is 4,996. There are 52 miles of mains, and 32 miles of service pipe. Owing to the lack of funds for the extension of the service, the new mains have been laid only in those streets where they were practically indispensable ; and the money applied to their cost will pay a large return upon the investment.
In addition to the work mentioned, 3,652 feet of the old, worn- out cement pipe have been taken up, and replaced with iron mains ; 27 new fire hydrants have been set ; 38 new gates have been put in ; and leaks and breaks in the mains to the unusual number of 83 have been repaired. For maintenance and construction to- gether, the department has used about $25,000 ; and so great have been the requirements of the year, that even with this large amount, it has been possible to do only a very small part of the much-needed re-laying of old and worn-out mains. The numerous demands for extension of the service, and the constantly and rapidly increasing number of breaks and repairs on the old cement mains, have taken much money that ought to have been available for re-laying the old mains ; and that, if it had been so applied, would have been well invested. The number of breaks last year was 83, compared with 50 breaks the year before, - more than
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ANNUAL REPORTS.
should occur in five years, if the pipes were in even fair condition. In other words, the repair account of the department is necessarily five times greater than it should be under proper conditions. The attention of the City Council has been annually called to the insecure and dangerous state of affairs. The old pipes are grow- ing more and more rotten every year ; and we feel that it is our duty to urge again, and more forcibly than ever, the importance of making the necessary appropriation to re-lay, at least, enough to reduce the number of breaks, to lessen the repair account, and to make the city safe from fire, and the annoyance of having the water shut off without notice at unseasonable times. Economy and safety demand that all these old cement mains shall be at once re-laid with iron pipe. With an ordinary appropriation, a large part of which must be devoted to extension of the service, the work cannot be done. What is needed is an appropriation which can be devoted wholly to the maintenance and improvement of the service, and an additional appropriation, which can be charged to construction account, and devoted wholly to the laying of new mains, wherever the erection of new dwellings and other build- ings causes them to be demanded.
For some years past, the Water Department has had no con- struction account. The money appropriated has had to be devoted both to construction and to maintenance ; and the consequence has been that the department has been hampered in its work, and has found it hard to accomplish its endeavor to divide the appropria- tion fairly, and to apply it for the best advantage of the city. In his recent inaugural address, the Mayor, after speaking of the necessity of re-laying the old mains, recommends that the needs of the department be supplied by borrowing on the city's funded debt account the money required for the extension of the water works. The Water Board fully believes in the wisdom of this recommendation of the Mayor, and earnestly hopes that it will be adopted by the City Council. The money so borrowed will draw interest until it is applied to construction ; and when it is so ap- plied, not only will a permanent and valuable improvement be accomplished, but the money will be invested in a way that will bring in large immediate returns to the city. The extension of the water mains, beside adding to the convenience and security of the people, always pays a large return upon the investment. In some cases, the whole cost of new mains has been wholly re-
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REPORT OF SOMERVILLE MYSTIC WATER BOARD.
paid to the city in water rates within a very few years. If the Mayor's suggestion is adopted, the usual appropriation can be ad- vantageously devoted to the maintenance of the service, including the re-laying of the rotten and expensive cement pipes ; and the new water loan can be used for the much-needed extension of the system.
In addition to these improvements, - which should be made at once, - there are certain other improvements which need to be made at an early day ; such as connecting dead ends of pipes, so that the water may be kept clean, and a free circulation insured ; con- tinuing the ten-inch main on Highland Avenue from the Brastow Hose House to Central Street, as shown on the original plan of the water works ; and furnishing a high service for the more elevated portions of the city. These improvements should be made before long ; but we regard the safety of the city as our first duty. Until the worn-out pipes are replaced, none of these useful improvements should be undertaken.
The members of the Water Board feel that one reason why the City Council should be liberal in its appropriation for the depart- ment, is the direct advantage to the city resulting from the favora- ble water contract made with the city of Boston two years ago. Instead of $18,000, as was estimated, $21,000 was saved to the city by the operation of this contract the first year ; and, with the increased number of water takers, the saving will be increased to more than $23,000 during 1888. The income to the city from this department is steadily increasing year by year. The laying of new mains is a permanent improvement, which ought not to be paid for altogether now. It seems only right, therefore, that the needed extension of the water works should be provided for by a special loan, and that the income of the department shall be largely applied to the maintenance and necessary repairs of the existing system.
