USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Southbridge > Town annual reports of the officers of Southbridge for the year ending 1878/1879-1882/1883 > Part 3
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4th. It will be seen that there are still balances due from seve. ral of our tax collectors. These accounts should be settled in full.
5th. Last year the town voted to regulate the pay of laborers. This did not work satisfactorily, as the Selectmen were thereby led to pay men a higher price than they would otherwise have been obliged to pay; while, in cases of skilled labor the vote was evaded by the making of contracts. It seems to us that if the repairing of the highways is put into the hands of a Surveyor that he should be left somewhat to his discretion, not however to exceed a certain sum per hour, and that the pay upon sidewalks should be graded as laborers, carpenter, mason or superintendent.
Respectfully submitted,
J. M. COCHRAN, Auditors J. S. GLEASON,
Southbridge, Mass., March 1, 1879.
7
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
OF THE
TOWN OF SOUTHBRIDGE.
REPORT.
The School Committee in presenting their Report for the school year of 1878 and 1879 have the pleasure to announce the general prosperity and success of the schools. We would not have it understood that they have reached perfection, or that they cannot be improved. Many causes tend to prevent the improvement and perfection desired ; some of these may be found in the irregularity of attendance; the constant change from school to mill, and from mill to school; the lack of inter- est on the part of parents in regard to the attendance of their children, and the lack of their support to teachers in their gov- ernment and work for the advance of the schools. If parents would visit the schools they would see the necessity of the reg- ular attendance of their children, and that the requisitions of the teachers in regard to the acquiring lessons were more fully met.
Our teachers are working faithfully and well, and are accomplishing good results ; but better results would be at- tained if the teachers had the more hearty co-operation of all the parents.
A new Primary school has been organized in the "Carpenter School" building, making the number of Primary schools in the town fourteen. A new Intermediate school will have to be organized the coming Spring term, as a much larger number than usual will be promoted from the Primary to the Interme- diate department, and the Intermediate schools have been much
54
SCHOOL REPORT.
too large the past year. The citizens of the town will see the necessity of a liberal appropriation for the coming year.
"But," we hear it said "our schools are costing too much." Doubtless we all desire the best return for the money expend- ed for the education of our children ; and it becomes a question of no small importance.
" How shall that money be expended ?" Shall we continue in our schools teachers who have had experience and have been trained to do the work of the schools under the constant super- vision of the committee, and are bringing forth successful re- sults from the system inaugurated ; or shall we allow them to leave our schools for better salaries elsewhere-for experienced and successful teachers are always in good demand-and supply their places with young and inexperienced persons, whose best qualification is that they will work for a mere song ? But these, after they have gained knowledge and experience in teaching, will leave us for more liberal towns, and we must again take the young and inexperienced, and go on educating them for others, keeping our own schools at low grade.
"A good teacher is beyond all price." We ought not to be content with a teacher who does not seek to improve and fit herself thoroughly for the work in which she is engaged. She should seek to acquire all possible information as to the best methods of teaching, and be adding continually to her stock of knowledge, by reading and study, that she may not be con- fined to the text books, but be able by her varied culture to introduce new thoughts and ideas that by change and variety ; by oral instruction, suggested indeed by the lesson, she may give new interest in their lessons to the children of her charge. And in order to do this she must have the means to educate herself, must receive something more than a mere pittance for her labors ; a pittance that will require, during the weeks of vacation, labor in order to get her bread and butter and re- spectable clothing.
It is a grave mistake to think that any one who can read, can answer a few questions in geography and recite the multi- plication table, is fitted to teach a Primary school. Educators
55
SCHOOL REPORT.
are coming to the conclusion that knowledge, ability and tact are as requisite in the Primary schools as in those of higher ,grade ; and that a poor teacher does less injury in the latter than in the former. The child in its advent into school life has a very impressible mind, and its first impressions and its man- ner of being dealt with, may, in all probability will, decide its · love for or hatred of books and school.
The true economy for the town is to pay its teachers a fair remuneration for their labors.
Are the schools of Southbridge costing more than the schools of other towns ?
Southbridge pays its female teachers more than some of the smaller towns of the state, but it pays less than most towns of equal or greater population. There are only forty-two (42) cities and towns of equal or greater population than South- bridge ; yet there are one hundred and thirteen (113) which pay more wages.
Again, the average sum appropriated for each child, for the whole state is fourteen dollars and thirty cents ($14.30) ; Southbridge appropriates but seven dollars ($7.00). Two hun- dred and eighty-four (284) towns in the state, and forty-seven (47) towns in Worcester County out of a total of fifty-eight (58) appropriate more than Southbridge. Surely the inhab- itants of this town ought not to complain of the excessive tax laid upon them for the education of their children.
