USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Worcester > Town annual reports of the several departments for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1876 > Part 6
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ART. 2. The use of tobacco, in any form, by the boys, is prohibited, and both the Superintendent and teacher are held responsible for the enforcement of this prohibition.
ART. 3. The teacher shall be employed and the salary fixed by the Com- mittee on the School, subject to the approval of the Board, but no teacher shall be engaged without previously passing a satisfactory examination according to the laws of the Commonwealth and the rules of the School Com- mittee of the City of Worcester.
ART. 4. Each pupil, whose deportment and scholarship have been satis- factory for one month, shall be entitled to some privilege or reward not otherwise granted; and continuous good conduct shall be rewarded by a recommendation for pardon one month or more before the expiration of the sentence.
These regulations shall be made known to each boy when he enters the school.
ART. 5. The rate of board per week to be charged by the Superintendent against the teacher and pupils of the Truant School shall be fixed annually by the Overseers of the Poor at their regular meeting in January, but they may change it at any time they deem it necessary by a vote of a majority of the members of the Board. The price per hour of the services of the boys shall also be fixed at the same time and in the same manner, subject likewise to the same conditions of change.
GEORGE W. GALE, Clerk.
REPORT
OF THE
COMMITTEE ON THE TRUANT SCHOOL.
Gentlemen of the City Council :
The Committee on the Truant School respectfully submit the following report for the year ending Nov. 30, 1876.
The year just closed has been without unusual incident in the history of this school. The State Law, which requires all cities and towns to make all needful regulations respecting habitual truants, was complied with by this city in the establishment of this school at the city farm in the year 1863. This law, the rules governing the school, the process, both immediate and pre- liminary, by which the truant finds himself at last in this school, where absence and tardiness are unknown, have been fully set forth in former reports, and need only to be enumerated here :- the repeated admonition of teachers, the warning of parents, the attention of the truant officers, the counsels and advice of the superintendent of schools - sometimes transfer to another school away from idle companions-and finally the municipal court, with a sentence of from one to two years.
This school is useful in what it prevents even more than in what it accomplishes. From twelve to twenty boys are directly under its influence in the course of a year. Of these one-half are probably reformed. Indirectly every boy in the city inclined to truancy feels its restraining influence and stops at the second or third stage of his progress towards it. To reform truants and
72
CITY DOCUMENT .- No. 31.
prevent truancy, and not to punish petty crimes, is the only object here sought. Truancy is the only crime for which a sen- tence to this school is the penalty.
Considering the number of pupils in attendance the cost of this school seems large; but this is not the correct standard of judgment. The large class restrained, and not the small class sentenced, is the only proper measure of the school's usefulness. To tear a child of tender years from his parents-even when, as usually happens, they are comparatively indifferent to him-is a serious matter ; it is always to be avoided when possible, and done only to prevent the greater evil of the course of vice to which the idle wanderings of truant boys lead. If then the aim of the school in preventing truancy be accomplished, the fewer in attendance the better, however large be the cost per pupil.
Applications have been received from other towns for the privilege of designating this school as the place to which their truants may be sent. In this way they might comply with the law and save the expense of establishing a school with very few pupils. For them this would be a wise plan, but not for us-so the committee have decided-since the boys from this city would be exposed to the contact of boys who ought perhaps to be sent to a reform- rather than to a truant-school. At the city farm there are a few small children of employés and others who have received instruction here, as the district school is at a distance.
Each boy after sentence is provided with a clean, new suit of clothes. He retains them on leaving. The hours of school from October 1 to April 1, are 9 to 12 A. M., and 2 to 4 P. M. ; from April to October, from 8 A. M. to 1 P. M. The time out of school may be partly occupied in work about the house and on the farm. The rules printed herewith contain the regulations for the conduct of the school.
Pupils.
Largest number in school at one time during the year, 14 Sentenced during the year, 9
Released during the year, . 11 Pardoned, 3 Average Number, .
At close of the year, 7
12
73
TRUANT SCHOOL.
