USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Worcester > Town annual reports of the several departments for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1885 > Part 7
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Savings-Bank deposits, Cash on deposit,
$1,500 00 4 31
$1,504 31
. Receipts during the year, viz. :
Dividends on deposit,
$60 08
$60 08
Total, Payments during the year, viz. :
$1,564 39
Sundry bills for books, $59 63
$59 63
Balances, November 30, 1885, viz. :
Savings-Bank deposits,
$1,500 00
Cash on deposit,
4 76
$1,504 76
Total,
$1,564 39
Respectfully submitted,
WM. S. BARTON, City Treasurer.
REMARKS ON THE FOREGOING STATISTICS.
By the census of 1885 more than one-sixth of the population of the city are of school age, 5 to 15 years; and the number of pupils enrolled in the day schools is nearly equal to the school census. Including the evening schools and the drawing classes, almost one-fifth of our entire population are enrolled in the schools. When, therefore, we find that about twenty per cent. of the entire population is provided for in schools, the most of them for forty weeks in the year and all of them for a period of four months, at least, we must expect a large expenditure of money. It is expensive to provide good streets, water, the pro- tection of the fire department, police, &c., which is only a very general provision. To supply comfortable houses, well heated,
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SCHOOLS .- SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT.
and lighted at night, to provide skilled teachers, text-books, apparatus and all things necessary for a good school, requires a much larger outlay. For a population of 68,000 or 70,000 to educate in good schools 13,000 of the number, means the largest single item of municipal expenditure; it means a large sum of money or else inferior schools ; and in this city the latter would not be tolerated.
The financial question is one of the first to be considered in the wise conduct of a system of schools. Whatever there is to be desired in the way of improved methods, better appliances, additional school-rooms, the " new education," or novel schemes for " progress," visionary or otherwise-even the popular fetich of industrial education-all must be controlled more or less by the financial status. Not what one would like, but what he can afford, determines the outlay in all wise domestic adininistration, and not less in schools than in one's private affairs. This necessity is not always an evil; for foolish experiments are often prevented by want of funds. Numerous schemes for revolutionizing society and reforming the world, seek to attach themselves to the school system. Instead of leaving the schools to their legitimate work, many enthusiasts see, in the splendid equipment and the con- sistent system of the schools, a means and a powerful instrument to be seized upon for the furtherance of charitable work in the broad domain of sociology. Temperance, trades and religion, all have their advocates who wish to attach these issues, good in themselves, to the car of the common schools. The necessity for practicing economy is useful in keeping within reasonable limits such tendencies.
The total expenditure for the year has been $207,999.65. Of this sum $3,490.93 is of a permanent character; that is, the outlay benefits future years as much as this particular year. Still it is found that, from year to year, about as much money has to be expended in this way. Added to the total amount named above is the sum of $65,467.72 spent on new school- houses-swelling the grand total to $273,467.37 expended for educational purposes the past year. With our present rapid rate of growth, it is to be expected that something like $50,000 a year must be expended for new school-houses.
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CITY DOCUMENT .- No. 40.
With this great outlay, however, the average cost per scholar for all schools, including the ordinary repairs, has been $18.67 against $18.62 for the previous year. The cost per scholar for evening schools is $13.01 against $11.30 the year before; and for the drawing schools it has been $7.49 against $8.78 the year before. In the High School, owing to the large attendance and the small comparative number of teachers, the cost per scholar has been $37.54 against $46.98 for 1884,-a reduction of $9.44; and this notwithstanding the great cost of school-books and apparatus for that school.
New school-houses have been built and occupied at Chandler street and at Gage street, ten rooms each ; and the old house at East Worcester, between two railroads, a machine shop and a stone yard, has been abandoned. These two houses are conve- nient in arrangement, of a plain and substantial architectural beauty outside, well lighted, heated with steam, with hard-wood floors and finish, and hence very durable, and with excellent plumb- ing and appliances for ventilation. Without elegance, they are yet ornamental on the common-sense plan of accomplishing well the purposes for which they are designed. In the matter of cost these houses cannot be surpassed, it is believed, in this or any other State. In some of our neighboring cities a house of four rooms costs as much as one of these ten-room houses, and is in no re- spect better. In one of the towns of the county a High-School house which cost $60,000, will not accommodate more pupils or in any better way than one of these which has cost, including an ample lot of land, the moderate sum of $36,000. The Committee on Public Buildings of the City Council, with their agent, and that body itself, merits the commendation of this Board and of the public, for the liberal and the economical manner in which they have done this work, in response, it is believed, to the pop- ular demand.
