USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Plymouth > Town annual report of Plymouth, MA 1914 > Part 9
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Raymond, Charles H., 41 South Street, rivet maker. Raymond, William H., 9 Robinson Street, janitor. Read, George R., 129 Summer Street, tack maker. Reagan, Thomas W., 108 Sandwich Street, watchman.
Rickard, Warren P., 223 Sandwich Street, shoe dealer. Royal, Henry W., 225 Court Street, bookkeeper. Saunders, Albert F., 19 Franklin Street, clerk. Sidebotham, James, 35 Oak Street, dresser. Snow, Frederick R., 19 Clyfton Street, chauffeur. Sproul, William F., 93 Sandwich Street, agent. Stephen, Nicholas, 18 Hamilton Street, foreman. Stevens, Charles T., 8 Stoddard Street, florist. Sturtevant, Perry L., 14 Jefferson Street, weaver. Swanton, James S., 54 Allerton Street, carpenter. Thomas, B. Loring, 221 Sandwich Street, carpenter. Thomas, Henry C., 188 Court Street, milk dealer. Thurston, Joseph P., 2 Fremont Street, fisherman. Tripp, Lyman F., 11 Whiting Street, blacksmith. Turner, Edgar S., 16 Nelson Street, spinner. Ward, Ira C., Cliff Street, farmer. Whiting, Henry O., 9 Pleasant Street, provisions. Whiting, Russell L., 29 High Street, hack driver. Williams, George H. 2nd, 30 South Street, electrician. Wood, Howard S., 55 Allerton Street, designer. Wood, Peter, Manomet, stone mason.
Zahn, Charles, 10 Atlantic Street, shoe dealer.
Approved January 21, 1915.
WILLIAM T. ELDRIDGE, EPHRAIM D. BARTLETT, JOHN L. MORTON,
Selectmen of Plymouth.
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TOWN WARRANT.
To either of the Constables in the Town of Plymouth, Com- monwealth of Massachusetts :---
GREETINGS :
In the name of the Commonwealth you are hereby directed to notify and warn the inhabitants of Plymouth, qualified to. vote in elections and Town affairs, to meet in the Armory, in said Plymouth on Saturday the sixth day of March, 1915, at fif- teen minutes after six o'clock in the forenoon, and in said Armory, in said Plymouth on Saturday the twenty-seventh day of March, 1915, at two o'clock in the afternoon, to act on the following articles to wit :-
Article 1. To choose a Moderator to preside at said meeting.
Article 2. To choose all necessary Town Officers. The fol- lowing officers to be voted for, all on one ballot, viz :-
Five Selectmen, Town Clerk, Town Treasurer, Collector of Taxes, one member of a Board of Health for three years, one Assessor for three years, seven Constables, one Overseer of the Poor for three years, two Water Commissioners for three years, one member of a School Committee for three years, one Park Commissioner for three years, three members of a Committee on Agawam and Half Way Pond Fisheries for one year, Tree War- den for one year, and one Cemetery Commissioner for three years; and to vote by ballot, "Yes" or "No" in answer to the question, "Shall licenses be granted for the sale of intoxicating liquors in this Town ?"
The polls for the election of officers, and the vote on the license question will be open at the Armory at fifteen minutes after six o'clock in the forenoon on said Saturday the sixth day of March,
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1915, and may be closed at three o'clock in the afternoon. Both of said days will constitute the annual meeting, and this call is issued in accordance with the vote of the Town passed June 5, 1897, as amended March 2, 1903, and April 2, 1904.
Article 3. To hear the reports of the several boards of offi- cers and committees of the Town, and act thereon.
Article 4. To see if the Town will authorize the Town Treas- urer, with the approval of the Selectmen or a majority thereof, to borrow during the municipal year, beginning January 1, 1916, in anticipation of the collection of taxes of said year, such sums of money as may be necessary for the current ex- penses of the Town, but not exceeding the total tax levy for said year, giving the notes of the Town therefor, payable within one year from the dates thereof. All debts incurred under the authority of this vote shall be paid from the taxes of said muni- cipal year.
Article 5. To make the necessary appropriations to defray the expenses of the Town, and for other purposes, and to raise such sums of money as the Town shall deem expedient.
Article 6. To take such action as the Town may see fit in aid of the Public Library.
Article 7. To see if the Town will authorize the Selectmen to renew any note or notes heretofore authorized, which are now due or may become due the present year, for such time and on such terms as they may deem expedient for the interests of the Town.
