USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Worcester > Town annual reports of the several departments for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1862-1866 > Part 41
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" SCHEDULE" "B. "
Reservoir Hill,
633 feet 8 inch pipe, laid 1852,
66
28 " 6 66
" 1865, 1 6 inch gate
66
66
1015 " 16
1865,
66
1168 " 8 66
66
1859,
1 4-inch do. 2 6-inch do.
Hospital,
1643 “ 4
1 4-inch do.
Wheeler's pipe,
115 . 6.4 1865, 1 6-inch do.
Thomas,
1289 " 6
66
1845, 3 6-inch do.
Blow off,
40 € 4
66
" 1845, 1 4-inch do.
School,
687 “ 4
5
66
" 1845, 3 5.4-in. do.
Main, 66
1698 " 6
" 1845, 2 6-inch do.
66
900 6
66
" 1845,
66
13.309 « 16
" 1864, 2 16-in. do.
66
1980 "
18
" 1864,
" 1864, 1 20-in. do.
" 1865, 1 16-in. do.
To Allen's House, 626 "
4
6
Providence,
1692 "
6
66
" 1864,
66
1425 "
6
4
66
" 1858, 1 4-inch do.
66
737
4
" 1864,
Waldo,
478 " 4
66
" 1865, 1 4-inch do.
Hermon,
232 " 4
66
" 1865, 1 4-inch do.
Chandler,
325 " 4
66
" 1865, 1 4-inch do.
· Webster,
562 1-2 "
6
66
1864, 1 8-inch do.
Leicester,
7166 “ 12
" 1864, 1 12-in. do.
At Hunt's,
250 “ 6
66
" 1864, 1 6-inch do.
Union,
3058 " 10
66
" 1865, 4 4.10-in do.
Church,
397 " 10
66
1865, 1 10 in. do.
Exchange,
822 " 4
66
66
2 4-inch do.
66
1056 " 20
66
66
1240 "
16
66
" 1865, 1 6-inch do.
" 1864, 1 6-inch do.
1305 "
4
" 1865, 1 6 inch do.
Bloom. Road,
523 "
1653 " 4 6
66
1845,
Prospect.
1060 “ 8
Summer, 66
2085 "
11
63 " 8
" 1864,
" 1864, 2 4-inch do.
1335 "
78
Exchange,
130 feet 4 ineh pipe laid 1852,
132 "
4
" 1852,
Lincoln,
2397 “ 6
" 1865, 1 6-inch do.
163 " 6
66
" 1860,
66
87 . 4
“ 1847,
Bowdoin,
139 1-4 " 8
" 1865, 1 6-inch do.
Sudbury,
781 "
4
" 1865, 2 4-inch do.
George,
603 1-2 "
8
66
" 1865, 2 8-inch do.
Southbridge,
1500 "
6
66
" 1859, 1 6-inch do.
66
1010 «
6
4
66
" 1864,
1 4-inch do.
Jackson,
1240 1-2 "
6
4
66
" 1864,
Beacon,
559 "
4
66
" 1865, 1 4-inch do.
Benefit,
605 "
4
60
" 1865, 1 4-inch do.
Benefit Ct.
326 "
4
" 1865, 1 4-inch do.
Pleasant,
726 «
5
66
" 1845, 1 5-inch do.
774 "
6
" 1863,
Park,
761 "
5
66
" 1845, 1 5-inch do.
66
652 "
4
66
" 1845, 1 4-inch do.
Franklin,
1201 "
4
66
" 1847, 2 4-inch do.
Blow off,
68 «
4
" 1847, 1 4-inch do.
Green,
1801 «
4
" 1847. 1 4-inch do.
Grafton,
668 "
6
" 1847, 1 6-inch do.
Lincoln Square,
255 "
4
66
" 1847,
Blow off,
66 “
4
66
" 1847, 1 4-inch do.
Harvard,
965 2.3 "
8
6
66
" 1865,
21 "
4
2
66
" 1865, 1 2-inch do.
