USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Arlington > Town of Arlington annual report 1871-1875 > Part 19
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27
.
Personal Recognition.
In closing, I have to acknowledge the many favors granted by you, and the manner in which you have supported me in discharge of duty, for which I tender my sincere thanks. The board of engineers, officers, and members of the department, for their ready co-operation, will please accept my thanks.
Respectfully submitted,
ALFRED HOBBS.
77
1 RECORD OF FIRES AND ALARMS FROM JAN. 1, TO DEC. 31, 1874.
Day of Week.
Date.
Hour.
Owners of Property.
Occupants.
Location.
Loss.
Ins.
Remarks.
Sunday .. .....
April 5 1.45 A.M. Nathan Robbins ... Nathan Robbins ... Arlington Ave.
.None
§ Burning of brush. Incendiary. Extin- guished by Police.
Sunday .. . . . .
April 12
6.00 A.M. Jonas Gammell. .. . None .
East Lexington Not known.
( Burning of house, barn and out buildings. Assistance called, Hose 2 sent.
Saturday .... .
April 18
9.15 P.M. Ira Russell ..
Ira Russell ..
Arlington Ave. .... Trifling
Burning of hay. Incendiary.
Sunday.
April 19 11.15 P.M. Town of Arlington. Town of Arlington. Arlington Ave.
.... $2,000
None.
-- tools. Incendiary.
Saturday .. . . .
May 9
2.20 P.M. M. Foley .. .. ...
M. Foley.
Beacon Street ..
. None
Defective flue.
Monday ..... ..
June 15
8.45 A.M. Stephen Wright ... Stephen Wright .... East Lexington
.... Trifling ·
Partial burning of house. Hose 2 sent.
Monday ......
June 29
7.50 P.M. Joshua Robbins .... None ..
Medford Street.
$150 None Burning of slaughter house. Incendiary. ..
Thursday .....
July 16 12.10 P.M. R. W. Shattuck & Co R. W. Shattuck & Co Arlington Ave.
. $250 $2,000 Partial burning of stable. Incendiary.
Saturday ... ..
3.50 P.M. R.W. Shattuck & Co R. W. Shattuck & Co Arlington Ave.
.None
Repeated attempt to burn stable. Needless alarm.
Thursday ... . .
8.00 P.M.
Boston Harbor.
' Thursday .....
Aug. 27 2.50 A.M.
C. L. Steinkrauss. . C. L. Steinkrauss ..
Lake Street .
. $2,200
$1,000 Burning of stable, &c. Incendiary.
Sunday .
Aug. 30
5.30 A.M. Arlington Land Co. None . .
Arlington Avc.
.. $350
... 200 Burning of fur shop. Incendiary.
Tuesday ..... Sept. 1
9.55 A.M.
Capt. Ed. Russell. . |Capt. Ed. Russell. . Arlington Ave. ....
Trifling
Fire on roof of house. Defective flue.
Wednesday ... Sept.
2 1.30 A.M. Thos. Hutchinson .. Thos. Hutchinson .. High Street ...
.. $5,500 $3,500
( Burning of two houses, barn, and out. buildings at Winchester line, assistance rendered in saving furniture, &c.
REPORT OF CHIEF ENGINEER.
.
$10,450 $6,700
1
§ Burning of stone crusher building and
July 18 July 30
REPORT OF CEMETERY COMMITTEE.
THE amount expended on Old and Mount Pleasant Ceme- teries was $425.25. Appropriation, $500.
The work consisted of trimming the walks, and keeping them clean ; and in grading and gravelling the entire length of two streets in Mount Pleasant, making them conform to the entrance of the new portion of the cemetery.
