USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Braintree > Town annual report of Braintree, Massachusetts for the year 1900 > Part 13
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Now I well know that all parents are not able to go far along such lines as I have indicated. But I believe that many who are able are unaware of the pleasure and the profit of this kind of effort. Almost any parent can do something. We can at least show an interest in what our children are studying, We can commend their successes and be sorry for their fail- ures. Even this much will be far more helpful than the
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apathy and indifference which is too often shown in the chil- dren's homes, about their school duties.
As to the spiritual life and relations of the child, the com- mon virtues of cleanliness (which is next to Godliness), truth- fulness, obedience, and personal purity, can and must be taught in the home if they are to be found in the school. Thus the foundations of a true spiritual life are to be laid in the home.
If I were the master of a school I would oblige the parents to co-operate with me thus far. If they sent a boy to my school with a dirty face I would march him home again to wash up. If he lied to me, and was disrespectful, disobedient, lazy and foul-mouthed, I would get around to the home he came from and find out the source of such moral disorder. And if by kindliness and tact and sympathetic effort the en- vironment could not be improved, I would at least have it understood that at school that boy must behave himself; and if he could not finally be made to do so, then, for the school's sake, I should expect the committee to sustain me in drop- ping him from the school. But with the co-operation of the parents I believe that this extremity of discipline need scarcely ever be reached.
The discipline of every school must be maintained through the co-operation of parents with teachers. No school can prosper where the discipline is lax. No teacher can satisfac- .torily and permanently administer the discipline of the school awithout the co-operation, sympathy and support of the parents.
To these ends, I remark in the third place, that the parents should cultivate the acquaintance of the teachers. They should be friendly . with them. There should be between teachers and parents the kindliest, the most frank and open relations. How many misunderstandings would be prevented, how many mistakes avoided, how many disasters averted, if there were only a more, intimate acquaintance on the part of parents: with the personal life, character, aims and ambitions of those who are giving their time, strength and best efforts to. the education of the children.
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A teacher from another community told me recently that in an entire school year no parent had come to visit her school save in two or three instances where a mother had come to bring complaints about her children's failure to be promoted; which was in each case blamed upon the teachers and the school methods .. The same teacher told me that in only two instances during the year had she met any of the parents socially. No one took any notice of her presence in the com- munity, save to blame her in general for the pupils' defi- ciencies.
I hope this case is exceptional and I believe that it is. But surely we can do more than we are wont to do, to make the teachers at home and to draw out of them the best that there is in them. . I hope that we shall make a record for this neigh- borhood, so that the best teachers shall covet election to ser- vice in the Penniman school. Let us be careful of our criti- cisms of the teachers, especially in the presence of the chil- dren. Let us cultivate respect and affection for them in the minds and hearts of the pupils, welcome them to our homes, and frequently visit them in the school room. Then we may be sure that there will be a real and a successful co-operation between them and ourselves in the responsible and important work of making our rough diamonds into jewels suitable for the adornment of America's radiant diadem.
In closing allow me to suggest the formation of a Penni- man School Association (following the excellent example of the people in the Jonas Perkins School district)-to conserve the interests of this school, to develop the true educational spirit in this neighborhood, to unify the efforts of parents, teachers, Superintendent, Committee, citizens and town- fathers,-with the end of making this Penniman School one of the best and most efficient of all the schools of Braintree. This school has already done much to remove the feeling that we are only a little group of scattered neighbors, without any coherency, without common interests and responsibilities. The possession of what is, in some respects at least, the best public' schoolhouse in town, awakens in us a new sense of civic accountability. Let us cultivate this spirit of unity. Let
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us justly pride ourselves in having this beautiful building. But far rather let us take all pains to secure the complete ful- filment of its mission. Let us catch the spirit of the modern educational methods, and teach our children that it is an inestimable privilege and advantage to have been born and to be educated in the closing years of the 19th Century.
As the new era dawns may they be greater, wiser, nobler than their fathers and mothers,-and win in the mighty con- flict that awaits them,-because they have been well trained in home and school, into a noble, well-balanced, self-poised and self-respecting Christian manhood.
