USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Braintree > Town annual report of Braintree, Massachusetts for the year 1888-1889 > Part 7
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8
ART. 3. Voted; To proceed to the choice of.a Trustee of the Thayer Public Library, to fill the vacancy caused by the death of N. F. T. Hayden.
Upon ballot, John M. Beals was elected to fill said vacancy.
ART. 4. E. Watson Arnold was chosen one of the committee on celebrating the 250th anniversary of the incorporation of the town, to fill' the vacancy caused by the death of N. F. T. Hayden. Voted, To adjourn.
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 Thursday, the fourteenth day of June, 1888, at eight 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 hear the report of the committee chosen at the last annual town meeting, to consider some method of heating the Town House and Public Library, and act thereon.
ART. 3. To see if the town will appropriate a sum of money for the above-named purpose.
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.
117
Hereof fail not, but make 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 sixth day of June, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and eighty-eight.
ANSEL O. CLARK, J. FRANKLIN BATES, NATHANIEL F. HUNT, Selectmen of Braintree.
NORFOLK, ss. BRAINTREE, June 7, 1888.
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 more than nine public places in said town of Braintree, seven days before the time of said meeting, and by publishing the said warrant in the Brain- tree Observer once before the time of said meeting.
HORACE FAXON, Constable of Braintree.
A TRUE COPY.
Attest :
SAMUEL A. BATES,
Town Clerk.
BRAINTREE, June 14, 1888.
In accordance with the foregoing warrant, the meeting was called to order, and the warrant read by the Town Clerk.
On ballot, and by the use of the check list, Asa French was elected Moderator, and sworn by the Town Clerk.
ART. 2. The committee on heating the Town House and Public Library made the following report :
"Your committee, appointed at the last annual meeting to take into consideration the subject of heating the Town House and Public Library, have attended to that duty, and beg leave to make the following report :
118
" Your committee have given this subject considerable atten- tion, and have endeavored to obtain such information from parties who have had experience in such matters, and whose knowledge should be of some value to us in our conclusions as to the best and most economical methods known today of heating public buildings, and after careful consideration, we are of the unanimous opinion that the best system of heating for the town to adopt is by direct steam. We therefore invited several of the most prominent concerns engaged in the business to submit plans and proposals for heating the Town House and Public Library in a satisfactory manner to the town. Your committee took into consideration the advisability of heating both buildings with one boiler, but in the judgment of all parties that have been here to investigate the subject, it was not deemed practicable. We therefore abandoned the idea, and instructed the several parties to estimate the work on each building separately. We have received proposals from several concerns, each agreeing a first-class job, and guaranteeing to heat the buildings satisfac- torily. They propose to put a horizontal tubular boiler in the basement of this building, also one of like character in base- ment of Library. Other details of the work are so numerous, we do not think it necessary to lay them before the town at this time. With this information before the committee, we are of the unanimous opinion that the work for both buildings can be done for the sum of $2500, and we would recommend that that amount be appropriated.
JAMES T. STEVENS, W. R. PENNIMAN, JOHN CAVANAGH.
Voted, To accept the report.
ART. 3. Voted, To appropriate the sum of $2500 to carry out the report of the committee.
Voted, That the same committee heretofore appointed be continued to carry the same into effect, and instructed not to close the bids until July 1, next.
Voted, To reconsider that part of the vote just passed, by which the committee were instructed to provide for heating
119
by steam, and that it be instructed to provide a system of heating by steam or hot water in its discretion.
Voted, To adjourn.