The sum expended on the new grounds was $1,931.95. Appropriation, $2,000. Early in the season your committee called in the assistance of Hon. Joseph S. Potter, knowing that he was more experienced in laying out grounds and setting out trees than your committee, and, as far as possible, his ideas were carried out. Under his direction a hundred trees have been set out, and twenty transplanted ; and they are now (with one exception) doing finely, thus confirming the committee's opinion of the gentleman who had the matter in charge. The entrance to the new grounds has been graded and gravelled, and two streets have been graded the entire length of the portion now laid out. The lots have all been staked and numbered. Hydrants have been set for the convenience of lot owners, and for watering trees, &c. Your committee have given names to the avenues and walks, and would recommend the town to have signs erected as soon as possible. Your committee would also call attention to the main entrance, which has not been enclosed, they not feeling justified in erecting the gates without bringing the matter before the town. They also think it for the best interests of the town to grade the balance of the streets and walks, and would recommend an appropriation of $2,000 for cemeteries.
Respectfully submitted,
J. W. PEIRCE, Chairman, for the Committee.
PUBLIC LIBRARY.
THE library has remained under the care of the same librarian as last year, Miss L. J. Newton. The number of volumes taken from the library in 1874 is larger by more than two thousand than in 1873. The increase of the library has not been proportionately large, but it is hoped that we shall be able at no distant day to make it so, as it is expected that the bequest of the late Nathan Pratt, Esq., will soon be paid into the town treasury, and will be invested so that the income from it will be available for the increase of the library. The selection of proper books to suit the tastes and demands of our community, requires no inconsiderable amount of care and labor. The trustees invite all citizens to aid in this matter, by giving to the librarian at any time the names of books which they desire to have put into the library. Extended lists of the names of books sent to the librarian will also be very acceptable. All such suggestions will be promptly considered by the trustees. We recommend that, for the expenses of the library for the year 1875, there be made an appropriation of $1,000, and the amount received by the town from the tax on dogs.
Number of volumes belonging to the library, 3,687. Num- ber of volumes issued in 1874, 17,853.
R. L. HODGDON, Standing Committee. G. W. CUTTER, .
SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
To the Town of Arlington.
HAVING spent my early youth in the schools of New Hamp- shire, which were then weakened in their efficiency by the division of each town into several small districts, I cannot but begin my report with an allusion to the superiority of the present graded system of your schools. By combining scholars of about equal ability and attainments in separate classes, and placing each class under the supervision of an experienced teacher, whose course of instruction is fixed and must be thoroughly mastered by the scholar before he can be advanced to a higher grade, there is the best chance given to our teachers for the concentration of all their powers, and the thorough acquisition of knowledge necessary to give the requisite instruction to each class and scholar under their charge. Each scholar has thus an incitement to faithful labor, no matter how dull he may be, by the hope of promotion to an advanced class at the end of the year. The teacher thus can give particular attention to the instruction of each scholar without danger of loss to the whole school. By combining the efforts of several minds in our system of instruction under a fixed course of study, the scholar in his progress through the several grades of the Grammar and High schools, cannot but obtain great benefit and instruction from the varied means of education used by each teacher through whose hands he passes. In this report, as the position of chairman has recently devolved upon me, I will not attempt to speak of each teacher or school, but leave that task to my more experienced brothers on the committee. The question of the yearly progress the scholars have made in the several schools is an important one. It seems to me that the course pursued the last year, of devot- ing a week or more to the public examination of the schools is
81
SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
not the best that can be adopted. Such an examination con- ducted in the school-room, crowded with an assembly of the par- ents and friends, is not a fair criterion of what progress each scholar has made during the term. Some scholars, through diffi- dence, cannot show themselves to advantage under such cir- cumstances ; others are too apt to make their review lessons a parrot-like exercise, merely to make a good record at such an examination. No one deprecates more than I do the idea, that a scholar is to be stimulated in his studies by the hope of obtaining a good mark or making a display upon examination day, or receiving a medal as the reward of merit. For the teachers such public examinations are tedious, and necessarily require much extra work and anxiety. For the parents and friends, the custom seems an unsatisfactory one, for they are too apt to feel, that if they attend the public examination faith- fully once a year they understand thoroughly the working of the schools, and that they have done their duty by them. The best examinations of the older scholars can be made by the teachers in writing at irregular intervals during each term. By a constant reviewing of the ground passed over each term, and by such examinations commenced without previous warn- ing, the mind of each scholar cannot but be prepared at any moment to show what has been permanently fixed there, and what has been forgotten. This method I find is being used in the higher classes in the Grammar schools, and I cannot too highly commend it. I trust it will in time supersede the public examination entirely. There is a complaint among our teachers, that the parents do not manifest sufficient interest in the schools by visiting them. Each parent should examine the methods of the instruction of his children as carefully as he would any matter of household economy at home. Such visitation of the schools by the parents is a benefit to the scholar and a great encouragement to the teacher. This method of private examination by the parents themselves at any time during each term, will be the surest measure of the results acquired by the scholar. Some exclaim against the great and burdensome expense of our schools. But this expense, according to the valuation of the property of the town,
6
82
SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
is not so great as that of many other towns in the Common- wealth, whose school advantages are inferior to ours. We are in a situation where it is difficult, nay, impossible to retain a teacher of large experience upon a small salary. All schools within a radius of twenty miles from Boston, with small sala- ries, are but stepping stones for ambitious teachers to advance to higher and more lucrative positions. A change of teachers, occuring every year or two, would be an incalculable damage to our schools which no saving of money could remedy.
