USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Lincoln > Town Report on Lincoln 1871-1890 > Part 4
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Paid L. W. Weston, for wood,
$10 00
" oil, etc.,
4 15
A. A. Cook & Co., for coal,
340 79
66
66
" express,
50
N. F. Cousins, for wood,
2 50
66 Tolman & White, for printing,
2 50
Parker & Gannett, for wheelbarrow, 7 00
4 00
Charles Jones, for wrenches,
13 50
66 H. Snelling & Co., for coal,
77 50
Fitchburg Railroad Company, for freight,
14 00
66
T. Ham, for tools,
5 50
L. Thompson, for tools and stove,
17 10
J. L. Chapin, for oil, etc.,
17 73
Cyrus Chapin, 112 00
$628 77
E. B. Barnes, moving reservoir,
15
LAND AND DAMAGES.
Paid George F. Bemis,
$90 00
J. M. Bachelder's heirs,
175 00
" Francis Smith (not paid),
50 00
Mrs. Barnes, 66
300 00
$615 00
RECAPITULATION. .
Construction,
$25,727 62
Engine,
2,600 00
Engine House,
997 50
Grading about engine house,
310 88
Running expenses,
628 77
Suction pipe,
930 16
Services and laying service pipes to build- ings, 1,202 09
Engine house foundation,
100 00
Coal Shed,
125 00
Land and damages,
615 00
M. M. Tidd, engineering,
710 10
$33,947 12
Deduct amount due the town for services and service pipe laid to buildings, $506 00
Amount of running expenses, 628 77
$1,134 77
Total cost,
$32,812 35
LIST OF TOOLS IN ENGINE HOUSE.
1 20-inch Stilson wrench; 1 20-inch monkey wrench; 1 12-inch monkey wrench; 1 8-inch monkey wrench; 1 double fork wrench ; 1 single fork wrench; 2 plunger wrenches ; 1 plug cock wrench ; 2 float files ; 1 hammer; 1 slash box; 1 poker; 1 claw ; 1 tube scraper ; 2 shovels; 1 sifter; 1 saw; 1 axe; 1 wheelbarrow; 1 pail ; 6 oil cans ; 1 dust brush.
S. H. PIERCE,
L. W. WESTON, Water Commissioners.
HOWARD SNELLING,
JAMES L. CHAPIN,
.
1
1
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
OF THE
TOWN OF LINCOLN,
FOR THE
SCHOOL YEAR 1875-6.
REPORT.
THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE OF LINCOLN respectfully submit the following report of the condition of the Schools under their care for the year 1875-76 :
NORTH SCHOOL.
Teacher throughout the year,-MISS CARRIE B. CHAPIN.
Summer Term,-Whole number of scholars, 20; aver- age attendance, 14} ; length of school, 10} weeks.
Fall Term,-Whole number of scholars, 20; average attendance, 14; length of school, 8 weeks.
Winter Term,-Whole number of scholars, 20; aver- age attendance for 8 weeks, 15+.
To enlarge upon the methods of instruction and the general management of this school the past year, would be to repeat, or give in a new form, the substance of previous reports. It is fitting, however, in this annual survey of the work of our teachers, that their approved methods be newly indorsed. In a school like this, for several years under the instruction of the same teacher, there will not likely be any very great changes in the character of the work, unless novelty is sought; and that, though it may quicken a transient interest, has little permanent value.
The real success of a school is conditioned upon a few simple things. If those things are clearly before the mind of a teacher, as the objective points of her daily
20
labor, and she has her school well in hand and does not remit her efforts in pressing forward the dull and lag- gard, she can scarcely fail to meet all reasonable expec- tations in regard to her work. We are glad to record a year of faithful effort, and well-earned and gratifying success in this school.
EAST SCHOOL.
Teacher throughout the year,-MISS EMMA A. FARNS- WORTH.
Summer Term,-Whole number of scholars, 20 ; aver- age attendance, 14; length of school, 9 weeks.
Fall Term,-Whole number of scholars, 17; average attendance, 13; length of school, 10 weeks.
Winter Term,-Whole number of scholars, 19 ; aver- age attendance for 8 weeks, 16.
The number of scholars in this school is considerably larger than last year. This is the most noticeable new feature. Miss Farnsworth is always interested and hopeful in her work, and by her untiring efforts im- presses her pupils with the fact, that their simple studies are of much importance and must be carefully attended to. We have found in our visits evidence of conscien- tious fidelity in a labor which, to many minds, would have too much of a monotonous routine to be alto- gether pleasant. Carefulness is required that neither the school-room nor the furniture be injured. Good order is maintained, and we do not discover that the teacher has neglected anything that she could effi- ciently use for the advancement of her pupils.
