USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Swampscott > Town annual report of Swampscott 1898 > Part 5
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ILLEGAL LIQUOR SELLING.
The Selectmen directed the Chief of Police to exert his best efforts to stop the illegal sale of liquor, which had been going on for so long a time unmolested. After a time necessary evidence
75
REPORT OF THE SELECTMEN.
1898]
was obtained, and three convictions were secured. The move- ment in this direction has been successful, and we believe the traffic has been stopped, but a watchful eye is still open for offenses in this direction.
THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.
As the terms of office in this department expire May 1, no attempt was made to institute changes until that time, when a new Board of Engineers was appointed. The call men then left in a body, regardless of possible consequences. This action was not only a serious menace to the safety of the Town but was totally unnecessary, as many had been requested to remain. Fore- seeing this possibility, however, the Selectmen had arranged with Chief Downing, of Lynn, to respond to all, Swampscott alarms, and he at once placed at the Town's disposal the facilities of his department. For several weeks the property of Swampscott was thus protected, and the Board desires to publicly express to Chief Downing its gratitude for his kind offers of assistance. Meanwhile the new men who had been enrolled were afforded time for training.
Results have demonstrated the wisdom of the changes made. Whereas our people had been accustomed to witness the rescue of cellars, the new department has been saving the buildings. If any change has been made in rates of insurance, they are, if any- thing, lower than ever before. In fact, we are informed that lower rates on dwelling house risks went into effect this present month.
Unpaid bills of this department, some being of many months standing, and amounting to $722.71, were left over from last year and had to be paid out of this year's appropriation.
The policy was adopted this year of working the fire depart- ment horses on the public streets. This has been generally com- mended. Care was taken to have some of the horses always in the engine house, and the others worked where they could quickly return if needed. The details of the Engineers' Report will prove interesting.
76
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Feb. 28
IMPORTANT IMPROVEMENTS.
The liability to accident at the ledge in Redington street, called for the removal of the obstruction. This has been accom- plished, and the street is graded in a proper and careful manner, leaving it now safe for public travel.
The open drain on Humphrey street, at the Marshall estate, has been covered over and made safe, a 24-inch pipe drain being laid. Much of the fence here was out in the street and has been moved back to the street line. The sidewalk, which had previ- ously been a source of danger, has been made safe. Taken as a whole, this is in our opinion an improvement of great value. It also removes the necessity of frequent repairs, and this will eventually effect a saving.
Street crossings have been laid, as voted, in Railroad avenue and Burrill, Phillips and Redington streets. A representative of the Board was courteously received by Supt. Perkins of the Boston & Maine railroad, and the interview resulted in the pay- ment of nearly $100 by that corporation towards defraying the expense of the Railroad avenue crossing.
The new fence on Essex street has removed a great liability to accident and consequent suits for damages, and has at the same time much improved the appearance of that thoroughfare.
THE STATE HIGHWAY.
As instructed by the Town, legislative hearings were at- tended by the Selectmen, in aid of the "North Shore" State road, from Boston to Newburyport. This Board has, by all means in its power, assisted in helping on this important work. It has caused an accurate survey to be made, and a petition was then presented to the State Highway Commission, as provided by statute, praying that the highway be laid out as shown. This preliminary action is necessary before any work can be done. It may not perhaps be generally considered that the Town must pay its proportion of the amount appropriated by the State, whether the work is done in Berkshire county or in Essex. Therefore, without the payment of a cent additional, excepting
77
REPORT OF THE SELECTMEN.
1898]
the comparatively small sum expended for preliminary survey, the Town will soon be in possession of a beautiful drive, from the pumping station to Vinnin square, through Paradise woods, this being a connecting link of the great highway. Incidentally, we may say that the authorities of Salem are just commencing to see the value of this great public improvement, and are taking steps looking toward its advancement within the limits of that city.
PURCHASE OF PROCTOR LOT.
A clear title to the Proctor lot, adjoining the Town Hall, has been obtained, as voted by the Town. It is probable that in the near future the buildings on the lot, which are in a dilapidated condition, should be removed or torn down and the lot cleared.