Before leaving the question of expenditures for schools it seems desirable to refer, for the consideration of public officers and of the public generally, to the tendency to add, from year to year, to the expenses of the schools, items not previously in- cluded. In estimating the cost of schools and making compari-
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SCHOOLS .- SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT.
sons with former years, and with other cities, these additions ought to be taken into the account.
Within a few years last past the school-houses and lots have been adjudged to be abutters upon the streets, like private es- tates. This involves a charge for sidewalks, street construction and care in some cases, and other expenses perhaps. Water- rates are charged to the schools the same as to individuals. It thus happens that a man pays for water for his children at home, and the schools are again charged for the water which the same children use in school. It is obvious that what they use in one place is not used in the other. Metered water is not here re- ferred to. Through the liberality of one of our citizens, Mr. William Dickinson, ornamental fountains have been erected on the grounds in front of the High-School house. These fountains play only when water is running to waste over the dam at the reservoir; and they play for the public and not alone for the schools. No charge has yet been made for this water, but such a charge has been proposed ; and to make it, would not be differ- ent from other charges against the school department. On the High-School tower is a clock which marks the time for the school, to be sure, but for the whole city as well. The cost of caring for this clock is no legitimate part of the education of the pupils of that school, nor of the other schools, any more than similar charges for the clocks of the First Parish or the Second Parish ; and yet the City pays for the two latter and the Schools for the former.
Offices are provided in the City Hall for the various heads of departments of the City Government, -the Water Commis- sioner and Registrar, the Highway Commissioners, the Super- intendent of Sewers, City Engineer, Auditor, Treasurer, City Clerk, Clerk of the Overseers of the Poor, Assessors, etc. These public offices are provided, not for the personal comfort and accommodation of the officers merely, but for the convenience of the citizens who have occasion to do business with these offi- cers ; and the expense is not charged to the several departments. The City Hall is for the city.
The office of the Superintendent of Schools in like manner is for the benefit of the public, and for the convenience of citizens.
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CITY DOCUMENT .- No. 40.
Yet, its rental is charged to the cost of schools, and not to the City Hall.
Of course the cost of maintaining the City Hall might be divided among the several departments. The schools might be charged with one-sixth of the cost of highways, since one- sixth of the population who use the highways are in the schools. One-sixth of the cost of police protection might be so charged, since school children are protected ; and of the fire department, since it exists to protect school property, and it strikes the school- signal on stormy days ; of the assessors, since they assess the taxes out of which the schools are supported ; of the auditor and treasurer, since they audit and pay the bills for the schools ; of the Mayor, since he presides at the meetings of the board ; of the Overseers of the Poor, since paupers may once have been school children ; of the Superintendent of Public Buildings, since it is part of his duty to take care of the school- houses ; and so on to the end. In this way the cost of each de- partment of the city government would apparently be reduced one-sixth. By a carefully prepared system of similar charges of these departments against each other, there would be a still further apparent reduction, perhaps.
A large force of clerks might be able to so divide and subdi- vide the expense of a department that it would seem to cost but little. But the cost of carrying on the city could not be paid in this way, because there would be counter-charges. The schools, for example, might be credited with the use of their premises for an engine-house on Providence street and at Quinsigamond ; for the bell-tower on Pleasant street, and so forth; and for the use of school-houses for ward-rooms, voting precincts, &c. ; and for the influence they have upon the morals of the community which reduces the otherwise necessary cost of police. To enter upon this somewhat absurd system of splitting-up expenses, might occupy numerous clerks and amuse any one not otherwise em- ployed ; but it would not save a dollar to the city. So far as the schools are concerned, it has been carried too far already ; and it makes the apparent cost of education greater than it really is. The fact is, the one-sixth of our population who are in school
133
SCHOOLS .- SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT.
would require and be entitled to all the benefits which the city government confers upon other citizens, if they did not go to school at all; and therefore such items of expense as are here referred to, form no legitimate part of the cost of their education.