SCHOOLS.
-
HIGH SCHOOL.
It has been the aim of the Committee to impress upon the pupils of the schools, morc especially of the High and Gram- mar, that a thorough education is not to be found in the mere memorizing of the words, rules, or principles even, of the text- books. What is needed, is so to acquire rules and master principles that they may induce thought, and give the ability to make a practical application of what has been learned. And to be able best to apply our knowledge is to most thoroughly master that which we undertake, and that which is especially called for in the sphere of action in which we expect to devote our life.
The Committee have observed, with great pleasure, that the teachers of the school have labored specially to this end-the teaching of scholars to think for themselves, and apply their thought ; and so successful have they been that the school nev- er has taken a higher rank than it occupies at this time.
We give our cordial approval of the work of Mr. Geo. H. Mellen, Principal, and Mr. Frank Parson, Assistant.
GRAMMAR SCHOOLS.
The School-street Grammar school has been under the charge of Miss Julia V. Harwood, and has maintained its reputation
57
SCHOOL REPORT.
as a good school. It has been the aim of the teacher to make the scholars perfect in their lessons, punctual in attendance, and well disciplined.
The only exception we would make in our approval of the school would be in the machine-like manner in which the schol- ars recite their rules ;- hearing one we hear all-they seem to lose their individuality, and appear less thoughtful than we would like to see them ; perhaps appear less thoughtful than they really are. With this one exception we have only hearty commendation for the school.
The Main-street Grammar school has been under the charge of Miss Susie E. Morse. This school has been unfortunate in that the first class, from several causes, dwindled down to only two pupils, and in the irregular attendance of those two. We comment not on the cause of the irregularity, but simply on the fact. The teacher has been faithful and efficient, and as the prospect for a larger school in the future is good, we confi- dently look foward to the coming year for a school in which the citizens of the town may take pride.
INTERMEDIATE SCHOOLS.
The Main-street Intermediate under "the charge of Miss Iola M.E Converse and the School-street Intermediate under the charge of Miss Ida Douty, although very large, have, under the tireless energy of Miss Converse, and the determined method of Miss Douty, aided by the many hours of over-work by both, been very successful, and presented a most creditable appearance. They have each gained a term during the year in the course of study, thereby helping to improve the stand- ard of the Grammar schools into which the first class enters the coming term.
The Committee regret, exceedingly that they are to lose the valuable services of Miss Converse.
8
58
SCHOOL REPORT.
The River-street Intermediate the first two terms of the year was in charge of Mr. N. R. Potter; the last term in charge of Mr. F. Snell. The school is not equal to the other Intermediate's ; this is owing in great measure, to the great number of scholars who only attend school just enough to answer the requirements of the law ; and only when there shall be a more regular and continued attendance can we ex- pect that this school will rank with the others.
PRIMARY SCHOOLS.
The Carpenter School in charge of Miss Jennie McVey be- came so crowded during"the Fall term that it was necessary to divide the school and open a Primary No. 1, in the upper room of the same building, giving Miss McVey's the rank of No. 2. No. 1, was put in charge of Miss Nellie A. Booth.
It was Miss Booth's first attempt at teaching school and the first term showed the work of a beginner. The second term was a great improvement on the first, and Miss Booth gives promise of proving a successful teacher.
Miss McVey has labored faithfully and well and the school has made great improvement. R. The Main-street Primary No. 1, in charge of Mrs. Susie M. Knight, has been crowded during the year, but the admirable tact and skill of the teacher has enabled the school to maintain its position as the first of the No. 1 Primaries. Primary No. 2, in charge of Miss Josie A. Rice, has been exceedingly well taught and were we to make any suggestion it would be that a little more work should be given the pupils
Elm-street No. 1, has been in charge of Miss Mary Pellett for the last two terms. She has proved a faithful, earnest teacher and the school has made great improvement while in her charge. No. 2 has been taught by Miss Mary Pratt, whose firm, quiet and pleasing manners have brought the school into excellent condition.
*59
SCHOOL REPORT.
Union-street No. 1, in charge of Miss Maria Cutting, has been very full and with a class of scholars requiring a good de- gree of skill and patience to get them fairly started; but the school appeared well at the last examination, and the teacher is deserving of great credit.
No. 2, in charge of Miss Fannie Freeman, appears to excel- lent advantage. The quiet but persistent efforts of Miss Free- man have been productive of good results. The school ranks well.