CEMETERY IMPROVEMENT.
As the appointed committee was unsuccessful in its attempt to purchase Alden Southworth's land, adjoining the cemetery, and as the sentiment of the Town was opposed to further action in that direction, unless the land could be bought at a price which was, in the opinion of the committee, favorable to the Town's interests, no action has been taken by the Selectmen towards borrowing money. There has been .no pressing need the past year for cemetery improvement. The Board recommends, how- ever, that the sum of $700 be appropriated, to be expended during the coming season in laying out and partly developing the unoccu- pied land now owned by the Town. This amount would admit of a comprehensive survey and plan being made, leaving sufficient funds for a substantial start in constructing avenues and laying out lots. At moderate cost, from year to year, the work can be carried along on the same plan, as lots are needed. The Town has over two acres of land available for this purpose.
LAYING OUT STREETS.
Petitions have been received that certain streets be laid out by the Selectmen. Of these, Berkshire and Hampden streets are in the territory of the Stetson Land Co .; Monument avenue,
78
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Feb. 28
Elmwood road, Thomas road, Andrew road and Farragut road are within the bounds of the Swampscott Land Trust. Action on laying out these streets has been deferred, in the hope that the water question might first be settled. The Town counsel has advised us that it would be wiser for the Town not to accept any streets in these two private estates until after the water question has been decided, so as not to do anything that may under any circumstances complicate the situation. This Board sees no other good reason why these streets should not be accepted. It seems possible that a solution of the water question may soon be reached. Therefore the streets have been laid out, leaving the Town to decide upon the time when it may seem best to accept them.
A petition was received, asking that a street be laid out from Orient street, opposite the "Little Anawan," to Humphrey street, opposite Glen road. It seemed inexpedient to incur the necessary large expense at this time, and the petitioners were given leave to withdraw.
SURFACE WATER IN ESSEX STREET.
Water in Essex street, between the cemetery and the head of Stetson avenue, has heretofore been allowed to run into a vacant lot, where it remained until it soaked away. The owners desired to build upon this land, and took away the privilege hith- erto enjoyed by the Town. How to be rid of the water was a problem; but after much effort an arrangement was finally effected with the trustees of the Stetson Land Co., by which they allowed a connection to be made with their drain. This caused a material addition to the expense of the Highway . department.
APPROPRIATIONS.
We recommend that the following amounts for the various departments be appropriated for the current year :
Selectmen's Department
$4,500 00
Highway Department 5,500 00
School Department 16,000 00
1898]
REPORT OF THE SELECTMEN.
79
Health Department
2,000 00
Police
4,500 00
Poor Department
3,000 00
Fire Department
Receipts and
5,000 00
Town Hall
. Receipts and
900 00
Catch Basin and Gutter
500 00
Sidewalks .
1,000 00
Concrete and Curbstones
500 00
Assessors' Maps
1,010 00
Cemetery
650 00
Library . Dog Tax Receipts and
450 00
Care Monument Lot
35 00
Memorial Day
100 00
Water Rates
750 00
Soldiers' and Sailors' Aid
500 00
Interest
3,800 00
State Tax (estimated)
4,500 00
County Tax (estimated)
5,500 00
WILMOT R. HASTINGS, Selectmen of
JAMES H. MOULTON,
GEORGE T. MELZARD,
Swampscott.
80
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Feb. 28
Report of the School Committee.
To the Citizens of Swampscott:
In presenting our Annual Report, we renew our gratitude for the continued co-operation of parents and citizens. We as- sure you that your interest is having a very marked effect upon our schools, and greatly lightening the burden of committee and teachers. Our schools are in excellent condition and improving every year. Our boys and girls seem to be alive to the fact that to go out into the world without an education would be like a ship putting to sea without rudder or compass. We quote the following from the State Board of Education, showing what our State is doing for the Public Schools.