Article 8. To see what appropriation the Town will make for the care and improvement of the various parks and of the Training Green.
Article 9. To see if the Town will appropriate a sum not exceeding two hundred and twenty-five dollars to pay the ex- penses of Memorial Day.
Article 10. To see if the Town will appropriate a sum not exceeding five hundred dollars, to be spent under the direction
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of the Selectmen, for a suitable celebration of the next Fourth of July. (By request. )
Article 11. To see if the Town will authorize the Selectmen to transfer from time to time the money from the Reserve Fund to such other accounts as in their opinion may be necessary.
ยท Article 12. To see what action the Town will take in regard to the expenditures of the Town from January 1, 1916, to the annual Town Meeting of that year.
Article 13. To see if the Town will vote to permanently con- struct and to surface with material effecting prevention of mud and erosion by rain, such sidewalks of the town as are not al- ready so built or covered, and to appropriate a sum sufficient to do the work during the current year, or so much as practicable. (By petition.)
Article 14. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the issue of bonds or notes of the Town to the amount of thirty thousand dollars or any part of that sum, for the purpose of carrying into effect favorable action on the preceeding article. (By petition.)
Article 15. To see what action the Town will take in regard to the improvement of Warren Avenue, and make an appropri- ation therefor.
Article 16. To see if the Town will authorize the Selectmen to stipulate in writing to indemnify and save harmless the Com- monwealth against all claims and demands for damages which may be sustained by any person whose property may be taken or injured by the construction of a highway which the Massa- chusetts Highway Commission propose to lay out and construct on Warren Avenue, from the Northerly end of the present State Highway to Jabez Corner, and make the necessary appropri- ation therefor.
Article 17. To see what action the Town will take in regard to macadamizing a section of Samoset Street this year, and make an appropriation therefor. (By petition.)
1
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Article 18. To see if the Town will appoint a committee of five to investigate the question of industrial schools and report at some future meeting of the Town, and make an appropriation for the expenses to be incurred by the committee. (By request.)
Article 19. To see what action the Town will take in regard to the salary of the Town Accountant.
Article 20. To see what action the Town will take in regard to draining the meadow on the Westerly side of Newfields Street into Town Brook and make an appropriation therefor. (By petition. )
`Article 21. To see if the Town will accept so much of Sec- tion 37 of Chapter 19 of the Revised Laws, and all acts in amend- ment thereof and in addition thereto, as relate to the police force, being an acceptance of the provisions of law in regard to the civil service applying to the police department. (By petition.)
Article 22. To see what action the Town will take in regard to repairing Pilgrim Wharf, and make an appropriation there- for.
Article 23: To see if the Town will authorize the Selectmen to sell and convey in the name of and on behalf of the Town, the Old School premises, so called, at Manomet, or any part thereof, on such terms and conditions as they think proper.
Article 24. To see if the Town will accept and allow the al- terations in Sandwich Road and Clifford Street at the junction of said road and street as altered by the Selectmen and reported to the Town.
Article 25. To see what action the Town will take in regard to building a breakwater at Beach Park, and make an appropri- ation therefor.
Article 26. To see if the Town will dedicate the Indian Lands so called at Fresh Pond as a Public Park.
Article 27. To see what action the Town will take in regard to the purchase of motor apparatus for the Fire Department and make an appropriation therefor.
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Article 28. To see what action the Town will take in regard to an improved street lighting system, from Depot Avenue to the car barn of the Brockton and Plymouth Street Railway Company, or any part of the aforesaid distance, and make an appropriation therefor. (By request.)
Article 29. To see if the Town will appropriate from the Ex- cess and Deficiency Account, $3,935.69 as recommended in the report of the Town Accountant.
Article 30. To see if the Town will authorize the use of $2,500.00 of the Reserve Fund of the Assessors, to reduce the tax levy of 1915, as recommended in the report of the Board of Assessors.
Article 31. To see if the Town will authorize the transfer of $1,366.38 remaining to the credit of the Sale of Armory, to the Town Debt and Interest account.
Article 32. To see if the Town will authorize the Selectmen to install a police signal system, and make an appropriation therefor. (By request.)
Article 33. To see if the Town will appropriate a sum, not exceeding two hundred dollars for the benefit of the Manomet Public Library. (By petition.)
Article 34. To see if the Town will vote to pay the Field Drivers and Fence Viewers a salary of $25.00 per year. (By petition.)
Article 35. To see what action the Town will take in regard to building a permanent road, either a macadam or oil road, the said road being the Bartlett Road in Manomet, Mass., and to make the necessary appropriation therefor. (By petition.)
