USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Weymouth > Town annual report of Weymouth 1884 > Part 6
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The cost of management is large, in consequence of the necessity of distributing books at points remote from the library. The expense of such distribution is about four hundred dollars per annum, but it must be borne in mind that in this way is ac- complished about two fifths of the whole circulation of the library, or about 20,000 loans for the year. .
110
The town has thus far dealt liberally with the library. It stands upon a substantial basis as one of our permanent institutions ; but it cannot hereafter fulfil its noble and beneficent work without a continuance of the fostering care which has already been expended upon it. Any material reduction in the appropriations upon which it has heretofore relied, signifies either a radical change in the service now rendered, or ultimately a failure to satisfy the public demand for books.
It is much to be regretted that it has not yet been found prac- ticable to prepare the special lists of books for the use of pupils in the public schools, to which reference has been made in a prev ous report ; neither the librarian nor the book committee have found leisure to enter upon the work of preparing such lists with any prospect of an early completion. There are very few aids avail- able for such work, practically none, and the Board have not deemed it advisable to enter upon it until it is fully prepared to do it with thoroughness and discrimination.
Comment has been made in previous reports upon the usefulness of the library to the great majority of readers, however diverse their tastes or pursuits. To illustrate this fact there is given here- with a list (Appendix A) of books in the library, upon a single topic selected at random, a topic which however now attracts public attention, that relating to a protective tariff and kindred matters.
The list is hastily made, is perhaps not entirely accurate, and is far from being complete, but will serve for the purpose of illustra- tion. It includes of course not merely books relating entirely to that subject, but also those touching upon it ; for convenience of ref- erence the library numbers are annexed. On a multitude of other subjects a list as ample might be given. A list of the donations for the year is appended (Appendix B).
As a committee on appropriations has been appointed by the town, the Board makes no suggestion as to the financial needs of the library for the coming year.
FRANK W. LEWIS,
For the Board of Trustees.
WEYMOUTH, Jan. 1, 1885.
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APPENDIX A.
List of books relating to free trade, protection, tariff, etc.
Atlantic Monthly, Vol. 36 . 32.8.36
Bastiat, Sophisms of Protection 311.28
Benton, Thirty Years View, 3 vols .. . 317.1
Bigelow, Tariff Policy of England and United States . 316.30
Blanqui, History of Political Economy in Europe
315.37
Brassey, Work and Wages 311.26
Byles, Sophisms of Free Trade · 311.29
Cairnes, Leading Principles of Political Economy · 317.32
Calhoun, Speeches, 6 vols.
137.3
Carey, Principles of Social Science, Vol. 2
317.27
Congressional Record, Vol. 13, Parts 1, 2, 3, 4 and 7. Cooper, American Politics 317.6
Fawcett H., Free Trade and Protection . 312.13 · Manual of Political Economy · 311.25
Fawcett, M. G., Tales in Political Economy
312.15
Greeley, Essays on Political Economy
311.23
Johnston, American Politics .
313.15
Laveleye, Elements of Political Economy
315.36
Lieber, Contributions to Political Science 316.26
Mill, Political Economy . 314.10
Mongredien, History of Free Trade Movement in
England 312.6
Nation, Vols. 4, 8, 9, 10, 12, 25, 26, 27, 29, 30.
Nordhoff, Politics for Young Americans
314.21 ·
Perry, Political Economy
.
314.6
Roberts, Government Revenue, American System
.
311.33
Rogers, Work and Wages
317.35
·
Say, Political Economy . 317.7 ·
Schönhof, Wages and Trade in America and Europe
311.41
Destructive Influence of the American Tariff . 311.34
Scribners' Monthly, Vol. 2
32.5.2
.
Smith, Wealth of Nations
314.16
.
Sterne, Political Development of the United States
.
311.27
112
Sumner, History of Protection in the United States
316.29
Taussig, Protection to Young Industries in the United States
311.18
. 315.34
Walker, Political Economy Wages
315.22
Webster, Speeches, 6 vols. ·
123.1
Wells, Our Merchant Marine .
. 311.24
Williams, Tariff Laws of the United States
. 316.31
Woolsey, Political Science, Vol. 2 .
314.3
APPENDIX B.
DONATIONS.
Donor.
Volumes.
Pamphlets.
Woman's Christian Temperance Union
4
2
Quincy Public Library
1
Hon. B. W. Harris .
12
Hon. John D. Long
4
B. J. Loring
.
2
City of Boston
2
Carroll D. Wright, Esq.
