USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Braintree > Town annual report of Braintree, Massachusetts for the year 1887-1888 > Part 7
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At the close of the counting of the ballots, the Town Clerk announced that 743 ballots were cast, that they were all can- celled, and that they were for the following persons, namely :
GOVERNOR.
Oliver Ames, of Easton, three hundred and ninety-two 392 Henry B. Lovering, of Lynn, three hundred and thirty-one 331
William H. Earle, of Worcester, eighteen 18
Blanks, two
2
·
Total . 743 ·
117
LIEUTENANT-GOVERNOR.
John Q. A. Brackett, of Arlington, four hundred and four-
teen
414
Walter Cutting, of Pittsfield, three hundred and eight ·
308
John Blackmer, of Springfield, nineteen 19 .
2
Total
743
SECRETARY OF THE COMMONWEALTH.
Henry B. Peirce, of Abington, four hundred and nineteen 419
John F. Murphy, of Lowell, two hundred and ninety-eight 298
Amos E. Hall, of Chelsea, nineteen 19
Blanks, seven
7
Total
743
TREASURER AND RECEIVER-GENERAL.
Alanson W. Beard, of Boston, four hundred and four . 404
Henry C. Thacher, of Yarmouth, three hundred and five 305
Charles C. Thacher, of Yarmouth, fourteen 14
John L. Kilbon, of Lee, nineteen
19
Blank, one
1
Total 743
AUDITOR OF THE COMMONWEALTH.
Charles R. Ladd, of Springfield, four hundred and eighteen 418 William F. Cook, of Springfield, three hundred and five 305
Edmund M. Stowe, of Hudson, nineteen 19
Blank, one .
1
1
Total
743
ATTORNEY-GENERAL.
Andrew J. Waterman, of Pittsfield, four hundred and nine- teen 419
John W. Corcoran, of Clinton, three hundred and two 302
Allen Coffin, of Nantucket, nineteen . 19
Blanks, three 3
Total
.
743
Blanks, two
.
118
COUNCILLOR FOR DISTRICT NO. 2.
Elijah A. Morse, of Canton, four hundred and six 406 William Aspinwall, of Brookline, three hundred and seven 307
Benjamin F. Sturtevant, of Boston, nineteen 19
Blanks, eleven 11
Total
.
743
COUNTY COMMISSIONER.
George W. Wiggin, of Franklin, four hundred and one 401 Edmund Davis, of Hyde Park, three hundred and twenty-
three 823 ·
Robert C. Habberley, of Hyde Park, eighteen 18
Blank, one
1
Total
743
SENATOR FOR FIRST NORFOLK DISTRICT.
James T. Stevens, of Braintree, five hundred and fifty-one 551
John W. Hart, of Weymouth, one hundred and seventy-six, 176
Merit P. Alderman, of Hyde Park, four 4
Blanks, twelve 12
Total,
743
REPRESENTATIVE IN GENERAL COURT, DISTRICT NO. 6.
Willard F. Gleason, of Holbrook, four hundred and twenty- two 422
W. F. Gleason, one
1
Albert E. Avery, of Braintree, three hundred and three 303
Edward J. Carroll, oue
1
Blanks, sixteen
16
Total, 743
The returns were then signed and sealed, the ballots sealed up, according to law and delivered to the Town Clerk, the check list sealed and delivered to the Selectmen.
Voted, To dissolve this meeting.
SAMUEL A. BATES, Town Clerk.
119
BRAINTREE, Nov. 18, 1887.
The Town Clerks of Braintree and Holbrook met at the Town House in this town, and opened the returns for Repre- sentative to the General Court for District No. 6, Norfolk County, and found that
Willard F. Gleason of Holbrook, had seven hundred and eight 708 Albert E. Avery of Braintree, four hundred and forty-five 445
Edward J. Carroll, one
1
Blanks, sixteen . 16
Total
. 1,170
Willard F. Gleason of Holbrook was declared elected, and the necessary certificates were signed.
Voted, To adjourn sine die.
SAMUEL A. BATES, Town Clerk.
BRAINTREE, Dec. 12, 1887. I hereby certify that I have this day destroyed by fire the ballots cast on November 8, 1887, for the various officers with- out examination of the same or permitting others so to do.
SAMUEL A. BATES,
Town Clerk.
NORFOLK, SS.
To either of the Constables of the town of Braintree, Greeting :
In the name of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, you are required to notify and warn the inhabitants of the town of Brain- tree, qualified to vote in town affairs to meet at the Town Hall in Braintree, on Tuesday, the 29th day of November, 1887, at seven and one-half o'clock in the evening, to act on the follow- ing articles, namely :
ARTICLE 1. To choose a moderator to preside at said meeting. ART. 2. To see if the town will vote to appropriate a suffi- cient sum of money to finish the widening of Commercial street.