Article 36. To see if the Town will authorize the Selectmen to sell and convey in the name of and on behalf of the Town the Forest Warden's Truck, on such terms and conditions as they may think proper.
And you are hereby required to serve this warrant in the manner prescribed by a vote of the Town, by posting notices
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thereof in three public places in the Town, seven days at least before the meeting, one of which postings shall be in Chiltonville and one in Manomet Ponds, and also by publishing the warrant in the newspapers published in Plymouth, and make return thereof with your doings thereon at the time and place above mentioned.
Given under our hands this twenty-third day of February, .1915.
WILLIAM T. ELDRIDGE, EPHRAIM D. BARTLETT, JOHN L. MORTON, Selectmen of Plymouth.
Plymouth ss.
Pursuant to the foregoing warrant, the inhabitants of Plym- outh qualified to vote in elections and Town affairs are hereby notified to meet at the time and place and for the purposes therein mentioned.
WILLIAM E. BAKER, Constable of Plymouth.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
OF THE
Town of Plymouth
FOR THE
Year Ending December 31,
1914
Plymouth Fourteen
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SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Term Expires
William M. Douglass, Chairman,
1917
George C. Peterson, Secretary,
1916
J. Holbrook Shaw,
1915
Edward W. Bradford, Jr.,
1915
The regular meetings of the School Board are held at 7.15 p. m., on the first and Third Tuesdays of each month.
Superintendent of Schools, Charles A. Harris.
Office open from 8:30 to 12 a. m., and 2 to 5 p. m. every school day.
Office hours of the Superintendent of Schools, 4 to 5 p. m. every school day except Wednesday.
7 to 8 p. m. every Wednesday.
Attendance Officer, John Armstrong.
SCHOOL CALENDAR FOR 1914-1915
Term opened Tuesday, Sept. 8, closed Friday, Dec. 18, 15 weeks.
Term opened Tuesday, Dec. 29, closes Friday, March 26, 13 weeks.
Term opens Monday, April 5, closes Friday, June 25, 12 weeks.
Fall term, 1915, begins Tuesday, Sept. 7.
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VACATIONS
March 26, 1915, to April 5, 1915. June 25, 1915, to Sept. 7, 1915.
HOLIDAYS
Washington's Birthday, Patriots' Day, Memorial Day, Co- lumbus Day, Thanksgiving Day and day following.
SCHOOL SESSIONS
High School,-8 a. m. to 1 p. m.
Nathaniel Morton School,-8 a. m. to 1 p. m.
All others except the outlying schools, 9.00-11:45 a. m.
1:30-3:45 p. m.
First grade is dismissed 15 minutes earlier than the other grades.
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FINANCIAL REPORT
RECEIPTS.
Maintenance appropriation,
$71,000 00
Murdock Fund, 18 48
$71,018 48
EXPENDITURES.
General Expenses,
$3,487 44
Teachers' salaries,
45,422 08
Text Books and Supplies, including
Household Arts and Manual
Training Departments, and Library,
4,753 40
Tuition,
174 00
Transportation,
1,097 50
Janitors,
4,510 23
Fuel and Light,
5,643 63
Furniture and furnishings,
154 30
Medical Inspection,
708 81
Repairs,
3,444 16
Other expenses on Buildings and Grounds,
1,540 64
Other expenses,
81 03
$71,017 22
Unexpended balance,
$1 26
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COOKING AND SEWING.
RECEIPTS.
Appropriation,
$2,000 00
EXPENDITURES.
Carpentering,
$97 90
Painting,
24 95
Plumbing,
435 85
Furniture,
810 80
Equipment,
335 47
Supplies,
171 77
Fuel,
42 91
Miscellaneous,
5 55
Part Teachers' Salaries,
74 80
$2,000 00
HEDGE APPROPRIATION
Balance from 1913,
$95 37
Expenditure,
59 22
Unexpended balance,
$36 15
MORTON APPROPRIATION
Balance from 1913,
$730 99
Expenditure,
348 89
Unexpended balance,
$382 10
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HIGH SCHOOL APPROPRIATION
Appropriation,
$35,000 00
Expenditure, 31,888 86
Unexpended balance,
$3,111 14
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REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
The School Committee can now make an accounting for the two special appropriations granted at the last Town Meeting.
The enlargement of the High School has been accomplished, bearing out to the full all the promises we made to the town when asking for the appropriation.
We now have a building as handsome and practical as a new one would have been at a greatly reduced expense to the town.