River-street No. 1 has been in charge of Miss Mary Newell, and is a very pleasant and profitable school. Miss Newell is proving well adapted to her position. No. 2, in charge of Miss Lizzie Douty, sustains her reputation as a first-class teach- er. No. 3, taught by Miss Flora B. Allen, appeared well in Geography and Arithmetic, but not in Reading. It may be well to suggest here to all of our Primary teachers, that it would be of advantage to let the scholars read less and drill them more in what they do read. Plimpton-street, taught by Miss Carrie Cole two terms and by Miss Alice Holmes one term, is hardly up to grade. But we have faith that the teach- ing faculty displayed by Miss Holmes will soon bring it to its proper place.
School-street No. 1 has been in charge of Miss Etta Whit- ford ; and No. 2 in charge of Miss A. R. Rowley ; they have both maintained the reputation of their teachers.
MIXED SCHOOLS.
Bacon. Taught by Miss Nellie Walker; a small school ; so small that the Committee have had under consideration whether it was best to continue the school or provide conveyance for the scholars to one of the otherschools. The expense of con- veyance and the probability of more irregular attendance
66
SCHOOL REPORT.
might over-balance the extra cost of the continuance of the school; therefore the experiment has not been tried. The Committee looking after the intreests of the older scholars have endeavored so to arrange the terms of school that they would interfere as little as possible with the work of the farm.
There have been but tivo terms-Spring and Winter; the Winter term of nearly four months' continuance. The school has been a fair success.
Ammidown .- Miss Mary Remington has been the teacher in this school. Miss Remington has proved to be a thorough disciplinarian, and every way competent to teach the school. The attendance has been better than usual, "and the improve- ment in studies more marked than for many terms.
Sumner .- This school, taught by Miss Mary A. Hopkins, is not of high grade, but the tact of the teacher to interest the scholars and give life in their studies has given them an enthu- siasm that is bringing the school to a higher position than it has reached for years past. Miss Hopkins is admirably adapt ed to the school.
Dennison .- Mr. V. T. Wetherell has been the teacher of this school for a number of terms, and has the happy faculty of gaining the good will of the scholars and their parents. A fair school.
Hooker .- Miss Clara C. Nichols has been the teacher of this school. Quiet and determined in her manner, a good discipli- narian, Miss Nichols has taught with great profit to the pupils ; the higher classes showed good proficiency in and understand- ing of their studies. This school ranks No. 1 of the mixed schools.
DRAWING.
Mr. Parson has continuedhis instruction in Drawing-princi- pally in preparing the teachers to give lessons to the scholars
61
SCHOOL REPORT.
in their charge. He has, however, looked after the schools to a certain extent, to give them the instruction thought desirable.
Respectfully submitted,
E. M. PHILLIPS, REV. B. V. STEVENSON,
Committee. J. M. AMMIDOWN.
Whole number of children in town May 1, 1878, between the ages of 5 and 15, as per census. 1,139
Whole number of different scholars 1,436 57
Average number per school
66 66 in each school per year 42
66 attendance.
35
percent of attendance
.81
Whole number of scholars between 5 and 15
1,365
66 66
under 5.
1
66
66
over 15.
70
Average length of school in weeks
Number of different teachers during the year
31
66 male 66
5
female 66
26
Salary of teacher in High school
$1,200 00
assistant in High school and teacher of drawing ... $12 00
Average pay of teachers, except High school $8 66
34
TABULAR VIEW OF SCHOOLS.
SCHOOLS.
No. of different scholars
No. first term.
No. second term.
No. third term.
Average No. for the year
Average attendance for
Average percent of at-
tendance for the year.
No. weeks school.
High School
49
39
46
39
41
34
83
39
Main street grammar
27
21
20
20
20
17
85
36
School street grammar
39
38
33
33
35
29
83
36
Main street intermediate
80
60
58
60
59
50
83
36
School street intermediate.
69
43
55
58
52
44
85
36
River street intermediate
76
49
32
37
39
28
72
36
Main street primary, No 2.
60
51
43
48
47
40
85
34
School street primary No 2.
59
43
49
34
42
32
76
34
Union street primary No 2.
52
42
36
34
37
29
78
34
River street primary No 2.
55
48
48
42
46
39
34
Plimpton street primary No 2
57
30
30
34
33
28
85
3.1
Elm street primary No 2.
45
38
33
36
36
28
78
34
Carpenter primary No 2.
89
72
40
45
52
42
80
34
Carpenter primary No 1.
21
..
42
35
39
31
79
20
Main street primary No 1
78
56
61
61
59
47
80
34
Elm street primary No 1
64
48
41
40
43
36
84
34
Union street primary No 1
95
71
56
68
65
47
72
34
River street primary No 1 A
96
70
72
61
C8
53
78
34
River street primary No 1 B.