ART. 3. To see if the town will appropriate a sum of money to build a drain on Franklin street leading to Little Pond, near the Butcher Boy engine house.
120
You are to give notice of this meeting by posting true and attested copies of this warrant, in not less than nine public places in this town, seven days at least, before the time of said meeting, and by publishing once in the Braintree Observer, before the time of said meeting.
Hereof fail not, but make due return of this warrant to the Town Clerk, with your doings thereon, before the time of said meeting.
Given under our hands at Braintree, this twenty-first day of November, in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and eighty-seven.
ANSEL O. CLARK, Selectmen ·J. MURRAY KNIGHT, of Braintree.
J. FRANKLIN BATES,
NORFOLK, SS. BRAINTREE, Nov. 22, 1887.
Pursuant to the within warrant, I have notified the inhabitants of the town of Braintree, herein described, to meet at the time and place, and for the purposes within mentioned, by posting up attested copies of this warrant, at nine public places in said town, seven days before the time set for said meeting, and I have likewise caused said warrant to be published in the Braintree Observer, once before said meeting.
HORACE FAXON, Constable of Braintree.
A TRUE COPY.
Attest :
SAMUEL A. BATES, Town Clerk.
BRAINTREE, Nov. 29, 1887.
In accordance with the foregoing warrant, the meeting was called to order, and the warrant read by the Town Clerk.
ARTICLE 1. Upon ballot, by the use of the check-list, Francis A. Hobart was chosen moderator, but he declined accepting the position.
John V. Scollard was then chosen, but also declined.
Asa French was then chosen Moderator, and was sworn by the Town Clerk.
121
ART. 2. Voted to appropriate the sum of two thousand, six. hundred dollars (2600) to finish the widening of Commercial street.
ART. 3. Voted to refer the subject of a drain on Franklin street to a committee of three to report at some future meeting. Moderator appointed A. O. Clark, J. M. Knight and J. F. Bates said committee, and they were chosen.
Voted to adjourn sine die.
SAMUEL A. BATES,
Town Clerk.
NORFOLK, SS.
To either of the Constables of the Town of Braintree, Greeting :
In the name of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, you are required to notify and warn the inhabitants of the town of Braintree, qualified to vote in town affairs, to meet at the Town Hall in Braintree, on Tuesday, the thirteenth day of December,. 1887, at seven and one-half o'clock in the evening, to act on the following articles, namely :
ARTICLE 1. To choose a moderator to preside at said meeting.
ART. 2. To see if the town will instruct its treasurer to borrow, for a period not exceeding sixty days, such sums of money as the Board of Water Commissioners may require, in anticipation of the water bonds heretofore authorized by vote of the town and to be repaid out of the proceeds of the sale of said bonds.
You are to give notice of this meeting by posting true and attested copies of this warrant in not less than nine public places in this town, seven days at least before the time of said meeting, and by publishing once in the Braintree Observer before the time of said meeting.
Hereof fail not, but make return of this warrant with your doings thereon, to the Town Clerk, before the time of said meet- ing.
Given under our hands at Braintree, this fifth day of Decem- ber, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and eighty-seven.
J. MURRAY KNIGHT, Selectmen ANSEL O. CLARK, of Braintree.
J. FRANKLIN BATES,
122
NORFOLK, SS.
BRAINTREE, Dec. 6, 1887.
Pursuant to the provisions of the foregoing warrant, I have this day posted true and attested copies of the same in nine or more public places and have caused the same to be published in the Braintree Observer, as the law directs.
EDWIN L. CURTIS, Constable of Braintree.
A TRUE COPY.
Attest :
SAMUEL A. BATES,
Town Clerk.
BRAINTREE, Dec. 13, 1887.
In accordance with the foregoing warrant the meeting was called to order, and the warrant read by the Town Clerk.
Ansel O. Clark and J. Murray Knight were appointed to check the list, and they were sworn by the Town Clerk.
ARTICLE 1. Upon ballot, Asa French was chosen Moderator and sworn by the Town Clerk.
ART. 2. Moved that the treasurer of the town be instructed to borrow, at the request of the Board of Water Commissioners, for a period not exceeding sixty days, such sums of money as may be necessary in anticipation of the issuance of the water bonds heretofore authorized by the town, said loan to be secured by pledge of said bonds, and to be repaid out of the proceeds of the sale of the same.