21
CENTRE SCHOOL.
Teacher throughout the year,-MISS KEZIAH HOWES.
Summer Term, - Whole number of scholars, 30; average attendance, 24 ; length of school, 102 weeks.
Fall Term, - Whole number of scholars, 23; aver- age attendance, 19; length of school, 11 weeks.
Winter Term,-Whole number of scholars, 23; average attendance for eight weeks, 19.
Miss Howes' long experience in teaching enables her to hold before her own mind definite results, which she knows her classes may attain from term to term; and she has learned that thoroughness is an indispensable requisite in gaining the desired end. In no one of our schools is there so much iteration and reiteration for the purpose of fixing in the pupils' minds the subject matter of their studies. We have been very pleasantly impressed with the lively interest and animated manner of many of the classes in their exercises, as well as with their readiness in answering questions. It is a pleasure to listen to the exercises in reading, so well is the spirit of narrative, or anecdote, or poem caught, and so dis- tinct are articulations, and natural are inflections. We have found the same thoroughness in mental arithmetic and other studies that the Committee in previous years have had occasion to commend. The habits of thought- ful preparation of lessons and careful and exact recita- tion are an invaluable preparation for the studies of the High School, and we are glad to say that no class, in either school is doing better than the class of boys whose recitations at the present time are divided be- tween the two schools.
22
SOUTH SCHOOL.
Teacher throughout the year, - MISS EMILY S. HATHORN.
Summer Term, - Whole number of scholars, 32; average attendance, 26; length of school, 11 weeks.
Fall Term, - Whole number of scholars, 30; aver- age attendance, 26; length of school, 11 weeks.
Winter Term, - Whole number of scholars, 36; average attendance for eight weeks, 32.
Miss Hathorn has conducted her school with much energy, tact and patience, and the results are com- mendable. In the last half of the year especially, have her efforts been unremitting to insure such amount of success as might be attained under the circumstances. The most satisfactory feature of the school during the winter term, in which it has been very large, has been the excellent discipline. The teacher has wisely judged that if this should be fully maintained, the key to a measure of success, at least, was held; and that if she should fail in this, her labor in instruction would be lost. This has been accomplished without resort to any severe measures. We have been glad to see the cheer- ful obedience with which the requirements of the school- room have been met, and judge that her relations to her pupils have been very pleasant; indeed, no com- plaints have come to us from any source. We think that the teacher has faithfully endeavored to advance her pupils in their studies, and while in some instances there has not been as much progress as could be de- sired, she has done what she could. We are glad to see that there has been very little tardiness the pres- ent term, and that the average attendance has been unusually high.
.
23
HIGH SCHOOL.
Teachers, - MISS SUSIE C. LOUGEE, MISS MARY E. WRIGHT.
Summer Term, - Whole number of scholars, 20; average attendance, 132 ; length of school, 9 weeks.
Fall Term, - Whole number of scholars, 28; aver- age attendance, 25; length of school, 11 weeks.
Winter Term,-Whole number of scholars, 30; average attendance for eight weeks, 274.
There was, in the summer term, a falling off in at- tendance and an amount of absence on the part of some pupils that brought down the average attendance to a point for which there seemed to be no sufficient reason. If the absenteeism be taken as an index of the interest of parents, or pupils, or teacher, one or all, in the work of the school, the record is not flattering. There were special causes which conspired to produce the result, which it is to be hoped may not be often re- peated.
Miss Wright came to her charge from an experience of several years in teaching, with very satisfactory tes- timonials, both in regard to her scholarship and success in the schools which had been under her care. Her efforts in the five months of labor in her present place, have fully shown her entire competency to successfully instruct in the studies which are pursued. We have never seen in this school a better method taken with the mathematical classes, or more thorough and exact instruction given in Latin. It may not be invidious to say, that the mathematical studies have received a new impulse, and the progress in arithmetic, algebra, or geometry, seems to have been equally commendable.
.
24
Whatever failure there may have been in the progress of any pupils, or any classes, is to be attributed to the indisposition of the pupils themselves to diligent appli- cation, and to cheerfully submit to restraints which are indispensable for the highest welfare of the school.
When the school system of the State was revised, in 1826 (G. S., chap. 143, § 1), every town containing five hundred families was required to maintain a high school, which in its general features was to correspond to the ancient grammar school, with the omission of the Greek and Latin languages, however, from the studies required by the statutes of 1647 and 1789. Then, also, was established, by law, the high school of the first grade, to be set up in every town containing four thousand inhabitants, in which the Greek and Latin languages were to be taught.