53
45
47
44
4.
36
80
34
School street primary No 1
74
60
59
49
56
47
84
34
Bacon school.
18
16
17
.
16
14
88
26
Ammidown school
55
44
39
31
39
32
82
35
Sumner school.
62
46
40
35
40
34
85
35
Hooker school.
22
10
17
16
16
14
88
35
Dennison school
41
35
34
36
35
32
93
35
For all the schools.
1436
1087
1048
999
1060
863
81
847
Average per school.
57
43
42
40
42
35
$1
34
the year.
1
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
FIRE ENGINEERS
OF THE
TOWN OF SOUTHBRIDGE.
9
REPORT.
GENTLEMEN .- The Board of Fire Engineers desire to submit to you this their annual report of the Fire Department : .
The force of the department consists of the Board of Engin- eers, composed of the chief and two assistants, and one hundred and ten men (including the company officers), thirteen horses and seven drivers, all subject to act on call. The apparatus belonging to this department is in good working order, the hand machines having undergone thorough repairs during the past year by experienced workmen. The engine houses are in good repair with one excep- tion-engine-house No. 2 needs shingling. The reservoirs are in good repair; and allow us here to speak of the fire well which has been under our supervision the past year. It is the most reliable and best located of all the water supplies belonging to the depart- ment; the only trouble we find is that there are not enough of them. The location of this much needed water supply enables us to reach at least $160,000 worth of property, which heretofore was without protection, owing to the insufficient water supply. The gross amount of property belonging to this department is $34,557.21.
We report having a well organized, good disciplined and very efficient fire department, and it is with great pride that we feel able to present such a fine body of able bodied young men as we have in our department. We use our best judgment and select the best young men we can obtain to maintain the high standard we now bear-being the third department in point of efficiency in Worcester county.
We are now laboring under several disadvantages. We would like to make the department still more efficient by having a system
68
FIRE ENGINEERS' REPORT.
whereby we can make quicker time and not be obliged to give a general alarm in case the entire department is not needed. And to facilitate this purpose a fire-alarm telegraph between the two vil- lages at least, seems to be the much needed invention to assist us in our earnest desires.
FIRES
In the town of Southbridge, from March 30, 1878 to March 1, 1879.
March 30, 1878, 1 o'clock A. M. Wooden dwelling, owned by Ira A Jacobs; unoccupied. Value, $2,800; loss, 2,000; insurance, 1,500. Cause of fire, supposed incendiary. Companies reported in good time, Engines 1 and 7 and Hook and Ladder 1; none others reported and were not used as the water supply was insufficient.
July 23, 1878, 7 A. M. Wooden dwelling; cause, burning chimney. Department reported in good time. No services required.
Oct. 21, 1878, 9 A. M. Wooden dwelling; cause, burning chimney Department reported in good time. No services required.
Nov. 21, 1878, 10:45 A. M. Wooden tenement house, owned by Chas Hyde-occupied by several tenants. Value, $3,000; insured, 2,000; loss, 1,000. Cause of fire unknown-supposed, defective flue. Compa- nies reported, Engines 1, 2, 6 and 7 and Hook and Ladders 1 and 2.
Jan. 14, 1879, 9:30 A. M. Wooden store house at Hamilton Print Works. Loss, $1,000; no insurance. Cause, careless smoking. Com- panies reported, Engines 1, 2, 6 and 7, and Hook and Ladders 1 and 2.
· Feb. 10, 1879, 7:15 A. M. Hamilton Woolen Company's brick mill on Mill street. Loss, $50; insured. Cause, careless dropping of lighted matches. Companies reported, Engines 1, 2, 6 and 7, and Hook and Ladders 1 and 2.
Feb. 16, 1879, 1:30 P. M. Wooden tenement house owned by M. Marcy's heirs. Cause, burning chimney. Hook and Ladder 2 reported and rendered all ser vice required.
69
FIRE ENGINEERS' REPORT.
Feb. 21, 1879, 8:15 A. M. Wooden tenement house in Dresser village, owned by John Saunders-occupied by several tenants. Loss slight. Cause, defective flue. No service required.
Respectfully submitted,
P. M. CLARKE, Board of
WM. C. BARNES
PAUL J. WHELAN, Fire Engineers.
-
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
LIBRARY COMMITTEE
OF THE
TOWN OF SOUTHBRIDGE.
REPORT.
The Library Committee respectfully submit their ninth annual report, from March 1, 1878, to February 28, 1779 :
FINANCES.
RECEIPTS.
Balance in treasury March 1, 1878
$263 11
Appropriation .