MANUAL AND INDUSTRIAL EDUCATION.
It should be a matter of deep regret that more manual and industrial training is not provided for our pupils at the age when it will be of such great benefit to them, and for nearly all of whom such training will have great practical value in after life.
Mr. Booker T. Washington says concerning his work at Tuskegee, "To take the children of such people and each day give them a few hours of mere book education, I felt would be almost a waste of time. It became apparent at once that, if we were to make any permanent impression upon those who had come to us for training, we must do something be- sides teach them mere books. We wanted to give them such a practical knowledge of industry, together with the spirit of industry, thrift and economy, that they would be sure to know how to earn a living after they had left us. We wanted to. teach them to study actual things, instead of mere books. alone. At the present time there is almost no Southern State that is not putting forth efforts in the direction of securing industrial education for its white boys and girls."
Mr. Washington seems to reveal in these simple and direct statements the secret of the peculiar success of his school at
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Tuskegee. Our children have the same great need. Nearly all of them will be brought constantly in after life into the ciosest possible contact with our marvelous industrial life; their success will depend largely upon their sympathetic ac- quaintance with it and their love of industry. Mr. Washing- ton tells us repeatedly that all of the students who came to Tuskegee, believed that education would help them to get rid of work. It makes one sad to feel that this thought is not wholly absent from the minds of New England young people. The lives of our pupils can be made more purposeful only by changing the emphasis and spirit of school training so as to bring them into closer touch with industrial activity and to make them feet that "the blessing of life is toil," and that the most successful and satisfactory life is the one that gives to the world the largest measure of unselfish service.
It is recommended that the girls of the sixth, seventh and eighth grades of our grammar schools be given instruction in the domestic arts, and that the boys of the same grades in all the grammar schools be given manual training.
HIGH SCHOOL ACCOMMODATIONS.
Without question the greatest need of the school system at the present time is a new building for the High school. The school has able and enthusiastic teachers and an excellent and rapidly increasing class of pupils, but they are working under very discouraging conditions. With nearly all of the pupils assembled on the third floor of the building, the possibility of disaster from fire cannot be out of mind. It is a crime against the physical nature of many children of High school age to require them to pass up and down three flights of stairs a number of times each day. The further development and improvement of the school in the business, scientific, col- lege preparatory and other departments will depend upon increased accommodations. Parents and pupils are demand- ing advantages equal to those in other first-rate High schools; many of these advantages must wait for increased facilities. Very unsatisfactory rooms on the third floor of a grammar school building are not a suitable place for a flourishing High school in which our citizens may take proper civic pride.
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The growth of the grammar school, . already completely occupying six rooms, will make it necessary to use the whole .. building for the school as soon as the High school can be ' removed, even if steps are commenced at once to provide a - new building.
During the past two and one-half years Mr. Ewart, the Principal of the school, has proved himself an excellent and able administrator and a skillful organizer; and the present excellent tone of the school is due largely to his earnest, wise and well-tempered leadership. Instruction in stenography has become a pronounced success. All of the students who have completed the course have taken excellent and well-pay- ing positions and are doing much credit to themselves and to the school. The classical and business courses are rapidly taking. definite and satisfactory form. Throughout the whole school there is a spirit of loyalty and a definiteness of purpose rarely excelled. The school merits a new and suitable home, and Mr. Ewart and his assistant teachers merit the encourage- ment that this new home will give.
CONTAGION IN THE SCHOOLS.
Our new Board of Health has proved a blessing to the schools in many ways. Their advice has been frequently sought and has always been cheerfully and promptly given. They have made many visits to the schools and to homes to investigate cases of contagion, and in every case we have been only too glad to follow their recommendations. They have- been constantly watchful and alert, and at no time has there been the slightest possibility of an epidemic.
TEACHERS.
Some excellent teachers have left our schools during the past year to take more lucrative positions elsewhere. Mr. Field and Miss O'Rourke have gone to Brookline; Miss Stacy and Miss Getchell to Boston; Miss Lilly to Haverhill; Miss. Sellman to Philadelphia; Miss Carrie A. Rogers to Newton; Miss Pike to Sauk Center, Minn .; Miss Hewes to Pratt Insti- tute, Brooklyn, N. Y., for further study; and Miss McArdle to Brockton.
