USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Somerville > Report of the city of Somerville 1902 > Part 16
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Benediction.
Organ Postlude.
Miss Winifred M. Chase, '93.
The sermon of the Rev. Mr. Pierson was worthy of being printed in full. The same is true of all the addresses that the Anniversary called forth. We must be contented, however, with brief extracts from each. Mr. Pierson said in closing :-
And though it is but half a century since the doors of this school were opened, its graduates by scores and hundreds are filling honorable and responsible positions in the land,-teachers, writers, mechanics, artists, professional men of every rank and degree,-men managing large manufacturing and mercantile establishments,-one graduate at the head of affairs of the city itself, and others on the floor of the legislature of the Commonwealth, advocating some of the noblest political measures and reforms.
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SCHOOL DEPARTMENT.
It is a day for congratulation, and for one to bid you "God speed!"
Some of you who are the earliest graduates have done a large part of your life work. You have fought its fiercest battles, borne its heaviest burdens, known its keenest sorrows and disappointments. For you, the stress and strain of existence is in a measure relaxed, and happier and calmer days, we trust, are in store.
But for most of you the battle of life is still to be fought,-its vic- tories to be won. You are still to be brave, patient, and persevering. Whether you are twenty, forty, sixty years of age, you are still the "boys" and "girls"-ardent, earnest, and ambitious to secure by means of your education and discipline the best that life has to bestow.
I am sure you will not wish me to end my sermon without the ex- pression of the common debt of gratitude we feel for the influence and service of the present and past teachers of this school,-men and women of culture and refinement, of kindly natures and courteous manners, whose lives and characters have been a blessing and inspiration to us all. Some of the earlier teachers of this school are dead and gone. Others, who are absent, you remember with gratitude and love. You will want me to mention with courtesy the kind-hearted, genial gentleman who is at the head of the English department. But one name, I am sure, one presence with us still,-the master of the Latin School,-will evoke the special tribute of your love and esteem.
"Honor and reverence and the good repute That follows faithful service as its fruit, Be unto him, whom living, we salute."
I must not fail to speak of the faithful men among the living and dead who have stood by the teachers, and to whom this city of Somer- ville is greatly indebted,-the gentlemen of the School Committee, the worthy and efficient Superintendent, and his venerated and beloved pre- decessor. All these, with hundreds of our fellow-citizens, rejoice with you in this anniversary, and in all that it signifies.
President Capen spoke at length upon the development of high schools throughout the country, in the state, and especially in our own city. His reference to our own school was in part as follows :-
If we turn now to our own school, whose fiftieth anniversary we are celebrating, it will be no exaggeration to say that it took its place in the beginning in the front rank of the column, and it has kept it there through all the varying movements of the procession. This is the more remarkable because Somerville is neither among the most populous nor the most wealthy of the communities which, for the last fifty years, have maintained high schools. The reasons for this are not difficult to specify.
In the first place, the material for the making of such a school has been and still is of the best possible variety. The people of Somerville have not been, and are not now, as a rule, of the class that are cursed by either poverty or riches. They belong rather to the great upper middle class that are solving the world's problems and doing the world's work. They are of the class who are ambitious for their children, eager to do the most they can for their development, and to give them the most favorable start in life. The majority of them could not afford the ex- pense of sending their children to endowed academies or private schools for instruction, but they could manage to take care of them at a public school near their own homes, and some send those of particular merit and promise forward to the college. This has led them to seek the very best that money could command, both in facilities and in quality of teaching. These conditions, too, have reacted on the product. Children coming from such homes have not only the best possible inheritance, in-
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tellectual and moral, but they are the most likely of all to appreciate their privileges, and by industry and ambition alike, to be carried for- ward to a faithful performance of their tasks. It is the uniform testi- mony of the authorities of the colleges that have received habitually pupils from the Somerville High School, that none have come to them from any school with better preparation in all the essentials of prelimi- nary training. Speaking for Tufts College, which from the beginning has had a constantly increasing representation from this school, I can say that their training has been eminently satisfactory, and their intel- lectual and moral quality of the highest. Few, if any, among our stu- dents have done more than they to justify the efforts for superior edu- cation.
