USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Arlington > Town of Arlington annual report 1884-1888 > Part 21
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The last printed catalogue of the whole Library was issued in 1876. In 1881 a supplement was published. No key to the books since added has been available, except the lists of new books published from time to time in the Arlington Advocate. In the opinion of the Trustees, it is now time to print a catalogue of the whole Library. The card catalogue will do away with the necessity of an elaborate printed cata- logue ; but one of a simpler kind can be made without great expense, which will serve every ordinary purpose, and in conjunction with the card catalogue, will give to users of the Library the help which they need and ought to have.
The weekly delivery of books at the Heights has been con- tinued. For this convenience the citizens of that part of the town are obliged mainly to Mr. Peter E. Rose, who has very kindly attended to receiving and delivering the books. The Library is indebted, as in previous years, to Mr. C. S. Parker for a gift of a file of the Advocate. The Librarian's State- ment, annexed, gives some statistics of interest. The figures indicate how well Miss Newton has cared for the property of the town, while frequenters of the Library know her con- stant endeavor to make the books under her charge as serviceable as possible in the community.
JAMES P. PARMENTER,
For the Trustees.
ARLINGTON, Jan., 1887.
126
PUBLIC LIBRARY.
LIBRARIAN'S STATEMENT.
Number of volumes in the Library, July, 1886 9,710
66 " publications taken, weekly and monthly . 17
66 " daily papers 3
66 " books added in 1886 437
66 " books loaned 28,104
66 " magazines loaned 559
Largest number of books and magazines delivered in one day 285
Number not returned to the Library, from July, 1885, to July, 1886 . 1
Registration of book-borrowers during the year 291
Whole number of registered book-borrowers 2,882
Fines paid to the Town Treasurer in 1886 . $107.50 .
LIZZIE J. NEWTON,
Librarian.
ARLINGTON, Dec. 31, 1886.
REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON CEMETERIES.
The Committee on. Cemeteries respectfully offer the following Report.
RECEIPTS.
Unexpended balance from last year,
$297 19
Town appropriation,
300 00
Rent of pasture,
32 50
For old fence and wood,
5 00
Income from Robbins Fund,
257 14
Sale of lots,
415 00
$1,306 83
EXPENDITURES.
F. E. Foster & Co., lumber for fence,
$93 35
James Baston, labor and stock, 37 34
Geo. D. Tufts, painting fences and signs,
163 02
B. McGowan, for labor as per contract, from April 9 to Nov. 30, 350 00
Amount carried forward, $643 71
128
REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON CEMETERIES.
Amount brought forward,
$643 71
B. McGowan, for extra labor, 32 35
Warren A. Peirce, labor of teams and men, 59 65
Jesse Bacon, pointing Cemetery wall, 21 25
S. G. Damon, for sods, loam and express,
24 02
Frederic Lemme, for plants and labor, 20 00 Sundry parties for labor, grass seed, shrubs, etc., as shown by treasurer's report, 47 28
The town for gravel and labor, 234 50
The town for water tax,
50 00
Unexpended balance,
174 07
$1,306 83
The committee considered it for the interest of the town to have the general work at the cemeteries performed under duly specified contracts, this being a continuation of the course adopted the previous year. The contracts are open to the inspection of any citizen.
A new fence has been built on the westerly side of Mt. Pleasant Cemetery, and this, with the fence on the easterly boundary, has been painted. The driveways, not previously constructed, have been opened, graded and gravelled. With- in the Cemetery on Pleasant Street a grassed bank has been made against the street wall.
Much annoyance has been caused by wanton, as well as by thoughtless acts of some parties at the cemeteries ; there- fore the committee caused a notice to appear in the local newspaper, and to be posted upon the premises, offering a reward for the detection of persons committing any vandalism within the grounds ; and, at the request of the committee, the town authorities appointed Mr. McGowan a special police without pay, for duty at the cemeteries.
·
REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON CEMETERIES. 129
For the coming season it is recommended that some orna- mental shrubs and flowering trees of small growth be planted, which the necessary expenses of the past year precluded.
It is respectfully suggested that citizens interested in, and owning lots, take greater care of the same, and thus add much to the good appearance of the cemeteries. Many private lots receive little or no care from the owners thereof.
It is recommended that the unexpended balance of $174.07 remain subject to the use of Cemetery Committee for 1887.
