USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > West Bridgewater > Town annual reports of the selectmen, overseers of the poor, town clerk, and school committee of West Bridgewater for the year ending 1880-1890 > Part 2
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During the past year, an attempt has been made, with success, to systemize and make uniform the studies pur- sued in the schools, by the use of a uniform list of text- books.
We would call the attention of parents and guardians to the marked improvement and success of our schools the past year, and especially of those where the services of the same teacher have been secured for several con- secutive terms, and urge the necessity of their hearty co-operation with the teachers and Committee in main- taining a proper degree of discipline in the schools,-as it is impossible for the best teachers to maintain proper government over their pupils when they are continually thwarted by home influence ; and also to the absurd and demoralizing practice of removing pupils from the schools for the most whimsical and trivial reasons. There were in town, on the first of May last, 329 scholars ; twelve attend school in East Bridgewater.
We recommend the town to raise the sum of $3,000 for the support of schools.
It will be remembered that the town, at their last annual meeting, took from the schools the dividend accruing from the dog-tax and gave it to the public library, and did not add to the appropriation for schools a sum equal to what they took away ; and although the sum now asked is a trifle in excess of what the appropriation of 1879 would have been, had the dog-tax remained in the school funds, yet we trust to the good sense and generosity of the voters in town to give the public schools a liberal and generous appropriation. The term of office to which
33
Messrs. Dunbar and Howard were elected expires with the present school year ; therefore there are two members to.be elected, at the next meeting of the town, for the term of three years.
For a more extended and elaborate report of the work done in the schools, we refer you to the able report of the Superintendent of Schools to the School Committee, which accompanies this Report.
LUCIUS DUNBAR, WILLIAM H. JENNINGS, ALBERT COPELAND, CLINTON P. HOWARD, ABIEL WASHBURN, WILLIAM A. LINEHAN,
School Committee.
WEST BRIDGEWATER, Feb. 1, 1880.
5
34
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT.
Gentlemen of the School Committee:
Permit me to congratulate you on the progress of the past year. Health means volumes, but it can be expressed in a single word. To say then that our public schools are healthy, is the shortest, and, at the same time, the truest way of describing their work, influence, and aim.
An examination of the table of statistics will show at once the marked improvement which has taken place. The number of scholars is larger, the average attendance better, while the list of names of those who have been neither absent nor tardy has increased from sixty-nine to one hundred and fifteen,-or a clear gain of over sixty-six per cent. !
Truancy, of which there was formerly much complaint, is now comparatively rare, and measures recently taken encourage the belief that henceforward it will cause but little trouble.
, A serious defect at present demanding attention, is the too frequent change of teachers in some districts. Un- doubtedly rotation in office has its advantages, but to break up methods of instruction every few months, and to substitute different ones, has about the same effect on the progress and discipline of a school, that a constant succes- sion of captains would on a ship's crew.
Your Superintendent has good reason to feel assured that the Committee are quite as anxious as himself to
35
remedy this evil. With the confidence therefore of their hearty support, he would recommend that hereafter no teacher be engaged for a less period than one year, and that in grades above the primary, those only be employed who, in addition to other qualifications, possess what is often worth most of all, ample experience.
But, while it is desirable to get and retain a corps of well-trained instructors, it is not expedient to keep text- books which have ceased to be helps, and have become positive hindrances. Such was the case with the geography used throughout the town. It had long been evident that a new and fresh work ought to be introduced to take the place of the venerable, dilapidated atlases published from twelve to twenty years ago. To continue drilling classes in such a book was simply to fill their minds with a stock of misinformation which they must some day laboriously unlearn. The facts were fossils. The statistics accom- panying them had also departed this life. On the map of the United States, Colorado was still described as a territory, nearly destitute of railroads and population ; while Europe was represented, as it appeared a quarter of a century ago, with the German Empire left out, and the whole of Turkey and France left in !
In view of these deficiencies, the latest edition of Har- per's Geography was adopted, and at the commencement of the winter term it was furnished at a low rate in ex- change for the old books.