2
Andreas Blume, Esq.
1
S. B. Lovell
3
John Eaton, Esq.
1 7
Rev. Anson Titus .
1
George A. Cushing, Esq. .
3
Newton Free Library
1
Brookline Public Library .
1
William A. Fisher .
1
Massachusetts State Library
2
TREASURER'S REPORT
Of Receipts and Expenditures of Tufts Library for the Year 1884.
RECEIPTS.
Received of Librarian for fines collected $127 46
of Librarian for Catalogues sold 17 56
of town of Weymouth, dog money 402 00
interest of Tufts Fund
100 00
of town of Weymouth, appropriation .
1,200 00
of George T. Rand, rents . 500 00
of C. G. Esterbrook, rents
187 50
of Lockwood, Brooks & Co., books returned 29 88
of Cleaves, McDonald & Co., books returned 51 15
$2,615 55
EXPENDITURES.
Balance due treasurer
$0 81
Paid Librarian, services
400 00
Librarian, wicks, etc .
31
H. F. Trufant, servi. es
98 85
W. T. Spilstead, transporting books
71 79
Otis Cushing, transporting books
60 00
Alfred H. Wright, distributing books .
25 00
W. G. Nash, distributing books .
50 00
W. O. Totman, distributing books
46 70
Lockwood, Brooks & Co., books
598 83
Little, Brown & Co., books
15 00
J. G. Roberts & Co., binding books
149 59
W. C. Richards, books
3 00
C. W. Clark, catalogue cards
14 52
Alfred Mudge & Co., printing bulletins, etc. 51 98
H. C. Kingman, shades, chimneys, etc. 11 85
W. & F. H. Whittemore, oil 19 29
John W. Bartlett, distributing books . 78 00
Gilbert Nash, 53 vols. Harper's Magazine
34 00
114 ·
Paid George S. Baker, furnishings $7 87
George W. Hersey, painting
10 94
John B. Rhines, lumber
23 06
J. G. Worster & Co., oil, matches, etc.
.79
James Anglim & Co., 5 vols. War Records 3 75
F. Leopoldt, subscription to Library Journal 4 00
Jansen McClurg, subscription to Dial 2 00
George W. White, box rent, stamps . 4 90
N. Y. Nation 1 00
W. K. Baker & Son, expressage 15 00
A. S. Jordan & Co., insurance .
35 00 .
Library Bureau .
17 25
Estes & Lauriat books
85 16
Elias Richards, insurance .
35 00
B. F. Pratt, books
7 75
Joseph Loud & Co, fuel
42 50
George W. Young, transporting books
20 80
J. W. Lewis & Co., History Norfolk County
12 50
L. C. Richards, services
93 30
C. G. Esterbrook, printing
11 25
H. A. Peterson, labor
50
J. Bailey, labor .
6 35
Thomas F. Swan, paper hanging
4 57
E. Bourk, expressage
2 05
W. T. Burrell, painting
14 61
W. B. Clark & Carruth, books
4 25.
A. L. Bancroft, books
63 08
John Ford, sprinkling
10 00
Cleaves & McDonald, books
245 80
Publishers' Weekly
5 00
C. E. Smith, services .
5 95
F. W. Lewis, services
28 04
N. J. Bartlett & Co, books
7 25
R. R. Bowker, books .
5 00
G. E. Littlefield, books
6 00
Ward & Gay, stationery, ink, etc
6 35
Benjamin F. Smith, supplies
3 07
I. B. H. Hawes, dis. books
8 31
$2,589 52
A. S. WHITE, Treasurer.
WATER COMMISSIONERS' REPORT.
THE Water Commissioners of the town of Weymouth respect- fully submit the following report for the year ending Dec. 31, 1884 : -
Since our report of last year, and upon a more thorough inves- tigation of the matter of water supply for the town of Weymouth, and possibly for the town adjoining, your commissioners have decided to increase the capacity of our works, and have accordingly added both to the size and weight of the pipe to be used, and also to the diameter of the stand-pipe at South Weymouth, making it forty. by seventy-five feet instead of thirty by seventy-five as was at first proposed.
After a careful survey of the different routes for the main pipe for the " gravity service," that known as the middle route, by way of the Town House through Middle Street to Shaw's Corner, was decided upon, after which our engineer proceeded at once to pre- pare plans for the entire system of the town, which were submitted to contractors about the middle of May. During the month several bids were received for the construction of the works as a whole and in part, but all of them, being unsatisfactory, were rejected, and further time was given contractors to make their bids.