SAMUEL G. DAMON, Committee WENDELL E. RICHARDSON, on
J. HENRY HARTWELL, Cemeteries.
9
SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT,
The School Committee of Arlington respectfully present . the following as their Annual Report :
At the outset the Chairman takes pleasure in referring to the harmonious manner in which the board, as at present constituted, has worked together. At our meetings many important matters concerning the welfare of the schools have been brought before us, considered and decided. Some differences of opinion may have existed, but the strong de- sire of every member to do what was for the best interests of the schools, has prevented acrimonious or protracted debate, and the universal willingness to be convinced by good reasons, has caused the decision, in almost every case, to be unanimous. As a consequence the meetings have been generally short, and the work before us has been done with- out waste of time. We now can see clearly the wisdom of our predecessors on this board, in establishing and perfecting a graded system of schools in our town. Each school has its proper place and work, and wherever any cause for dis- satisfaction exists, it can be traced out and remedied. The work of supervision can be so allotted among the members of the Committee as to give each his proper share of labor and responsibility, without imposing undue care upon any one.
131
SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
The close of the year finds the school buildings generally in good condition. It has been the policy of the Prudential Committee for several years past, whenever repairs or alter- ations on or about any of the school buildings were neces- sary, to have the work well done, in the belief that in the end such a course would be not only more satisfactory, but less expensive to the town, than to aim simply at lessening the immediate expense by temporary make-shifts.
By this means the school property has been brought into so good a condition that, as a general thing, few repairs are called for, except in places where there is much wear, and hence a need for renewal from year to year. During the year the most important repairs have been as follows. At the High School, all the several flights of steps leading from the street to the building have been replaced, and the con- crete walks newly covered, making the approaches neater and safer than they have been for some time. A storm door has been placed at the rear entrance on the north side, afford- ing a much needed protection.
Inside the building few important changes have been made. Last year's report mentions the purchase of twenty new desks. During the present year thirty more have been added, enough to completely furnish the upper room. This was a much needed change, as previously the desks and seats had been of various shapes and sizes, and many of them were by no means suitable. It now seems probable that no further purchase of desks will be necessary for some . time to come.
The heating apparatus has worked on the whole well, and as the janitor in charge has learned from experience how to manage it, in all its details, he has found himself completely and easily master of the situation, and able to heat the whole building during ordinary winter weather, with enough heat- ing power in reserve to meet all emergencies of the coldest
132
SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
weather, and so it seems likely that this vexed question of the proper method of warming this building is at last settled. The ventilation of the main room has been better than last year, and has improved as the heating apparatus has become better known, but the committee do not feel altogether sat- isfied, and hope to find means to improve it still more in the future.
The yard of the Russell School has been put in thoroughly good condition, about one hundred yards of new concrete having been laid, and the worn concrete in other parts of the yard properly repaired, and covered with a fresh layer. The fence has been put in order, and the steps inside the building leading to the basement, which were much worn, wholly replaced. The room occupied since April on account of the division of the third primary grade into two sections, was prepared for use, and properly furnished with desks, blackboards, etc.
The Cutter School-house was partially shingled during the summer, the completion of the work being left until next year. A new fence is being built between the land of Mr. Oliver M. Winship and the school yard, half the expense of which will have to be paid by the town.
At the Locke School no repairs of great importance have been made.
New front steps have been made at the Crosby School, and the concrete walks have been repaired.
The committee at present anticipate no serious expense for repairs for the coming year, beyond the amount requisite to meet the ordinary wear and tear, and to keep the town property in its present satisfactory state.
Turning to the work of the schools during the year, it seems hardly necessary to speak in detail of each room. The town possesses an earnest and faithful corps of teachers, devoted to their work, and carrying it on successfully. Some
133
SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
changes have occurred since the date of the last report. Upon Miss Ball's resignation at the end of 1885, Miss Anna J. Newton was appointed first assistant in the High School, as mentioned in the last report. In her we have secured an admirable teacher, and it is to be hoped that the town will be able long to retain her services. At the end of June, the health of Miss Eliza A. Simmons had become so impaired that it was evident she would not be able to teach for a con- siderable length of time. Under these circumstances the committee voted to grant her a vacation for the school year 1886-87, and we hope to be able in our next report to state that she has returned to the work for which she has such unusual qualifications. Miss May C. Hardy, a graduate of our schools and of Smith College, has been appointed to fill this temporary vacancy.