In connection with this, the occasion seemed favorable for trying the experiment of giving oral instruction to those children who were beginning the study. In accord- ance with such a plan, the teacher, instead of starting, as is usually the custom, with the form and dimensions of the globe, sets out with the familiar facts of home, by draw- ing on the blackboard the outlines of the town, which the
36
class copy, learning, at the same time, its size, the points of the compass, with the names and location of the sur- rounding towns. They next trace the course of the prin- cipal streams, from source to mouth, indicating the vari- ous mills and factories to which they furnish power. Hav- ing completed the physical features, the class lay down on the map the villages, roads, school-houses, railways, and post-offices, besides collecting and bringing to recitation whatever information they can readily obtain, in regard to the history of the place, its early settlement, growth, chief industries, number of farms, inhabitants, valuation, &c.
From the town they proceed to the study of the county, and from the county to the State, constructing their own maps at each stage of the work, thus learning the geog- raphy of the country, and eventually that of the world ; not from lessons committed to memory, but from what they themselves are actually doing with chalk and pencil from day to day.
By following this method, not only do the pupils acquire facts more rapidly, but, what is of chief importance, they evince a real interest in the work.
For a similar reason, the attempt has been made to ex- tend the principle of self-instruction to the study of gram- mar. Probably this, of all branches, has seemed to a majority of scholars utterly " weary, stale, flat, and un- profitable." The fault has been, not in the subject, but in the manner it has been treated. Language may be com- pared to a living tree ; grammar, as commonly taught, to a dead stick. The problem was, how to effect such a radical reform that the pupil would see that the laws of speech spring from those of thought, and that a thorough knowledge of them is worth just as much as the acquisi- tion of the elements of any natural science. The common-
37
sense method appeared to be to let each scholar discover these laws for himself, not by the forced study of arbitary rules, but rather by encouraging him to express his own ideas in his own way, and then inviting the class to dis- cuss the words used, their arrangement, and relation. Thus letters and brief compositions have been written, analyzed, and commented upon to the great advantage of all concerned, and especial credit is due to the teachers of the Centre, East, Cochesett, and North schools, for the energy and originality they have shown in their efforts to make the system a success.
Having devoted considerable space to the changes above described, it is now proper to say something in detail con- cerning the condition of the respective schools.
It will be seen that the attendance at the Centre Gram- mar has fallen off slightly from last year, owing to the withdrawal of several members, either to take up some occupation or to enter the Normal course. But any loss in numbers has been made good by the enhanced standard of scholarship of those remaining. In fact, it would not be easy to find a school where more commendable emula- tion exists, or where greater harmony prevails, in the rela- tions of teacher and pupils. One needs only to hear a . recitation in arithmetic or natural philosophy to be con- vinced that the foundation principle of the instruction given is sound and sure throughout.
In the Grammar department, at Cochesett, the progress has been less uniform than it would have been had it been practicable for the school to have been placed and kept un- der the direction of one competent person for the entire three terms. The Committee and Superintendent regret that such unity of management was unattainable. Notwith- standing these drawbacks, however, the school has not failed to perform a good deal of work that will bear close inspection, and under favorable circumstances it is pre-
38
pared to reap the advantages to which it is fairly entitled, by diligent application and orderly deportment.
In the three Primaries the march of improvement goes steadily forward, though the South and Cochesett districts , have time, experience, and permanence on their side. In- telligence given, the qualities of patience, kindness, and firmness are certain to exert an attractive and winning in- fluence on the minds of young children. It is a pleasure to be able to bear witness to their presence in these schools, and to their educating and uplifting power.
The South Intermediate continues to exhibit the same efficient management which has long characterized it. Years hence, when those now enrolled in its ranks shall have entered upon the practical work of life, many among them will then understand and appreciate the true worth of the habit of mental industry they are now acquiring.
At Jerusalem the small average attendance does not favor the methodical routine and drill which become im- perative where the numbers are larger. The classes give the impression of a family rather than a school. As such a family they are gradually gaining, from term to term, under the faithful care of a teacher who is sure of possess- ing their affectionate respect, and who is doing all that can be done for the' advancement of those under her charge.
At the North Centre the general character of the work accomplished merits the entire approval of the Committee, and the pupils in arithmetic and grammar have kept well up to the mark of proficiency previously established.