" The State has about three and one-half times as many in- habitants as fifty years ago, nine times as much property, and expends exclusively, for school maintenance, eleven times as much money. That is to say, the people have increased in wealth nearly three times as fast as they have increased in number, and have shown their growing regard for education by increasing their expenditures for schools even more rapidly than they have grown in wealth. Does it all pay ? Attention has already been called, in a previous report, to the significant earning power of Massachusetts people, as shown by census statistics, the average being 73 cents a day for every man, woman and child, as against an average of 40 cents a day for each person in the whole coun- try. This excess of 33 cents a day means $100 a year for each inhabitant of Massachusetts, or $250,000,000 a year for the en- tire population, - an amount so large that the annual expenditure for education, which is about one twenty-fifth of that sum, seems
81
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
1898]
relatively insignificant. Thoughtful men attribute this vast excess of wealth-producing power to that intelligence, self-reliance and character that are so well nurtured under Massachusetts influences and largely in her public schools. The expenditure for schools, if we measure results in a mere utilitarian way, seems, therefore, to pay for itself many times over. When we look further, how- ever, we see returns of a more exalted kind in the expansion of the human mind, in its deeper insight into the realm of nature, in its better comprehension of social and civic duties, in the opening of new and perennial springs for its refreshment and enjoyment -in everything, indeed, that makes for its larger and richer life,- returns not yielded by every school, but coming, in a large way, from the schools as a whole. Whatever one's material earnings and possessions, it remains true that the only world he actually lives in, the only kingdom that is really his, is the kingdom of his own mind. As life is worth living, this kingdom is worth extending and enriching; and the public schools, therefore, which is the most potent and persistent contributor to the wealth of this king- dom, is equally worth supporting and perfecting."
TEACHERS.
Our teachers are still performing faithful and conscientious service.
There have been two changes during the year. We were . obliged to open a first grade school at Pine street to relieve Miss Verry, whose school was much too large for one teacher. This has given us an opportunity to separate the grades, which we are doing as fast as practicable. We appointed Miss Charlotte Bain, a graduate of the Salem Normal School, as teacher of the first grade, leaving Miss Verry with the second and third grades. We also were obliged to relieve Miss Ellis, teacher of the Redington Street Primary, whose school came under Section 14 of Chapter 44 of the Public Statutes, which reads as follows :
" In every public school having an average of fifty scholars, the school district or town to which such school belongs, shall employ one or more female assistants, unless such district or town votes to dispense with such assistant."
82
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Feb. 28
We appointed Miss Edith Farnum as assistant in this school.
We think we shall be obliged to change the school district lines next spring, in order to further relieve the Essex and Pine street schools, and it may necessitate the opening of a first grade school in the Redington street building, which can be accom- plished with the same teaching force we have at present. The following figures will show how our schools are increasing: In 1891 our school membership was 434, in 1898, 677, a gain of 243 in seven years.
TEXT BOOKS AND SUPPLIES.
We are glad to be able to report that the words of caution regarding the destruction of books and supplies which were in- serted in our report of last year have had the desired effect. We hope that the same care and prudence will be used the coming year.
MUSIC AND DRAWING.
These branches are still under the charge of Miss Elizabeth A. Bill. It is surprising to see the steady gain that has been go- ing on in this department for the past seven years. It is a pleasure to listen to the singing of our school children and to see how much it adds to the general exercises. The home and the church are also benefited by this training. In drawing, the same improvement is noted. Color work has been taken up the past year with good success. Some fine work is on exhibition in the corridors of the Phillips School, and has been pronounced by ex- perts to be very creditable. We hope the citizens and parents will find time to examine it.
OBSERVANCE OF HOLIDAYS.
It is customary to appropriately observe the several holidays, Memorial Day and Christmas receiving the most attention. Oll Memorial Day the Grand Army were present and occupied seats on the platform. An address was delivered by Capt. Henry M. Comey, giving a record of the soldiers and sailors from Swamp- scott who served in the army and navy in the rebellion. An in- teresting feature was the presentation to the Phillips School in
83
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
1898]
behalf of the Grand Army of a cannon which was taken from the Gun Boat Ossipee that served in the South Atlantic Squadron during the war. Remarks were made by the Chairman of the School Board, also Capt. Eldridge F. Small and others. This oc- casion we feel sure will be remembered by the boys and girls long after the Grand Army have answered to the long roll call. Christmas was celebrated with recitations and singing appropri- ate to the season. A large number of parents and friends were present who manifested a deep interest and spoke words of ap- preciation which we assure them are very helpful to both teachers and scholars.