At the Russell School several changes have occurred. Miss Georgie M. Tupper, an excellent teacher, resigned, to the regret of the committee, at the close of the summer va- cation. Miss Sarah E. Deane was appointed in her place as teacher of the second division of the fifth grade, and was succeeded at the end of November by Miss Elisa A. Sargent, who now holds the position. Miss E. G. D. Kennard, the teacher of the second primary class, was unable, on account of continued ill-health, to return at the end of the summer vacation, and Miss Lucy O. Fessenden, who had filled the place during the early part of the year, withdrawing, Miss M. Carrie Lawrence, a graduate of our High School, was appointed. At the beginning of the spring term, the third primary class, which had become much too large for one room, was divided, half going into another room and making necessary the fitting up and occupation of the only remain- ing unoccupied room in the building. Miss Lizzie A. Day, who had previously acted as assistant, became teacher of the new school thus formed.
134
SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
In the upper part of the town there were two changes at the beginning of the school year : Miss Clara A. Farwell, teacher of the sixth Cutter grammar class, being succeeded by Miss Mary J. Copeland, and Miss. M. B. Farrington, of the Locke primary school, by Miss Fannie E. Taylor. Un- fortunately, both these teachers have been prevented, on ac- count of sickness, from attending constantly to their work, the employment of substitutes by the committee being neces- sary on three occasions, once for a period of more than a month. Such changes are sure to be detrimental to the suc- cess of any school. But we hope and believe that this will prove a merely temporary disadvantage. The committee voted in June to give to Miss Mary L. Pierce, who was known from experience to be a judicious and excellent teacher and a careful disciplinarian, the supervision of the three schools in the Locke building, with authority similar to that of the grammar masters, and to increase her salary in consideration of the added responsibility.
This step was taken in compliance with the wishes of the parents in that section of the town that the committee might do something to improve the general discipline and moral . tone of the schools in the Locke building. The discipline here had suffered considerably, owing to the fact that under our graded system three schools had been thrown together in one building, and no one of the three teachers had been granted any special authority or responsibility outside her own room, and did not feel called upon to act in cases affecting pupils other than her own. This was one of the points presented as needing our early and careful attention in that section of our town, at a special hearing given promptly and willingly by the school committee soon after the writing of our last report, in response to an urgent request. This difficulty, with every other difficulty or point presented, had long been recognized by the committee, and had been discussed re-
135
SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
peatedly until it was threadbare. Yet the entire matter was referred to a special sub-committee for careful investi- gation. They reported at a subsequent meeting, and of course admitted the importance of all the points presented, but with the exception of the change in the Locke School, just referred to, showed conclusively that no practicable rem- edies could be employed at once without interfering with our graded system and being detrimental to our town schools taken as a whole.
It may be well to mention that Prof. Dorchester was a member of the committee bringing the subject before us, and later served the school board on the special committee having the matter in charge.
Serious offences against discipline have been few. Such cases of truancy as have arisen have been attended to prompt- ly by the truant officers, with the ready co-operation of parents, and settled without resort to any extreme measures, the offending scholar returning to school in each instance.
The course of study has remained substantially the same. One change at the High School deserves mention here. Every scholar, following either the regular classical or the regular English course, is now required to pursue the study of English for the full three years. We believe that what- ever else be omitted, every graduate of the High School ought to have some knowledge of our language and its liter- ature, and that any course of study should have this end in view.
In keeping our course of study abreast with the times and up to the standard requisite in fitting pupils for college, etc., a few changes in text-books are necessary almost every year ; these have been mainly in substituting new and revised editions of old text-books, or in introducing entirely new manuals, and, 'generally, in our constant efforts to maintain the reputation of our schools as among the best in the State, new and im- proved adjuncts to study are examined as they appear, and
136
SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
adopted when fairly tested, or when recommended with good reason by those teachers who wish to use them.
Thus, during the year, an unusually large supply of maps, charts, etc., has been purchased for the Russell School, where it was found they were much needed, and in like manner at the High School, the purchase of physical apparatus to the extent of nearly $100 worth has kept that department in a satisfactory and advanced position.
Toward the close of the year, in November, when it be- came necessary as usual to begin the afternoon session at half past one, on account of the early approach of darkness, it was found necessary to take some steps to overcome a growing and self-evident evil, occasioned by a large number of scholars coming from a distance, bringing their lunch, and remaining in or about the buildings, during the noon inter- mission, without being under the immediate supervision of any teacher or any one in authority. The danger under such circumstances to the discipline of the whole building, to good manners and good morals generally, must be self- evident to all, and needs no further comment.