After a delay of some two months, a contract was made with Mr. A. H. McNeal, of Burlington, N. Y., to furnish all the pipe required for the works, as per the specifications of our engineer, for the sum of $127,850, the delivery of the whole to be completed by the 1st of June, 1885. At about the same time a contract was made with Mr. W. C. McClallan, of Chicopee, Mass., for laying the pipe, building the pumping station and stand-pipe, for furnish- ing and setting gates and hydrants, and for all other material and labor (except service pipe and laying the same) necessary to com- plete the works, for the sum of $122,810, the whole work to be
116
completed by the 1st of December, 1885, or at an earlier date if possible.
Regarding the seeming delay in proceeding with the work dur- ing the past season, we wish to say that owing to the difficulty of obtaining pipe and other material, we soon became satis- fied that it would be impossible to complete the workis in 1884, unless at a greatly increased cost to the town ; therefore it was thought best to contract for the building and completion of the work for the year 1885, which was accordingly done for the sum already given.
The plan of our engineer, which has been addopted by us, gives the town over thirty-three mile of pipe ; and notwithstanding its increased size and weight, together with the enlargement of the stand-pipe, our contracts have been made for a sum several thousand dollars less than the estimates of last year. In our con- tract we provided for two hundred hydrants only, but upon a more careful survey, it was thought necessary to make an addition of seventy-nine more, and the same have been ordered.
There will be additional expenses that are not provided for in our contract, as it will be necessary for us to employ engineers and superintendents while the work is in progress.
We have sold $50,000 of the 4% bonds, at a premium of .0304%, which, with accured interest, net $51,718.64. Of this sum, $39,764.55 have been expended in the payment of three car- goes of pipe that have been received, in the construction of the works from Great Pond to Holly Street, and for engineering ex- penses, leaving a balance on hand of $11,954.07.
We are assured by the contractor, Mr. McClallan, that the con- struction of the works will be pushed with all possible vigor in the spring, and feel confident that they will be completed within the time named in the contract, and also within the sum appropri- ated by the town for their construction.
JOSIAH REED, AUGUSTUS .RICHARDS, THOMAS H. HUMPHREY, ORAN WHITE,
Water Commissioners.
·
-
REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
OF THE
TOWN OF WEYMOUTH
FOR THE YEAR 1884.
BOSTON : ALFRED MUDGE & SON, PRINTERS, No. 24 FRANKLIN STREET. 1885.
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
THE School Committee of Weymouth respectfully present to the citizens of the town their annual report : -
The sum appropriated at the annual town
meeting to be raised by assessment for the support of schools, was .
$27,873 00
To which was added income Pratt fund $300 00
Alewife fund
252 00 ·
State school fund
206 86 .
One half Dog-license fund .
402 00 .
1,160 86
Total amount for the support of schools
$29,033 86
The expenditures for salaries of teachers, janitors and cleaning, repairs of schoolhouses, fuel and incidentals, have been $29,695 .- 96 ; included in repairs is the amount of special appropriation of the town, of $400, for grading the Franklin Schoolhouse yard and removing the fence and grading the Hunt Schoolhouse yard.
Again we offer to you our annual report, presenting to you the progress and condition of our schools. In March the School Board suffered a loss caused by the resignation of Rev. A. H. Tyler, who, by his geniality and courteousness, had endeared himself to its members, and it was with feelings of regret that we accepted his resignation ; but wherever he may be called to labor he will carry with him our best wishes for his success and happiness. The vacancy has been filled by the election of Dr. William A. Drake. The condition of our schools will compare favorably with that of any preceding year, and we think they are steadily progress-
120
ing where they may hold first rank when compared with other schools in our State. The attention of the parents and friends has been so frequently called to the subject of visiting our schools, that we can add but little to what has already been said; but we would that we might say something that would impress upon the minds of both parents and guardians the duty they owe the teacher and scholar, in occasionally visiting the schools, and seeing for them- selves the work going on there. Such co-operation on the part of the friends of the schools would greatly encourage both teacher and scholar, and stimulate them to make still greater efforts. No . report of your superintendent or committee can give you an idea of their condition equal to personally visiting them and observing for yourselves the work carried on there ; such visits would glad- den the hearts of teachers and pupils, and in return render a satis- faction to be gained in no other way. One subject of vital importance to the progress. of our schools is greater attention on the part of parents to the subject of regular attendance, and tardi- ness. One is scarcely aware how much a school suffers from the frequent absentee and the habitually tardy scholar, and this fault can only be remedied by the parent. We should remember that not only does the school life of the child suffer from those habits of absenteeism and tardiness, but the child's whole future will bear the impress of a want of punctuality in the performance of duty.