The corps of teachers has increased in number from 254 to 267; and of these 184 are graduates of some Normal School. No applicant is refused the opportunity of teaching here because he is not a graduate of a Normal School. All candidates are subjected to a searching examination of their qualifications ; and it is the intention and the practice that the best shall win. But while there is always a supply of teachers of good general cul- ture, supplemented by special training for the work of teaching, and by an opportunity to practice and test their powers under the most favorable conditions, these will always have a great ad- vantage in the race, over those of limited education and desul- tory or defective training. Native aptitude and ability are good ; but trained ability is better.
The number of pupils registered in the day schools has in- creased by 283 ; the average number belonging to the schools has increased by 611 ; and the average daily attendance has increased by 527. It is this larger number, 611, which shows the number of pupils for whom increased accommodations are required. This larger attendance, as compared with the increase of registra- tion, shows the faithfulness with which the law for school attend- ance is executed ; and the comparison of the daily attendance with the number belonging to school, is a quite satisfactory indi- cation of the interest which pupils generally take in their school. The per cent. of attendance is a little more than 90; last year it was slightly less. Considering that no attempt to "fix up " the records is allowed, and that no frantic efforts are made to bring children to school regardless of the necessities of health, and other reasonable causes for absence, this per cent., in our climate and among a population of working-people, should be regarded as satisfactory. It has often been said in these reports, and the truth is impressive, that regularity and punctuality of attend- ance are necessary, even at the cost of some special effort, in education ; but reason should rule in any case, and not a mere
10
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CITY DOCUMENT .- No. 40.
blind adherence to a regulation ; and there are times when it is as much the duty of one child to stay at home, as it is for another to go to school.
The High School has had a total registration of 898. This, of course, embraces five classes, since the year for which the report is made extends from November 30, to November 30. The number at the close of the year is 660; the average number belonging is 594 ; and the average daily attendance is 556 - or 95.5 per cent.
The first class to complete the five years' course of preparation for college was graduated this year. The thoroughness of prep- aration, evinced by the successful examinations and the number of prizes secured, the ease with which the pupils completed the college preparation, and the comparison of these with those pupils who attempted to complete the course in one year less time, all confirm the wisdom of adding the fifth year to the course. The education of a boy who proceeds in his studies naturally and easily, is better than if he is compelled to cram in preparation for an examination, and then, after barely passing, is to struggle along for a year or two with more work on hand than he can easily do. The best literary work is done, not under the nightmare of a constant load under which the student can barely stagger, but with the repose which accompanies conscious ability to accomplish what is undertaken. Preparation for college is not a mere means to an end, useless unless the end is reached ; it is a part of a symmetrical and complete education, a part of a process of mental development ; and if a boy is compelled by force of circumstances to leave off his studies in the midst of this preparation, he ought at any stage to be better off than at any preceding stage. With mere cramming this is not the case. Such a preparation as is here contemplated includes much collat- eral reading and study which is not laid down in the lists for ex- amination. It also provides for outside employments and the culture of home, to some extent. The young person pursuing this course in the High School and living at home, is not entirely shut out from the society of his friends, nor from the pleasant as- sociation with his family, an association which practically ends
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SCHOOLS .- SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT.
at this stage of his education ; for when once he has left home for college, he never returns to be a boy again. After the college is business, or a profession ; and then the activities of life. In view of these considerations, parents generally are well pleased with the fifth year in the course.
The college preparation, however, is only a part of the High- School work. The English or the classical course completes the education, so far as it is acquired in school, of the graduates ; and the course of studies is as extensive as that of colleges generally fifty years ago, and it equals that of many so-called colleges of the present day. The first two or three years fit pupils for the Technical school, and in some cases for the Normal school. And those pupils who continue in the school only a year or two, do not by any means lose the time so spent. Many advance as far as they can, like pupils who drop out of the Grammar schools prematurely ; and like them, they have at the end of any year an education more complete than at any previous time.