Junction Shop, 66 66
195 "
4
66
" 1865,
Into "
66
120 «
4
Front,
886 1-2 "
12
60
" 1865, 1 12-in. do.
66
710 “
4
66
" 1847, 1 4-inch do.
Engine House,
197 "
4
4
66
" 1845, 2 4-inch do.
Edward Earle,
135 "
4
60
" 184-,
Arch & Liberty,
926 “
4
" 1865, 1 4-inch do.
Glen,
295 "
6
66
" 1865, 1 6-inch do.
180 " 4
66
" 1865, 1 4-inch do.
144
196 "
6
6
66
" 1859, 1 6 inch do.
66
" 1865, 1 4-inch do.
Court Mill,
365 "
66
" 1865, 1 4-inch do.
Harvard St. C'rt,
480 "
8
" 1859,
1178 "
" 1864,
2 6-inch do.
To Allen's,
290 "
" 1865,
334 "
" 1865, 1 6-inch do.
" 1865, 4 4-inch do.
566 “
79
Edward,
196 feet 4 inch pipe laid 1865,
258 "
6 66
" 1865, 1 6-inch do.
Mechancis, *
1021 " 4
" 1845, 2 4-inch do.
190 " 4 66 " 1845, 1 4-inch do.
Portland, 66
707 " 4 6
" 1865, 1 6-inch do.
Salem,
796 1.2 " 4
1 4-inch do.
Myrtle,
1035 " 8
66
" 1865, 1 8-inch do.
Orange,
174 1-2 " 8
66
" 1865,
Plymouth,
845 " 8
" 1865, 1 8-inch do.
Austin,
1508 "
8
66
" 1865, 1 8-inch do.
Oxford,
462 " 6
66
" 1865, 2 6-inch do.
Crown,
540 1-2 " 4
66
" 1865, 2 4-inch do.
West,
824 “
4
" 1865, 2 4-inch do.
Cottage,
133 " 4
66
" 1865, 1 4-inch do.
Elm,
743 " 4
" 1845, 1 4-inch do.
1 6-inch do.
66
257 1-2 "
6
66
" 1865,
Chestnut,
1410 «
" 1851, 3 6-inch do.
Bowdoin,
975
6 4
" 1865, 1 4-inch do.
*Rice, Barton & Co., private pipe.
1035 " 6
66
" 1865,
Chatham,
500 « 8
" 1865, 2 4-inch do.
492 1-2 "
CHIEF ENGINEER'S REPORT.
To the City Council of the City of Worcester :
Gentlemen : In submitting to your honorable body my fifth annual report concerning the condition of the Fire Department, I have the satisfaction of being able to say that its working force has not been at all diminished during the past year, or its efficiency in any respect im- paired ; and in my judgment the organization merits the highest respect and confidence of the property holders of Worcester, and the partiality and favor of the city government.
The character and duties of this arm of the public service are such that the less we do, the better we are appreciated. The year just closed therefore, may be re- garded as an exceedingly fortunate one both to the city and the firemen.
There has not been a " false alarm" of fire during the year, each one being traceable to some sufficient cause. There have been twenty-two alarms, and as near as could be ascertained, about fifty-two thousand dollars worth of property consumed, mostly covered by insurance. The department has been called out each year for the last six as follows :
In the year ending 1860
-
-
- 65 times
1861
-
-
-
36
66
66 66
66
1862
-
-
-
32
66
66
66
66
1863
66
66
1864
32
66
66
66
1865
-
-
-
28
66
-
-
-
-
- 22
66
81
The last five years embrace the period of time it has been my pleasure to occupy the position of Chief Engi- neer, and on retiring from this responsibility, I feel a personal satisfaction in being able to present what may be deemed so fair a record of service, and this during an unprecedented period of excitement consequent upon the state of the country, the raising and quartering of troops in our midst, their return, receptions and disband- ment-the city all this time expanding in area and ill- creasing in population.