A detailed statement of the work and condition of the depart- ment is given in the appended report of the Superintendent, Mr. Nathaniel Dennett, whose useful service the Water Board again wishes to commend.
J. O. HAYDEN. WALTER S. BARNES.' CHARLES H. BROWN. JOHN B. VIALL.
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ANNUAL REPORTS.
SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT.
To the Somerville Mystic Water Board.
GENTLEMEN, - Following is a report of the operations of the Somerville Mystic Water Works during the year ending Dec. 31, 1887, together with an inventory of all tools and apparatus owned by the Water Department, stock on hand, etc. : -
DISTRIBUTION MAINS.
These were extended 9,889 feet, 3 inches, or 1 mile, 4,609 feet ; making the total length in the city 52 miles, 747 feet. There were re-laid 3,652 feet of cast-iron pipe in place of that quantity of cement-lined pipe.
There were 83 breaks and leaks on mains during the year, in repairing which the following named quantities and sizes of pipe were used ; viz., 35 feet of 8-inch, 194 feet of 6-inch, and 140 feet of 4-inch.
The old cement-lined pipe continues to be a source of great trouble and expense, on account of frequent bursts ; and I recom- mend that the following named streets be re-laid with cast-iron pipe of the sizes specified, during the coming year : -
Beacon Street, for a distance of about 4,256 feet, with 6-inch pipe.
Prospect Street, from Somerville Avenue to Prospect Place, about 453 feet, with 6-inch pipe.
Everett Street, from Prospect Street to Webster Avenue, about 468 feet, with 4-inch pipe.
Emerson Street, from Everett Street to Newton Street, about 200 feet, with 4-inch pipe.
Bow Street, from the end of the iron pipe opposite Summer Street, through Bow Street to Somerville Auenue, about 760 feet of 8-inch pipe, with iron connections for Summer and Walnut Streets and Warren Avenue.
Warren Avenue, from Bow Street to Columbus Avenue, about 716 feet, with 6-inch pipe.
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REPORT OF SOMERVILLE MYSTIC WATER ROARD.
Washington Street, from opposite the drinking-fountain in Union Square to Bow Street, about 880 feet, with 8-inch pipe.
Vinal Avenue, from Highland Avenue to Pleasant Avenue, and a portion of Vinal Avenue to connect with the pipe laid in Summer Street a few years ago, about 970 feet, with 6-inch pipe.
School Street, from the iron pipe in Summer Street, to connect at Somerville Avenue, about 980 feet, with 6-inch pipe.
Medford Street, from Somerville Avenue to East Cambridge line, about 1,570 feet of 8-inch pipe.
Sacramento Street, from Beacon Street to Somerville Avenue, passing under the Fitchburg Railroad, about 471 feet of 6-inch pipe.
The pipe in Somerville Avenue, between Medford Street and Union Square at Washington Street, - a distance of about 1,970 feet, - is entirely unreliable, and should receive the earliest possible attention. Breaks on this line are the more productive of incon- venience to water takers, since they affect Allen, Linden and Merriam Streets, the pipe in each of which has a dead end.
A distance of about 436 feet should also be re-laid with 6-inch pipe in Washington Street, from Union Square to Hawkins Street, and from that point, about 368 feet of 6-inch pipe should be re-laid in Hawkins Street, to connect with Somerville Avenue,
The pipe in the two streets last named is now but 3 inches in size, and is entirely inadequate for this thickly-settled neighbor- hood, especially in case of fire.
Lake Street - formerly Hawkins Court - should be re-laid with about 415 feet of 6-inch pipe.
I especially recommend the connection of the dead end on Preston Street with the iron pipe recently laid in Summer Street for the better protection of the large car-stables and other valuable property in that vicinity.
The bursts on mains occasioned innumerable complaints, and emphasized the necessity of substituting iron pipe for the old cement-lined pipe as rapidly as possible.
Great complaint is made, during the winter months, of an in- sufficient water supply on Highland Avenue and Spring Hill. To remove the cause of the same, I recommend that the plan ยท originally contemplated, to lay a ten-inch main from a point near Grove Street through Highland Avenue to Central Street, be carried out.
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