The number remaining at noon had increased from year to year, till at last the crisis came in November, when so many remained in some of the buildings that some action seemed absolutely necessary in the matter.
A special meeting of the committee was called by the chairman to consider this difficulty, when the recommenda- tion of the grammar masters was adopted and the so-called no-recess plan was given a trial during the two months of December, 1886, and January, 1887.
Under this plan the morning session closes at half past eleven o'clock or soon after, thus giving the usual recess of two hours between the morning and afternoon sessions, and clearly leaving no excuse for the further continuance of the evil to be remedied.
137
SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
Both committee and teachers were pleased at the opportu- nity offered for trying the no-recess plan, and at the time of writing this report, the success of this plan is a surprise to all. The majority of both bodies had opposed it on theo- retical grounds, but the result with us will probably be as it has been almost invariably in other towns and in cities where it has been placed on trial, viz. : the plan gives so much satisfaction to scholars, parents, and teachers as well, that it will, without doubt, be adopted permanently, at least during the cooler months of the year.
In the department of music, we are enabled to present a report of more than ordinary value, since it has rarely been our good fortune to appoint a sub-committee so well qualified for their special work ; being all musicians or at least unusu- ally well read in music, and therefore well able to give a musical opinion ; viz. : Messrs. Wood, Rawson and Watson. From time to time during the year, they have given us most satisfactory reports of the work being done in their depart- ment, and of the almost wonderful results attained, invari- ably giving the credit for this to the musical instructor, to whom it belongs without question. Mr. W. E. Wood, chairman of the sub-committee on music, reports as follows : " Musical attainment in all the schools was never at a higher point than at the present time. Much progress has been made during the past year under the able instruction of Prof. L. B. Marshall. In place of the tendency to rote- singing which has been somewhat prominent in former years, the ability to intelligently comprehend musical nota- tion and read really difficult exercises at sight is becoming more and more manfest. This result is in a large measure the outcome of progressive methods of imparting information, by which even young scholars are enabled to see that the difficult intervals formerly represented only by the use of
138
SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
chromatic signs really exist in the diatonic major scale. Familiarity with all the intervals of the natural scale, both usual and unusual, is taught to be the basis upon which the most irregular passages, even when absolutely expressed, can be read and sung ; and to aid the instructor in making clear to the minds of the various grades of scholars this ground work of all advanced music, the committee have placed in the schools a series of comprehensive Modulating Charts. Even before their introduction, the scholars had attained excellent proficiency in the example of modulation, exercises which were unknown in our schools until attempted by Prof. Marshall about one year ago.
Upon the whole, the past year can be recorded as one in which unusual musical progress has been made, and we look for a still greater ratio of accomplishment during the. next year, under the present excellent methods of instruction."
In conclusion, we renew the wish so often made in former reports, that more frequent visits be made to all our schools and especially to those departments in which each one has some special interest. A better knowledge of the condition of our school buildings, their ventilation and sanitary ar- rangements, such as would be obtained from personal obser- vation, would have prevented in several cases, much anxiety and uncalled for (and perhaps almost unjust, ) criticism during the past year, while a personal acquaintance with teachers and their methods always results in the best interests of pupils, teachers and parents. We would suggest that visit- ors could perhaps see our High School with much profit to all concerned, the public rhetoricals given by Mr. Fisher on Fridays offering a fine opportunity for encouraging that
139
SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
school. The exercises in music, particularly those under the immediate supervision of Prof. Marshall, would probably show as tangible results as can be seen in any special study, while we believe the good work in this department surely merits all the encouragement which frequent visits give.
Approved by the School Committee.
WILLIAM A. WINN, Chairman.
ARLINGTON, Dec. 31, 1886.
140
TABULAR STATEMENT OF ATTENDANCE AT SCHOOLS.
FIRST TERM.
SECOND TERM.
THIRD TERM.
YEAR.
SCHOOLS.
TEACHERS.
Whole No.
Av'ge Attend.
Whole No.
Av'ge Attend
Whole No.
Av'ge Attend.
Av'ge Attend.
A. Gardiner Fisher Anna J. Newton
68
65
63
60
67
62
63
j Eliza A. Simmons )
.
RUSSELL GRAMMAR-1st Class -
Horace A. Freeman
27
24
25
23
30
27
25
Olive M. Hobart -
34
30
28
25
47
44
33
3d
-
-
. .