But I should be unfaithful to the demands of this occasion if I failed to give as the chief reason for this position which our High School has maintained throughout, the excellence of its teaching and administration. Certainly it is a most fortunate circumstance that for thirty-five of the fifty years of its existence, or during the entire period of its upbuilding, expansion, and growth, it has had one man at its head; and he a man of rare culture and great executive ability. This man, too, has been as- sisted by a body of devoted, loyal, capable, and efficient lieutenants, from the accomplished sub-master down through all the grades of service, who in themselves would have given distinction and character to the work of any high school. We cannot afford to withhold this tribute of merited praise in this time of our rejoicing.
The Semi-Centennial exercises proper were held on Monday evening, April 28, at Anthoine Hall. The following is the order of exercises, carried out under the direction of the president of the organization, Frank S. Hartshorn, a member of the first class that graduated, in the presence of an audience of graduates and friends of the school that crowded the hall :- Orchestra.
Conducted by S. Henry O. Hadley, '62.
Address of Welcome.
Frank S. Hartshorn, '62, Chairman of Organization.
Address, for the City. His Honor, Mayor Edward Glines, '69.
Song-"Dormi Pure."
Dr. Lon F. Brine, '79.
Address, for the School Committee.
S. Newton Cutler, '73, Chairman of the Board.
Cornet Duet ..
Carl E. Merrill, '90, Harry G. Waters, '90.
Address.
Charles W. Eliot, LL.D., President of Harvard University. Song-"Serenade."
Miss Edith L. Munroe, '87.
Poem, written for the occasion.
Austin M. Works, '01.
Address, for the Graduates and School.
Hon. Franklin E. Huntress, '84.
Violin Solo.
Charles A. Keach, '99.
Singing of the Ode.
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SCHOOL DEPARTMENT.
His Honor, Mayor Edward Glines, himself a graduate of the school, delivered an eloquent address, reviewing the history of the school, recalling the service of its graduates, and paying glowing tributes to its teachers. He closed as follows :-
We celebrate to-day the close of a half-century of Somerville high school life. Fifty years is a long time; but, like everything that per- tains to time, its length or briefness depends upon the view-point from which we observe it. To the youth, such a term of years is an almost incomprehensible period of time; to the old, it is "as a watch in the night," when it is passed. The recent graduate to-night can best measure a half-century by scanning the multitude of hopes and possibili- ties which stretch along the future's path. The first graduates can only measure it by traversing again, through memory, the path of the years that have gone; by recalling, one after another, the great events which have been the milestones of the world's progress since 1852, or the long chain of happenings, momentous or trifling, which have impressed their own characters or lives. *
As the curtain lifts, and we are permitted to peer down the vista of the years, we see-some with a near vision, some far-sightedly-our mates and comrades of other days. Some see the boy who, following his father's lead, joined in the enthusiasm of the presidential campaign of '56, and who four years later cast his first presidential ballot for Abra- ham Lincoln. Some see the boys who enlisted at the old recruiting stand in Union Square, whose site has just been permanently marked, and the girls who clasped their hands and said "Good-bye,"-and with some it was the last good-bye-as they marched away. Some see the boy who came home with a flag about him for a shroud, and some the boy who went away with chevrons upon his arms, and returned with straps upon his shoulders. Some see those who years ago took Horace Greeley's famous advice, and though they have won fortune, and perhaps fame, in the distant West, have seldom, if ever, returned to their native Somer- ville. Some see those who, with lives full of promise, were ruthlessly swept away at the very outset of seemingly brilliant careers. And some see those who are perhaps with us to-night in their thoughts, and long to be with us in person; the gold-seeker in the Klondike; the soldier and the teacher in the Philippines; the young man and young woman who are devoting the flower of their lives to the upbuilding of religion and civilization in hitherto uninvaded fields; and those who have, for business, pleasure, or study, sought a temporary home in distant states and lands.