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OUR EDUCATIONAL AIM.
Each year we see more clearly that education in the true sense is something broader, deeper and more vital than mere book learning; that it is a growth process which is stimulated and nourished by the totality of human interests; and that these interests can be vitalized only when the soul of the teacher, expressed through love and sympathy, embraces the emotional life of the child, and that the real educational proc- ess begins only when the teacher has won the child's love and enthusiasm. Then in a real, though mysterious, manner, the life of the teacher passes over to the pupil, and the fullness and richness of the teacher's life become the permanent possession. of the pupil. All mere book learning must sooner or later pass from memory, but the personal inspiration of the teacher remains through life.
We have reason to be proud of our whole body of teachers; many meet our ideal, and a few are creating for us new and. higher ideals. The value of such teachers to the community. cannot be measured by any salary.
The work and management of the schools has never been more successful and harmonious than during the past year; a kindly and helpful feeling among parents, teachers and pupils. has prevailed; and substantial progress has been constantly. made.
I am under profound obligations to the members of your Board, to the teachers and to the citizens of the town.
Respectfully, IRVING W. HORNE, Superintendent of Schools.
Braintree, Mass., January 9, 1901.
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WARRANT
FOR ANNUAL TOWN MEETING.
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
NORFOLK, SS. To either of the Constables of the Town of Braintree in said County. GREETING :
In the name of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts you are hereby required to notify and warn the inhabitants of the Town of Braintree, qualified to vote in Elections therein, to meet at the polling places in their respective Precincts, to wit :
Polling place in Precinct No. 1, Town Hall.
66
66 2, Hose House, Hollis Ave.
66 60 3, Hose House, Allen St. on Monday, the fourth day of March 1901, at six o'clock in the forenoon then and there to bring in to the Wardens of their respective Precincts their votes on one ballot for a Town Clerk, a Town Treasurer, 3 Selectmen, 3 Assessors, 3 Overseers of Poor, 3 Surveyors of Highways, 3 Auditors, 3 Fence Viewers, a Tax Collector, Tree Warden, 2 Trustees of Thayer Public Library for 2 years, 2 Members of the Board of School Committee for 3 years, 1 Water Commis- sioner and Commissioner of Sinking Fund for 3 years, 3 Members of the Board of Health, and 15 Constables. Also to vote on the same ballot, Yes or No, upon the ques- tion, Shall licenses be granted for the sale of intoxicating liquors in this Town.
The polls will be open at six o'clock in the forenoon and may be closed at 12 o'clock M.
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You are further required to notify and warn said inhabi- tants qualified to vote as aforesaid, to meet at the Town Hall in said Braintree, on Wednesday, the Sixth day of March, in the year 1901, at eight o'clock in the forenoon, then and there to act on the following Articles, Namely :
ARTICLE 1. To choose a Moderator to preside at said meeting.
ART. 2. To choose all other town officers except those elected by ballot.
ART. 3. To hear and act upon the reports of the several Boards of Town Officers, and of any Committee, and to choose any Committee the Town may think proper.
ART. 4. To see what sums of money the town will vote to raise and appropriate for support of Public Schools, and for transportation of pupils .to and from the Public Schools.
ART. 5. To see what sums of money the town will vote to raise and appropriate for the repairs, Highways, Town Ways, Bridges, Removal of Snow, Watering Streets and for building Stone Roads and Sidewalks.
ART. 6. To see what sum of money the town will vote to raise and appropriate for the support of the Poor.
ART. 7, To see if the Town will authorize the Treasurer with the approval of a majority of the Selectmen to borrow money in anticipation of Taxes, and issue notes of the town therefor, and to see if the town will hold the Treasurer harmless on his bond from any loss which may arise from the failure of any National Bank in which the funds of the town may be on deposit, said bank or banks being des- ignated by the Selectmen.
ART. 8. To see if the town will continue to pay for the bond of its Treasurer as last year.