It is also important in a pecuniary point of view, that the number of alarms rather diminish than increase, and especially is it agreeable to every true fireman, since by many we are regarded as responsible for at least all " false alarms, " as well as some of the actual fires ; while others express the belief that when we do go-and often at the risk of life, quite as much harm as good is done.
During the past season, the apparatus was all thor- oughly examined, repaired, painted, or otherwise put in good condition, and probably a small amount will be suf- ficient for the ordinary expense for repairs the next year. The various companies are now well provided with suit- able and convenient houses, and it would seem that no further demand for such accommodation will be re- quired for several years, unless the rapid growth of the city should require an increase of the department which I do not apprehend.
The board of engineers have been embarrassed during the past dry season, in consequence of the water not be- ing allowed to flow from Salisbury's Pond during the night time. Twice the past year the department has been delayed in operating their full force, until a messen- ger could be sent to the Wire Factory on Grove St., and
82
time allowed for the water to flow down through the canal. Such was the case at the fire on Central St., also on School St., the two most destructive fires that oc- curred the past year. It is important that the Acque- duct Commissioner should carefully avoid shutting off the water flowing through any of the pipes to which hydrants are attached, without first notifying the Chief Engineer that he may be prepared to take advantage of any, and all circumstances that would tend to hind- rance or delay ; arriving at a fire without such knowl- edge would often render it necessary to change the whole plan of operation under the unavoidable excite- ment that usually prevails at such times, besides involv- ing a loss of time which is of the utmost importance in the early stages of a fire.
The hydrants now being put in use are not such as meet with favor from the firemen, their being below the surface renders them less accessible and more difficult to operate, and surely they are not so easily found in the night time. In the winter season it must require consid- erable care and expense to make them available at all times.
The matter of procuring horses for the Steamers the past year has been a question of considerable embarrass- ment to the board. It is difficult to procure a proper person, with the right kind of horses suitable for such service, that are always available in case of an alarm of fire, for the rates allowed by the city ordinances.
The time will soon come, if it has not already, when it will become necessary to adopt the same plan as prac- ticed in other cities where similar apparatus is used. Cer- tainly, a Steam Fire Engine is not thoroughly and prop-
.
83
erly equipped unless provided with suitable horses always at hand ; it is just as necessary they should be prompt as the men.
Our department owes its success almost entirely to the promptness with which it responds to an alarm demand- ing their services.
The want of more leading hose is severely felt at fires in many localities. The supply has never equalled the wants of the department, and in consequence of the high prices of the last two years we have tried to economize, and are therefore not well provided at the present time. I would recommend the purchase of two thousand feet as soon as the necessary appropriations can be obtained.
Before closing this report allow me to thank the city government for their cordial support ; also, the police for valuable and timely assistance on many occasions; and particularly am I under obligations to the gentlemen as- sociated with me in the board for their counsel and co- operation. I feel that in retiring the department is left in worthy and efficient hands ; my successor being qualified by experience, cannot fail to discharge the duties in such a manner that they will be acceptable to the government, the department, and the public.
The department for the year 1866 will consist of 274 men. The Board of Engineers are
A. B. LOVELL, Chief Engineer.
S. E. COMBS, Asst. "
R. M. GOULD, Asst. " and Clerk.
WM. A. SWALLOW, " 66
JOSEPH RIDEOUT, 66
66
ELI B. FAIRBANKS, " 66
JAMES L. MORSE. " 66
84
There are eleven companies, organized as follows :
Washington Engine, No. 1,-40 men, Dewitt Fisher, Foreman.
Rapid,
66 2,-40
David J. Baker, 66
Niagara,
3,-40
Saml. Knowlton,
Yankee,
5,-40 66 R. S. Maynard,
Hook & Ladder, "
Hook & Ladder, "
1,-20 2,-25
1,-10
John W. Loring, Edwin Bradbury, Caleb Brimhall, James Keegan,
66
Ocean Hose, 66 2,-10 3,-10 Thomas Painter,
Eagle Hose,
Str. Gov. Lincoln, 66 1,-16 6 Timothy Keleher,
" Col. Davis,
2,-16 " Royal Combs.