With the appropriation for cooking and sewing, we have fur- nished two thoroughly up-to-date equipments, one in the old engine house on South street, for the grades, and one in the High School basement, and we believe that these two depart- ments are doing more practical good for each dollar expended than any other part of the school system, with the possible ex- ception of the limited amount of manual training we are doing.
The committee regret that more of the voters have not been interested in the result of these two appropriations, which they so generously voted, as the committee feel, we trust without un- due sensitiveness, that more thought and time are given to discussing and criticizing picayune things, that after all are matters only of differing judgment, than are given to consid- eration and commendation of large things successfully accom- plished, and progressive steps carefully and advisedly taken.
We regret to report that we found our appropriation for the year inadequate, and had to put over payments into this year that should properly have been made in 1914. These amount to a little over $2,000. By comparing the town accountant's re- ports of 1913 and 1914, those interested may see where the in- creases have come.
SOME OF PLYMOUTH'S SCHOOL HOUSES
HIGH SCHOOL
MT PLEASANT SCHOOL
CORNISH SCHOOL
BURTON SCHOOL
KNAPP SCHOOL
NATHANIEL MORTON SCHOOL
High School built 1892, enlarged 1914.
Mt. Pleasant built 1905. Cornish addition built 1904.
Burton built 1896. Knapp addition, 1904.
Morton built 1913.
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The largest and most unlooked for increase was in text-books and supplies. These are things that must be bought as needed, and the increased demand in these lines will account for our shortage. The increase in salaries and some other items was anticipated by the committee.
The committee will therefore be compelled to ask for $78,000 for the year 1915, based as follows :
Actual cost in 1914, $73,000
Amount to be paid this year for 1914, 2,000
Expense of domestic science departments, 2,000
Natural increase in expenses,
1,000
$78,000
We submit herewith the reports of the Superintendent and the School Physician. We commend these both to your at- tention.
The report of the Superintendent in particular we trust that everyone will carefully read. It concerns your business, the way you are spending your money to educate your children, and treats impartially of the credits and defects of our system.
We call attention to the fact that these are the views of the Superintendent alone, and are published without criticism or endorsement of the committee, as he is so much better qualified to speak that either would be equally futile on our part.
We would merely say in comment that while many of his "anticipations" are our wishes, we do not ourselves anticipate many of these things for years to come, with the exception of further relief at the north end of the town, which we may be compelled to ask for next year.
Signed :
EDWARD W. BRADFORD, JR. GEORGE C. PETERSON, J. HOLBROOK SHAW, W. M. DOUGLASS.
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SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT
To the School Committee of Plymouth :-
I herewith submit for your consideration my second annual report.
It is not a theory that the citizens of Plymouth desire to give the children of the town a superior education. It is a reality. This was demonstrated at the last annual Town Meet- ing, when the voters appropriated the sum of $71,000 for regu- lar school expenses, $2,000 for the introduction of Cooking and Sewing under special teachers, and $35,000 for the renovation and enlargement of the High School building.
The citizens have been exceedingly generous towards its edu- cational system, and it will be found, upon investigation, it is hoped, that the public schools have made progress commensurate . with the expenditure.
It is nothing short of remarkable that the public schools of the various towns have accomplished what they have. Since the schools primarily are in the hands of the people, and the managers of the enterprise are chosen by popular vote, the policy of conducting the affairs of the educational system is constantly undergoing changes according to the progressive, conservative, or retrogressive attitude of the persons composing the board of education.
During the past twenty years the Town of Plymouth has had twenty-two different persons on its school board. The towns- people owe much to these individuals (as well'as to those whom they have employed) who have given much of their valuable time and thought to the upbuilding of one of the greatest insti- tutions in America.
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The efficiency of a school system depends upon the voters. If the citizens demand good schools they get them. It is true that their demands may be temporarily thwarted, but in the long run the schools are what the citizens make them. In some communities the demand is merely for fair schools, in others the citizens are evidently satisfied with poor schools, and in still others the demand is for excellent schools.
Schools in general are no better than the citizens demand. The problem for the voters is to decide how well they care to educate the children. Increased appropriations should and usually do show better school conditions. This, of course, must. be followed by judicious expenditure in order to get the most. efficient results and the largest educational dividend. The ap- propriation of $108,000 shows conclusively that the verdict of the voters is in favor of the best possible educational atmosphere for the children.
Twenty years ago the school board of Plymouth wrote: "The cost of maintaining the public schools is a growing burden upon the tax-payer. Our town has given liberally for the needs of its schools, yet they are not fully met."