The studies prescribed for this grade of schools were' modified by successive acts, until the statute now reads :
"Every town may, and every town containing five hundred families or householders shall, besides the schools prescribed in the preceding section, maintain a school, to be kept by a master of competent ability and good morals, who, in addition to the branches of learning before mentioned, shall give instruction in general history, book-keeping, surveying, geometry, natural phi- losophy, chemistry, botany, the civil polity of this Commonwealth and of the United States, and the Latin language. Such last- mentioned school shall be kept for the benefit of all the inhabi- tants of the town, ten months at least, exclusive of vacations, in each year, and at such convenient place, or alternately at such places in the town, as the legal voters at their annual meeting determine. And in every town containing four thousand inhabi- tants, the teacher or teachers of the schools required by this sec- tion shall, in addition to the branches of instruction before required by this section, be competent to give instruction in the Greek and
25
French languages, astronomy, geology, rhetoric, logic, intellectual and moral science, and political economy."
If we consider the studies prescribed in this act we see the position that our high school holds. In it, nearly every study required by law to be taught in a high school, of the second class, has been and is taught; and, in addition, several of the studies prescribed for a school of the first class, as the French language, astron- omy, rhetoric, and moral science.
In 1863, Lincoln was one of twenty towns having less than 500 families, and one of ten towns having less than 400 families, which maintained a high school. There were, that year, 52 towns and cities in which high schools of the first class were kept, and 56 other towns supporting high schools,-making 108 of the 334 towns and cities in the State that maintained a high school of the first or second grade. According to the last Report of the Board of Education, there are 151 high schools in cities and towns having 500 families, and required by law to maintain them, and 57 schools returned as high schools in towns not required by law to maintain them, making a total of 209 schools in 187 cities and towns of the Commonwealth. The highest salary paid is $4,000 ; which eight of the principals re- ceive ; the average for each principal is $1,363.
Your Committee are aware that a very few persons think that they have not sufficiently discriminated in favor of the bright scholars to the exclusion of their classmates or companions from the privileges of the school, whose recitations are inferior and whose pro- gress is slow ; and also that the conditions for entrance into the school should be such that a considerable num- ber of the present pupils should be still in the primary
.
26
schools. How much ground there may be for any strictures of this sort, will appear from a consideration of some facts which bear upon it. Twenty-four years ago the town appropriated two hundred dollars "to defray the expenses of a Grammar school, to be kept by a male teacher five or six months in a year, to which all the children and youth in the town over eleven years of age shall be admitted." We do not think that any one would claim that a vote passed nearly a quar- ter of a century ago, to meet a special emergency, should have any particular weight at the present time. Your Committee will always respect the desires of their constituency, but cannot be supposed to be guided in their action by a vote, which evidently, when passed, was expected to control the action of the Committee only for a single year. Nevertheless, a precedent was so far established by this action of the town, and the compliance of the Committee with the vote, that when the senior member of the present Committee became connected with the Board, in 1860, it was regarded a fit thing to do to permit pupils who had attained the age of eleven years, to enter the High school.
Latterly, however, the Committee have not so much considered the age of the pupils, or their attainments, as the proper adjustment of this upper school, which is dignified by the name of High school, to the four lower schools of the town which supply its pupils. In a sys- tem of graded schools, the primary consideration is to have these schools properly adjusted to each other. In the cities and the larger villages of the State, it is de- sirable to make three or four grades of schools. In a town like Lincoln this is utterly impracticable. But more than fifteen years of trial has shown that it is expe-
27
dient to maintain an Upper school, in which may be pursued studies belonging to the Grammar and High school.
The wants of our pupils would not be met, if the course of study in our High school were the same as that of the Grammar schools of Boston, or that of the High school of Newton. It has not seemed desirable to have a prescribed course of study, covering several years, but rather to have a more flexible system, from year to year, adjusted to the needs and attainments of the pupils. It might not be at all important whether or not a particular class in the school, this winter, was studying natural philosophy, astronomy, physiology or book-keeping. Experience has shown that a combina- tion of prescribed and elective studies is best for the school.
In regard to a standard of scholarship for member- ship of the school, it would, of course, be an easy mat- ter to institute an examination of the present thirty pupils of the school, of so rigid a character, as to send a third, or two-thirds of them back to the primary schools.
