USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Southbridge > Town annual reports of the officers of Southbridge for the year ending 1883/1884-1886/1887 > Part 4
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22
CASH ACCOUNT.
Cash received by C. A. Paige for account of Selectmen, and paid Treasurer, year ending Feb. 29:
Central Mills Co., sidewalk assessment, - $318 15
Show Licenses, - -
45 00
Liberty Reynolds, sidewalk assessment, - 12 89
Theodore Harrington, curb stone, -
12 65
L. Morton, for labor, 12 00
Water Supply Co., for labor, - - 10 00
Thomas Lucia, old bridge plank, -
8 00
L. Reynolds, lockup fees, -
5 75
Auctioneers' licenses, -
4 00
Liberty Reynolds, road material, 3 50 -
Telephone Co., for labor, 3 25
Joseph Goodue, use town hall, - 2 00
J. J. Oakes, stone bounds, -
I 80
Amount carried forward, - $438 99
95
REPORT OF SELECTMEN.
Amount brought forward, $438 99
Wm. Beeboo, old bridge plank, I 00
Geo. A. Dresser, overpaid for work, I OO
C. A. Paige, Verney Fiske, work on sidewalk,
70
Mr. Draper, old box, 20
N. E. Putney, gasoline, - 10
$441 99
March 1, 1884.
A. H. WHEELER, WM. D. MORSE, C. A. PAIGE, Selectmen.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
Overseersof the Poor.
REPORT.
OUTSIDE POOR.
The Overseers of the Poor report the amount of orders paid for the outside poor $3731, which includes $830 paid hospital bills for the insane; $424 for paupers in other towns and the state, which is or will be paid back to the town; $479 for paupers in other towns and the state who have settlements in this town. This will show $1998 paid in the town against $1865 last year, an increase of $133. The inmates of the Worcester hospitals are, Lydia Fiske, Catherine Tynon, Daniel Smith, Francis E. Scarborough. One hundred and twenty-four tramps have been provided for at the police station at an expense of $ 12.40, and three at the alms-house.
ALMS-HOUSE AND FARM.
The expenditure at the alms-house has been $2321 against $2073 last year, an increase of $248, which comes from the extra expenditure of about $350 for a furnace and repairs of buildings, providing additional rooms and other necessary con. veniencies. With other credits to the account amounting to $743, reduces the amount to $1578. This, deducting $106 due from the state for the support of one inmate, leaves a balance of $ 1472. The number of inmates has averaged 17 and cost $1.66
100
REPORT OF OVERSEERS OF THE POOR.
a week each, and includes $560 paid for services of superintend- ent, hired labor, and medical attendance. A new expense this year for coal is also included, the first ever paid by the town for fuel. It was necessary to provide better facilities for warming the building, and was decided it could best be done with a fur- nace, which adds much to the comfort of the aged and feeble inmates. The institution has been well and acceptably man- aged by Mr. and Mrs George F. Northup, whose services have been engaged for another year. We recommend an appropria- tion of $3500 for the outside poor and $1500 for the alms-house for the ensuing year.
INMATES AT THE ALMS-HOUSE.
John Clark,
- aged 74
Charles Congdon, -
aged 37
Calista Rich, -
-
- aged 76
Thomas Powers, aged 67
Margaret O'Brien,
- aged 68
Lucy Harding.
aged 53
Mary Baker,
- aged 83
Richard Dwyer,
-
aged 27
Hiram Simpson, -
- aged 60
Catherine Tynon, -
aged 68
Lewis Gauman,
- aged 22 aged 8
Peter Letcher, -
- aged 73
Richard Welch,
aged 68
Catherine Welch,
- aged 65
Jason Smith, aged 56 -
Lucy Cady, -
-
- aged 85
DIED.
John Roan, - - -
- aged 63
Esther Sedgwick, - aged 87
Frank Hall, - -
-
aged I year 6 months
-
Andrew Hall, -
-
IOI
REPORT OF OVERSEERS OF THE POOR.
ACCOUNTS DUE THE TOWN. OUTSIDE ACCOUNT.
City of Lawrence, -
- - $123 00
Town of Spencer,
50 31
State of Massachusetts,
40 00 -
Town of Douglas,
16 co
$229 3I
ALMS-HOUSE ACCOUNT.
State of Massachusetts, - - $106 00
Samuel C. Hartwell, for hay,
10 15
Joseph Green, old iron, - -
5 73
$121 88
ABSTRACT OF INVENTORY OF PERSONAL PROPERTY AT FARM.