1,250 00
Dog fund, 1877
377 40
Librarian, A. J. Comins, received for catalogues, fines, etc. . 73 20
Received for six books.
8 92
$1,972 63
EXPENDITURES.
Lee & Shepard and others, for books, periodicals and binding ..
815 30
Thayer & Co., for paper to cover books. 14 63
G. M. Whitaker, printing orders, etc. 1 75
Cummings & Conant, duster and repairing stoves.
11 83
G. K. Dresser and others, coal and wood.
58 63
Mutual Gas Light Co., gas for 12 months
148 68
A. J. Comins, librarian, etc., salary for 12 months. 600 00 express, stationery, labor, etc. 55 04
$1.705 86
Balance unexpended.
$266 77
10
74
LIBRARY COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
BOOK ACCOUNT.
Balance to debit of account last year
6 11
Expended during the year. 815 30
$821 41
Appropriation
700 00
Debit balance
$121 41
BOOKS AND PAMPHLETS.
Reported last year.
Volumes. 6,894
2,353
Added by purchase.
389
gifts
66
15
commonwealth
20
Reviews, magazines, etc., bound.
38
Present number.
7,407
2,368
DONORS AND GIFTS.
Volumes.
Pamphlets.
Holmes Ammidown
2
W. W. Rice and Judge Jillson
46
1
Sampson, Davenport & Co.
2
. ...
Drew, Allis & Co.
1
....
C. D. Paige
6
. ...
Manning Leonard
3
S. C. Hartwell.
1
2
Nicholson File Co
1
1
Andover Theological Library
1
·
Leicester Public Library .
1
1
Worcester
66
. . . .
2
Fall River
. ..
1
Brookfield
66
. .. .
1
Patent office.
2
·
..
Smithsonian Institution
1
·
Department of Interior
... .
1
Comptroller of the Currency
. . . .
·
.!
Commissioner of Education.
1
4
Lewis A. Clark
1
. ...
.
R. M. Moore, Mayor of Cincinnati.
.
. . . .
1
Boston
Pamphlets.
75
LIBRARY COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
For the Museum.
Holmes Ammidown, 2 birds, also a raven, a crown pigeon and a Hima- laya pheasant.
Jairus Putney, vertebra of a fin-back whale.
Avery P. Taylor, an ancient newspaper.
A. J. Bartholomew, a Hungarian bank note.
S. M. Lane, two Rhode Island bank notes.
American Optical Co., the show case in which were exhibited their wares at the Centennial Exhibition, Philadelphia, 1876.
The New York Nation has been added to the periodicals in the reading room, and that department of the library has had a considerable increase in the number of those who regu- larly visit it.
The annual examination of the books in the library was made by the committee on the 21st and 22d of February, and they were gratified by finding that not one book had been lost during the year.
Many of the books exhibit marks of hard usage, and report very unfavorably in regard to the neatness of those who have handled them and the households where they have been. The lack of proper care in their use adds greatly to the labors of the librarian, and enhances the cost of operating the libra- ry. More than 5,500 volumes have had to be re-covered the past year. Had reasonable care been exercised in their use the number should not have exceeded 1,000.
The illness of the Librarian has deprived us of the benefit of her presence and influence in the library for several months but she has been able to do much work outside to instruct and aid her assistants. Her health is now improving and the pros- pect is favorable for her soon being able to be in the library most, if not all, the time it is open to the public.
Miss Harriet N. Chase, the assistant librarian, has been assiduous in her efforts to perform faithfully the duties of her office, and has met our fullest approbation.
It will be observed by the librarian's report, which is appended and made a part of our own as heretofore, that a larger number of books have been taken from the library than during any previous year.
We regret that the percentage of fiction continues so high and those of the more instructive, elevating and improving classes of works are so low.
LIBRARY COMMITTEE'S REPORT. 77
Trustees and officers of Libraries are realizing and deplor- ing these facts and enquiring what can be done to improve the selection made by readers.
One consolation is that our record shows better than most other libraries, and the committee mean to exercise the greatest care in the selection of books, and purchase only those that are approved as the "better class."
To defray the expenses of the library and reading room the ensuing year, we recommend an appropriatson of $1,200 and the "Dog Fund" for 1878.
Respectfully submitted by the Library Committee,
MANNING LEONARD,
Secretary.
PUBLIC LIBRARY, March 13, 1879.
-- -
LIBRARIAN'S REPORT.
In offering this, my sixth annual report, and the ninth of the library, I desire to express to the members of the committee my hearty thanks for their consideration exercised during my illness, and their courtesy and kindness in again electing me to the office of librarian.
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