From that first plain school building, whose walls once resounded to the shouts and laughter of the boys and girls of fifty years ago, the work has widened and deepened until an army of eager, earnest, enthusi- astic pupils comes from all parts of the city to Central Hill, morning after morning; but the far-reaching effect of this great intellectual influ- ence cannot be estimated. We come here to-day, you and I, as the living testimonials of the splendid value of the training received in the schools of Somerville. We come to our alma mater with the spirit of joy and gratitude within us that it is our alma mater, and we feel a thrill of pride that we have achieved what we have in life largely through the strong and earnest work done here in the days dear to us all. I can truly say that it is the proudest moment of my life when I stand here as the chief executive of my native city and welcome you to the city, remembering that I was a Somerville schoolboy from the first day I entered the pri- mary school until I was graduated from the high school.
In the days of the past many of us came to this spot full of hope and joy, as we entered upon our high school life; a little more serious were the faces as the doors closed for the last time on the school days,
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and we went out into life, full of courage, expecting to become con- querors in the great battle for success. How many times when weary with the burden and battle of life we look at the children on their way to school with a song in the heart and a laugh on the lips, and envy them their careless, happy life, and wish we were back again in the dear old time when our books were our heaviest burden, and our reports our greatest trial.
We come back now to the old school home, knowing the full mean- ing of life's responsibilities, and realizing the value of the lessons taught us here. To-day we seem to have stepped backward, and are again in our schooldays, surrounded by teachers, classmates, school companions. To those who are here to-day, teachers, pupils, and guests, I give you the city's welcome, a welcome from the heart, a welcome true and cor- dial; and for those who are not with us, those who have gone beyond the gray shadows of life into the eternal brightness, we hold in our hearts sweet and tender thoughts, and for their memory we breathe many a loving word.
The School Board was represented on the programme by its president, S. Newton Cutler, of the class of '73, who spoke in greater part as follows :-
Lord Bacon tells us that he who has wife and children hath given hostages to Fortune, by which, I suppose, he means that in proportion as our treasures multiply, our anxiety concerning them will increase and the possibilities of loss become greater. Yet we are glad to note that, although our high school graduate-family has increased from six in 1862 to 2,129, not counting the many pupils who have taken a partial course, or those who attended prior to 1862,-our hostages have, most of them, not only proved well-deserving, but, as a rule, have received generous treatment at the hands of the capricious goddess. Some of them, indeed, have been permitted to inscribe their names high upon the scroll of fame. It is not mine to speak of these distinguished sons and daughters,-to another has been assigned this delightful task.
I should, however, do justice neither to this occasion nor to my own feelings, were I to fail to honor the man who for five and thirty years has devoted his eminent abilities to the upbuilding of the high school,- the man esteemed and beloved by pupils, teachers, and school committee. Mr. Baxter, I congratulate you upon your life work, an achievement equaled by few, surpassed by none. Ave imperator praeceptorum!
To Miss Fox, also, absent in body, but present, we may be sure, in spirit, we acknowledge our debt of gratitude.
We remember, too, in his enforced absence, him who has made our English High School a model, eulogized by the critics, the Mecca of visiting teachers and of educators throughout New England. Mr. Whit- comb we congratulate upon his phenomenal success, and we wish for him speedily restored health.
And to all the teachers, fourteen of them our own graduates, we tender our acknowledgments and our congratulations, realizing that to them a large measure of credit is due.
Nor would we forget our superintendents. Mr. Davis, grand in his old age, beloved by all; Mr. Meleney. progressive in thought and earnest of purpose; Mr. Southworth, teacher, author, educator, strong in char- acter, and of unsurpassed executive ability. To all of these we are under great obligations.
But my greetings are not in behalf of the present school board alone. "Soldiers," said Napoleon to his army, pointing to the Pyramids of Egypt, "twenty centuries look down upon you." So I say to you: Graduates, the school committees of fifty years look down upon you; they are all interested in your progress ; they rejoice in your triumphs.
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SCHOOL DEPARTMENT.
Did time permit, I should be glad to bring to mind the men and women who have so faithfully and so wisely labored for the schools during the last half-century. 1 venture, however, merely to give you a few extracts from the records of the committee which may be of interest.