Cost.
Board, .
$1,650 40
Clothing and other Expenses,
362 40
Teaching and Supervision,
500 00
$2,512 80
Value of boys' labor,
57 00
Net Cost, .
$2,455 80
Average cost per scholar, $204 65.
The value of property belonging to this school at the city farm, is shown in the report of the Overseers of the Poor.
All of which is respectfully submitted.
A. P. MARBLE, W. ANSEL WASHBURN, JAMES DRAPER,
Committee on Truant School.
WORCESTER, January 1, 1877.
REPORT OF THE CITY PHYSICIAN.
To the City Council of the City of Worcester :
GENTLEMEN :- In accordance with the requirements of a City Ordinance, the City Physician respectfully submits his report for the year eighteen hundred and seventy-six.
During the year, though there have been no cases of small- pox, other acute diseases have prevailed quite extensively ; especially in localities inhabited by the very poor, where sewers have not been introduced or surface drainage properly attended to. In these localities, notably the "Meadows," diphtheria, scar- latina and typhoid fever have prevailed.
The health at the City Almshouse has been generally good the past year, and not a case of sickness has occurred in the Truant School; all of which is largely due to the care and kind- ness of the worthy superintendent and matron.
Vaccination of school children has been attended to at the office of the Superintendent of Schools, by the usual semi-weekly visits ; in addition to which daily visits were made at the begin- ning of the Fall term, when large numbers annually apply for admission.
The number of professional visits made during the year was seven hundred and twenty-five (725), which includes thirty-six (36) at the Almshouse, and fourteen (14) at the Police Office, seven (7) were cases of accouchent. The number of office con- sultations given has been one hundred and ninety-eight (198).
75
CITY PHYSICIAN.
The number of deaths that have occurred under the care of the City Physician is sixteen (16), as follows :
March 22, 1876, Bridget Butler,
age 17 years, Consumption.
March 24, Catharine Shea,
4
7 " Diphtheria.
March 24, Michael Toohill,
20 mos. Diphtheria.
March 27, Florence Shea,
" 1 year, Diphtheria.
March 27, Daniel Shea,
· 5 years, Diphtheria.
April 6, Andrew Gleason,
Scarlatina.
April 14,
Patr'k R. Donnelly,
46
Consumption.
April 14, Joanna F. Kelaher,
4
Typhoid Fever.
May 2, Elizabeth Marsden,
49 66 Gastric Fever.
June 2, John Scanlon,
52
Consumption.
June 18,
Cornelius Waugh,
55
Consumption.
June 29,
Lucy Ballou,
28
Peritonitis.
July 5, Michael Sweeney,
4 mos., Cholera Infantum.
August 4, Benjamin Baldwin,
50 years, Consumption.
August 25,
Daniel Sweeney,
5 mos., Consumption.
Dec. 21,
James Reekie,
63 years, Apoplexy.
1
To Mr. Gale many thanks are due for his uniform kindness and prompt action in all cases where aid has been solicited in behalf of the sick and suffering poor. To Mr. and Mrs. Farwell I would extend my hearty thanks for their unvarying courtesy, and kind co-operation in my efforts, and to Dr. Hammond for valuable assistance rendered in the discharge of my duties as City Physician.
All of which is respectfully submitted.
GEO. A. JORDAN,
City Physician.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE COMMISSION OF
PUBLIC GROUNDS.
To The Honorable CITY COUNCIL.
The COMMISSION OF PUBLIC GROUNDS, in accordance with the requirements of the Twenty-First Section of the Charter of the City, have the honor to submit the following "Report of their Acts and doings, of the condition of the Public Grounds and Shade Trees thereon and on said Streets and Highways, and an account of Receipts and Expenditures for the same," during the past financial year.
CITY OF WORCESTER
In account with
COMMISSION OF PUBLIC GROUNDS.
Dr.
To Appropriation for current year,
$3,000 00
" Sale of 1,075 lbs. iron @ 60 cts.,
6 45
" Sale of grass on Elm Park,
40 00
$3,046 45
Per Contra, Cr.