The conditions of admission to this school are not essentially different from the advance from grade to grade in this school and in the Grammar schools. There is no great gulf fixed before the doors of this school. It is, so far as possible, a tenth grade. In this way its usefulness extends downward through all the lower grades. The completion of the Grammar-school course is a passport to this school; and as a rule the question of fitness is decided day by day, for a year, in the grade below. An examina- tion is held in Grade IX. at the end of each term, and some- times more frequently, and another at the end of the year; but not one, nor all these examinations alone determine the question of fitness ; the pupil's record during the year, his age and capacity, and his whole character as a scholar as known to his teachers, are carefully considered. In this way the best is secured for the individual pupils and for the schools ; there is no strain upon the nerves such as one great day of trial brings ; and in almost every case candidates cheerfully acquiesce in the result. The final ex- amination is conducted by the Grammar masters, each in his own room, on questions confined to the work of Grade IX. taken broadly, and submitted by authority of the High-School Com-
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CITY DOCUMENT .- No. 40.
mittee. The decision is made by this Committee and the Super- intendent of Schools, acting with the Principal of the High School and the several Grammar masters. Outside pupils are examined at the same time and place; or if they wish to enter during the year, as in case of removals to the city, they are sent, for examination in the preliminary studies, to the Grammar mas- ters, and are examined in the studies of the High School, by the teachers there.
Thus the High School becomes, in practice, what it ought always to be, an integral part of the school system ; and of five or six processes in vogue at various times, within the last twenty years in this city, this is the most completely satisfactory and pregnant with good results.
STATISTICS OF THE CLASS OF 1885.
Boys.
Girls.
Total.
In College .
11
1
12
Free Institute
7
7
Normal School
4
4
Other Schools
1
2
3
Still in the High School in one or more studies, get-
ing ready for College
1
11
12
Teaching
2
2
At work .
7
6
13
At home
14
14
Dentistry
1
1
28
40
68
OF THE BOYS AT WORK.
2 have been doing farm labor.
1 in valentine factory.
1 in drug-store.
1 book-keeper.
1 in a mill.
1 plumbing.
OF THE GIRLS AT WORK.
4 in store. 1 in photograph gallery. 1 writing.
IN COLLEGE.
4 entered Amherst.
2 entered Harvard.
1 Cornell University.
1 Brown University.
1 Wesleyan 1 St. Hyacinthe (Canada.)
2
66 Holy Cross.
-
-
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SCHOOLS .- SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT.
OF THE FIFTH-YEAR COLLEGE PREPARATORY COURSE.
Four boys entered Amherst, and all recite in the 1st Division. One leads his class.
One took ten honors at entering Harvard, five more than any boy from this school ever took before.
One entered Cornell, and took a prize for the best preparation. She stands among the first in her class.
The five years' course is a great success for those parents and pupils who desire excellence rather than haste. There were no conditions.
The Graduating Exercises of this school, class of 1885, took place in High-School Hall, July 3d, as by the following
PROGRAMME.
MUSIC.
Chorus : - " The Blue Bird " (Hatton).
*1. Salutatory : - with Essay : Contest of Ajax and Ulysses. Anne E. Morse.
2. Oration : - Portia.
3. Essay : - Use of Translating.
Harry C. Bemis. Martha F. Goddard.
4. Oration : - William Burnet. George B. Churchill.
MUSIC.
Two part Song for Ladies' Voices : - " I would that love " (Mendelssohn).
5. Essay : - Bayard Taylor and his Friends.
6. Oration : - Habits of Great Men.
Mary G. Overend. Frank A. Gardner.
7. Essay : - Biglow Papers.
Clementine A. Sheldon.
MUSIC.
Trio : - "O calm and lovely the evening bells " (Abt). Misses Mabel Houghton. Lilla B. Houghton, Anna B. Phillips.
8. Oration : - Peculiarities of the American Republic. Charles D. Nye.
9. Essay : - Representative Men. Grace C. Whiting.
10. Oration : - Shylock. George W. Wilder.
11. Oration : - Marc Antony; with Valedictory. Robert S. Baldwin
MUSIC.
Solo : Duet and Chorus : - "Blest Spring Time " (Abt). Solo, Mabel Houghton. Duet, Mabel Houghton, Frances Healey. Pianist - Lou F. Sawtelle.
Presentation of Diplomas by His Honor the Mayor.
* The Essays and Orations were not prepared specially for this occasion ; they are selected from regular class-work during the past two years.
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CITY DOCUMENT .- No. 40.
CLASS SONG.
Words by GEORGE B. CHURCHILL. Music by MARIA E. CUTTING.
As to-day upon the threshold Of another life we stand,
Friends and schoolmates clustering round us,
Clasping closely hand to hand, In our trust is placed a jewel, Gleaming brightly, rich and rare ;
We must keep and guard it safely, Watch o'er it with every care.