Class I, , -
- $785 00
2,
-
329 50
3,
-
313 07
4,
196 50
5,
-
-
175 00
6,
264 31
$2.c63 38
Total of inventory for 1883, -
2,c63 85
Shrinkage from last year,
47
-
-
-
SYLVESTER DRESSER, JACOB BOOTH, DANIEL WHITFORD, GEO. A. DRESSER,
Appraisers.
·
IO2
REPORT OF OVERSEERS OF THE POOR ..
ACCOUNT OF CASH
Received by C. A. Paige for account of Overseers of the Poor and paid to the Treasurer, for the year ending Feb. 29, 1884.
M. M. Marble, for oxen and calf, $163 36
Town of Douglas. aid Mrs. A. Allen, 69 37
City of Boston, aid Francis McGuire, -
56 00
James Burnes, for clothing, 21 33
Andrew Clark, for bull, $15 00
for crackers, 25
- 15 25
Eben Ammidown, for barley, -
12 50
Gilbert Gregory, support of Thos. J. Gregory, 12 00
E. G. Guy, for lard, - -
II 57
P. H. Carpenter & Co., for apples and butter, IO 14
Town of Brookfield, aid George Walcott, 10 00
Frank O. Letcher, for plow, - - $5 00
for use of oxen, 3 00 -
A. F. Luther, for potatoes, 8 00
5 00
Wm. Lewis, for potatoes, - 5 00
Frank P. Pratt, for potatoes, 4 50
C. A. Paige, for apples and potatoes, -
4 00
H. J. Conant, for hens, - 4 00
Town of Brimfield, aid Leonard Wilbur, 4 00
Jacob Booth, for apples, - 3 00
W. R. Cooke, for potatoes, -
3 00
Wm. Etchee, for potatoes, 2 50
L. Brainard, for potatoes, -
2 50
Joel W. Marble, for potatoes, 2 50
Michael Farrell, for potatoes, 2 50
Hartwell Hobbs, for potatoes, 2 00
Nathan Mckinstry, for corn, 2 00
P. H. Carpenter & Co., for butter, I 82
Chas. E. Lombard, for potatoes, I 50
Frank Clark, for beans, - - I 25 -
-
Amount carried forward, - $440 59
103
REPORT OF OVERSEERS OF THE POOR.
Amount brought forward, $440 59
C. V. Carpenter, for potatoes,
I 00
E. S. Northup, for potatoes, 1 00
H: Weld, for corn. -
I 00
Henry Clark, for potatoes,
1 00
William H. Clarke, for I barrel apples,
1 00
L. N. Holden, for corn and beans, 75
Erastus Northup, for lard, - 72
George Clemence, for corn,
35
Edwin Bacon, for corn, 25
Joel Goddard, for straw,
25
Lucie Ferris, for potatoes, -
25
Charles Chase, for corn, - 25
Ira Bailey, for beans, -
IO
- $448 51
C. A. PAIGE, SYLVESTER DRESSER, JACOB BOOTH, Overseers of the Poor.
ARRUAL REPORT
OF THE
School Committee.
REPORT.
In the report of the State Board of Education for 1881-82 it is said : "It is the universal testimony of those best able to judge, that schools are good in proportion as their superintend- ence is good and poor as their superintendence is inefficient." All educators also affirm that one competent superintendent who shall give his whole time to work, can achieve better results than any Committee, however faithful. It has been our aim to accomplish the work of a superintendent, as nearly as possible. We have fallen far short of our ideal. No new or strange policy has been introduced. We have only tried in good faith to carry out the provisions of the law, and to enforce more thoroughly the system already adopted in the public schools of Southbridge. In this work we have encountered many difficulties. When everything is allowed to drift along with the current, the wiser and more intelligent parents lament the deficiency. But when stricter measures are adopted, complaints become frequent. A system of grading is worse than worthless, unless strictly enforced, and this enforcement must be thoroughly impartial. No institution can be more fully democratic than the public school ; its fundamental idea is absolute equality to all. The child of wealthy or cultivated parents must here receive no more consid- eration than the child of the poorest laborer, or even of the most vicious loafer. No distinctions but those of merit can be allowed. A committee or teacher who in any manner recognizes class distinctions, is utterly unfit for the position.