Engineers, 7 274 men.
Total,
I am, gentlemen, yours respectfully,
ALZIRUS BROWN, Chief Engineer.
66
City Hose,
-
SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
In presenting the Report of the Public Schools for the year 1865, it is deemed a fit subject for thanksgiving and congratulation that during this most eventful year, which witnessed the downfall of the great rebellion, and brought so many popular agitations and excitements, our schools have pursued the even tenor of their way, and maintained a steady course of progress and increas- ing prosperity. And the larger fact may fitly be stated here for permanent record, that throughout the four years of war, the schools have in no way suffered neglect. Neither at the beginning, when for the moment busi- ness seemed paralyzed, and the foundations of pros- perity imperilled, and we were plunging into a gulf of unimagined trouble; nor in the darkest hour, when anxieties thickened and the burdens of national, state and city expenditure grew enormous ; and with derange- ments of currency, the necessary costs of living doubled, did the efficiency of the schools abate or their resources and their usefulness diminish. Whatever other retrench- ments were adopted it would have been deemed suicidal to retrench here. On the contrary, school houses have been built, whose architecture and appointments are worthy of any day of peace and prosperity ; new schools have been opened, salaries of teachers have been in- creased to meet the heightened costs of living. And
12
86
now that the storm of war is over, and the country starts on a fresh career, it is only with a deepened sense of the responsibility of the state thoroughly to educate all its children. The war has taught no profounder lesson than the need of universal intelligence as the safeguard of liberty and a chief corner stone of the republic. For wherever have been found free schools, have been found liberty and law and the love of liberty, and devoted loy- alty to the law. Wherever popular education has been neglected, treason and rebellion have found the combus- tible elements to kindle easily into their fierce and fiend- ish flame. Whatever other facts have complicated the controversy, these simple truths stand out so conspicuous- ly, that all friends of education are impelled with a new enthusiasm to give and serve with their best strength and efforts in this holy cause ; and our city may well make any pecuniary sacrifice, before sacrificing that system of popular education which is a basis of liberty, law and all prosperity.
On the Fourth of July, the schools were invited by the city authorities to join in a public celebration after the close of the war, and an oration to the soldiers who had returned from its fatigues and perils. The exercises of the day, so happily conceived and admirably carried out, made a reception of the soldiers by the school children a conspicuous and interesting feature of the occasion. About five thousand children, assembling first at their several school houses, each child presented by the city with a national flag, each school carrying banners with fitting mottoes and devices, all clad in holiday garb and decked with flowers, marched in charge of teachers and marshals into position on Main Street, where a procession
87 .
was formed, extending from Front street to a point near the Court House, and opening ranks, formed a continu- ous line on both sides of the street. Through this open file marched the column of soldiers, with music and civic escort, beneath triumphal arches, and amid cheers and waving of banners and a storm of flowers, to a festive collation at Mechanics Hall. This part of the day's programme was so well planned by the Marshal and his aids that it was executed without delay or fatigue. And
thus were brought face to face in grateful greetings and response, the heroes who had successfully battled, suffered and conquered for nationality, popular rights and free institutions, and the young generation who are to be the chief heirs of all the priceless boon so pur- chased ; a scene to all who witnessed it, at once sugges- tive and memorable.
For the general facts and details of expenditure and attendance, reference is made to the tables of statistics prepared and furnished by Mr. S. V. Stone, who has been for a short time the acting Superintendent. These tables give a complete tabular view of the condition of the schools for the year, and by comparison with those of former years, with the notes and comments appended by Mr. Stone, substantiate the claim of general prosperity and progress.