The East School shows an excellent record. It is in hands that can be trusted. Every recitation receives care- ful and conscientious attention, and if, in accordance with the wish of both parents and scholars, the present system of instruction can be continued, the results will praise themselves.
39
The North grows and prospers. Dullness, listlessness, and idleness get no admission here, -if they accidentally should they would not long remain. The school is bright . and active. It has plenty to do, and does that plenty heartily.
Finally, while all our ten schools excel in individual points, all too have their peculiar difficulties to contend with. As no farmer, however skilful, can obtain equally abundant crops from unlike soils, so it is impossible for any amount of labor to succeed in developing and cultivating equally different orders of mind. The old parable of the Talents applies here. An appeal which, in one case, will stimu- late a child to do " his level best," toward making his five acquirements ten, will sometimes seem to drive another to hide his one so effectually that neither he nor any one else can find it. Let every teacher accept this fact, and while endeavoring to do whatever earnestness and thought can, let them not be disappointed or disheartened if occa- sionally they fail to perceive any adequate result. It may come later, and when it does it may make amends for delay. But whether in particular instances it comes or not, it is none the less certain that our public schools are conferring ever-increasing benefits on each succeeding generation.
Franklin said that in order to be sure of his purse a man must empty it into his head.
By and by every community will see the practical wisdom of such investments. Meanwhile it is safe to say that the town which is most liberal in its appropriations for educa- tional purposes, is that which is not only saving most now, but also that which is laying up most for the future.
Respectfully submitted,
DAVID H. MONTGOMERY,
Superintendent of Schools.
40
ROLL OF HONOR.
This list contains the names of those pupils who have been neither absent nor tardy during an entire term, with the number of terms of perfect attendance opposite each name.
COCHESETT GRAMMAR.
Cyrus W. Alger,
1
Laura Shaw,
·
1
Lilian Ames,
2
Lucia Alger,
Mary Ames,
2
Josie Collins,
2
Dora Dewyer,
3
Steven Adams, .
·
2
Hattie Jennings,
2
Helen Alger,
1 1
May Jennings, .
3
George Alger,
1
Blanche Jennings,
2
Fred. Alger,
1
Dora Tisdale,
2
Harry Marshall,
.
1
Mary Tisdale, .
1
George Perkins,
·
.
1
COCHESETT PRIMARY.
Ethel Vosmus, .
·
2
Miron W. Baxter,
2
Belle B. Alger, .
1
Ina L. Rice,
2
Geneva Dewyer,
2
May Ripley,
1
Katie Dewyer, .
3
Jennie Ames,
1
Hattie Dewyer, .
3
Iva Adams,
1
Ethelbert Vosmus,
2
Lionel Adams, .
1
Frank Dorgan, .
2
Alida Shaw,
1
Fred. Vosmus, .
1 Celista Godfrey,
.
1
Eddie Allen,
2 John Dewyer, .
.
.
1
Ansel Alger,
·
3 Charles Vosmus,
.
1
.
.
1
.
.
2
Minnie Vosmus,
.
.
·
·
.
.
.
.
41
CENTRE GRAMMAR.
Frank Alger,
3
Lottie Logue,
.
1
George Logue, .
3
Arthur Pratt,
1
Lester Ripley, .
2 George Drake, .
1
Frank O'Connor,
1
Irving Wheeler,
.
1
Clarence Atwell,
1 Fred. Tisdale, .
1
Frank Fay,
2
Eliza Leonard, .
.
1
CENTRE PRIMARY.
Albert Connor, .
2
Anna Billings, .
1
Charles L. Reeves,
1
Bertha Leonard,
1
Ida Alger,
2
Ralph Fobes, ·
1
Evelyn Ripley, .
2
Ellis Lacheur, .
.
1
Henry Bartlett, .
1
Charles Logue, .
.
1
Charles Lothrop,
1
Howard Billings,
.
1
Bertie Packard,
.
1
SOUTH INTERMEDIATE.
Nellie Buttomer,
1
Nellie Cashion, . 1
Mary Donovan, .
·
.
1
Julia Connice,
3
Alice Dewyer, .