The cost of our High School is a source of criticism to some. From each Grammar School there ought to graduate each year a class of thirty or thirty-five scholars. There being a three years course in the High School, if the Grammar School scholars should, as they ought to do, enter the High School, the number of the scholars in the latter school would be one hundred and fifty, or more. It is our duty to keep the High School furnished with a good corps of teachers, and a correct standard of scholarship should prevail therein, so as to present all the inducements we can to encourage all the Grammar School graduates to enter the High School. If those individ- uals disposed to depreciate the profitableness of our High School would visit it, and follow it through the daily recita- tions, they would there find the evidences of hard work among the teachers and scholars. Each scholar has the benefit of a daily exercise in recitation in the studies of the course. To make the High School most useful for the town, then there should be a more prevalent desire to have all our Grammar School graduates enter the High School. The education of the High School is the keystone to the arch whose foundations the pupil has been building in the lower schools. The objec- tion by some to the High School course, is, that many studies, as, for instance, Latin and Greek are pursued there, which can- not be of any real practical benefit to the future mechanic, merchant, or farmer. The argument on this question is too long to find place here. With equal justice may the argu- ment against the study of the dead languages be urged against arithmetic, grammar, and kindred grammar-school studies. What real practical use does any one make of three-quarters
83
SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
of the rules and computations in arithmetic, such as allega- tion, square and cube root, and equation of payments, unless he happens to be in some situation requiring special knowledge of those rules ? Still we think the time of our boys well spent at school, if they commence the study of arithmetic at eight years of age, and follow it steadily every term until they are eighteen years old. Our school course, it is conceded by all educators, is nothing but a discipline to enable the scholar to learn more readily the business of life after he leaves school.
The translation of the dead languages is nothing but a daily exercise of composing sentences in the English language. To be able to express our thoughts in the most clear, forcible and elegant language, is one of the highest ends of education. This is why we introduce the practice of writing composi- tions into our schools. But that practice we know is a bug- bear to all scholars, while they forget in the translation of Latin, that the same end is being accomplished. Such trans- lation trains the judgment in selecting the proper words to express our ideas, and it is the best exercise for the memory we can adopt in our schools. With these observations I sub- mit my report, trusting that the inhabitants of this town will manifest the same generous spirit towards their schools which has been shown for the last few years.
JOHN H. HARDY, Chairman of School Committee.
Cotting High School.
The Sub-Committee have great pleasure in reporting the favorable condition of the High School. It has enlarged the number of its pupils, and in that respect has resumed its former strength. The admission of the new class at the summer examination doubled the number of the school, so that it began its work with over forty pupils. Some of these have left the school, and its present force is thirty-nine. The class which will enter this year will probably make the school larger than ever, and the fear that the High School will die of inanition need no longer be indulged.
84
SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
The school continues under the excellent management of Mr. Tuttle as master, and Misses Abbott and Simmons as assistants. The course of study has been gradually arranged, mainly by the care and judgment of the teachers ; and, rather, as the progress and improvement of the school have de- manded, than by arbitrary selection. It now comprises the branches commonly included in the classical and English courses in the best schools, no study finding a place nomi- nally on the list, but all studies being earnestly and thoroughly pursued.