ART. 9. To see if the town will vote to charge interest ·on all unpaid taxes after a certain date.
ART. 10. To see if the town will accept the Jury List as prepared by the Selectmen.
ART. 11. To see what sum of money the town will vote
25.0
to raise and appropriate for the support of the Fire Depart- ment.
: ART. 12. To see if the town will vote an appropriation to assist in defraying the expense of a Fireman's Field day.
ART. 13. To see if the town will vote to place a Fire Alarm Box at the corner of Washington and Common Streets and appropriate a sum of money for the same.
ART. 14. To see if the town will reappropriate the sum of $1,000. for the new Ladder Truck.
ART. 15: To see if the town will raise and appropriate the sum of $50. to repair Hose House No. 2, in South Braintree.
ART. 16. To see if the town will reappropriate $100.00 . of the money unexpended from the Preston Box appropria- tion, for the repairs and extension of Fire Alarm.
ART. 17. To see if the town will raise and appropriate the sum of three hundred and twenty-five dollars for new hose.
ART. 18. To see if the town will vote to accept the pro- visions of Section 337 of Chapter 548 of the Acts of 1898, and elect three Road Commissioners, one for the term of one year, one for the term of two years, and one for the term of three years.
ART. 19. To see if the town will vote to rescind the vote, . requiring the use of official ballots for the election of town officers.
ART. 20. To see if the town will vote to abolish · voting precincts for the election of town officers, and for voting on the question of granting licenses for the sale of intoxicating liquors.
ART. 21. (As petitioned for.) To see if the town will vote to abate a portion of the taxes for a term of years, on manufacturing establishments located, or locating in the town
ART. 22. To see if the town will vote to raise and appro- priate the sum of $500.00 for grading the grounds around . the Penniman School Building. (As petitioned for.)
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ART. 23. To see if the town will vote to build a sidewalk on the westerly side of Cleveland Avenue, from the junction of Cleveland Avenue and Harrison . Avenue, and running northerly to connect with the present sidewalk in front, and serving as the street boundary of property of George H. Holbrook, and raise and appropriate a sum of money sufficient in amount to cover said work. 1. 1.
ART. 24. To see if the town will vote to choose a Muni- cipal Light Board, as provided by Section 10 of Chapter 454 of the Acts of 1893, one for the term of one year, one for the term of two years, and one for the term of three years.
ART. 25. To see what sum of money the town will -vote to raise and appropriate, for the operating expenses of the Electric Light Plant, connecting new consumers, etc.
ART. 26. To see if the town will vote to continue its Night Police and raise and appropriate a sum of money therefor.
ART. 27. To see if the town will vote to raise and ap- propriate a sum of money to assist Post 87 G. A. R., in de- fraying the expenses of memorial services on Memorial Day.
ART. 28. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate a sum of money for Hydrant Service.
ART. 29. To see if the town will vote to raise and ap- propriate a sum of money for the Water Loan Sinking Funds.
ART. 30. To see if the town will vote to raise and ap- propriate such sums of money as may be necessary for the payment of notes that become due in the year 1901.
ART. 31. To see what sum of money the town will vote to raise and appropriate for the payment of town officers.
ART. 32. To see what sums of money the town will vote to raise and appropriate for the Thayer Public Library, and for distribution of books.
ART. 33. To see what sum of money the town will vote to raise and appropriate for supplies and repairs of the Town Hall; also for services of Janitor for Town Hall and Public Library.
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ART. 34. To see what sum of money the town will vote to raise and appropriate for miscellaneous expenses.
ART. 35. To see what sum of money the town will vote to raise and appropriate for the collection and abatements on taxes.
ART. 36. To see if the town will vote to raise and appro- priate a sum of money to paint the Town House and Alms House, also a sum of money for court fees and expenses.
.. ART. 37. To see if the town will vote to raise and appro- priate a sum of money for the enforcement of criminal laws.
ART. 38. To see if the town will vote to raise and appro- priate a sum of money for insurance on town property.
