USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Worcester > Town annual reports of the several departments for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1873 > Part 5
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SCHOOLS .- SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT.
marry and leave school. And let no one imagine that, in saying this, any reproach is intended upon those who continue in school and remain single. It would be better for society, and add largely to the sum of human happiness, if more women had the courage and independence to encounter the fortunes of this world single-handed and alone, rather than to risk the sacrifice of their true womanhood in an ill-assorted marriage.
These frequent changes then being the rule, what remedy should be applied to the resulting evil ? Several years of experi- ence and observation convince me that the remedies are two :- Insist that each teacher, before entering a school, shall have com- pleted a thorough course of professional training in a Normal School. Her few years in school will thus be rendered effective, and her after life more useful. Many will say We have no time, we can't afford to wait so long; and, in saying this, they plainly show that they do not aspire to be first-rate teachers, but merely seek the loaves and fishes. For these persons we have no place. Secondly : Insist that the number of male teachers be doubled, or even trebled. Nothing is more certain than that the public schools have sadly decreased in effectiveness by forcing from the profession so many of the men. A broad-minded, judicious and cultivated gentleman is needed at the head of every large school ; his influence is as essential to the right formation of character in school, as is the father's influence in the proper rearing of a fami- ly. Another reason for increasing the number of male teachers is, that a more conservative element-more permanency-may be introduced into the school system among the necessary changes just described. With a competent and permanent head for each school, to preserve the unity, the continuity and the proper suc- cession of school studies, a teacher may drop out here and there without material loss.
To secure and retain this increased number of men of this excellence, it would be necessary to pay them liberally, and to secure for the profession a recognized position, such as it hardly holds at present. This status of the profession, however, its own members will take care of. The question of salary would involve some additional expense ; for men of the right character and am- bition for the work they are to do, will have families which they must support.
64
CITY DOCUMENT .- No. 28.
Right here we are met by the inquiry, Why not increase the pay of your lady teachers and thus secure them permanently ? Because the pay would not hold those whom we most wish to retain, when the trial comes ; and, because a kind of influence is needed which woman can not exert. Do what she will, try as she may, no true woman can so obliterate the mental and spiritual, any more than the physical marks by which the Creator has distin- guished and glorified her, as to act to perfection the man. The thousand little differences of character which display themselves in male and female teachers, are fully recognized by all except the few who, in laboring for what they call the elevation of woman, think it necessary to establish her identity with man, in order to disprove her inferiority.
What we need is more of strong manly character in our schools ; and to secure this we must attract it from other callings. As for having the work done as well by woman, there is a part which she can do far better ; a part, equally well; and a part, not at all. Her superiority in educating little children, when the heart is in the work, can not be denied ; her equality in the work of instruction is plain ; but drill is not all of school. In the development of character, the influence of woman is indis- pensable ; but she alone, would make boys womanish, and girls not altogether womanly.
There is an exciting question about paying a woman the same salary as a man, for the same work! No one will deny the jus- tice of this demand. The work needed, and for which I am con- tending, is what she cannot do. There is therefore, no competi- tion. There is moreover, a law of supply and demand which reg- ulates prices ; they can not be regulated by legislative enactments. The price of wheat can not be fixed by statute. If an educated woman is wanted to fill a certain position, and ten stand ready to take it at $1,000, each fully competent, is there any propriety in paying $2,000 ? Will that help the nine ? If an educated man is wanted for a position at $2,000, which a man only can fill, and a suitable man can not be secured for less than $2,500, will it be best to take one of the nine women ? At any rate, this is what we have been doing thirty or forty years, and, as many persons best qualified to judge, think, with injury to the schools.
65
SCHOOLS .- SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT.