The school opened in December, 1864, and has just finished its tenth year. It has always been fortunate in its teachers, and its success is attributable to their skill and faithfulness. Its special results in the preparation of young men for col. lege, and the qualification of young women for teaching, have heretofore been made the subject of comment. Its general influence upon all the schools cannot be too frequently alluded to. Since its establishment, the Grammar and subor- dinate schools have fallen into natural classification, in which, while every grade tends towards the High School, and per- forms its part of the work of preparation, it at the same time completes within itself a degree of education far better for the pupil who is compelled to leave school prematurely, than that he could possibly have gained under the old system of mixed schools. The proficiency of the pupils who pass through the Grammar grades and enter the High School, ap- pears in ever increasing ratio at each successive examination ; and their ability to avail themselves of the higher education which awaits them in this school is to the same extent enhanced.
In some instances pupils have been permitted to make a selection of studies, not following strictly either course. This has been done where the health of the pupil was unequal to the labor required for a full course, or where the stay in school must necessarily be abridged. The number of such pupils is small, the greater portion preferring to pursue the prescribed course.
Music and drawing are attended to, as yet, incidentally to
85
SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
the other studies ; for the reason that the introduction of these branches into the schools is comparatively recent, and the pupils have not had the benefit of previous instruction in them in the lower schools. A very few years will remedy this defect, and music and drawing will be taught in this school in their higher departments. Marked improvement in singing is nevertheless apparent.
The chief disadvantage under which the school labors, is the falling off in the older classes, especially among the male pupils. Of these many leave at the end of the first year. The classes at graduation consist mostly of young women, the young men having withdrawn during the course. In some instances the change from school to other employment may have been well-advised; in others, impatience to begin the work of life and to gain its palpable results, has defeated the incalculable benefit of broader education. It is hard to persuade young men that school-training is a business invest- ment, only differing from the other avocations to which they hasten, in its slower but larger return.
The experience of those who have thus interrupted study, will show, that whatever other success has been achieved, there is here a loss for which there is no compensation. The transition from school to, business is less abrupt than it is thought to be, and one is so closely in continuation of the other, that it is well to consider in which relation a year or two had better be spent, since both are tending in one and the same direction.
It may be remembered that, five years since, the Committee suggested in their report, the great value which would ac- crue to the High School by the possession of engravings illustrative of history, science, and art, and other adjuncts to study, and expressed the hope that these might be secured by private gift. The response to this suggestion has been made most munificently in the will of Nathan Pratt, Esq. The two following bequests are contained in his will, and the amounts now come into the treasury of the town.
" I give and bequeath to the Town of Arlington the sum of ten thousand dollars, the income of which shall be ex-
86
SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
pended for the increase and maintenance of a public library in said Town. The said principal sum may at any time be expended towards the erection of a suitable Library Build- ing in said Town."
" I give and bequeath to the said Town of Arlington the further sum of ten thousand dollars, the same to be invested and allowed to accumulate until such time as the said Town shall have erected a new building for its High School. At such time, the increase of said sum by accumulation and a portion of the principal, not exceeding two thousand dollars, shall be expended in the purchase of engravings, books of engravings, illustrative of science, art, history and biography, books of reference, philosophical apparatus, all for the use and benefit of the pupils of said School, and to be placed and kept in a suitable apartment in the High-School Building. The unexpended portion of said principal sum shall remain invested, and the income thereof be expended for the pur- poses above named and expressed, and also in procuring special instruction to the pupils of said School by lectures. Said sum and income shall be expended in the manner fore- going under the direction of the School Committee of said Town."