The charge of our schools has been for the third year under the superintendence of Mr. Fisher, from whom you will have a more extended report. We would congratulate you on retaining the services of one who has been so faithful in the performance of his duties, and who has worked so zealously and untiringly for the good of our schools. We feel that he is one just fitted to his place, and his retention to be of the greatest importance for the welfare of our schools.
CHANGES OF TEACHERS.
At the close of the summer term, Mr. Robert E. Denfeld, principal of the North High School, tendered his resignation, in order to become superintendent of publi · schools in Mankato, Minn. Mr. Denfeld had occupied the position of principal of the
121
North High for two years with much satisfaction both to the pupils and to the committee.
Mr. Frank H. Beede, a graduate of Yale College, and a success- ful teacher with several years of experience, was unanimously chosen to succeed him.
The following teachers have also severed their connection with the Weymouth schools : Misses Carrie A. Tower, of the North High, Mary E. Long, of the Franklin Grammar, Lizzie G. Hyland, assistant in the Bicknell Intermediate, Annie M. Thompson, of the Middle-Street Primary, and Alice Ford, of the Centre School.
The following teachers have been transferred : Misses Britannia E. Harlow, to Middle Street Primary from the Franklin Primary ; Martha J. Hawes, from Bicknell Intermediate to Franklin Pri- mary ; Mary L. Bates, from Bates Intermediate to Franklin Gram- mar ; and Mrs. E. J. Smith, from the Thomas School to the Bates Intermediate. The teachers who have been appointed to succeed them are Misses Hattie Tucker, of the North High School ; Mary Ford, of the Bicknell Intermediate; Sadie J. Holbrook, of the Centre School. and Stella L. Tirrell, of the Thomas School.
The position of assistant in the Bicknell Intermediate School has been abolished.
This completes the changes of teachers during the year, and it will be noticed there are not so many as in some previous years.
TEXT-BOOKS.
By an act of the Legislature of our State, our town, in common with all other cities. and towns, was required to furnish text- books and school supplies for the proper equipment of our schools. Weymouth has complied with the law. The benefit an- ticipated from the change, we trust, will be realized in the better attendance of our scholars. The sum expended may seem large, $3,238.71, but when we remember we have some 2,000 scholars in our schools, the amount per scholar is not unreasonable. The care and distribution of the books and school supplies have been under the direction of our efficient superintendent. The sum of $3,350 will be required for the same the coming year. The High
122
schools then supplied with such books as may. be necessary. the amount hereafter will be some less. The subject of the use of in- toxicating liquors has engaged the attention of the Board, and we believe its consideration should find a place in the school-room ; impressed with these views, the committee has ordered that teachers shall devote a certain portion of an afternoon of each week to the instruction of pupils in the upper grades concerning the evil effects of the use of alcohol, from books approved by the Board, and fur- nished free of expense to the town by the Woman's Christian Temperance Union, of Weymouth.
CONSOLIDATION OF SCHOOLS.
It is a matter of considerable importance and much perplexity to determine what action, if any, shall be taken with the small and outlying schools in town. According to the bi monthly report of the superintendent, there are at the present time eight schools in which the average daily attendance is less than twenty-three scholars, and in four of these it is less than twenty.
These schools are supported at an annual expenditure of about $3,500.
We hold that in these days of high taxation and dull business activity, it is the duty of each department of the town administra- tion to endeavor to secure the most economical management of its affairs consistent with the public good. Unless all departments unite in a hearty and earnest manner for the attainment of this end, the result cannot prove satisfactory.
With the manifold benefits accruing to the community from the free and universal advantages derived from our system of public schools, perhaps the pruning knife of a rigid and close economy should be applied to this department last of all. But it is palpable that money may be 'as unnecessarily expended in the conduct of school affairs as in any other business. It should therefore be the aim of this Board to secure, if possible, a reduction of expenses by looking over its entire field with a view to cutting off here and there unnecessary outlays.
On the application of this discretion, however, trouble arises at.
.
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once. He who has heretofore cried most loudly for retrenchment and reform is among the very first to complain when this policy has caused him any personal inconvenience, or has afforded him an imaginary ground for believing that his rights have been invaded.