We apprehend, however, that the town does not de- sire that this school shall be supported for the benefit of a select few, whose early opportunities, or quickness of parts, should give them a decided advantage in all competitive examinations. Dull scholars, and those of poor preparation, if they are orderly and studious, and desire to improve, have rights, in our schools of every grade, which are to be respected.
A. P. Marble, Esq., President of the Massachusetts Teachers' Association, says : " A dull scholar, one who cannot easily perform the given task, has the same
28
right to a good education that the quicker pupil has, and he ought to receive more attention. The teacher who aims at this may suffer in percentages, but he does the best work, and the results will be seen only in the future of the boys,- too far off to parade at a public examination. This faithful work on growing human characters, this careful study of each scholar, in the firm faith that there is in him a great capacity to be devel- oped, accomplishes a good that cannot be estimated in ' standing,' or weighed by any fixed scale. And yet it is the kind of work we ought chiefly to do."
The Committee point to the record of this school for the last twelve years with satisfaction. We have had a large number of scholars, always faithful in their school duties, who have obtained a knowledge of the higher English branches, Latin and French, not inferior to that acquired in the schools of the larger towns. We have had a succession of accomplished and devoted teachers, ladies, who had an established reputation as successful teachers when they entered our service, or who left our school to take more inviting positions in other schools. Two or three times in this period, for a little while, there has been a loss of interest and partial failure, but such experiences have been short in com- parison with the years of unbroken success.
What the school needs at the present hour, more than anything else, is an obedient and thoroughly studi- ous spirit on the part of a portion of the pupils, and less of a disposition in some parents to justify ground- less complaints in regard either to the instruction, or the regulations of the school.
·
29
TEXT BOOKS.
It is hardly necessary to say that it is desirable that a school should be furnished with the best text books. While your Committee are not in favor of frequent changes, yet the best reasons may sometimes exist for the introduction of a new book.
Often publishers are willing. to make the introduction prices of their books so low, and the terms of exchange for books in use so liberal that there is no pecuniary loss sustained in the change.
Our rule is to mark the price of the books at cost ; but slight variations are sometimes made, as a matter of convenience, in fixing the prices.
At the beginning of each term, and at such other times as are needful, the teachers send to the Committee lists of the books wanted, which the Committee supply with the least possible delay.
Each teacher is expected to collect from her pupils the pay for the books received, usually deducting the amount in any given term from her bill for teaching for said term. Desk books, for the use of teachers espe- cially, but not exclusively, are, of course, provided at the expense of the town.
The law requires that "If any change is made in the text-books, each pupil then belonging to the public schools, and requiring the substituted book, shall be fur- nished with the same by the school committee at the expense of the town." In the change made during the year in the text-book, in geography, by which Warren's Common School was substituted for Guyot's Common School and Intermediate Geographies, each pupil in geography could exchange his old book for a new one.
·
30
Two years ago, when Hillard's Series of Reading Books was substituted for Sargent's, a change which was especially gratifying to the teachers, because fresh reading matter was furnished, taking the place of that which constant use had made undesirably familiar,- exchanges of new books for old were made without expense to the pupils, according to the provision of the Statute.
These changes, with the supplying of books for the teachers' desks, and for a few pupils whose circumstances required such a gratuity, together with the fact that some loss has been suffered by failure of payment for books where it was expected, has made, and of course, with such a system, must make the amount paid by the town for books, from year to year, larger than the amount received. A fact will illustrate this. We bought, May 5th, 1874, of Messrs. Ginn & Co., the following bill :
2 Music Charts, $18 00
2 Easels, 2 50
1 Worcester's Unabridged Dictionary, 7 75 4 66 Universal 66 12 60
$40 85
These books, etc., were for general use in the schools, and not one was sold. In the Treasurer's account, wall-maps, erasers, etc., are often put under the general head of books.
These statements are made thus particularly, to satisfy inquiries which may naturally arise respecting the purchase and sale of books, as presented from year to year in the Treasurer's report.
It may also be said that when the member of the
31
Committee who has charge of this matter undertook his duties, he received from his predecessor but one book - a writing book. There are now on hand 22 copies Warren's Common School Geography (28 copies have been exchanged or sold during the year). Of Hillard's Reader there are now on hand 103 copies, and from forty to fifty dollars' worth of other text- books.
HENRY J. RICHARDSON, GEORGE F. BEMIS, School Committee.
LINCOLN, Feb. 23, 1876.
REPORT OF THE OFFICERS
OF THE
TOWN OF LINCOLN,
FROM FEB. 1, 1876, TO FEB. 1, 1877.
ALSO,
THE REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE,
FOR THE SCHOOL YEAR 1876-7.