Is there any reason in the constitution of society why there should be ten women for the one place and not the right man for the other ? There are indisputable indications that men and women are in all respects the counterparts of each other. The Creator did not fall into an error when he made woman, as certain modern reformers would seem to imply. In all civil society, since there was a civilized society, man has been regarded as the bread- winner and woman the house-keeper. Probably this is about right, since a great deal of homely joy has resulted. A young man who rightly expects in the main to carry out this idea, will not and ought not to enter a profession without promise. On the other hand there is a large class of self-dependent women. The majority of those who teach, are young. Many, with true heroism, labor and secure for themselves not only a livelihood, but the means of improvement, and a culture and refinement that ought to be the envy of indolent ladies of wealth. These heroic women are worthy of all honor; but should they be treated as the rule, or the exception? Should laws and customs be changed as if all women were to take such places ?
This question of employment and salaries for women is deeper than the surface. The present order of things, in this regard, has its foundation in the very organization of society. That order with all its defects, should not be rudely changed at the risk of greater evils.
In what has thus far been said, I wish to be distinctly under- stood as not undervaluing the services of women in the schools. In all which is common between male and female teachers, I can match the best man with an equally excellent woman; while in that which belongs to woman only, she is the superior. The in- fluence of man, now too feebly felt in the schools, is what is here contended for. If the proportion of male and female teachers were reversed, this whole argument would apply to the other side; but as it is, the one thing needful for our public schools is to add permanently to the corps of teachers twice the number of men, and only those of the better class.
THE ANNUAL ELECTION
of teachers occurs in July. In order to give time for filling
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CITY DOCUMENT .- No. 28.
vacancies to the best advantage, the following notification is sent to each teacher immediately after the election ; and for this purpose it is important that the address should be left with the secretary.
OFFICE OF SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS, WORCESTER,
To
The Board of School Committee have elected you as a teacher in the Public Schools of this city, in the position occupied by you the past year, subject to such changes as may be determined upon by the Superintendent and the Com- mittees on the Schools, and also to such rules, regulations and requirements as the Superintendent and the Board may from time to time adopt.
You are requested to send your acceptance of the position to which you have been elected, under the provisions stated. If the place is not accepted on or before August 1st, it will be considered vacant.
By order of the School Board, SAMUEL V. STONE, Secretary.
Vacancies occurring during the year are filled by appointment and are subject to vote of the board at the end of three months.
An assistant to the principal of the Thomas Street School has been provided this year. A general assistant has also been elected, whose duty it is to take the places of teachers detained from school on account of sickness, or absent by direction of the Super- intendent for the purpose of visiting other schools. In case of absence for any cause it is the duty of a teacher to inform the Superintendent without delay; and it is the policy never to have a school dismissed. We propose to adhere to the regular school time with all the strictness which we require from the pupils.
DEATH.
Mr. Geo. A. Adams, Master of the Ungraded School on Orange street, died in the month of May. He had taught the school five years. On the many rough boys whom he had in charge, his in- fluence was as important and beneficent as that of any man in our schools. Till failing health compelled him to leave, his services were satisfactory to the committee ; and his excellent character won the love of all his associates. The following resolutions were adopted by the board :-
SCHOOLS .- SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT. 67
Resolved :
I. That we are pained to notice the death of Mr. Geo. A. Adams, of the Orange Street School.
II. That we have always found him conscientious and efficient as a teacher, and honorable as a gentleman.
III. That we will always cherish and respect the memory of his upright and useful life ; and we do extend to his family our sympathy in their loss.
Miss Sylvia N. Stackpole, last in the Northville School, has also died. She was a lady of beautiful character. I think she was always faithful and earnest; but it was not easy for her to hold pupils, and she has yielded to the too heavy care.
FREE EVENING MECHANICAL AND INDUSTRIAL DRAWING SCHOOL.
The steps taken in organizing this school were described in the report for 1872. What had been accomplished up to June last, is set forth in the following :--
REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE
ON
EVENING DRAWING SCHOOLS FOR 1872-'73. .
The third year of the Evening Drawing Schools opened with great promise. The School Board, at its meeting in June, 1872, having assigned the two upper stories of the old High School building, on Walnut street to the uses of the Drawing Schools, and the City Council having at the same time appropri- ated $2,000 for the purchase of casts and flat copies in London, it was hoped that the winter's instruction would be given under the advantage of greatly increased facilities, and a full and serviceable equipment. Although this ex- pectation, owing to the late arrival of the casts, and corresponding delay in the proper lighting and general arrangement of the rooms, has been as yet, only partially fulfilled, yet the schools have already felt the new impulse, and will henceforth profit each year more and more by these generous provisions.