December, 1875:
Acct. of N. W. Holden,
$ 5 55
Percy Daniels, engineering ¿ day,
2 40
G. H. Palmer, 22 days,
5 77
Steven Rowe, labor,
47 25
66 Michael McGrath, labor and teams,
58 12
David Rowe, labor,
43 75
66 James Draper, trees (old acct.),
22 50
11
78
CITY DOCUMENT .- No. 31.
January, 1876 :
Acct. of Hugh Waters, labor,
4 50.
Chas. Hamilton, Annual Report,
30 41
J. D. Baldwin & Co., advertising,
1 50
C. H. Doe & Co.,
1 50
Steven Rowe, labor,
44 62
M. McGrath, teams and labor,
261 37
66 Kinnicutt & Co., tools,
2 35
!
Downey Bros., teams,
2 50
66 John Dempsey, labor,
2 62
February :
Acct. of M. McGrath, teams and labor,
244 67
Benj. C. Jaques, labor,
10 40
66 E. B. Crane & Co., lumber,
9 65
66 Hugh Waters, labor,
2 25
Steven Rowe,
42 00
-
March :
Acct. of John S. Ballard & Co., pail,
60
Charles H. Perry, pruning trees,
45 90
Kinnicutt & Co., shovel,
75
George L. Allen, implements,
4 50
66 Steven Rowe, labor,
42 87
M. McGrath, labor and teams,
110 00
April :
Acct. of M. McGrath, earth, teams, and labor, David Rowe, labor,
16 75
.. Steven Rowe, «
38 50
66 Charles H. Perry, pruning trees,
21 25
Kinnicutt & Co., rake,
90
J. & J. A. Rice,
50
66 James Draper, shrubs and trees,
21 50
May :
Acct. of Kinnicutt & Co., repairs lawn mower,
1 00
" Steven Rowe, labor,
47 25
David Rowe,
44 62
66 D. M. Woodward, stone,
8 70
F. C. Thayer, 100 W. Ash,
10 00
66 James Draper, trees &c,
14 40
66 J. & J. A. Rice,
5 06
J. B. O'Leary, work,
3 54
Charles H. Perry, pruning trees,
40 38
M. McGrath, labor,
28 00
66 O. B. Hadwen, lumber, trees, and planting latter, 332 47
$6 Highway Department, street scrapings,
23 25
56 00
79
PUBLIC GROUNDS.
June :
Acct. of Kinnicutt & Co., tools,
1 75
Steven Rowe, labor,
40 25
66 Charles H. Perry, pruning trees,
27 87
David Rowe, labor,
45 50
July :
Acct. of N. W. Holden, screenings,
3 20
David Rowe, labor,
42 87
66 Steven Rowe,
44 62
Benj. C. Jaques,
2 00
James Draper, hemlocks,
7 20
Water Works Department, labor on urinals,
3 40
Downey Bros., labor and teams,
4 50
Kinnicutt & Co., screws,
50
Charles H. Perry, pruning trees,
28 56
James Draper, trees set by streets,
40 00
August :
Acct. of Charles H. Perry, pruning trees,
25 51
66 Samuel F. Shattuck,
16 00
Steven Rowe, labor,
42 00
David Rowe,
47 25
Jonas Hartshorn, street trees and planting,
10 00
George T. Sutton, repairing town pump,
5 70
66 M. McGrath, labor,
134 50
September :
Acct. of Charles H. Perry, pruning trees,
9 50
Sewer Department, 1,000 bricks, delivered,
9 50
66 David Rowe, labor,
43 75
Steven Rowe,
45 50
Kinnicutt & Co., rake,
40
M. McGrath, teams and labor,
59 75
October :
Acct. of M. McGrath, labor and teams, *
17 25
O. B. Hadwen, shrubs and trees,
32 50
Steven Rowe, labor,
45 50
David Rowe,
45 50
J. B. Brooks, manure,
56 06
Downey Bros.,
19 50
C. F. Henry,
70 00
S. F. Shattuck, pruning trees,
10 65
Charles H. Perry,
34 72
66 W. W. Patch, street trees and planting,
7 00
Kinnicutt & Co., gravel screen,
9 25
J. & J. A. Rice, shovels, &c.,
4 00
66 W. W. Cook, plants,
8 00
James Draper, shrubs,
12 15
80
CITY DOCUMENT .- No. 31.