For the additional comments and discussions customary and appropriate to the Annual Report, it is to be re- gretted that the recent resignation of the Superinten- dent, who had occupied the place for seven years and who had familiarized himself with the history and needs of our school system,-has devolved the duty of prepar- ing this report upon one who has not been sufficiently
88
familiar with the details of the year's work, and has not long enough given his attention to the topics and consid- erations suitable for discussion here, fully to meet the demands of the occasion.
The total expenditures for the year, as will be seen, have reached the sum of fifty three thousand, five hun- dred dollars. The increase upon the cost of previous years has arisen partly from an increased number of scholars, requiring the opening of new schools, partly from extra compensation paid to teachers in view of the exigency of the times, and partly from extraordinary outlays for repairs and furniture, occasioned by a fire in the Pleasant street school house, together with altera- tions and improvements. It will be observed however that the average of cost per scholar has only reached $10.95 and is still below that of most cities of the Com- monwealth, and still below that of our own city in the years 1856 and 57. The retrenchment of average ex- pense which followed those years was due we believe to the watchful supervision of the Superintendent, whose careful prudence and wise management of the finances of his department have demonstrated that the office is not an added burden to the city, but a practical saving and genuine economy. This has been the experience of other cities of the same rank and size.
Nor can the increase of salaries be deemed extrava- gant. It was not only simple justice to our band of faithful and devoted teachers. The competitions offered by various prosperous interests, calling for female talent and skill, and offering liberal compensation, it was de- manded by the best interests of education that the teach- ing profession should not suffer or be degraded. Our
89
primary school teachers have received even less than cooks and housemaids often get with more ample accom- modations and more luxurious living. While if a girl in the shop, at the mill, or behind the counter, receives wages even equal with the teacher, as she often does, she receives a premium in the fact that she may begin to sup- port herself at fourteen or fifteen, earning wages while she is fitted for her vocation ; while on the other hand the teacher must for at least four or five of the same years in- cur heavy expense before beginning to earn support. Money is not only the security from want, but the pur- chase power of resources and facilities for extended cul- ture, and is in so many ways the representative of free- dom and power, and higher values, that it is with no merely low mercenary motive that we endow with it liberally any profession that we would honor and exalt and improve. Parsimony in this matter is the most wretched and suicidal economy.
Though the committee would be prudent and reluctant to increase the enormous burdens entailed upon the coming generations by the war, they would also remember that a good education is a better legacy than gold, and that the rising genera- tion if liberally educated will easily carry all necessary burdens, while if crippled by our parsimony, we rob them of the very power to pay the debts we leave them. As in all other departments of service, the best workmen are in the long run the cheapest. Most especially here, where quality not quantity of work done is the chief consideration, this is true. When public schools are poor, private schools multiply, adding just their cost to the public burden. Could we place our public schools in a rank beyond all competition, so that they should com-
90
mand the patronage of rich and poor alike, it would be readily seen that the best schools are the cheapest.
During the past year two hundred and ninety six scholars in the aggregate have been added to our num- ber. For some time previous to the war, the annual de- mand for increased room, was not adequately supplied by the requisite building of new school houses. The need was temporarily postponed from year to year. The war, which found the schools already crowded, and some of them located in unsuitable rooms, hired as occasion per- mitted, had the effect to send scholars from private schools into the public schools, increasing the pressure, even be- yond the natural increase of population. Although the city has done much for the last few years toward supply- ing this need of increased accommodation, building sev- eral excellent houses even at the recent extraordinary cost of construction, still the demand outruns the supply. The schools generally are overcrowded, much to the de- triment of health and disadvantage of discipline and tui- tion. Not infrequently in the lower grades, eighty or ninety pupils are seated in a single room and assigned to one teacher. It is impossible for her to do them justice. Before she has fitted them for promotion, they are crowded forward by a new class coming in. And this evil of premature promotion continues through all grades even into the High School, everywhere lowering the standard of scholarship, and giving ground of complaint more or less just, but under the circumstances not always reasonable, at the want of the highest perfection in train- ing and culture.