This applies to-day, and will always apply, for the ideal and perfect school system will never exist. Defects of greater or less magnitude, judged according to the standards of the critic, will always be apparent. So many defects exist in school sys- tems in general that the maximum of efficiency cannot be at- tained, for the more conditions are improved, the more prob- lems seem to present themselves for solution. The problem be- fore us is to secure the greatest possible efficiency with the funds in hand.
The attitude of the voters has changed, in one respect, how- ever. The school system, speaking generally, is considered more of an investment than a burden, and the dividends of the shares which the tax-payers hold are never passed. The people, rich and poor alike, look upon the educational system as an asset and not a liability.
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There was a time when girls who received an education, even in the most elementary subjects, at the hands of the public, were considered the recipients of charity. Sentiment has changed. There was a time when the people thought that the High School should not be supported at public expense. The sentiment has changed. All now look upon the education given the girls, and the maintenance of the High School as a just tax upon the public treasury. The same sentiment, in regard to Commer- cial Courses, Sewing, Cookery, Manual Training, Trade Courses, and many other features which necessitate expenditure of pub- lic money, prevails. In brief the schools of to-day seem des- tined to have the ever-increasing function of looking after the whole training of the youth, both to discover and to guide into the proper channel the latent capabilities of every child. The schools of the future seem on the point of acting in loco parentis in every particular.
If this continues, and it will, either supported by local or State funds, the future cost of transferring children from the state of dependence to a state of economic independence will be enormous.
A SURVEY OF THE PLYMOUTH SCHOOLS.
It may be more or less interesting to make a school survey without summoning the assistance of special educational ex- perts. Such a survey should be made, having cognizance of all commendable features, and should mention, in a constructive way, the existing defects. Only in such a way is an educational survey worth while. Intelligent criticism imbued with sincerity is invaluable and solicited. Unintelligent criticism, albeit sin- cere, has little worth, while adverse criticism per se has no value whatever. Too many surveys have incorporated too much of the two last kinds of criticism, and have placed the reputa- tion of the critics instead of the schools in jeopardy.
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Plymouth, known the world over as the landing place of the Pilgrims, has a population of about 13,000. The area of the town is more than 107 square miles, with 50,269 acres of tax- able property. The growth has been slow but steady. In 1900 its population was less than 10,000. Its present valuation is $13,922,110. Its per capita wealth is more than $1,000, and its per capita debt is about $16.50. The tax rate is $18.40 per thousand, and at its last annual Town Meeting it appropriated the sum of $294,184.51 for municipal expenses. In addition to this sum which was to be raised by direct taxation, $35,000 was raised by the issuance of bonds for the renovation and enlarge- ment of the High School building.
More than eighteen per cent. of all the persons in the town are engaged in attending school, and are distributed through the grades as follows :-
Total
Boys
Girls
Grade I,
267
133
134
Grade II,
328
161
167
Grade III,
313
161
152
Grade IV,
277
137
140
Grade V,
231
114
117
Grade VI,
220
108
112
Grade VII,
180
78
102
Grade VIII,
151
71
80
Grade IX,
72
38
34
Special School, Spooner St.,
21
9
12
Special School, Burton Bldg.,
17
11
6
High School,
278
126
152
2,355
1,147
1,208
The pupils are housed in 22 buildings, four built of brick and eighteen of wood, the northernmost and southernmost schools being eighteen miles apart. Besides these is the brick building occupied by the Domestic Science department on South street.
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"The management of the schools, which are in session forty weeks per year, is vested by the voters in a school committee,' elected at large, and serving without pay. The committee is composed at the present time of four members, consisting of a chairman, a secretary and two other members. This board ap- points an executive officer, an attendance officer, a school phy- sician and a school nurse. There is one office employee.
There are five teachers of special subjects, two of Domestic Science, two of Drawing, one of Music and one of Manual Train- ing. The Manual Training teacher has charge of the drawing, hence the duplication.
Each of the six large elementary buildings, which have a total of 39 rooms, has a principal responsible for the general conduct and efficiency of the work. In one building the principal teaches only afternoons, having the forenoons for general over- sight. Sixteen janitors care for the school buildings. There are in all 75 teachers and the average attendance during the last school year was 2096.75.
The organization of the Plymouth schools is as follows :-
Voters, (Male), 2,243
School Committee,
4
Superintendent,
1
Office employee, 1
High School Principal,
1
High School Teachers,
9
Elementary School Principals,
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