Acct. of M. McGrath, loam,
23 75
H. M. Hubbard, manure,
4 75
John Harrigan, 19 50
November :
Acct. of Benj. C. Jaques, lumber, &c.,
34 00
M. McGrath, teaming,
3 00
Steven Rowe, labor,
42 00
66 David Rowe, 66
31 50
66 Charles H. Perry, pruning trees,
5 68
66 James Draper, shrubs,
3 00
Sumner Pratt & Co., cord,
44
Total Appropriation and Revenue, $3,046 45
" Expenditures, $3,045 65
Reserve for " Sinking Fund," 80
In the Report of this Commission for 1876, the Shade-Trees along the Streets and throughout the PUBLIC GROUNDS of the city, were represented to be in their " ordinary good condition." Scarce a fortnight had elapsed from the completion of that Report, however, when there was afforded cause for doubt if there would longer be Shade-Trees at all. Upon the eve of St. Valentine's Day, of all days in the year, a heavy storm of sleet, that froze as it fell, commenced ; continuing with unabated fury through the ensuing day and night and into the 15th. Stout trunks were snapped in twain or broken short off: and massive limbs, shorn and twisted as though the merest twigs, cumbered the ground in every direction. Such was the devastation that travel was seriously impeded upon many highways, until a pas- sage could be hewn through the obstructions. The sun not appearing, its heat was lacking to remove the superincumbent load. Ordinarily, in such cases, the latent or incipient warmth of vegetation melts the icy coating, which speedily disintegrates and falls off. But Nature was in no such relenting mood here. And indeed, long after the waste and wreck were cleared away, the shining pinnacles and fretted tracery of copse and forest con- tinued to illustrate that quiet but resistless force which had occasioned the wild havoc.
Throughout the whole commotion, the Highway Commissioner displayed exceeding activity, gathering up of the fragments
81
PUBLIC GROUNDS.
many baskets-full and making unto himself a friend of the mammon of righteousness (?) by offering all that was worthless to the poor. Replying to an inquiry, from the Chairman of this Commission, "if he was about to open a wood-yard?" he said that he was supplementing the deficiencies of Waushacum and secur- ing the ice ! But it was noticeable, in days when Prohibition had yielded to License, that he was only heedful of the perfect crystals ; and of them, but such as had a stick in each. They must have come handy at the festival which celebrated the com- pletion of that new City Barn.
Such measures as were practicable were taken at once. Before the storm was at an end, the Chairman of the Commission had arranged, with the only man who is sufficiently reckless of his neck, to have all branches that threatened danger to life or limb removed as quickly as possible. Of course the more important streets were first to be cared for ; as in proportion to the amount and frequency of travel would be the chances of injury. Mr. Perry has done all that one man could, under the circumstances ; more than any one else would attempt: and what the Com- mission has hesitated to accept from him because of its manifest, great peril. Yet, after all, little could be accomplished com- pared with what was required. And if reproach is to attach to this Commission, because all the Shade-Trees upon the High- ways and PUBLIC GROUNDS have not been suitably cared for, its justification must be found in the fact, as of old, that though the harvest was great, the laborers were few. The very worst use that can be made of a blockhead is to put a saw in his hand and set him pruning. Better that trunk and limb alike should endure, for awhile, the rough surgery of Nature; than that they should be surrendered, a helpless sacrifice, to ignorant or whim- sical mutilation. Time may bring healing on its wings. But the waste created by the unskillful use of axe and saw, in the hands of the average, modern professor, can never be repaired. It will therefore never be permitted, much less invited, by this Commission. Should no similar disaster befall, during the remaining winter, it is likely that all the Trees which need it may get proper attention before the frosts of another autumn.