. 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 the inhabitants of the town of Braintree, qualified to vote in elections, to meet at the Town Hall, in Braintree, on Tuesday, the sixth day of November, 1888, it being the Tuesday next after the first Monday of said month, at seven and one-half o'clock in the forenoon, to bring in their votes to the Selectmen for fourteen Presidential Electors, two at large, and one from each Congressional District ; one Represen- tative to Congress for the Second Congressional District; Gover- nor, Lieutenant-Governor, Secretary, Treasurer and Receiver General, Auditor, and Attorney General for the Commonwealth ; Councillor for the Second Councillor District; Register of Pro- bate and Insolvency, Register of Deeds, Treasurer, and one County Commissioner for the County of Norfolk; Senator for the First Senatorial District of Norfolk County ; and one Repre- sentative to the General Court for District No. Six of the County of Norfolk; all on one ballot. The polls will be open at seven and one-half o'clock A. M., and will be kept open until one o'clock P. M.
You are directed to serve this warrant by posting up attested copies thereof in nine public places in this town, seven days, at least, before the time of said meeting, and by publishing once in the Braintree Observer.
Hereof fail not, and make due return of this warrant, with your doings thereon, to the Selectmen, before the time of said meeting.
1
120
Given under our hands, at Braintree, this twenty-second day of October, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and eighty-eight.
ANSEL O. CLARK, J. FRANKLIN BATES, NATHANIEL F. HUNT, Selectmen of Braintree.
NORFOLK, ss. BRAINTREE, November 3, 1888.
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 more than nine public places in the town of Braintree, seven days, at least, before the time set for said meeting, and I have likewise caused the said warrant to be published in the Braintree Observer once before the time of said meeting.
HORACE FAXON, Constable of Braintree.
A TRUE COPY.
SAMUEL A. BATES, Attest :
Town Clerk.
BRAINTREE, November 6, 1888.
In accordance with the foregoing warrant, the meeting was called to order by Ansel O. Clark, chairman of the Board of Selectmen, who presided at the meeting, and also read the warrant.
The Town Clerk announced that the ballot box provided for the town was in good condition, and ready for use.
The chairman declared the polls open at thirty-six minutes past seven o'clock A. M.
Voted, That the polls be closed at twenty minutes past one o'clock P. M. ; and at that time they were declared closed.
121
The ballot box was opened three times during the balloting by the unanimous consent of the officers.
At the close of the polls the Town Clerk announced that 886 ballots had been registered, and the chairman also announced that 886 names were checked on the list.
At the close of the counting of the ballots, the Town Clerk announced that 886 ballots were cast, that they were all can- celled, and that they were for the following persons, namely :
ELECTORS AT LARGE.
George D. Robinson, of Chicopee, . John Boyle O'Reilly, of Boston,
483
391
James H. Roberts, of Cambridge, Blanks,
3
Total, 886
William F. Draper, of Hopedale,
. 483
George M. Stearns, of Chicopee,
392
John Blackmer, of Springfield,
9
Blanks,
2
Total,
886
ELECTOR FOR DISTRICT NO. 1.
John H. Reed, of Barnstable, .
· 483
Thomas C. Day, of Barnstable,
393
John D. Flint, of Fall River,
9
Blank,
1
Total,
886
ELECTOR FOR DISTRICT NO. 2.
George E. Freeman, of Brockton, 483
Bushrod Morse, of Sharon,
·
·
392
Willianı J. Smith, of Taunton,
9
Blanks,
2
Total,
886
·
9
·
.
122
ELECTOR FOR DISTRICT No. 3.
Halsey J. Boardman, of Boston, 483
Nathan Matthews, Jr., of Boston,
393
James M. Gray, of Boston,
9
Blank,
1
.
Total,
886
ELECTOR FOR DISTRICT No. 4.
Elijah Mertain Hatch, of Boston, 483
Matthew Keaney, of Boston,
392
Israel F. Trafton, of Boston,
9
Blanks,
2
Total,
886
ELECTOR FOR DISTRICT NO. 5.
Henry J. Wells, of Cambridge,
· 483
Charles H. Taylor, of Boston,
393
Andrew Howes, of Boston,
9
Blank,
1
Total,
886
ELECTOR FOR DISTRICT No. 6.
Horatio Wellington, of Boston,
483
Henry Bradlee, of Medford,
393
George H. Harwood, of Lynn,
9
Blank,
1
Total,
886
ELECTOR FOR DISTRICT No. 7.