March 24, 1851-Voted, that the committee recommend to the town to purchase a lot of land containing not less than 25,000 feet, west of the church on Church street, or in its immediate vicinity, upon which to erect a building for a High School.
March 31, 1851-Voted, that the committee recommend to the town to erect a substantial, two-story, wooden building of sufficient size to accommodate the high school at a cost not exceeding $4,800. That the land for the use of the High School be purchased on a credit of five years, interest payable semi-annually.
April 21, 1851-The following communication was received from the Town Clerk :-
To the Rev. A. R. Pope, Chairman of the School Committee, ---
Dear Sir: At a meeting of the town of Somerville holden April 7, 1851, it was voted that the School Committee be instructed to purchase a lot of land of not less than 25,000 feet on Church street or in its im- mediate vicinity, for the establishment of a High School. That the same committee be instructed to erect a suitable building for the High School on the lot to be purchased for the purpose, partly finished and furnished, as necessity may require, at a cost not exceeding $4,800; and that the Town Treasurer issue his note for the purchase of the land payable in five years, interest payable semi-annually, and to borrow the sum of $4,000, and give his notes as Treasurer therefor, payable in equal pay- ments of one, two, three, and four years, interest payable semi-annually; and that the Assessors be instructed to place the sum of $800 in the taxes of the present year for the erection of the building ..
(Signed) Respectfully yours, Charles E. Gilman, Town Clerk.
June 2, 1851-The School Committee voted unanimously that a com- mittee be appointed to purchase of Mr. Sleeper the lot of land on the corner of Church street (Highland avenue) and Ireland rangeway (School street) for the use of the High School. Messrs. George O. Brastow and I. F. Shepard were appointed said committee.
This same committee, with the addition of Rev. A. R. Pope, the chairman, was also appointed a committee on plans and specifications, and on June 20th reported plans for the High School house.
August 4, 1851-On examining the estimates furnished by the several bidders, it was found that a building with pressed brick front, seventy feet long by fifty feet wide, and thirty feet high, will be of the most suit- able style and size for which to contract.
The corner-stone was laid in September, 1851.
March 1, 1852-The following were elected members of the School Committee for the year 1852-1853: Rev. A. R. Pope (chairman), George O. Brastow, Isaac F. Shepard, John K. Hall, Dr. Charles I. Putnam, Jonathan Brown, Jr., and James Hill.
March 5, 1852-Robert Bickford, master of the Prescott Grammar School, was unanimously elected master of the "Somerville Free High School," at a salary of $900.
The schoolhouse was dedicated fifty years ago to-day, April 28, and opened May 3, sixty-one pupils attending during the first term. For nearly twenty years the school occupied its first building, during which time 853 scholars were admitted.
February 27, 1872-The first Mayor, the Hon. George O. Brastow, and the first School Committee of the newly-established city of Somer- ville dedicated the second High School house, the present Latin building, and it was occupied March 4 by 150 pupils.
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ANNUAL REPORTS.
This building now contains about 300 scholars, and, although of sufficient size for immediate needs, is not adapted to modern methods and conditions, and should be replaced by a new edifice with approved arrangements and furnishings.
The opening of the English High School in 1895 is fresh in your memory, and I will not weary you by comment further than to remark that it has already outgrown its quarters, and is in urgent need of addi- tional accommodations.
President Eliot of Harvard gave a brief, but inspiring ad- dress, chiefly devoted to answering the question, "How can we make the after-life train us if we are cut off from a systematic education at eighteen?" His allusion to the High School was as follows :-
It is a great pleasure for me to come here and congratulate the city of Somerville on its fifty-year-old High School. It has had a most honorable career.
The English parliament is even now disturbed as to whether it shall establish High Schools. £ England hasn't any free High Schools over there at all. Somerville started fifty years ago, and has demonstrated the value of secondary education.
I congratulate my friend, Mr. Baxter. The gratitude of the people is worth earning. It is not easily earned. Harvard University is grate- ful to him. He has sent well-trained pupils there every year for the past thirty-five years. And I can hardly think of any other teacher who has done so much.