F. A. Hobart requested the Moderator to rule whether it required a majority, or a two-thirds vote to adopt the motion.
Moderator ruled that as the counsel of the town had given his opinion that it did not require a two-thirds vote to adopt this motion, but that a majority was sufficient, he should decide that a majority is sufficient to adopt the motion.
Francis A. Hobart then desired that his protest be entered on the records, of his dissent from the ruling of the chair; and the Moderator so ordered.
Moved that the motion be taken by the use of the check list, and by a ballot yes or no.
123
The Moderator appointed Ansel O. Clark and J. Murray Knight to count the uplifted hands, and they were sworn by the Town Clerk.
The tellers reported that 199 had voted in favor of the motion, and 105 against, and the motion was carried.
Charles C. Mellen, Albert E. Avery, and N. F. T. Hayden were appointed a committee to assort and count the ballots, and they were sworn by the Town Clerk.
Upon ballot, the check list being used, it was found that the whole number of votes were 351. Yeas, 144. Noes, 207. And - the motion was declared lost.
Voted, To adjourn sine die.
SAMUEL A. BATES,
Town Clerk.
NORFOLK, SS.
To either of the Constables of the Town of Braintree, Greeting :
In the name of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, you are required to notify and warn the inhabitants of the town of Braintree, qualified to vote in town affairs, to meet at the Town Hall in Braintree, on Wednesday, the twenty-first day of Decem- ber, 1887, at 72 o'clock in the evening, to act on the following articles, namely :
ARTICLE 1. To choose a moderator to preside at said meeting.
ART. 2. To see if the town will instruct its treasurer to borrow, for a period not exceeding sixty days, such sums of money as the Board of Water Commissioners may require, in anticipation of the issuance of the water bonds, heretofore au- thorized by vote of the town, and to be repaid out of the proceeds of the sale of said bonds.
You are to give notice of this meeting by posting true and attested copies of this warrant in not less than nine public places in this town, seven days at least before the time of said meeting, and by publishing once in the Braintree Observer before the time of said meeting.
Hereof fail not, but make return of this warrant, with your doings thereon to the Town Clerk, before the time of said meeting.
124
Given under our hands at Braintree, this fourteenth day of December, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and eighty-seven.
ANSEL O. CLARK, 1 Selectmen J. MURRAY KNIGHT, of Braintree.
J. FRANKLIN BATES, J
NORFOLK, SS. BRAINTREE, DEC. 14, 1887.
Pursuant to the provisions of the foregoing warrant, I have posted true and attested copies of the same in nine or more pub- lic places, and have caused the same to be published in the Brain- tree Observer, as the law directs.
EDWIN L. CURTIS, Constable of Braintree.
A TRUE COPY.
Attest :
SAMUEL A. BATES,
Town Clerk.
BRAINTREE, December 21, 1887.
In accordance with the foregoing warrant the meeting was called to order and the warrant read by the Town Clerk.
Ansel O. Clark and J. Murray Knight were appointed to check the list and sworn by the Town Clerk.
Elmer E. Abercrombie, Abijah Allen and William C. Daniels were appointed to assort and count the votes for moderator and were sworn by the Town Clerk.
ARTICLE 1. Upon ballot, with the use of the check list, it was found that the whole number of votes cast for moderator was 542.
Timothy W. Buckley had 1
Albert E. Avery . 242
Asa French .
299
and Asa French was declared elected and sworn by the Town Clerk.
125
ART. 2. Moved, that the Treasurer of the town be instructed to borrow, with the approval of the Board of Water Commission- ers, for a period not exceeding sixty days, a sum not exceeding ten thousand dollars, in anticipation of the issuance of the water bonds heretofore authorized by the town; which sum shall be applied to the purposes for which said bonds were authorized, shall be secured by a pledge of said bonds, and shall be expressly made payable out of the proceeds of the sale of the same.
Moved, that the vote on the main question be taken at 10 o'clock P. M., and when it is taken, it be by ballot, yes, or no, with the use of the check list. After some discussion, the pre- vious question was called for and the Moderator decided that the question before the meeting was, "Shall the main question, be now put ? "
Francis A. Hobart appealed from the decision of the Chair.
The Moderator appointed Ansel O. Clark and J. Murray Knight to count the uplifted hands, and they were sworn by the Town Clerk.
They reported that the meeting sustained the Chair in his ruling by a decisive vote.
Moved, to adjourn, which motion was negatived.
The motion was then put, and it was voted that the motion on the main question be taken at IO o'clock, and when it is taken, it be by ballot, yes or no, with the use of the check list.