Both of these bequests are in the cause of education. It will be seen that the gift to the library is available at once. That to the High School, again in accordance with the sugges- tion of the committee, is not immediately to be used. It should be considered that the present High-School Building is not fit nor safe for such a deposit as the bequest contem- plates. At the time the testator made his will, the prospect of a new building seemed nearer than at present, and the enjoyment of his gift much less remote. Still the benefit will come to the town sooner or later. It may be that these gifts, so obviously for a common object, may be appropriated each to its purpose in a building, which shall serve both for the Library and the High School : thus affording the valuable opportunity of combined use ; reference to books by the pupils and inspection of works of art by the citizens. The bequests however are a permanent trust ; and the town will
87 .
SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
take care, that, by prudent investment, and honorable admin- istration, the object of the generous donor shall not be de- feated, and that other friends of public education may not be discouraged in a desire to enlarge the fund so liberally begun.
WILLIAM E. PARMENTER, For Sub- Committee.
Cutter Schools.
The Sub- Committee on the Cutter Schools Report : -
The only important change in these schools since last year is the division of the primary department into two schools. This was made necessary by the great increase of the pri- mary school, which, at the beginning of the summer term, numbered ninety-eight children on its register. A suitable room for the new school was provided in the vicinity of the Cutter School-House, leased for a term of years, and conven- iently fitted up. Miss Josie Richardson was appointed teacher.
The schools continue under the same teachers as at the last report. The 'teachers are faithful and competent, and are doing their best to bring their schools into proper grades. The chief obstacle to this is irregularity of attendance.
It will be necessary soon to establish a school of the pri- mary grade at Arlington Heights. The school committee have already had this matter under consideration. It is estimated that about thirty children of the primary ages reside in this part of the town. With the prospect of an increase of inhabitants, school accommodations will have to be furnished: At present provision can be made for the small number required to be accommodated by hiring a portion of the building near the depot. The opening of this school will have but slight effect upon the numbers in the Cutter schools.
These schools have lately been provided with maps and globes.
HENRY SWAN, For the Sub-Committee.
88
SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
East District.
The schools in this district for the year have been under the efficient and successful instruction of Miss Scanlan and Miss Bowers. During the month of September, Miss Bowers was laid aside from her work by illness, and her place was very well filled by Miss Alice Crosby.
Owing to the large increase of primary scholars, it was necessary to re-arrange these schools. Miss Scanlan's first class was sent to the Russell School, and Miss Bowers' more advanced scholars were transferred to the upper room. This change has worked well in every respect. The internal con- dition of the schools was never more satisfactory, and their relations to the people of the district are, in every way, har- monious and cordial. Great credit is due to these teachers for the fidelity and success with which they discharge their duties.
JOSIAH CROSBY, In behalf of Sub- Committee.
Russell Schools.
With the exception of a part of the winter term in the First Grade, these schools have been in charge of the same teachers who have taught them in previous years with such gratifying results.
The grading of the schools was completed by taking the second class from the Master's room, and placing it under the care of Miss Hobart. It was found practicable to discontinue the parallel divisions in the Fourth Grade, and to place it under the sole charge of Miss Pillsbury. Now each class occupies a room by itself, and has the undivided care of a teacher. The only exception is the Third Primary, into which children come at the beginning of each term. This school becomes crowded before the close of the year. The higher grades are smaller in number of scholars than we could wish, and yet they are so large that no two can be united. The numbers will doubtless increase from year to year, so that soon probably the rooms will be full.
89
SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
Mr. Grover, after a faithful service of nine years, has leave of absence for a few months. It is expected that he will resume his place in the summer. Mr. Howard, who occupies the Master's chair for the present, is discharging his duties with good promise of satisfactory results.
It is with great regret that we have received the resigna- tion of Miss Stevens, to take effect at the close of the winter term. She has been a laborious, conscientious, and success- ful teacher in our schools for five and a half years. Our best wishes will follow her.
Your committee take great satisfaction in the condition of the Russell Schools. In their new and commodious house, with an excellent corps of instructors, with harmony of feel- ing and action between teachers and scholars, with pleasant relations to each other and to their patrons, they are meeting, to a creditable degree, the demands of an advanced system of school education. Well known to the town as these teachers are, we need not call attention to their individual merits and successes. We only wish that our fellow townsmen would see for themselves the work which they do, and the results which they accomplish.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.