1
Bartie Flynn,
.
1
Mary Flynn,
.
1
SOUTH PRIMARY.
Maggie Donovan,
1
Daniel Sullivan, 2
Daniel Flynn, .
.
.
1
Johnny Cashman, 3
Mary Courtney,
1
Willie Luddy, . 3
Edward Condrick,
·
1
·
.
·
6
42
NORTH.
Mary C. Keith, . 3
James C. Keith,
·
2
Hattie M. Turner,
2
S. Elliott Keith,
2
Nellie L. Millett,
2 G. Lester French,
. 2
Grace M. Perkins,
2 Frank L. Howard,
1
Ida L. Lyon,
1
Arthur G. Lyon, ·
.
1
Elijah A. Keith,
.
2
NORTH CENTRE.
Mabel S. Copeland, . 3
Etta F. Clark, . 1 ·
Annie A. Copeland, .
·
1
Mary Poole, 1 ·
Maggie Shields,
·
1 Justin W. Hutchinson, ·
1
Arthur D. Copeland, . ·
3
Charles E. Kenney, .
1
EAST.
Susie K. Washburn, .
2
George Colwell,
3
Lillie W. Pratt,
2 Austin Pratt,
1
Florence F. Keene,
.
3 Alice Eddy,
·
2
Flora F. Keene,
3 Joseph Thayer, .
2
Laura Keene,
3 Annie Barrell, .
·
1
JERUSALEM.
Etta Goss,
1
Alonzo Clark, .
2
Laura Hartwell,
1
Kate M. Egan, .
.
1
Aggie Linehan, .
3 Jessie Sargent, .
1
Fred. Fields,
2
James Howard,
·
·
1
Total, .
·
. 115
·
.
.
43
SECTION OF AMENDED STATE LAW.
Every person having under his control a child between the ages of eight and fourteen years, shall annually cause such child to attend some public day-school in the city or town in which he resides, at least twenty weeks ; which time shall be divided into two terms, each of ten con- secutive weeks, so far as the arrangement of school-terms will allow ; and for every neglect of such duty, the party offending shall forfeit, to the use of the public schools of such city or town, a sum not exceeding twenty dollars.
44
Table of Statistics.
SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS.
Length of School in
Months.
Wages of Teacher
per Month.
Number of Pupils.
Attend-
Average
ance.
Percentage of At- tendance.
COCHESETT - Grammar Department.
Minnie I. Estes,
Summer, . .
22
$36
33
25
.76
John L. Gardner,
Fall,
42
33
32
.97
George H Hastings, .
Winter, .
3
42
33
29
.88
COCHESETT - Primary Department.
21
$34
43
35
.81
Irene S. Wood, .
Fall,
2
34
45
36
.80
Winter,
3
34
36
35
.97
CENTRE GRAMMAR
Summer, .
23
$40
17
14
.82
J. H. Washburn,
Fall,
40
22
19
.90
Winter,
3
40
23
19
.83
CENTRE PRIMARY.
Mattie M. Allen,
Summer,
$30
28
24
.86
Lavinia Bowen, .
Fall,
32
34
26
.76
Lavinia Bowen, .
Winter,
3
32
35
27
.81
SOUTH INTERMEDIATE.
Summer, .
21
$34
25
21
.84
M. A. Dewyer, .
Fall,
3
34
24
20
.83
Winter,
2}
34
24
21
.87
SOUTH PRIMARY.
Summer, .
2}
$34
31
28
.90
W. A. Holmes, .
Fall,
3
34
37
33
.89
Winter,
2}
34
34
30
.88
NORTH SCHOOL.
Summer, .
.
21
$34
22
19
.86
M. B. Wyman, .
Fall,
34
17
15
.88
Winter,
3
34
21
18
.88
NORTH CENTRE.
Alice Shepard, .
Fall,
34
26
22
.84
Winter,
.
3
34
31
24
.77
·
.
.
.
·
-
.
.
24
$34
21
17
.81
Summer, .
.
Summer, .
.
.
.
I
45
Table of Statistics-Continued.
SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS.
Length of School in
Months.
Wages of Teacher
per Month.
Number of Pupils.