On its clear and glistening surface Every deed of ours is shown; All that's noble shines and sparkles, All that's base but dims the stone. Fame and riches won by falsehood Dull and tarnish, mar its face ; Truth and honor, howe'er humble, Chasten, polish all its grace.
Through life's battles as we struggle, Though we falter in despair, In life's jewel gazing, we shall See ourselves reflected there. Thus with forward, upward striving, Each new step, a duty done, Patiently we'll journey onward, Till at length the end is won.
CLASS OF '85. Spectemur agendo.
Robert Stanton Baldwin. Harry Clifford Bemis.
William Estabrook Chancellor.
COLLEGE COURSE. George Bosworth Churchill .* George Warren Wilder. Anne Elizabeth Morse.
PARTIAL COLLEGE COURSE.
Edward Everett Abercrombie. Edward Joseph Fitzgerald. Dennis Francis Keefe. Albert Beede Kimball. John Patrick Moore.
Frank Andrew Ratigan. Charles Martin Thayer. Alice Gordon Merrill.
Isabelle Aiken Sinclair.
*A graduate of 1883, Classical Course, who since that time has completed the full College Course.
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SCHOOLS .- SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT.
CLASSICAL COURSE.
Ferdinand Andrews.
Julia Amanda Knowlton.
Edward Emmett Campbell.
Jennie Bond McIver.
Paul Alexander Davis.
Mary Gertrude Overend.
Frank Arthur Gardner.
Cora Almira Paige.
Patrick Frederick Gildea.
Dora Alvira Paige.
Grace Elizabeth Barnes.
Rose Chandler Paine. Grace Ann Parker.
Maud Eliza Chase. Maria Eliza Cutting.
Mary Angela Perkins.
Ella Elizabeth Daniels.
Anna Brown Phillips.
Bertha Marian Dresser.
Carrie May Pierce.
Martha Freeman Goddard.
Lou Frances Sawtelle.
Isabelle Louise Gray.
Clementine Anne Sheldon.
Cora Louise Greene.
Helen Cross Taft.
Frances Healey.
Mary Alma Whipple.
Grace Diana Houghton. Lilla Bessie Houghton. Mabel Houghton.
Minnie Maria White.
Grace Claflin Whiting.
Lena Matilda Zitkov.
ENGLISH COURSE.
Arthur Henry Bellows. Merrill Draper Brigham.
William Sanford Sweetser. Nellie Brown Andrews.
Virginia Henry.
Nellie Teresa Mahony.
Ellen Shandley Rheutan.
PARTIAL COURSE.
Patrick Thomas Gavin. Walter Perley Hall. George Walter Peel. Rolla Clifton Walbridge.
Alice Louise Critcherson. Hattie Doane Haskins. Helen Maria Marsh. Mary Madaline Medina.
The Evening Schools have been carried on upon substantially the same plan as for the last two or three years, and with the usual success. The plan of requiring a deposit of one dollar for ad- mission, as a guarantee of constant attendance and attention to duty, vindicates itself anew with each succeeding year. There is no more question about the orderly and studious behavior of evening schools, than of any other schools. To expel a large section of a school for disorder, or to station a policemau in the room with club, hand-cuffs, leading-strings, and other parapher-
Harry Lincoln Houghton. Albert Curtis Marble.
Wilton Harlow Merriam. Charles Dana Nye.
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CITY DOCUMENT .- No. 40.
nalia of his office, as has happened in evening schools elsewhere, is as unthought of here, as to place a military squad in a church to keep order. Thirty, fifty or a hundred young men and old, quietly intent upon learning the rudiments of an English educa- tion by gas-light is an inspiring sight. Contrasted with noisy loungers in a bar-room, it is a temperance society quite equal in its reformatory influence to the physiological study of the effects of alcohol.
So efficatious has the "deposit plan " worked in the admis- sions to these schools, that it has been adopted in The Free Evening Drawing Schools, and in these the effects are equally beneficial. These classes are : advanced and beginners', free-hand ; advanced and beginners', instrumental (wood-workers); advanced and beginners', instrumental (iron-workers). The advanced free- hand class has drawn from life ; the architects' class has made working plans and elevations for the construction of buildings ; and the mechanical class has made working-drawings of the parts of a machine. The plan of these classes is set forth in the following
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