ART. 39. To see what sums of money the town will vote to appropriate for the support of insane in hospitals, for the payment of state and military aid, and for soldiers' relief, as provided by Chapter 447 of the Acts of 1890, and to de- termine how much of the same shall be raised by taxation.
ART. 40. To see if the town will vote to accept the pro- visions of Chapter 455 of the Acts of 1894. Entitled: An act relative to the licensing of plumbers, and the supervision of the business of plumbing.
ART. 41. To see if the town will vote to authorize the Selectmen to organize the police force, by the appointment of a chief of police.
ART. 42. To see if the town will accept the laying out of Steadman Avenue as a town way as made by the Select- men, leading southerly from School street to Elm street, and raise and appropriate money to build the same.
ART. 43. To see if the town will accept the laying out of Harrison Avenue as a town way, as made by the Select- men, leading westerly from Middle Street to a point near the New Penniman School House.
ART. 44. To see if the town desires to take any action relative to abolishing grade crossings.
You are directed to serve this warrant by posting attested copies thereof in three public places in each Precinct in said
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town, seven days at least before the said fourth day of March, 1901, and by publishing the same once in the Braintree Bee.
Hereof fail not and make due return of this warrant with your doings thereon to the Clerk before the first day of March, 1901.
Given under our hands at Braintree, this twelfth day of February, in the year of our Lord one thousand nine hundred and one.
ANSEL O. CLARK, WM. W. MAYHEW, J. PARKER HAYWARD. Selectmen of Braintree.
BRAINTREE, MASS., Feb. 23, 1901.
NORFOLK, SS.
Pursuant to the foregoing Warrant I hereby notify and warn the inhabitants of the town of Braintree, qualified as. therein expressed, to meet at the time and place for the purposes therein mentioned.
CHAS. A. HOBART,
Constable of Braintree.
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INDEX.
PAGE
Abatement of Taxes
40
Aggregates, Table of
66
Assessors' Account
.
49
Assets of Town
58
Appropriations of 1900
5
Auditor's Report
66
Births of 1900
89
Board of Health
179
Braintree Poor Department
14
Braintree School Fund, Treasurer's Report
61
By Laws
121
Court fees and expenses
43
Committee for suppression of Illegal sale of Liquors and Enforcement of Laws under the Nuisance act, Report Deaths of 1900
188
Electric Light Department, Report of Manager Town Appropriation .
70
Electric Light Department, Report
.
78
Financial Statement
58
Fire Department, Report of Engineer
82
Pay of Members
44
Incidental Expenses
46
Hydrant Service Account
41
Grand Army Account
25
Highways Account
. 33, 37
Hospital Account . .
24
Incidental Expenses
25
Inmates of Almshouse
16
Insurance Account
69
Jury List of 1901 .
190
Liabilities of Town 55
Marriages of 1900 .
94
.
·
97
7,0
.
·
255
Night Police
42
Poor out of Almshouse Accounts
17
Recapitulation
·
47
Schools, Report of School Committee
.
193
Members of Board
194
Report of Superintendent
198 .
Pay of Teachers
·
.
6
Pay of Janitors ·
9
Fuel Account ·
9
Conveyance of Pupils Account
10
Salary of Superintendent
9
Text Books and Supplies
10
Incidentals for Schools
11
School House Repairs and Incidentals
12
Report of Building Committee, Penniman School
229
Opening and Dedication Exercises, Penniman School, Selectmen and Assessors, Overseers of Poor, and Highway
231
Surveyors, Report of
4
Sinking Fund Accounts
63
Soldiers' Relief Account
24
State Aid Account
23
Taxes, Report of Collector .
·60
Report of Treasurer
178
Financial
165
Reports of Collections .
170
Sinking Fund Account
63
Superintendent's Report
171
Thayer Public Library, Report of Trustees
156
Report of Librarian
156
Financial Account
159
Report of Treasurer .
159
Town Hall Account
39
Town Lands
41
Town Officers of 1900, List of Pay of
28
Town Records ·
101
Town Treasurer's Report
51
Water Commissioners, Report of .
161
Warrant for Annual Town Meeting of 1901
. 248
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