CHEMICAL LABORATORY.
At the last Annual Town Meeting there was appropriated the sum of twenty-five hundred dollars to build and equip a Chemical Laboratory.
Your Committee felt very grateful for this generous appro- priation as it enabled them to place our High School in this de- partment on a first class basis and above criticism. We accepted the plans of Holman K. Wheeler, architect of the Phillips School.
The contract was awarded to Messrs. Titus & Poor as the lowest bidders. The work was performed in a satisfactory man- ner.
We think it best not to fully equip the Laboratory at pres- ent but to select from time to time the most improved apparatus. We hope our fellow townsmen will visit the Laboratory, for we feel sure they will appreciate it.
SANITARY CONDITION.
We have effected a change in the sanitary condition of the Essex Street School by the removal of the out-buildings from the rear to a proper distance on the east side. Up to the present time we had seen no bad effect from their nearness to the School building, but we did not think it prudent to allow them to remain longer.
We have reason to be grateful for the healthful condition of our schools. Your committee attribute this in part to the cleanly condition of school buildings and grounds.
S4
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Feb. 28
We see that they are thoroughly cleaned and disinfected at least twice a year. Out of a membership of 677 pupils, we have had but one death during the year and that was caused by an accident. Can Swampscott be called an unhealthy town ?
REPAIRS AND IMPROVEMENTS.
We have had but very little to do the present year outside of the ordinary repairs. We were obliged to shingle the Red- dington Street school-house, build a retaining wall on the Geo. H. ITolden line, Mr. Holden bearing his share of the expense ; also lay a stone gutter in the Essex Street school yard. The Phillips School grounds have been improved by the planting of shrubbery. We hope soon to be able to grade the rear of the lot, as it would give the scholars a good play ground. It is the endeavor of your Committee not to be extravagant in the way of improve- ments and repairs, but to expend a sufficient amount each year to keep the buildings and grounds in good order.
GIFTS TO PHILLIPS SCHOOL.
Subject. By whom presented. ALEXANDER'S TRIUMPH, Bas-Relief Class 1900, High School MOUNTAIN OF THE HOLY CROSS, Colored Photo. Class '97, Grade VIII HIGHLAND CATTLE, Engraving Class '97, Grade VII 23 BOOKS FOR SCHOOL LIBRARY Class '97, Grade VII
APPOLLO BELVIDERE, Bust
Class '97, Grade VI
THREE STUFFED BIRDS
Class '97, Grade VI
STUFFED SQUIRREL . Class '97, Grade VI
THE DOOR OF THE FOLD, Photograph Class '97, Grade V
75 BOOKS FOR SCHOOL LIBRARY Class '97, Grade V GRAND CANAL, VENICE, Colored Photograph Class'97, Grades IT and V
Class '97, Grades IV and V 40 LIBRARY BOOKS 33 LIBRARY BOOKS Class ' 97, Grade IV BOOKS AND PAPERS . Mrs. O. M. Smith BOOKS Mrs. M. E. Newhall
BOOK Miss L. Galeucia BOOK Miss M. C. Jackson
85
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
1898]
GRADUATION EXERCISES.
Graduation Exercises of the Swampscott High School, at Phillips School Hall, Wednesday evening, June 23, 1897, com- mencing at 7.45 o'clock.
INVOCATION Rer. George A. Jackson
SONG-" Away to the Fields" . Boy Chorus
DECLAMATION-" Extract from a Speech of Senator Lodge, on 'Cuban Resolution '"' Ralph E. Maxfield
ORATION-" Cuba " IIerbert T. Curtis
SONG-" Heave Ho" (A Sea Yarn) Benj. E. Getchell
ESSAY-" Three Celebrated Women of the French Revo- lution " M. Louise Ashton
RECITATION-" The Street Musician " Annie V. Bergin
SONG-" Anchored " Boy Chorus
DECLAMATION-" Extract from Speech of Senator Thurston, on the ' Monroe Doctrine ' " . William B. Phillips
POEM-" Class Prophecy " Blanch P. Bassett
SONG-" The Skylark " . G. Herbert Murphy
ORATION-" The Heavens in June " . Benj. E. Getchell
SONG-" The Alpine Shepherd " . . Boy Chorus
VALEDICTORY ESSAY-" Modern Scotch Fiction " Maude F. Alden SONG-" Graduates' Farewell " . Class of '97 PRESENTATION OF DIPLOMAS BY CHAIRMAN OF THE SCHOOL BOARD.