Moved, that the motion be amended by adding the following : " But nothing in the authority hereby granted shall be construed to authorize the Treasurer to assume any liability other than in accordance with the provisions of Chap. 217 of the Acts of the Legislature of the year 1885, by a pledge of bonds actually issued, as security for the payment of any notes given, nor shall such notes involve any liability to the town additional to the sum of one hundred thousand dollars as authorized by any previous votes of the town for the establishment of water-works."
The Moderator ruled that the amendment was not in order.
Francis A. Hobart entered his protest against the ruling of the Chair.
N. F. T. Hayden, Elmer E. Abercrombie and George D. Willis were appointed a committee to assort and count the votes and they were sworn by the Town Clerk.
126
· The main question was taken at 10 o'clock P. M., by ballot and the use of the check list, and the result was announced as follows, namely :
Whole number of ballots, 613.
Yes, 360; no, 253, and the Moderator declared the motion carried.
Francis A. Hobart gave notice of his intention of moving for a reconsideration of this vote at a meeting to be called at some future time.
Voted, To adjourn, and the meeting was declared adjourned at 10 minutes past eleven o'clock P. M.
SAMUEL A. BATES, Town Clerk.
All which is respectfully submitted,
SAMUEL A. BATES, Town Clerk.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
OF THE
TOWN OF BRAINTREE,
FOR THE
SCHOOL YEAR 1887-88.
OF . BR
TOWN.
GİR R
RAZED
N
EE
00
M
1640
TS
QUINCY : GREEN & PRESCOTT, PRINTERS 64 HANCOCK STREET, 1888.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
OF
THE
TOWN OF BRAINTREE.
FOR
THE
SCHOOL YEAR 1887-88.
F .BR
N
ORPORATED
MOL
EE
00
1640°
TTS.
QUINCY :
GREEN & PRESCOTT, PRINTERS, 64 HANCOCK STREET, 1888.
3
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
The School Committee of Braintree respectfully submit the following report for the year 1887-8 :
1
They have purposely refrained from discussing educational theories, as, in their opinion, it does not come within their proper province at this time. The Committee have, therefore, confined their report to a summary of the appropriations and expendi- tures of the past year ; appropriations desired for the mainte- nance of the schools for the ensuing year; condition of the town property under their charge, and a brief statement of the more important measures which have received their attention during the year, and the benefits which they hope to secure from the same :
APPROPRIATIONS, 1887-1888.
Town appropriation for schools
$8,400 00
Town school funds
$550 00
State school fund
197 74
Dog tax
664 49
1,412 23
Incidentals for schools
300 00
Incidentals for schoolhouses
400 00
Text-books and supplies
800 00
Appropriation for salary of superintendent
1,200 00
Total
. $12,512 23
EXPENDITURES.
For schools
$9,024 66
Incidentals for schools
365 26
Incidentals for schoolhouses
422 65
Text-books and supplies
865 09
Superintendent's salary.
1,200 00
Total .
$11,877 66
4
ESTIMATES FOR THE ENSUING YFAR.
Schools
$8,500 00
(In addition to income from school funds and dog tax.)
Text-books and supplies
700 00
Schoolhouse incidentals 400 00
School incidentals 300 00
Salary of superintendent
1,200 00
Although, at the close of the year, there was a balance of $787.57 left from the general appropriation for schools, it will be observed that there is a slight increase in the amount desired for the ensuing year.,
The committee believe it to be for the welfare of the schools, that the services of desirable and competent teachers, familiar with modern systems and methods of instruction, should be se- cured and retained as long as possible.
As there is a constant and increasing demand for the services of such trained teachers, the Committee feel that this can only be done by increasing the salaries, paid by the town to its teachers, to an amount which shall more readily equal that paid elsewhere, and they have therefore increased their estimate of the appropriations required for the ensuing year, for this purpose.
A few facts and figures taken from the annual report of the State Board of Education, for the years 1885 and 1886, the last report available, relating to this subject are presented herewith for general information:
The average wages per month of male teachers, in the public schools in this state, is $111 23
Average wages in Norfolk County, is 102 56
Average wages in Braintree, is 76 00
The average wages per month of female teachers in
the public schools in the state, is 43 97
Average wages in Norfolk County, is 43 04 ·
Average wages in Braintree, is .
32 00
5
The Committee, in view of the above facts, feel that they are fully justified in asking for this appropriation, and that it should be cheerfully and willingly granted.
BUILDINGS.
Necessary repairs have been made during the year on the various school buildings, and the Committee believe them to be in fair condition.
The present buildings are not supplied with modern appliances for heating and ventilation, and the Committee are of the opinion that not only would a considerable saving be effected in the cost of heating and repairs by a change in this respect, but that better work would be done with more favorable conditions.