The prevalence of the " school district " in this State has very generally given way to the policy of consolidation. Occasionally some fossil of the past will rise up and contend for the superiority of the former system, and declare that the schools have been pursu- ing the path of retrogression ever since its abolishment.
But the substantially universal testimony of those who have been most intimately acquainted with our public school system, in high places and low, has been that the old system was an incubus upon the schools, and seriously retarded their progress. It will be gen- erally admitted, we think, that consolidation and gradation are of great advantage in the education of the masses.
In accordance with these views, your committee would recom- mend a reduction of the number of schools in Ward One. The aver- age daily attendance in two of these schools is very small, and yet it requires an annual expenditure of nearly one thousand dollars to maintain them.
In Ward Two the schools are generally very full, and the wisest consolidation that can be adopted in this ward is to bring various schools that are wretchedly accommodated into a commodious, new eight-room schoolhouse, centrally and elligibly located.
In Ward Three, owing to the consolidations that have already taken place, we have the perfection of grading, and the excellent condition of the schools attests the wisdom of the system.
In Ward Four the Centre School, which has an average attend- ance of nineteen scholars, should be transferred to other schools.
In Ward Five the three outlying mixed schools should be consoli- dated with the Bates and Howe schools, and a new school organized in the vacant room in the Bates building. This arrangement would enable us to dispense with two schools, and thereby materially re- duce expenses. It would also improve the opportunity for grading, · and afford superior advantages to the scholars.
While some could attend after these changes are carried into effect almost as conveniently as before, it is apparent that others
124
would be subjected to considerable inconvenience. But it is not to be expected that every family can have a school at its own door- yard any more than it can be thus accommodated with church, post- office, railroad station, or places of trade. " It should be remem- bered that in every organized community there must be personal sacrifices sometimes that the largest amount of general good' can be secured. That community will be the most prosperous as a community which contains among its citizens the largest number of individuals who are inclined to forget themselves in their zeal for the well-being of the whole. Besides in the end that is always . best for the individual which is best for the community." But the statutes provide that a town may vote such sums of money as it judges necessary for conveying pupils to and from the schools, the same to be expended by the school committee in their discretion.
By a wise exercise of the above provision on the part of the committee, the cases of serious inconvenience would be reduced to the minimum, while there would be a large saving of expense even after defraying the charges of conveyance.
If, however, the expenses were to be greater, there would still be an adequate compensation in the increased efficiency of the schools concerned.
NEED OF BETTER SCHOOL ACCOMMODATIONS AT
EAST WEYMOUTH.
At the last annual town meeting a committee was chosen to consider the wants of Ward Two, and to report at a special meeting ' to be called for that purpose. We are informed the committee has not been able to agree on a report, and for this reason no action about providing better accommodations has been taken. Your com- mittee again call your attention to the wants of the ward, and hope some action will be taken in the near future to supply its wants.
REPAIRS OF SCHOOL BUILDINGS.
It has always been the intention of the school committee to paint at least one schoolhouse each year. As none were painted last year, it was deemed advisable to paint the Tufts and Hollis school
125
building during the summer vacation. A new floor was laid in the Hollis Schoolhouse, and the black-boardIs thoroughly repaired. A. new outhouse has been built for the Shaw schools, which was much needed. The repairs of the black-boards claim a large share of the appropriation, owing to their constant use, and the committee have sought to procure the best and most economical preparation there is in use; and to test this fact, have had the black-boards in the Franklin school building repaired by Swasey of Boston, the Howe and Bates by McElwin of Boston, and the Hollis by Mr. Erskine of Abington, at an expense of from three to ten cents per square foot, each party claiming their preparation to be equal to any in the market.
The sum of four hundred dollars, which was raised for the pur- pose of grading the Franklin school-yard, and also to remove the fence in the rear of the Hunt and Lincoln schoolhouses, so as to enclose the land purchased for the enlargement of the yard, has been expended as follows : For grading the Franklin school-yard, $199.75. The expense of enclosing the Hunt and Lincoln school- yards exceeded the estimate, as a new fence was needed on Stetson Street to complete the enclosure, and the sum of $235.43 was expended. An additional appropriation is still needed to complete the grading of Franklin Schoolhouse yard so as to compare favor- ably with the building, also to take care of the water which runs through the Hunt and Lincoln yard. It is the opinion that the sum of $1,700 is not too large to keep in repair twenty-three school buildings.
SCHOOL APPROPRIATIONS ASKED FOR.
Salaries of teachers
. $23,500 00
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