At an extra meeting of the School Board, held Jan. 21, 1873, just after the arrival of the casts from Europe, a vote was passed authorizing the Committee to make such changes in the rooms assigned, as were necessary for the proper accommodation of the casts, and for their satisfactory use by the classes. The two upper rooms of the building were accordingly remodelled for the pur- pose, and in their present condition, serve admirably the double purpose of a small art-gallery, and a drawing-room for classes which are to copy from the larger casts. The Drawing Schools are in possession of four pretty well fur- nished rooms ; two of which are intended for mechanical or free-hand draw- ing, from blackboard or smaller models, and two for the permanent exhibition and use of statues and casts.
10
68
CITY DOCUMENT .- No. 28.
The arrangement of classes for the past year has differed from that of the years preceding only in the attempt to bring the instruction in instrumental drawing to bear, by practical application, so far as possible, upon special pur- suits. Five classes were therefore organized under three different instructors, and opened Nov. 18th, 19th, and 20th.
1 .- Free-Hand, for beginners .- Prof. Gladwin,
30 lessons.
2 .- Free-Hand, for advanced .- Prof. Gladwin,
30
66
3 .- Mechanical, for beginners .- Prof. Alden, (Chiefly Carpenters. )
25
66
+ -Mechanical, for advanced .- Mr. Higgins,
5 .- Mechanical, for Carpenters .- Prof. Alden,
10
The attendance by classes has been as follows : -
1.
Whole number,
89
Average number,
49
2.
46
31
3.
66
43
33
4.
66
66
32
18
5.
27
66
22
Total,
237
As compared with preceding years the record stands thus :-
1870-'71.
Whole number,
145
Males,
136
Females,
9
1871-'72.
66
254
66
201
66
53
1872-'73.
66
237
66
182
66
55
The ground traversed and the work actually done by these classes, is shown by the following extracts from full reports sent to the committee by tlie several instructors,-
FREE-HAND. - ADVANCED.
"The instruction given to this class has been chiefiy from geometrical models and imported plaster casts. Owing to the non-arrival of the casts from Europe, the first half of the course was spent in drawing from the new Geometrical models manufactured at the Technical School machine shop. In January the casts arrived, and the lessons were deferred for three weeks while they were being arranged under proper liglit for study. The remainder of the season was spent in studying this valuable collection, and a number of very creditable drawings have been made from them, considering the disadvantages of arrangement and lighting, which were unavoidable in the temporary setting up of the casts."
FREE-HAND .- BEGINNERS.
" The instruction given to this class has been chiefly in exercises from the blackboard, on a large scale, to secure the requisite training of eye and hand ; the examples given also having a practical bearing on the various trades rep- resented. The drill upon straight lines and curves was followed by exercises in construction of solid forms and their perspective representation.
20
69
SCHOOLS .- SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT.
The last part of the course was devoted to the study of the excellent flat examples of ornament and figure, which were imported from Europe with the casts. The class have been exceedingly interested in these and have made many good copies, thus securing for themselves much valuable practice in sketching and drawing, which will be of great service in their future more advanced study.
At the close of the course of lessons, an arrangement was effected by which the members of the class could make still further use of the copies. This plan was eagerly siezed upon by a large number, who met once a fortnight at the Walnut Street Drawing Room to return their borrowed copies and obtain others."
MECHANICAL .- BEGINNERS' CLASS.
" The instruction was given from the blackboard, and consisted of problems in Plane Geometry, with instructions in use of instruments; the principles of plane projection, the intersection of solids, and development of surfaces ; complete and detailed drawings of simple frame work and joists used in car- pentry ; the construction of screws, and some instruction in isometric pro- jection."
CARPENTERS' CLASS .- ADVANCED.