The fashionable outcry at present, as seen in the public prints. is that pupils are overworked. Some such complaints have been
IOS
· REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
made here. We have investigated the matter with considerable care, and believe they are mostly without foundation. In carrying out the slight changes which were made the previous year, there occurred some crowding of studies in the grammar schools. This pressure in the higher grades will not occur after the present year. Any intelligent person who will take our text books and carefully compare them with the course laid down for the different grades, must be convinced that the amount required in a year, can be easily mastered by children of good health and average ability. Some will always be found who are physically unable to do the full work of a class. Such should be under medical direction, and take more time to accomplish the same work. They must take three years where others take two, or two where others take one. This is their misfortune. It is no fault of the system, nor can the grading be changed to meet these exceptional cases. In every case the parents have the matter in their own hands. If a healthy child is really over_ worked, he is certainly above his true grade, and the parent should request that he go into a lower class. This would give complete and permanent relief. With the exception of this year in the grammar schools, as mentioned above, we believe all cases of overwork can be referred to one of three causes: First, physical or mental incapacity; second, persistent crowding at home-parents too eager to have their children promoted faster than they are able, or exceedingly jealous lest a neighbor's child should advance faster than their own; third, and most frequently, the requiring or permitting children to perform such tasks, or join in such amusements as withdraw their attention and unfit their minds for the duties of school. No one can succeed in school without a severe strain upon the health, who has any large amount of labor to do at home, or who is allowed, except rarely, to attend parties, concerts, lectures, skating rinks, or whatever requires late hours or distracts the attention from study. Not unfrequently a single sleigh-ride or evening party spoils the work for the remainder of a term. Story reading, music lessons, dancing schools, singing schools-save to a very limited extent-will seriously impair success in study. The
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
mind can hold only about so much in a given time. If it is filled with other things, whether music or dime novels, dancing, or the best literature of the day, no room is left for the studies of the school. These entertainments or amusements should be reserved for vacations, and even the acquirement of useful arts must be mostly deferred if one would secure the best results of school life. Considerate parents, we believe, can not fail to see the reasonableness of such suggestions.
The real purpose of school examinations should be to test each pupil's proficiency in study. An exhibition can not serve the purpose of an examination. It would, in some respects, be an improvement to separate all test examinations from sessions of the school, as is done in examinations for admission to the High 'School. Then the way would be open for a pleas- ing and profitable presentation of the best work of a term at its close. Defects and weak points could be kept in the back- ground, and the school properly shown in holiday attire. We have been gratified at the interest shown by parents and others, as indicated by their attendance at the close of many of the schools. We suggest that they also drop in often during the term. The real work of the school is shown best in its daily garb.
The revival of business at the Columbian Mills has rendered it necessary to reopen the Carpenter school. Fifty-seven names appear upon the register, most of whom were not in attendance on any other school. The membership of the Higher Primaries has been slightly increased by the change in the law, by which all children between ten and twelve years of age are now required to attend school throughout the year. This is a change in the right dire. tion, and we hope it may be extended to four- teen years.
One of the most important duties of the Committee is the selection of teachers. This duty is made more difficult by the persistent pressure of parents to secure places for their daugh- ters. We believe in favoring home products, other things being equal. If we must employ untrained and inexperienced teachers, we prefer to take those in Southbridge to those in neighboring
IIO
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
towns. We have done so, with varied success. Many people think anybody who knows " the three R's," can teach a common school, and especially if one has graduated from the High School he surely must be competent to take charge of any school of the lower grades; they forget that teaching is a pro- fession. Mere learning can not make a teacher. The High School is no more a training school for teachers than for physi- cians or lawyers. You would not dare trust your sick child to the care of a graduate of the High School, merely because he has studied physiology. But that would be far wiser than to entrust the delicate and sensitive mental nature of the child to the same hands in the daily work of the school. There are excep- tional cases in which persons with little or no professional train- ing achieve success as clergymen, or physicians; or lawyers. The cases are no more frequent, in which the best success is attained by teachers with no professional training. Dr. Sears once said that he could more easily find ten persons well quali- fied to teach a senior class in college than one really qualified to teach a primary school. We have found it far easier to satisfac- torily fill vacancies in the higher than in the lower grades. The Lower Primary is the most important and most difficult of all. Here the mind receives its first bent outside the family. Here it lays the foundation of all its future scholarship. As it begins so it generally continues. More depends on the first two years of the child's schooling than upon any subsequent five.