PRESENTATION OF PHILLIPS MEDALS.
ANNOUNCEMENT OF HONORS gained in the Phillips School during the year, EDWIN M. BAILEY.
GRADUATES.
Classical Course-MAUDE FRANCES ALDEN.
Latin Scientific Course-MARTHA LOUISE ASIITON, BLANCH PROC- TOR BASSETT.
English Course-BENJAMIN EVERETT GETCHELL, HERBERT THOMAS CURTIS.
86
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Feb. 28
Special Course-ANNIE VERONICA BERGIN.
Partial Course-WILLIAM BENJAMIN PHILLIPS, RALPH EVERETT MAXFIELD.
Selected List for 1897.
PUPILS WHOSE RANK IN ALL STUDIES AVERAGED A.
MAUDE F. ALDEN,
ROY E. CRANE,
LILLIAN A. PATTEN,
ANNA F. WILLEY, MIRA M. SOUTHWORTH, GRACE N. TAYLOR,
OLIVE W. WILLEY,
HORACE C. HOLDEN,
JAMES M. MCNAMARA,
BLANCH E. WEBSTER,
BESSIE L. BUTTERWORTH,
ELSIE M. HUSSEY,
PRUDENCE W. POTTER,
W. PERCY NORCROSS.
Roll of Honor for 1897.
PUPILS WHO HAVE BEEN NEITHER ABSENT NOR TARDY DURING TIIE YEAR.
C. HENRY HOLBROOK, BENJAMIN B. BLANCHARD,
HERBERT E. CAHOON,
FLORENCE E. MARSH,
G. BERTRAM GILMAN, DELMONT D. COLE, GRACE E. HOLMES, GEORGE T. POOR.
Phillips Medals Presented to Pupils of the High School.
Gold Medal, for Superior Scholarship, MAUDE F. ALDEN.
Silver Medal, for Excellence in English Composition and Declamation, GRANVILLE INGALLS.
Two Silver Medals for Superior Deportment, ADDIE L. PHILLIPS, SARAH J. FINNEGAN.
(Medal Reinscribed), ANNIE V. BERGIN. (Certificate), ERNEST A. KNOWLES.
87
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
1898]
Scale of Salaries for Teachers.
Grammar - 4 or more years' experience (maximum), $600. Primary - 3 or more years' experience (maximum), $450. Primary -2 years' experience, $400. Primary -1 year's experience, $350. Primary - No previous experience, $300.
Holidays for the School Year.
Washington's Birthday. Patriot's Day, Tuesday, April 19th. Memorial Day. Seventeenth of June. Labor Day. Thanksgiving recess, beginning Wednesday noon.
Calendar for School Year, 1898.
Winter Term, 1898, begins Jan. 3; closes Feb. 25. Spring Term, 1898, begins March 7; closes April 29. Summer Term, 1898, begins May 9; closes June 30. Fall Term, 1898, begins Sept. 6; closes Dec. 23. Winter Term, 1899, begins Jan. 1.
88
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Feb. 28
Corps of Teachers, January, 1898.
Name.
School.
Date of Appointment.
Gardner P. Balclı . .
Higlı
Sept. 188S
A. Lillian Rideout
High
Sept. 1893
Mabel E. Ingalls ·
Asst.
Sept. 1894
Ellen M, Dewing .
Grade VIII. .
Jan. 1894
Elizabeth J. Hadley .
Phillips
Grade VII. .
Sept. 1SS0 - Dec. 1822.
M. H. Fernald .
Grade VI. . .
Sept. 1888 .