Francis Norwood, of Beverly,
483
James F. Dean, of Salem,
393
Daniel W. Friend, of Manchester,
9
Blank,
1
Total,
886
·
.
123
ELECTOR FOR DISTRICT No. 8.
Charles U. Bell, of Lawrence, 483
John C. Sanborn, of Lawrence,
393
Orson E. Mallory, of Lowell,
9
Blank,
1
Total,
886
ELECTOR FOR DISTRICT No. 9.
Charles Q. Tirrell, of Natick, 483
William Aspinwall, of Brookline,
393
Charles M. Bowers, of Clinton,
9
Blank,
1
Total,
886
ELECTOR FOR DISTRICT No. 10.
Frank P. Goulding, of Worcester, 483
Edward W. Lincoln, of Worcester,
393
Edward D. Conant, of Worcester,
9
Blank,
1
Total,
886
ELECTOR FOR DISTRICT No. 11.
Chester C. Conant, of Greenfield, 483
Frederic S. Coolidge, of Ashburnham,
393
Julius H. Seelye, of Amherst,
9
Blank,
1
Total,
886
ELECTOR FOR DISTRICT NO. 12.
Elisha Morgan, of Springfield, . 483
Walter Cutting, of Pittsfield,
.
393
Howard A. Gibbs, of Lee, .
9
Blank,
1
Total,
886
1
124
REPRESENTATIVE TO CONGRESS, DISTRICT NO. 2.
Elijah A. Morse, of Canton,
468
Josiah Quincy, of Quincy,
402
William H. Phillips, of Taunton,
4
James T. Stevens, of Braintree,
2
Blanks,
10
Total,
886
GOVERNOR.
Oliver Ames, of Easton,
487
William E. Russell, of Cambridge,
378
William H. Earle, of Worcester,
11
Oliver Ames,
.2
Blanks,
8
Total,
886
LIEUTENANT-GOVERNOR.
John Q. A. Brackett, of Arlington,
503
John W: Corcoran, of Clinton,
366
John Bascom, of Williamstown,
8
John Q. A. Brackett, of Clinton,
2
John Q. A. Brackett, .
1
Blanks,
6
Total,
886
COUNCILLOR FOR DISTRICT NO. 2.
Arthur W. Tufts, of Boston,
485
George D. Wentworth, of Stoughton,
.
372
Hiram B. Cross, of Boston,
7
A. W. Tufts, of Boston,
20
Blanks,
2
Total,
886
·
.
125
SECRETARY.
Henry B. Peirce, of Abington, . 506
William N. Osgood, of Boston, .
371
Henry C. Smith, of Williamsburg,
5
Henry B. Peirce,
.
2
Blanks,
2
Total,
886
TREASURER AND RECEIVER GENERAL.
George A. Marden, of Lowell,
505
Henry C. Thacher, of Yarmouth,
371
John M. Fisher, of Attleborough,
7
George A. Marden, of Yarmouth,
1
George A. Marden,
1
Blank,
1
Total,
886
ATTORNEY GENERAL.
Andrew J. Waterman, of Pittsfield, .
505
Samuel O. Lamb, of Greenfield,
370
Allen Coffin, of Nantucket,
7
Andrew J. Waterman, of Greenfield,
1
Andrew J. Waterman,
1
Blanks,
2
Total,
886
REGISTER OF PROBATE AND INSOLVENCY.
Jonathan Cobb, of Dedham,
879
George A. Beedem, of Weymouth,
6
Blank,
1
Total,
886
COUNTY TREASURER.
Chauncey C. Churchill, of Dedham,
· 507
Ferdinand Favor, of Dedham,
370
George Kempton, of Sharon,
7
Blanks,
2
Total,
· 886
.
·
.
.
.
.
.
126
COUNTY COMMISSIONER.
Melville P. Morrill, of Hyde Park, 504
Don Gleason Hill, of Dedham, .