Anna Pillsbury
56
50
53
47
50
45
47
5th
Ist division
Ada E. Flanders
32
28
30
28
38
34
30
Georgiana M. Tupper
Sarah E. Deane
34
31
33
30
40
35
32
(Elisa A. Sargent
38
32
32
29
41
37
33
6th
1st
-
Elizabeth B. Blake -
39
32
37
31 .
37
33
32
Elizabeth L. Geer
39
35
42
36
47
41
37
§ Lucy O. Fessenden
47
35
51
43
60
48
42
2d Class -
M. Carrie Lawrence
-
-
80
58
51
40
40
28
34
3d
2dl
Lizzie A. Day -
60
50
59
52
47
42
48
CROSBY PRIMARY-1st and 2d Classes 2d and 3d Classes - -
Annie C. Snelling
37
29
45
39
37
31
33
Nathan T. Soule
20
17
13
11
26
23
17
. 54
46
50
39
46
40
42
5th Class -
-
.
-
-¡ Clara A. Farwell
54
43
50
43
56
48
45
6th
Mary J. Copeland
Mary M. Brady
29
2
28
25
26
24
24
Elizabeth De Blois
13
33
39
32
40
34
33
¡ M. B. Farrington
52
43
57
47
50
26
38
Fannie E. Taylor
Leonard B. Marshall, Instructor in Music.
926
781
916
793
963
821
810
.
48
45
46
40
50
45
43
4th
5th
" 2d
-
-
-
1
1
.
1
.
-
1 -
-
35
31
34
30
45
11
34
-
-
.
~
-
-
-
.
1
.
LOCKE PRIMARY - -
.
3d
Ist division .
13
43
33
45
SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
COTTING HIGH
{ { May C. Hardy
2d Class .
.
-
Caroline C. Turner
Louisa R. Warren
-
-
6th
2d
PRIMARY DEPARTMENT-1st Class -
Mabel E. Blake
-
Mary F. Scanlan
CUTTER GRAMMAR-1st & 2d Classes 3d and 4th Classes.
· Jennie A. Chaplin Mary L. Pierce
1
CUTTER PRIMARY-1st and 2d Classes 3d Class - -
-
50
STATISTICS
OF THE
TOWN OF ARLINGTON. MAY 1,1886.
Valuation of Real Estate,
$3,897,491 00
" Personal Estate, 832,711 00
Amount " Town Grant, 77,450 00
66
" State Tax, 4,020 00
66
" County Tax,
2,416 80
66
" Overlayings, 434 43
Number of Polls, 1319, at $2.00 each,
2,638 00
Rate of taxation on $1000, 16 00
Number of persons paying a tax on property, 962
Number of persons paying a Poll Tax only, 841
Total number of tax payers,
1,803
66 " dwelling-houses,
819
66 66 " horses, 506
66 66 " COWS, 153
Increase in number of dwelling-
houses since May 1, 1885, 35
ALFRED D. HOITT, Assessors JACOB BAIRD, of
B. DELMONT LOCKE, Arlington.
ARLINGTON, May 1, 1886.
LIST OF JURORS OF THE TOWN OF ARLINGTON.
REVISED BY THE SELECTMEN, JAN. 11, 1887.
George G. Allen,
Alfred D. Hoitt,
Calvin Andrews,
Charles S. Jacobs, jr.,
Jesse Bacon,
Eben E. Jacobs,
James A. Bailey,
W. Washington Kimball,
Linnæus J. Bailey,
Lucius Kimball,
Joel Barnard,
George W. Lane, Edwin B. Lane,
Charles W. Bastine,
James Baston,
Mark D. Lawrence,
Henry W. Berthrong,
Henry L. Lawrence,
James C. Blanchard,
James A. Marden,
Joseph H. Butterfield,
Oran B. Marston,
Thomas H. Carens,
George D. Moore,
Nathan L. Chaffin, William A. Clark, John C. Collins,
John Osborn, Arthur Poland,
Albert W. Cotton,
Darwin A. Proctor,
Charles K. Crane,
Rollin P. Puffer,
John S. Crosby,
Warren Rawson, David Richards,
Davies Dodge, James E. Duffee,
Frank J. Rogers,
Lorenzo H. Dupee,
Edward T. Russell,
Charles B. Fessenden,
Samuel A. Fowle,
Francis S. Frost,
Charles O. Gage,
Theodore Schwamb,
James Gibson,
Edward Storer,
Charles E. Goodwin,
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