We have lost, this year, some of our best teachers in different grades. In most cases their places have been satisfactorily filled. We have, as a whole, a corps of faithful, earnest, hard- working teachers, aiming to do their very best, even in cases where the actual success is somewhat moderate. The monthly meetings for consultation with each other and the Committee, on all matters pertaining to school work, are certainly profitable to those who attend.
It is encouraging to notice a gradual increase of numbers in the High School during the past few years. At the beginning of the year it was found necessary to increase the number of seats, and a still further addition may be required this spring.
III
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
In the resignation of Miss Silverthorne to take a more influen- tial position, we lost an accomplished and successful teacher, who constantly won the confidence and affection of her pupils. We were fortunate in securing the services of Miss Bickford, a teacher of high attainments, and who, by the work of two terms has given assurance of excellent success. To any one who has been familiar with the amount of hard work done by Mr. Smith during the last three years, it can not be a matter of surprise that he has resigned his position in order to secure a season of much needed rest. In his resignation we lose a man of fine classical scholarship, and a very diligent, hard-working teacher. The crowded condition of the High School renders it imperative to decline receiving any new pupils not residents of Southbridge.
The provisions of the law requiring us to furnish school books to the pupils, at cost, have been carried out very thoroughly. The following financial statement includes drawing books and material :
Books on hand March 1, 1883, $75 68
Books bought during the year, - 741 71
$817 39
Books on hand March 1, 1884, $246 17
Books in hands of teachers,
46 63
Books furnished free to schools,
139 07
Books sold for cash, -
388 55
$820 42
Balance in favor of the town, -
- $3 03
This account is reckoned strictly from March I. Old bills mostly of two and three years standing, amounting to several hundred dollars, have been paid during the year, as seen by the Treasurer's account. It is because of the unexpected appear- ance of these old bills that our contingent account is so largely overdrawn. No bills for books now remain unpaid. We deem it proper to state that we have made no charges for the time and labor spent in the purchase and distribution of books, or in furnishing the legal certificates for children between the ages of
II2
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
12 and 16. This gratuitous serviee has been neither small nor light, and we would not have it regarded as establishing a precedent.
As has been suggested by former committees, we believe there is urgent necessity for the town to move in the matter of new and improved school buildings. Southbridge has many fine residences for a country. town, excellent streets and superior sidewalks, but its school-houses are far from creditable. An intelligent man seeking a residence for his family would be attracted by the general appearance of the place, but when he Came to see the school-houses he would be likely to look else- where for a home.
In conclusion, we feel warranted in congratulating the town on the favorable progress in the condition of the schools. One of our most persistent efforts has been in the direction of getting out of the old ruts of book routine. In Grammar we have sought to secure facility in the correct use of language, rather than mere technical parsing ; in Arithmetic, a knowledge that can be readily applied to the needs of daily life, rather than a mere mechanical grind ; in Geography, a familiar acquaintance with the locality and general characteristics of the natural and arti- ficial features of the earth, rather than a mere memorizing of sentences which convey little or no meaning to the child's mind ; in short, principles, rather than names; facts, rather than theories; things, rather than rules. Though the goal is by no means reached, nevertheless, thanks to the faithful, earnest work of the teachers, much has been gained. The monthly examina- tions in connection with the record of each pupil's standing have a marked effect in stimulating to diligence and elevating the average scholarship. We believe the schools of Southbridge are not inferior, in point of work accomplished, to those of any town of similar size in this part of the State. We may hope that a few years of persistent effort in the same direction will render them equal to those of any part of the State.
The Regulations and Course of Study, herewith appended, are only slightly modified as the last year's experience has suggested.
COURSE OF STUDY AND REGULATIONS
OF THE
PUBLIC SCHOOLS OF SOUTHBRIDGE,
ADOPTED MARCH, 1884.
REGULATIONS AND SUGGESTIONS TO TEACHERS.
Three principal objects should be kept in mind :- to train pupils to observe, to think, and to express.
Children are naturally curious and observant. Their interest in common things should be encouraged and stimulated by questions and simple talks about the numberless objects in street, highway, field, forest, and sky.