BOSTON : TOLMAN & WHITE, PRINTERS, 383 WASHINGTON STREET. 1877.
REPORT OF THE OFFICERS
OF THE
TOWN OF LINCOLN,
FROM FEB. 1, 1876, TO FEB. 1, 1877.
ALSO,
THE REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE,
FOR THE SCHOOL YEAR 1876-7.
BOSTON : TOLMAN & WHITE, PRINTERS, 383 WASHINGTON STREET. 1877.
SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
The Selectmen of the Town of Lincoln herewith submit a report of the Receipts and Expenditures of the Town for the year ending Feb. 1, 1877.
In March last, the town appropriated one hundred dollars for the alteration and repair of the road from the woolen mills to Lex- ington line. On the first day of May the Selectmen met Mr. Rhoades, to confer with him in relation to changing the location of the road; but we did not think the way he proposed to alter and repair the road a judicious one, and advised him to apply to the County Commissioners to change the location of the road so as to avoid the hill near Lexington line. Since that time we have not heard from him in relation to the matter.
During the winter, Guideposts have been erected at such places as in the opinion of the Selectmen they were needed.
SAMUEL HARTWELL, Selectmen JOHN W. GRAY, of
WM. F. WHEELER, Lincoln.
FEB. 12, 1877.
3
Taxes assessed in 1876,
$13,921 73
Deduct County Tax, - -
295 25
Amount to be collected, Received, - -
13,626 48
11,347 98
Uncollected taxes of 1876,
2,278 50
66
" 1874, -
15 16
66
" 1875,
1,043 12
Uncollected taxes, - - $3,336 78
VALUATION OF THE TOWN, MAY 1ST, 1876.
Personal Estate,
$231,077
Real Estate, - -
557,713
Total valuation, - - - -
- $788,790
DEBTS OF THE TOWN.
J. P. Edwards, note due May 26, 1870, 7 per cent., $1,000 00 Cyrus Smith, " Dec. 8, 1870, 7 400 00
66 500 00 Waltham Savings Bank, Feb. 10, 1872, 7
Cyrus Smith, note on demand, 7 400 00
Susan Robbins, note due Dec. 19, 1871, 7 66
300 00
W. O. Benjamin's " " Nov. 7, 1873, 7
2,000 00
Harriette L. Giles, " " April 15, 1877, 7
66 3,000 00
Asa White, " on demand, 66 7 500 00
Chas. J. R. Ray, " " " 7 4
1,000 00
$9,100 00
Lincoln Water Bonds, due Dec. 1, 1894, interest 6 per cent. semi-annually,
30,000 00
$39,100 00
TREASURER'S REPORT.
The receipts into, and payments from the Treasury, from Feb. 1, 1876, to Feb. 1, 1877, have been as follows :-
Balance in the Treasury, Fcb. 1, 1876. . ...
$2,132 22
Paid Selectmen's orders
$10,020 12
Received of County Treasurer, Dog Licenses of 1875 ..
77 76
Waltham Savings Bank.
2,000 00
for School Books sold.
Corporation Taxes
National Bank Taxcs ..
823 99
State Aid reimbursement ....
84 00
Income of Mass. School Fund ........
221 50
Interest of the Grammar School Fund
77 73
Use of the Town Hall.
4 00
for Wood and Old Pump sold.
4 00
" one pane of Glass ...
25
" Rent of Sandy Pond ....
1 00
Costs recovered of James Henderson. .
30 64
16
of J. L. Chapin, on account of Taxes of 1875.
1,476 36
" J. D. Sherman, on account of Taxes of 1873.
13 79
" J. D. Sherman, on account of Taxes of 1874 .
794 89
" J. D. Sherman, interest on Taxes of 1874.
102 43
" J. D. Sherman, on account of Taxes of 1876.
11,347 98
$17,655 70
E. and O. E.
$17,655 70
WILLIAM F. WHEELER, Treasurer.
State Tax ...
846 00
89 87
Payments ..
$12,866 12 4,789 58
373 29
Balance in the Treasury, Feb. 1, 1877. ..
4
5
EXPENDITURES.
FOR SCHOOLS.
RECEIPTS.
Money assessed,
$2,000 00
Income of Massachusetts School Fund,
221 50
Interest of Grammar School Fund,
77 73
School Books sold,
89 87
- -
- $2,389 10
PAYMENTS. CENTRE SCHOOL.
Mary E. Wright, teaching High School,
$385 00
Lucy L. Ward, 66
66
105 00
Keziah Howes,
Primary School, 314 50
A. A. Cook & Co., six tons of coal,
48 00
45 00
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