Frances A. Gould . .
Grade V. .
Sept. 1SSS .
Isabelle M. Hutt
Grade IV.
Sept. 1894 - Jan. 1892.
Mabel S. Knight
.6
Grades IV.&V.
Nov. 1894
Emma J. Machon .
Essex St. Grades II. & III
April 1880
May E. Jackson
.
Essex St., Grade I.
Nov. 1894
Mabel F. Verry
Pine St., Grades II. & III
April 1896
Charlotte Bain
Pine St., Grade I.
Sept. 1897
Emily P. Ellis
Redingt'n St., Gr. I. II. III
Jan. 1893
Edith Farnum .
Asst. .
Sept. 1897
Edith S. Gardner . . Louise C. Stanley .
Beach, Grades I., II., III
Sept. 1894
Jan. 1SSS
Elizabetlı A. Bill . .
Farms, Grades I., II., III Music and Drawing
Jan. 1890
[ Date of appointment to present position is given in Roman type. If the teacher lias previously served in other schools in town, the earliest date of such appoint- ment is stated in italics.]
89
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
1898]
School Statistics for 1897.
NAME OF SCHOOL.
Number of sittings.
any one time.
Number enrolled.
Average age.
Average number of pupils
Average number of pupils
during spring term.
Average number of pupils during summer term.
Average number of pupils
Average attendance during
Average attendance during
Average attendance during
Average attendance during
Per cent. of attendance.
PHILLIPS SCHOOL.
High
72
64
59|16
56
53
50
60.5 52.5 50
50
58.5 96
Grade VIII.
48
47
39
14.5 40
36
35
43
37
33.5 34
43
94.5
Grade VII.
48
46
47
13.8 46.5 45
43
44.3 45
43
36.3 42.7 93.7
Grade VI.
52
53
50 13
49
42.7
15. 7 50.5 47.5 42.3 45.7 50.5 97
Grade V.
51
51
55 11.7 42. 6 48.5 48.6 49
39.6 15.6 46.5 47.8 95
48
46
55 12
15
44
45
39
41
12
43
37
94
Grade IV ..
54
54
52 10
47
46.5 51
52.5 44
46.5 49
52
97.5
Essex St., Grade I.
42
41
61
6
33
36
43
10.5 30
33
36
37
93
Essex St., Grades II. and III.
42
45
46
8.8 43
43.5 45
35
39.5 42
43
33.7 95
Pine St., Grades II. and III.
39
38
58
7
36
42
47.5 31.5 30.8 38.6,43
29.3 90
Pine St., Grade I.
50
37
23
5
33
30
91
Redington St., Grades I. II. III.
53
53
55
7 33
43
51
39
29.9
40
48
36.7 92.5
Beach
42
36
42
7.8 26
28
31
22
25.6 31
29
94.3
The Farms.
28
28
35
7
26
14
34 27
23
24
13
25
22
93
during fall term.
winter term.
spring term.
summer term.
fall term.
Largest number of pupils at
during winter term.
Grades IV. and V
-
Number enrolled in Town - Jan. 1898, 677 ; 1897, 648 ; 1896, 598 ; 1895, 560. Increase over last year, 29 pupils.
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TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Feb. 28
Course of Study.
FIRST YEAR.
Teach common words by aid of toys and reading from black-
board. Begin reading from books as soon as possible. Read first half of as many First Readers as possible.
Spelling - From the reading lessons.
Language- Copy easy sentences from the board, object lessons
from familiar objects, correct errors in use of language, poems nemorized.
Arithmetic-Numbers from 1 to 10, fractional parts, Roman numerals, use objects, lines, etc.
Writing - On paper, Duntonian Vertical System.
Drawing - On paper from solids, clay modeling.
Geography - Familiar objects about home, at school, out of doors, domestic animals, well known birds, common insects, flowers, plants, etc.
Music - As directed by music teacher.
Nature Work - Following Boyden's Outlines.
SECOND YEAR.
Reading - Second half of five First Readers, and first half of four Second Readers, phonetic analysis.
Spelling - Oral and written spelling from reading and language lessons of not more than twenty words in a week.
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