In Reading, begin by requiring each sentence to be read as a whole, just as it should be spoken in conversation. Secure distinct enunciation, but never allow a sentence to be read, even once, except as a whole. In naming separate words never take them in the order of a sentence. The articles "a" and " the " should be pronounced as part of the following word. For instance, " a boat," "a goat," "the gun," " the part," should be spoken as if they were single words like "about," "ago," "begun," " depart." Never permit the odious pronunciations, uh and thuh. Avoid all exact rules in regard to pauses and inflections. Teach correct methods by example rather than by rules. Even the little child who really understands what he is reading, will uniformly give nearly the right expression, unless hampered by bad habits
II4
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
or false train ing. Leave no sentence till the average scholar in the class can read it fairly. In all recitations distinct utterance and correct language should be required. In reciting tables and in answer to questions the falling inflection should be insisted on.
The practical use of correct spelling is found only when thoughts are expressed in writing. Exercises in spelling, therefore, should be principally in writing. As early as possible sentences should be written from dictation, and parts of daily lessons should be written on the board by the pupils. Words thus spelled in vital connection with each other, will be much better remembered than when written in dry lists, as isolated, dead fragments.
In Grammar, remember that the technical forms of routine parsing are. of comparatively small value. The true design of the study is to enable the pupil to understand language, and to acquire facility in its accurate use. Thus every recitation properly conducted becomes a language lesson. In the use of the language lessons, require not only all the exercises for writing named in the book, but multiply them indefinitely as there is time.
In Arithmetic teach principles rather than rules. Absolute accuracy is indispensable. Every statement, whether in words or other symbols must be precisely true. Secure perfect clear- ness of thought and clearness of expression will naturally follow. This necessary precision and accuracy should be secured without a slavish repetition of the exact words of the book. The course is given by topics instead of pages, to intimate a study of the subject rather than of the book merely. Teachers will use the pages of "Miscellaneous Examples" with discretion, aiming to secure a thorough knowledge of principles, and not the mere solution of a given number of problems.
Geography should not be a study of dry details, a mere mem- orizing of isolated facts and statistics, but the living description of the home of man, its diversified surface and varied climate, its vegetable and animal life, and the manners and customs of its inhabitants. Much attention should be given to map draw- ing.
II5
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
In History, require pupils to recite in their own language, and avoid mere memorizing. Assign lessons frequently by topics instead of sections and pages of the text-book, and thus endeavor to awaken an interest in representative men and decisive events. Aim to secure a knowledge of the general current of events with their causes and effects, and encourage the consultation of other books illustrating the period studied.
Drawing and Penmanship are required throughout the course.
Teachers will devote some time regularly each week to instruction in temperance, morals, and manners, as required by the statutes of the Commonwealth.
Beginning with the seventh grade, written examinations are required each month. No examination must occupy more than one day. The papers will be deposited with the School Board, and kept on file for at least one year. At the end of each term a re-examination will be required of every one who, in any study has failed to secure a mark of six on a scale of ten.
The course prescribed for any grade is to be considered a minimum, and the teacher is expected to proceed further, when- ever the proficiency of a class will admit.
Except in Primary grades, no pupil will be transferred from one class to another without the express direction of the School Board. No person will be examined for promotion out of the regular course, unless his age or scholarship is above the average of his class.
COURSE OF STUDY, LOWER PRIMARY.
FIRST AND SECOND GRADES.
Reading, beginning with chart or primer. Never allow a word to be spelled to find out what it is. Carefully distinguish between reading and mere naming words. Teach pupils to hold book and turn leaves properly.
II6
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
Spelling. In oral spelling teach pupils to pause distinctly after each syllable, but to pronounce only the.whole word. Do not repeat a syllable by itself to aid them in spelling.
Writing on slates and blackboard. This should begin at the very first.
Counting. Tables. Roman and Arabic numerals. Oral and blackboard exercises indefinitely. Writing numbers.
Oral Geography, giving a few of the simplest facts.
Correct common errors in the use of language.
Object lessons indefinitely.
HIGHER PRIMARY.
THIRD GRADE. y
Reading. Special attention to enunciation and meaning of words.
Spelling. Mainly written.
Elementary Arithmetic,-addition and subtraction.
Oral Geography extended to the location and general charac- teristics, inhabitants, animals, climate and productions of the principal countries of the globe.
Oral Physiology and Hygiene-very elementary.
Write sentences of words defined,-also give brief descrip- tions of familiar objects, both orally and in writing.
FOURTH GRADE.
Reading. Pupils should repeat in their own language the substance of lessons read.
Written spelling.
Elementary Arithmetic-multiplication and division.
Warren's Geography, the first fifteen pages, also the special Geography of Massachusetts, adding oral instruction in reference to Worcester County and the Town of Southbridge.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.