The exercises of the evening were brought to a fitting close by the address of Hon. Franklin E. Huntress, of the class of 1884, filled with personal reminiscences and allusions to gradu- ates who have become influential if not famous. He closed as follows :-
I have called attention to only a small fraction of the work of the Somerville High School and of its teachers. What this school and these teachers have done for fifty years for the progress of mankind and civili- zation could not be told in one evening, no, not in many evenings. The lives of these teachers have been given to a good work, the results of which will be seen when the edifices on Central Hill have crumbled to dust, and perhaps even the name of our fair city forgotten.
The Somerville High School is here to-night, a living, breathing en- tity-the bricks and stone simply make of the two great building shells, from which the vital spark has at this moment gone.
I have little patience with the citizen who decries expenditures that are as necessary to our educational system as are the tools of his craft to the artisan. I, for one, prefer to incur the risk of being called ex- travagant, by building large schools, by ample remuneration for our in- structors, and by keeping fully abreast of the times. The city cannot make its schools any too good. They should be so good that no private school in the length and breadth of the land can excel them. As gradu- ates we must do more than remain passive,-we must strenuously insist that such privileges are given in full. I do not wish to be understood as encouraging extravagant expenditure,-but rather real economy. Be- cause. I know that the educational niggard is a most expensive piece of political machinery for city, state, or nation.
Let us each with all our little strength endeavor to be progressive, to uphold what has been so well created, and in the newness of things, to lay still broader and firmer foundations. The intelligence of the peo-
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ple of Somerville will be judged by its schools, and these schools must be second to none!
We are justified in rejoicing to-night, fellow schoolmates, over the benefits and pleasures we derived from our high school days. We have our own duty to perform. We should consecrate ourselves to the en- deavor of insuring to those who are following in our footsteps all that was accorded to us.
We should do our share of this work while the opportunity is at hand. The world has recently had a great object lesson on this point in the life and death of the late Cecil Rhodes. Let us profit by this im- pressive example, and remember that when this great materialist, with the wealth and arms of the mighty English nation at his beck and call, saw, for the first time with his dying eyes, the vanity of earthly riches,- the emptiness of pomp and power, and the lost opportunities while living of uplifting his fellowman, he uttered these pregnant words: "So little done-so much to do!"
At the close of the exercises in the hall, the audience ad- journed to the High School buildings, where the following pro- gramme brought the Anniversary exercises of the day to a close :--
At the Latin School Building,
Reception to Mr. and Mrs. George L. Baxter. At the English High School Building, Reception to Mr. and Mrs. Charles T. C. Whitcomb. Class Reunions.
Class cheering under the direction of Frank E. Fitts, Jr., L., '99, and Arthur F. Gooding, L., '99.
Collations served in both buildings.
Parting Song, sung at 11.45.
On Tuesday evening, April 29, a "Soiree," largely attended by the younger graduates and their friends, ended the celebra- tion and festivities of three days.
All the Anniversary exercises from beginning to end were admirably planned and executed, and constitute a memorable event in the history of the school and of the city.
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ANNUAL REPORTS.
ORGANIZATION OF SOMERVILLE SCHOOLS.
Information concerning our schools is frequently sought by citizens or by school men in other localities. Following are the principal facts concerning them. Additional knowledge may be gained from the Rules and Regulations :-
Kindergartens. The city supports four kindergartens, in the Hanscom, Bennett, Baxter, and Glines Schools. Vaccinated children between four and five years of age are admitted to the kindergarten nearest their residence during the months of Sep- tember and April, and may remain until the July following their fifth birthday. Sessions from 9 to 12.
Head kindergartners receive $600. One trained assistant is allowed when the number exceeds thirty, at a salary of $275, $350, or $425, according to experience. Kindergarten teachers give five hours daily to their work, the afternoon being employed in visitation, preparation, mothers' meetings, and the like.
Primary Schools. Our elementary school course covers nine years, the first three of which are spent in primary schools. We have no exclusively primary school buildings, the ninety-one primary classes being distributed among, twenty-two school- houses.
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