Average
ance.
Percentage of At- tendance.
EAST.
Summer, .
$36
31
28
.90
Cora F. Ellis,
Fall,
25
36
33
30
.90
Winter,
.
3
36
35
29
.83
JERUSALEM.
Summer,*
2}
$34
15
13
.87
Jennie Bird,
Fall,
26
34
15
14
.93
Winter,
3
34
16
14
.87
.
* Abbie A. Mills, 2 weeks.
Attend-
46
REPORT ON THE PUBLIC LIBRARY.
-
The Directors of the Library herewith present their first. annual Report.
At a meeting of citizens held in December, 1878, Mr. William H. Jennings stated that a native and resident of the town offered to contribute a sum of money, not exceed- ing $500, for the establishment of a free, public, circulating library, provided that an equal amount be raised from any source previous to the first of April following.
Subsequently a letter was received from Mr. Francis E. Howard, the gentleman who had made the proposal, in which he added, that believing it to be of the highest im- portance that the library should be placed on a permanent foundation, in order that its privileges might be perpetuated ; therefore, the money offered by him was on condition that it should be expended for books to be held in trust by the town, never to be sold or otherwise disposed of, unless an amount equal to that given should be paid to the donor, his heirs, or estate.
Those interested in the matter immediately proceeded to choose a committee to canvass for subscriptions, and in . the course of a few weeks the desired sum of $500 was readily obtained.
At the regular annual meeting in March, 1879, the . town voted to accept the proposed library, and to ap- propriate the dog-tax towards its support.
47
On motion, a board of eight Directors was appointed ; viz. :
Francis E. Howard,
Mrs. Edward Tisdale,
James Howard,
Mrs. Henry Copeland,
Curtis Eddy,
Elizabeth Kingman,
H. H. Beaman,*
David H. Montgomery,
.
who were empowered to select the books, and take such further action as might be necessary.
The list of works finally adopted by the Directors was prepared with great care, and with the view of giving representation, so far as practicable, to the best authors in all departments of sound literature.
The approximate percentage of each class, not including books given, is as follows : -
Fiction,
20 per ct.
Juvenile Works,
20
Travel, &c.,
15 66
Biography,
15
Science,
General Literature,
9
History,
5
Humorous Works,
2
Poetry,
2
Encyclopædias, &c.,
1
Art,
1
100 per ct.
Whole number of volumes purchased, Add donations,
· 736
· 135
Total, Feb. 1, 1880, .
. 871
* Declined serving.
10 .
48
The Directors, after much deliberation, concluded to locate the library in a room of the post-office building, as, on the whole, the most accessible, safe, and convenient place to be obtained. The collection of books was insured for three years, a classified catalogue prepared and pub- lished, and on the first Saturday in October last, the library, under the efficient charge of Miss Mary Perkins, was opened to the public. Since then, the average weekly circu- lation, not reckoning the first day, has been 215 volumes, giving a total during four months, of 3,961, or at the rate of over eleven thousand volumes per year ! These figures need no comment. They show at a glance how heartily the advantages offered have been appreciated, and how im- portant it is that the work so successfully begun should be carried forward in the same spirit.
Ten years hence, many of the children and youth of the town will have entered upon the active duties of life. To them the future of this community will be, in a great measure, intrusted. It is but reasonable to assume that the influences of the public library on their thought and character will be found to be equal to that of the public schools. Like them, it will act as an educator, making its power felt silently, but surely, on the side of intelligence, refinement, and moral principle. So doing, it must com- mend itself to all. It will deserve, and we believe it will not fail to receive, the cordial encouragement and support of every thoughtful citizen.
The following extract from the report of James Howard, Treasurer, will exhibit the present condition of the fund : -
Received from Francis E. Howard, $500 00
66 “ʻ subscriptions, entertainments, &c., 597 25
66 dog-tax, of 1878, 175, 00
Sale of catalogue, fines, &c., · 17 00
Total receipts to Feb. 1, 1880, . . $1,289 25
49
Expended for fitting up of library room,
$73 03
66 66 books - first bill, 699 12
66
66 66 second bill, 11 32
66 66 third 66
27 12
66
66
fourth
30 00
Insurance for three years,
8 00
Catalogues, cards, &c.,
35 75
Blank-books, oil, fuel, &c.,
5 48
Express and postage,
2 75
Librarian's services,
16 50
Library bulletins, &c., .