374
Marcus M. Porter, of Avon,
6
Blanks,
2
Total,
886
REGISTER OF DEEDS.
John H. Burdakin, of Dedham, .
878
Aaron R. Morse, of Franklin,
7
Blank,
1
Total,
886
SENATOR FOR FIRST NORFOLK DISTRICT.
James T. Stevens, of Braintree, 524
William Everett, of Quincy, 345 · ·
Robert C. Habberley, of Hyde Park,
1
James T. Stevens, of Braintree, and Į
2
William Everett, of Quincy,
Blanks,
14
Total,
886 .
REPRESENTATIVE IN GENERAL COURT, DISTRICT NO. 6.
Thomas Haven Dearing, of Braintree, 507
T. Haven Dearing, of Braintree, 16
Thomas Haven Dearing, 10 .
Thomas Haven Dearing, of Holbrook,
2
T. H. Dearing, of Braintree,
1
T. H. Dearing, of Holbrook,
1
T. H. Dearing,
1
Charles H. Paine, of Holbrook,
338
F. A. Hobart, of Braintree,
1
Blanks,
9
Total,
886
127
The returns were then signed and sealed; the ballots sealed according to law, and delivered to the Town Clerk; and the check list sealed and delivered to the Selectmen.
Voted, To dissolve this meeting at 7 hours 40 minutes P. M., after a continuous session of twelve hours and ten minutes.
SAMUEL A. BATES,
Town Clerk.
BRAINTREE, November 16, 1888.
The Town Clerks of Braintree and Holbrook met at the Town House in this town, and opened the returns for Representative to the General Court for District No. 6, County of Norfolk, and found that
Thomas Haven Dearing, of Braintree, had 811 Charles H. Paine, of Holbrook, 66 578
F. A. Hobart, of Braintree, 66 1
Thomas Haven Dearing, of Braintree, was declared elected, and the necessary certificates were signed.
Voted, To adjourn sine die.
SAMUEL A. BATES, Town Clerk.
A TRUE COPY.
Attest :
SAMUEL A. BATES,
Town Clerk.
BRAINTREE, December 10, 1888.
I hereby certify that I have this day destroyed by fire the ballots cast on November 6, 1888, without examination of the same, or permitting others so to do.
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 1888-89.
-
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
In accordance with a custom of past years the Committee of the town of Braintree present herewith the following annual report of the school year 1888-89 :
The management of the entire school system continuing under the care and supervision of Mr. C. L. Hunt, our present able and worthy Superintendent, the Committee, in considering themselves relieved from the duty or requirement of years previous to the employment of such an official, deem any special report, or the rendering of any details on their part uncalled for at the present time, and consequently will treat on matters and subjects per- taining to the schools in only a brief and general way, leaving all other matters in the hands of the Superintendent, who will, as usual, furnish a full and detailed report of each school, to which the attention of all interested is respectfully called.
APPROPRIATIONS, 1888-1889.
Town appropriations for schools,
$8,400 00 ·
Town school fund,
$350 00
State school fund,
172 00
Revenue from state school fund,
367 28
Dog tax,
738 92
$1,628 20
300 00 Incidentals for schools,
Incidentals for schoolhouses,
500 00
Text-books and supplies,
800 00
Superintendent's salary,
1,200 00
Total,
. $12,828 20
.
132
EXPENDITURES.
For schools,
$9,482 64
Incidentals for schools,
285 79
Incidentals for schoolhouses,
655 18
Text-books and supplies,
846 89
Superintendent's salary,
$1,200 00
Total, .
.
. $12,470 50
ESTIMATES FOR THE ENSUING YEAR.