While the Committee believe that the usual appropriations for the care of buildings will be sufficient for the ordinary repairs for the ensuing year, it should be kept in mind that the buildings are getting old and will require larger appropriations for their maintenance in the near future.
SCHOOLS.
The Committee believe that there has been a gradual improve- ment in most of the schools during the year and they hope and expect that this improvement will continue.
The wisdom and advantage of placing the schools under the immediate supervision of a superintendent, who can give them the benefit of his experience and devote his entire time to their welfare, is shown by the uniformity in the systems, standards and results in the several schools.
Owing to resignations and transferrals changes have occurred in the personnel of the teachers in some of the schools, but the Committee are pleased to say that they believe the discipline and welfare of the schools have not suffered materially on this ac- count.
During the year the Board has lost the assistance of its oldest member, through the resignation of its secretary, Mr. Samuel A. Bates. The vacancy was filled by the election of Mr. E. A. Wilde.
6
ATTENDANCE.
The Committee recognize the difficulties of regular and punctual attendance at the schools, during the inclement season of the year, but they believe that a proper interest and pride in the matter on the part of parents and scholars, will do much to remedy the too frequent evils of absence and tardi_ ness. It appears from the State Report already quoted that Braintree ranks 200 of the 348 towns in the State, in average at- tendance of enrolled pupils, while in Norfolk county there are 21 towns where the attendance is greater and only 4 where it is less. The Committee believe that the schools in Braintree are situated as conveniently as in most towns, and they know of no reason why the schools should not take a higher rank in this re- spect. Not only does the scholar suffer in consequence of the progress made by the class during his or her absence, but the unity and advancement of the whole school is disturbed. Regu- larity of attendance is a matter of the greatest importance and one in which the Committee desire the active co-operation and assistance of parents and guardians, as the most effective means of its accomplishment.
IN GENERAL.
Several new measures for the management of the schools have been adopted during the past year, from which it is hoped bene- ficial results will be obtained.
Pupils are now admitted to the lowest classes in the Primary schools at the commencement of each half year only, and no pupil is to be admitted under five years of ago.
The advantage of this rule is already manifested in the undi- vided attention the teacher is enabled to give to the regular classes.
As promotions can only be made annually in the schools new pupils, sent at the commencement of the second term, must necessarily be placed in a class by themselves, and divert much of the teacher's time and attention which should be given to the regular classes. Again, at the close of the year these scholars who have attended school for only one term, are not sufficiently advanced, as a general rule, to continue with those who have at- tended school the full time, and they are consequently obliged
either to go over the work again, or be promoted before they are qualified to take the work with advantage.
In either case the Committee submit that an additional delay of six months in sending young children to school would be for the advantage of all-and they request parents to give this matter heir careful consideration.
The Committee have also decided to hold written examina- tions, bi-monthly, in the higher classes of the graded schools, which are in the nature of a review of the studies pursued, and the results of these examinations, together with the average excellence of the daily work, will form a basis for pro- motions at the end of the year. In this way the Committee will be able to make promotions understandingly, on the merits of the scholars and think the wisdom of the method will be quickly shown in the improved standing of the schools.
The plan of sending to parents and guardians monthly reports of the work done by their children, to be signed by them and returned to the teacher, has also been adopted. By this means, those most directly interested, can inform themselves of the progress of their children and if it should prove unsatisfactory, " home influence " can be brought to bear, which it is believed will be of the greatest assistance to the teacher.
It is also hoped that these monthly reports will be the means of increasing the interest taken by parents in the schools, that they will become more familiar with the work of the teachers and of the many difficulties with which they have to contend.
There is a probability that the studies required by law to be taught in High Schools, may be revised and simplified during the coming year, by a commission appointed for the purpose.
The Committee hope that this may be done, as they feel that it is impossible to do full justice to all the studies as now pre- scribed, and that a thorough knowledge of a few is more to be desired than a vague knowledge of many subjects.
In all these matters pertaining to these schools, the Committee recognize their great responsibilities, and while anxious to raise the standard as much as possible, keep constantly in mind the 1 importance of guarding the health of the children committed to their care from the dangers of overwork and excessive study.
8
For various recommendations and statistics, concerning the schools, reference is made to the report of the Superintendent appended hereto, and the Committee request that they be given careful consideration.
ALBERT E. AVERY, ANNA M. BROOKS, LAWRENCE H. H. JOHNSON, WILLIE H. SHAW, E. AUGUSTUS WILDE, JOHN REED.
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT.
TO THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE OF BRAINTREE, Mrs. Brooks and Gentlemen :
The report of the Superintendent of Schools, the third since the establishment of the office, is hereby respectfully submitted.
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