Two new schools have been established, one on Ash street, the other on Front. The pressure will be for a
91
time relieved still more by the opening of the fine new building on Providence street, which is so ample and ad- mirable in its arrangements that we regret its appear- ance and convenience should be so marred by the too narrow outside doors, which seem entirely inadequate to the need of so large a building, for the exit of all its scholars in any sudden emergency. Even with the ad- dition of the large building, the city needs to continue each year to add largely to its available school room. Some changes are also needed. The Front street school house is unfit for its present use, by its unsuitable location on so noisy and thronged a thoroughfare. The same is true of the Main street school house, and in regular ses- sion the school board have unanimously voted that it ought to be sold. The disposition of it rests with the higher authorities of the city; but its continued use is every day a loss if not an injury to the pupils who attend it. The High School building, which is inconvenient and outgrown by the requirements of the city, as well as by improved plans of school architecture, might well be fitted up for the lower grades of schools in this locality, while a building of more desirable plan and more worthy in its structure and appointments of the first and central school of our city, should be erected for the High School at the earliest opportunity.
During the year the schools have lost some valuable teachers ; but it has been the steady aim of the examin- ing committee to maintain a high standard of scholarship by thorough and rigid examinations. It is too often thought that any one, having tact and good humor, with whatever deficiency in the more advanced studies, may successfully teach a primary school. Certainly the gen-
1
92
eral qualifications must be regarded. Yet the committee have maintained that no teacher is fit to be in the em- ploy of the city who is not competent to pass examina- tion in the elementary English branches, and to teach in any place below the High School. Failure to pass a fair examination indicates a degree of mental dullness or carelessness which unfits one to teach the simpler ele- ments of reading and spelling. We want a corps of teachers, in whose lowest ranks shall not be one unworthy to teach in the highest. It is believed that in the changes made there has been no degeneracy in this regard, but improvement rather. It is found that. the arrangement of a normal course of studies for the senior year in the High School is accomplishing excellent results. By a comprehensive and thorough review of the elementary studies with special reference to teaching, a freshness of information and philosophical grasp of these topics is at- tained which is of the first importance to a teacher, some of our most accomplished and successful young teachers have graduated from this class. As a general rule their examinations have been superior to those of other candi- dates ; at least they have attained a higher average than those of the same number of candidates from all other sources. This department of our city instruction, should be fostered and its efficiency promoted in all practicable ways. Although there would be an obvious disadvan- tage in excluding imported talent and culture, whereby we should lose many improvements and excellent hints of other methods and systems, yet there is on the other hand great advantage in securing teachers familiar with our own school system and method throughout, and of whose thorough training from the primary school up we
93
are sure. It should be held out as one of the rewards of merit also, that there should be prizes of promotion of- fered to all competitors, without partiality or prejudice, and that all honorable career in the profession should be freely open and success dependent purely upon personal fitness and fidelity. With these views it has been the purpose of the Committee in assigning teachers to vacant places, always to select the best among the candidates, whether stranger or resident; yet, other things being equal, to give preference to the graduates of our own schools.
It is to be regretted that the practice of calisthenics or some form of simple physical exercises has fallen again into such general neglect. Perhaps the practice has been carried to an extreme in some cases, the novelty and first enthusiasm on the subject giving it excessive attention, permitting it to monopolize too largely the in- terest of scholars, to interfere with proper school work, and in some public exhibitions exciting popular prejudice and criticism. Yet in due place and proper subordina- tion, nothing can be more important to the health of scholars, and to the highest discipline of a school, than a moderate time given to brisk and spirited movements which shall stir the sluggish blood, and give at once pleasurable relaxation and healthful stimulus and glow to the system. Often the pale and weakly children who object to it, are the ones who most need it. This need which is permanent, should not be met with an occasional spasmodic excitement which shall rush to an extreme and become injurious, but should be attended to wisely as part of the regular school programme.
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