Schools (in addition to income from school funds and
dog tax),
$9,100 00
Text-books and supplies,
700 00
Incidentals for schools,
300 00
Incidentals for schoolhouses,
700 00
Salary of superintendent,
1,200 00 :
By referring to our last annual report it will be seen that there was a balance of $787.57 from general appropriations. The above statement will show that this year closes with a balance of $357.70 from general appropriations. The Committee call attention to the balance of the previous year, simply to show that it is not their intention to use the entire appropriation whether it is necessary or not, nor to use all, at times, when it would appear to the advantage of the schools to do so-prefer- ing to abuse their discretionary power-if at all, in an economical way, rather than the contrary; and although they have full authority to contract with and to pay teachers such salaries as in their judgment may appear proper and just, it has been and will continue to be their aim to pursue a conservative course, and to so conduct the general system, that the elements of economy shall at all times be manifest, at least to a degree con- sistent with the demands of the times and the best interest of the schools. It is the desire of the Board to keep expenditures within the limits of appropriations at all times when it can so be done without positive injury to the schools. In our last annual report, a larger appropriation for schools was recom- mended and asked for in order to increase the salaries of teachers,
133
that they might more reasonably conform with the salaries paid by many other towns in the State. No increase was granted.
The Committee, however, believing themselves justified in so doing, have advanced the pay of most of the teachers, the advance commencing with the last Fall term, and in consequence ask for an increase in appropriations as will be seen in the esti- mates. When it is taken into consideration that the pay of teachers including the advance is still considerably below that paid by many other towns, the Board trust that all who take an interest in the schools will not only submit to present demands but willingly respond to any that may be made in the future.
It will be seen by the report that $367.28 was received by the town as its share of a sum appropriated by the State for towns under a certain valuation. The valuation of the town having increased this year, it will not be entitled to any part of that revenue the coming year.
EXAMINATION OF APPLICANTS FOR ADMISSION TO THE HIGH SCHOOL.
Nearly or quite thirty annual examinations have taken place since this institution began its useful existence, and while it would be safe to say that in no one instance during these many years, have the Committtee escaped censure or blame from some quarter, yet no change in the system nor any departure from the usual custom has taken place until the past year, the Com- mittee no doubt considering such a course necessary in order to maintain the standard grade of the school. Whether they have been right or wrong in the premises this Board does not propose to say, nor is it material. The past year, in order to avoid any confusion that might arise from having all the can- didates meet in a strange room and before the full Board, it was decided to have them meet as far as practicable in their own rooms in the presence of the local members only, it being argued by some that applicants amply fitted for admission often "lost their heads," so to say, and in consequence failed to pass the required examination, and were thus compelled to undergo the injustice and hardship of waiting a full year for another trial, with no certainty of success even then. The Committee on that
134
occasion not only gave a very easy examination, but allowed double time (two days) to answer questions in order that no fault should be found on account of want of time; but notwith- standing these favorable changes, as usual the examination failed to meet the approbation of all. In view of these facts the Board, after much study and considerable discussion, has decided to make a special change the coming year in an experimental way at least, in order, if possible, that all may be satisfied. In place of the annual written examination before the Committee, four written examinations will be held in the eighth grade, namely: the first to be held in the first weeks in November; the second to be held in the first weeks in February; and the third and fourth in the last two weeks of April and June, respectively.'
The questions of these four sets of written examinations will be proposed by the Superintendent and submitted to the Committee for their approval before printing. The above exam- inations will take place in regular order and be conducted by the teachers in each school. Pupils answering an average of sixty- five per cent. of all the questions in each set will be admitted.
DIPLOMAS.
Written examinations shall take place in the High School, the last two weeks in each term. The questions to be proposed by the teachers and submitted to the Committee for approval before printing. All pupils answering an average of sixty per cent. of all questions and obtaining the same average in daily marking will be entitled to a diploma.
SCHOOL BUILDINGS.
The Pond building, poorly constructed about seventeen years since, has received no inside improvements until the past year, when it was thought best to paint the walls, oil and varnish the wood work, and make other small repairs, as far as appropriations would warrant. $100 was expended in this way. In order to finish the work and put the rooms in good condition, a further appropriation of same amount will be required.
135
The Union building has been improved at an, expense of $84. The Committee recommend painting this building the present year, and some other next year, and so on. $125 will be required for this purpose.