Perhaps it may not be amiss to state that a severe snow-storm,
82
CITY DOCUMENT .- No. 31.
on the 4th day of April, doubtless well remembered by the pil- grims to the City Reservoir, largely augmented the damage to the Shade Trees by reason of the excessive weight thereby imposed upon them.
It is to be regretted that Decrees of the CITY COUNCIL, estab- lishing new streets and sidewalks, or altering the grades which have previously existed, should often compel the felling or extirpation of well-rooted and thrifty trees. It is still more to be regretted when, as is frequently the case, such opening of the new, or change of the old, being but a concession to the prayer of abutters, does not exempt this Commission from unjust censure. There are but few persons in the city,-it is a public misfortune that there should be any,-who do not appreciate the trees which shade them from the summer's sun; and finally come to regard them with somewhat of the same feeling of attachment that they bestow upon their dependent animals. All such might realize,- would they but reflect,-that the loss of a Street-Tree is never even contemplated with satisfaction by this Commission : that its doom, when inevitable, is deferred as long as possible, of which King Street furnishes a notable illustration; and that it is replaced just as soon as the completion of their work, by the Municipal Departments, allows planting to be undertaken with a reasonable assurance of good results. But when a street or side- walk is to be lowered to a depth of several feet, all experience shows that it is better to sacrifice a sturdy Shade-Tree than to attempt a prolongation of its life, after the indispensable mutila- tion of root and branch. The process of recovery is slower than that of unchecked growth. And the cost, both of purchase and planting, of a young tree, well-established and thrifty, is incom- parably less than that of lowering a widely-rooted and stubborn veteran. It is true, the resident and way-farer must dispense, for awhile, with grateful and wonted shade : but a City endures through all time, and its entire policy and improvements should contemplate perennial vigor.
The labors of other than the official highwayman, however, are fatal to the Shade-Trees upon our streets. Some arbori- culturists have so much confidence in the judgment of this Com- mission as to appropriate to their private use such better speci-
83
PUBLIC GROUNDS.
mens as have been newly planted. The "thief in the night" steals his pick and shovel from a member of this Commission, (that he may not get rich upon his salary !); digs up ten or a dozen trees at once, say in Park Avenue, that had but just been put in the ground; and, throwing them over a convenient wall, goes in search of a truckman. Thrust hurriedly into a cramped hole, to anticipate detection ; let them die, if they must,-what cares he ? All he has to do is to follow this Commission, reaping where he has not sown and continuing to steal where he has not yet become known. It is only an act of justice to admit that a somewhat notorious session of the Police Court was synchronous with the sudden stoppage of those depredations.
Yet other harm is occasionally suffered where it would appear impossible for the very wantonness of mischief or malice to gratify itself. Upon one of those pious strolls, in which the Chairman of this COMMISSION occasionally indulges, to inspect a temple not made with hands and to educe lessons for human edification ; upon the first Sunday of October, for instance ; he observed the wholesale mutilation, within the space of a few rods, on PARK AVENUE, of five (5) Weymouth or White Pines, and two (2) White-Ash trees. The writer has known, in a West- ern city, the joyful Christmas-tide to be welcomed with decora- tions of Fir-Tree and Box plundered from the graves of children. But here could be no pretense of merry-making. The mischief was done for its own sake. Christmas was two (2) months in advance of the maleficence which, as if to publish its reckless- ness, left the tops where they had fallen. This COMMISSION has not been vociferous in denouncing, or even making known, every little act of outlawry, upon the PUBLIC GROUNDS, which has arrested the attention of others than its members. The devel- opment of the local "hoodlum " early attracted notice. The best interests of the City have appeared to require the almost omnipresence of some force which might exercise swift and stern repression. Failing to obtain the co-operation or presence of the police, upon Elm Park, it is satisfactory to learn of an effective response to insolence delivered, when occasion served, straight from the shoulder ! The maintenance of order, and a due observance of all proper regulations established by this
84
CITY DOCUMENT .- No. 31.