" Two or three evenings were occupied in reviewing the theory of projec- tions. The subject of hip-roofs was then taken up. Framing plans of one assumed and one actual roof were made, and methods explained of determin- ing the length of the various rafters, the ' backing of the hip,' and the bevels or angles to which all the pieces should be cut; also methods of finding the proper curve for the hip of the Mansard roof; bevels for cutting the pieces for a splayed trough, &c. * After the twenty evenings for the beginning class had expired, a few evenings were spent in copying from the large assortment of drawings belonging to the city. Both classes were admitted to this exercise, and met twice each week. The more advanced students made studies of working drawings of building construction, while others worked upon what seemed best adapted to their attainments and occu- pations. The copies were charged to those at work upon them, and in many cases were taken home and kept until finished."
MECHANICAL .- ADVANCED.
" The class the, past winter was composed principally of machinists, some pattern-makers, and general wood-workers from the better class of workmen.
The following has been the order observed, and may give some idea of the ground gone over :
1st. A thorough review of the principles of projection, with extensive illus- trations by the use of mechanical appliances designed especially for the pur- pose.
2d. A review of the principles necessary in making sectional drawings, with practice, illustrated by mechanical experiments.
3d. The application of the above principles to working drawings of parts or of whole machines, such as globe valves, &c.
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CITY DOCUMENT .- No. 28.
4th. The theory, practice and construction of the several kinds of cones used in ordinary machines.
5th. The study of gears, with complete working drawings of the various forms in use.
Lastly. A few lessons in copying imported drawings of steam engines, pumps, &c."
On Wednesday evening, May 7, a public exhibition, similar to that of pre- vious years, was held in the Walnut St. rooms, where many citizens availed themselves of the opportunity to examine the drawings of the several classes. Addresses were made and criticisms offered, by Prof. Thompson, Mr. Walter Smith, and the chairman of the committee; and the progress made during the year was considered altogether satisfactory, and creditable alike to scholars and to instructors.
In closing this report, the committee take the liberty to suggest that, while the opening of evening drawing schools has already accomplished very grati- fying results, the final success of the movement must depend upon their being placed upon a more permanent basis, and conducted on a more comprehensive and continuous plan. The ends thus far attained, have been owing, in great measure, to our having secured, from the beginning, the services of instructors who were not only thoroughly competent, but also, from being constantly among us, and accompanying the enterprise from the start, have been able to give valuable suggestions as to the best methods to pursue, and to bring the experience of each year to bear upon the instruction of the next. Their inter- est in the work, and familiarity with its stages of progress, have been quite as helpful as has been their skill in teaching.
The committee can not help expressing the hope, therefore, that the time will soon come when the city will supply a permanent instructor, who shall have charge of drawing both in the day schools and in the evening classes.
Respectfully submitted.
EDWARD H. HALL. GEORGE W. GALE. CHARLES BALLARD.
Specimens from these classes were sent to the State exhibition held in Boston in the month of May, and the following awards were made by the State Board of Examiners :-
WORCESTER.
M. E. Bothwell,
Object. do.
Honor'ble mention. Free-hand.
do. do.
do.
S. D. Barrett,
do.
do.
do. do.
Frank M. Wilder, do.
Excellent.
do.
J. G. Horgan, Emma L. Low, Emma L. Low,
do. Blackboard.
do.
do.
do.
do.
J. H. Goodwin,
Flat copy. do.
dlo. Honor'ble mention.
do. do.
J. H. Goodwin, do. Frank S. Moses, do. Excellent. Flat copy & Bl'kb'd. Hon. ment. (for set)
Architectural.
C. R. Rawson, Wm. B. Emerson,
Specification. Honor'ble mention.
Mechanical. do.
A. S. Hildreth,
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SCHOOLS .- SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT.
WORCESTER .- MECHANICS ASSOCIATION.
F. Willie Hartwell, Object & Black'bd.
Hon. ment. (for set) Free-hand.
E. T. Andrews, do. Excellent (for set) Mechanical.
In their report appears the following :-
It gives us great pleasure to preface it by expressing our opinion as to the decided superiority of the present exhibition over that of last year, in many important respects. The reason of this is evident.