The Iron Works building has been shingled and put in good order. The bill for labor has been paid, but the lumber bill, not having been presented, is not paid, and an extra appropriation will be required for the amount, $108.
A new fence has been built around the Southwest building, at a cost of $67.28.
The East is sadly in need of a proper outbuilding, and the Committee estimate $150 will be required to build one suitable for the locality. Aside from the extra appropriations called for the Committee consider the usual amount for buildings sufficient. If we would have model schools it would be well to make the buildings and general surroundings as pleasant, comfortable and attractive as possible by making some improvement each year.
The Committee hold monthly meetings, and call extra meet- ings whenever occasion requires, and by visiting the schools from time to time, and by looking over the written examination papers, make themselves familiar with the work being done by the schools, to such an extent as to be able to observe a gradual improvement in all grades.
No change has been made during the year in the corps of teachers, and consequently the usual setbacks have been avoided. The Superintendent and teachers have the schools well in hand, and the year just ended has been prosperous, and fully merits the expectations of the Committee.
ALBERT E. AVERY, ' ANNA M. BROOKS, L. H. H. JOHNSON, WILLIE H. SHAW, JOHN REED, E. A. WILDE.
136
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT.
To the School Committee of Braintree,.
MRS. BROOKS AND GENTLEMEN :
The fourth annual report of the Superintendent of Schools is herewith respectfully submitted :
STATISTICS. 1
Population of the town, state census of 1885, · 4,040
Number of children between five and fifteen years of
age, May 1, 1888, 658
Number of children under five years of age, 0
Number of children over fourteen years of age, ·
67
Number of children over fifteen years of age, 65
Number of children between eight and fourteen years of age, 408
Number of children under eight years of age, 181
Total number enrolled during the year, 790
Average number belonging during the year,
614.98
Average daily attendance, 568.85
Per cent. of attendance,
92.17
REPORT OF ATTENDANCE. -
SCHOOLS.
Whole number !!
differ'nt pupils
Average num-
ber, belonging.
Average
attendance.
Per cent. of at-
tendance.
Per cent. of åt-
tendance year
Per cent. of at-
tendance year of 1886-7.
High School.
94.9
Union Grammar ....
44
39.12
36.89
94.30
66
Intermediate.
38
31.48
28.18
89.50
85.78
:87.4
21
62
68
40.57
35.42
87.31
83.75
-85.1
34
35.32
33.12
93.80
90.08.
93.2
Pond Grammar. .
40
39.37
36.70
$ 93.23
90.91
81.8
Intermediate. .
42
42.09
37.70
· 89.58 -
89.97.
- 86.3
1st Primary. .
73
49.80
42.43
85.21
95.51
$ 91.64
91.6
Iron Works Grammar.
84.3
66
Intermediate
75
37.55
35.11
93.49
91.10
:91.0
66
Primary. . ..
17
16.80
16.33
97.18
: 93.60
SS. 1
East Grammar and Intermediate.
28
25.85
23.59
91.24
.. 90.72
: 89.9
" Primary .
48
29.76
28.68
96.27
87.23
: 92.4
Middle Street
44
:
34.80
33.08
95.06
89.13
:92.1
South ..
20
11.55
11.07
95.89
. 87.98
: 91.5
Southwest
21
17.17
14.16
82.49
83.76
.82.9
West . . .
Eighteen Schools
790
614:98
568.85
92.17
90.43
: 89.71
42
37.01
34.38
92.91
: 90.58
SS.9
.
. . i . '
44
28.97
27.08
93.48
84.97=
:83.3
2d
38
: 30.23
28.87
67.54
66.06
97.80
$99.91
98.1
-91.92
1st Primary.
.
137
enrolled.
of 1887-8.
92.76'
138
A general view of the year's work and a statement of the condition of the schools will not demand that every subject of study be considered and every change or improvement noted, but only that the more prominent points in needs of the schools, defects and progress be treated.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.