COMMISSION for the protection of the public property, should not, however, be left to depend upon individual muscle. There can be no valid or sufficient reason why the Common should not be patrolled by the municipal police. A mounted officer, as heretofore suggested, would be of essential service upon the Western side of the City and his oversight might easily compre- hend Elm Park within its purview. So much may at least be depended upon : that this COMMISSION will exact and enforce that decent behavior from all who frequent the PUBLIC GROUNDS, which is not only seemly in itself but is rightfully expected by the community.
An unusual amount of planting has been accomplished during the year. As it was the Centennial of the Republic, it seemed good to the COMMISSION to commemorate the fact by appropriate landmarks. And the future wayfarer, as he pauses to rest his tired animals under the spreading canopy of elm or maple, may reflect upon a century of Popular Rule and indulge a kindly thought of those who adopted a sensible method of perpetuating its lessons. For a Republic has taught in vain, whose servants have not been instructed to foster, in all possible ways, the com- fort and, welfare of its citizens. Unquestionably, the world is governed too much. Yet the truth is as old as time, and as enduring ; that every real advance of our race has been owing to the far-reaching vision and happy audacity of those who, if they builded wiser than they knew, nevertheless built.
The practice of continuous planting along a street, heretofore adopted from a conviction that it was the only method of attain- ing any positive result, has been maintained. In many instances, individuals have applied to the COMMISSION for trees, engaging to set them in front of their estates, by the line of the highway. The growing and thrifty nursery at the S. W. corner of Elm Park, has furnished well nigh a hundred to two persons, by whose public-spirited and unselfish efforts Chandler and West Boylston streets will greatly benefit. PARK AVENUE, and Plan- tation street are conspicuous examples of well-directed labor. It would be but a waste of space to recite each instance where lots of from two (2) to ten (10) trees have been supplied, to fill a gap on the shorter streets or to make a commencement that
$
85
PUBLIC GROUNDS.
should induce imitation. The specimens have generally been of superior quality ; unusual care being directed to their inspection, prior to purchase or delivery. It were greatly to be desired that individuals could be persuaded that the value of a tree, for plant- ing, does not increase in the ratio of its size. This COMMISSION would infinitely prefer such as measure but one and a-half inches in diameter at six (6) inches from the collar; being thoroughly satisfied that in a few years their development will far surpass that of others which, preferred for immediate display, oftener than not disappoint their cultivator; dying before they can get well rooted.
It is pleasant to acknowledge the receipt of some gifts, (not "donations,") during the past year. A large number of fine specimens of the Weymouth or White Pine ( Pinus Strobus) were presented by Mr. O. B. Hadwen, in the spring, who gener- ously replaced so many of them as failed to survive the extreme drought of summer. A variety of large-sized flowering shrubs have also been received from him and planted in suitable spots. Mr. Stephen Salisbury, Jr., supplied a lot of herbaceous plants, from which a good return is expected with the advent of another season. The contribution of the writer counted, perhaps, but does not require specific mention. But the COMMISSION would make especial reference to a gift from Prof. C. S. Sargent of the Bussey Institute, connected with the University, at Cambridge, whereof the intrinsic value was less than its worth as an evidence of cordial sympathy. If the Menzies' Spruce ( Abies Menziesii) endures the present winter, unharmed in the very exposed posi- tion that it was made to occupy, in Elm Park, the question of its entire hardiness may be dismissed. That piece of ground, in fact, whether from severity of exposure or diversity and poverty of soil, is admirably adapted for testing vegetable growth. What will live there should flourish elsewhere. Fewer losses, however, have been suffered than was apprehended. Valuable instruction has been drawn from such misfortune, which it might be profita- ble to make known, were space and leisure available, Some of that instruction sets theory at defiance.
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