In our report of last year we pointed out why the Boston schools stood, as they still stand, in the first rank. It was not because they had enjoyed supe- rior advantages in instruction, or that the pupils were persons of superior ability, but because in both the free-hand and the instrumental work, they had casts, solid models and flat examples to draw from, which were absolutely wanting in other schools. In few of them has this want as yet been supplied, but those have made such marked progress, that our former opinion is strengthened, and now as then we regard the supply of the necessary appli- ances for study, as the key to the whole question of success or comparative failure.
In support of this opinion we may cite the case of the Worcester schools, to which, although the casts and flat examples from which drawings are ex- hibited were only in use for a few weeks before the opening of the exhibition, six Honorable Mentions and two Excellents have been awarded. Worcester ranks next to Boston among cities contributing to the exhibition, and there can be no question that with the efforts lately made there to supply the pupils with proper objects of study, the difference still existing will be still further diminshed. What is true of Worcester may be said in part of Lowell and other cities.
And further on, this :-
" It is to be hoped that the schools of art in the chief manufacturing towns of the State will turn their attention to these studies, (coloring and designing, ) as it is evident that great capacity for original design exists, and is only waiting to be called forth. This is the direction in which such schools as that at Lowell, for instance, would naturally develop, and it is a field they are fully prepared to enter upon. In such places proper models and examples for this kind of work and competent instructors cannot be difficult to obtain.
It is on account of the want of proper models of any sort, that we still have drawings sent in to our exhibitions which bear no relation either to any form of Industrial Art or to High Art. The imperfect imitation of natural objects which distinguishes many of them is always offensive, whereas any subject which shows an obedience to the laws of Geometrical Harmony is always pleasing. It is Geometry and the kindred branches of study which teach the value of the three great principles of Design, viz. :- Unity, Symmetry and Continuity, and it is in these that a right system of education for the eye is to be taught.
The chief trouble about this class of work lies in the difficulty of distin- guishing accuracy of workmanship from niceness of finish. In making our awards it was impossible not to give a preference to those examples which
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CITY DOCUMENT .- No. 28.
showed the clearest and sharpest lines. Yet to a large part of those for whose benefit these schools are established, this technical nicety, essential to a professional draughtsman, is of no practical use.
The Industrial Drawing of free evening schools in communities largely en- gaged in manufactures, should be adapted to the actual needs and capacity of the pupils who avail themselves of the benefit of such schools, rather than to the attainment of a standard of excellence in execution, which can only be reached by devoting a large portion of the time allotted to the single effort of finishing one or two pieces. A large proportion of the pupils of these classes are machinists and carpenters, and their immediate needs in the direction of drawing are : 1st. To understand a drawing, so as to be able to take it from the draughtsman and produce the object represented, without the assistance and constant supervision of a foreman. 2d. To be able to express completely and accurately their own ideas by means of drawings. 3d. To lay out patterns and solve problems graphically, thus saving much time which is often spent in the slow process of making a model of a new mechanism or construction as the only means of illustrating it. To accomplish these results it is important that the pupil have some knowledge of Geometry, Plane Projections, Descrip- tive Geometry, and of the conventional methods of representation; together with practice in the use of his pencil, scale and compasses. The practical value of the drawings which artisans have to deal with depends upon their substantial accuracy, not upon their finish; so that the lines are of the right shape and size and in the right place, it is of very little moment whether they are rough or smooth, wide or narrow. In teaching classes composed mostly of inechanics, it should be the object to produce working drawings in the lines of industry which the pupil follows, rather than pictures of his products.
When the evening classes are composed of pupils who have been trained in the public schools under the system now coming into successful operation, they will be able to add to these essential qualities of their drawings, the desirable effects of light and shade, color and artistic finish."
The statistics concerning the Drawing Schools refer to the classes now in session. They were opened early in October. Besides the five at first organized, another class was begun in De- cember for advanced students of instrumental drawing, to receive such assistance as each might need. This class meets on Wednes- day evenings, and receives the gratuitous instruction of Messrs. Alden and Higgins, to whom much credit is due. The following circular, issued in September, sets forth the studies of each class :--
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