70
Additional furniture,
8 00
Total expenditure to Feb. 1, 1880, . $917 77
Balance in Treasury, 371 48
Unpaid subscriptions,
21 50
In conclusion, it is recommended that the town take ac- tion on the subjoined propositions offered by Francis E. Howard, and accepted by the Directors, at a meeting held January 6, 1880. .
" That there may be a fair understanding between those persons who have contributed money for a public library, and the town authorities, and that the library may be placed on a firm and permanent basis, we, the committee chosen at the last annual town meeting, recommend : -
" 1. That the town shall at their next March meeting, choose by ballot a board of six directors, three of whom shall be ladies, who shall serve for three years. But at the annual meeting in March next, this board shall be divided into three classes : - the first class shall consist of a lady and a gentleman who shall serve for one year; the second class of a lady and a gentleman who shall serve for two years ; and the third class of a lady and a gentleman
7
50
who shall serve for three years. Afterwards, all elections shall be for three years, except to fill vacancies.
" 2. The directors shall have entire control of all prop- erty belonging to, or connected with the library, shall purchase books when desirable, and appoint annually a librarian, who shall not be one of their number.
" 3. When a vacancy occurs in the board of directors, by death, resignation, or otherwise, said directors shall, as soon as practicable, proceed to fill such vacancy, and the person chosen shall serve till the next annual meeting.
" 4. It shall be the duty of the directors to cause a state- ment of the condition of the library to be published in the annual town report.
" 5. The librarian shall receive such compensation for services, and shall discharge such duties, as the directors may deem expedient."
All of which is respectfully submitted,
DAVID H. MONTGOMERY. For the Directors of the Library.
ANNUAL REPORTS
- -OF THE-
TOWN OFFICERS
-OF THE
TOWN OF WEST BRIDGEWATER,
--- FOR THE-
Year ending January 31, 1881.
BROCKTON:
GAZETTE STEAM PRINTING HOUSE. 1881.
ANNUAL REPORTS
--- OF THE-
TOWN OFFICERS
-- OF THE-
TOWN OF WEST BRIDGEWATER,
-- FOR THE- -
Year ending January 31, 1881.
BROCKTON: GAZETTE STEAM PRINTING HOUSE. 1881.
TOWN OFFICERS.
Selectmen, Assessors and Overseers of the Poor, HENRY COPELAND, JOSIAH Q. HARTWELL, SAMUEL H. HOWARD. Town Clerk, JAMES HOWARD. Collector and Treasurer, GEORGE M. PRATT. School Committee, DAVID H. MONTGOMERY, Superintendent.
LUCIUS DUNBAR, Chairman. ALBERT COPELAND, Secretary. WILLIAM H. JENNINGS, CLINTON P. HOWARD, WILLIAM A. LINEHAN.
ABIAL WASHBURNE,
Highway Surveyors,
Dist. No. 1-ELIHU LEONARD. Dist. No. 4-BENJAMIN PERKINS.
Dist. No. 2-LOREN A. FLAGG. Dist. No. 5-ELI WHEELER.
Dist. No. 3-JOHN L. HAYWARD. Dist. No. 6-BARNABAS DUNBAR. Dist. No. 7, LYMAN E. COPELAND.
Library Committee,
FRANCIS E. HOWARD, 3 years. JAMES HOWARD, 2 years. Mrs. HENRY COPELAND, 2 years.
Mrs. M. K. CROSBY, 3 years.
CHARLES R. PACKARD, 1 year. Mrs. EDWARD TISDALE, 1 year.
Constables,
LUCIUS DUNBAR, CHARLES H. SIMMONS, WILLIAM A. LINEHAN. Auditors,
HENRY WHITMAN, GEORGE D. RYDER, LOREN A. FLAGG.
REPORT OF THE ASSESSORS.
VALUATION OF THE TOWN, As assessed May 1, 1880.
Value of real estate, .
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