USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Franklin > Town of Franklin annual report 1895 > Part 3
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On account of the increase in the number of new books purchased and donated to the Library it will be necessary to print a supplement to the Library catalogue during the coming year. This will call for an additional expense, and the Directors find it necessary to call for a larger appropria- tion by the town than they did last year.
In order to afford the present facilities to our citizens for the use of the Library we shall need the sum of $700. and we respectfully ask that at the coming town meeting the town appropriate that amount for defraying the expenses of the Library for the current year.
Respectfully submitted.
GEORGE W. WIGGIN (For the Directors) .
57
Marriages Recorded in Franklin during 1894.
DATE.
NAMES.
AGE.
RESIDENCE.
MARRIED BY
Jan.
8 Joseph O'Clare, Amelia Longway
21 Franklin 20
Rev. M. J. Lee
31 Chas. F. Foote Mary I. McLean
33
..
Rev. W. S. Jagger
March 26 Peter E. Labadie Rosana Pidgeon
18
23
..
April
5 James J. Hughes Jennie L. English
46 Lincoln, R. I. 26 Pawtucket, R. I.
Rev. D M. Hodge
..
21 Elmer E. Hemenway 33 Milford Hattie A. Cobb
29 Franklin
Rev. W. S. Jagger
June
5 Daniel W. Halloran 38 Mary J. Degnan 28
22 Franklin
Rev. D. M. Hodge
66
13 Arthur T. Hill Emma D. Marsh
36 Upton 31 ..
Rev. W. S. Jagger
66
15 Ralph W. Mason Minnie E. How ( ?) 23 ..
21 Norfolk
Rev. E. J. Moore
. .
27 Charles G. Cutter 34 Boston Frances L. Makinster 25 Franklin
Rev. D.M. Hodge
6.
30 John Kenney Maggie Collins
22
.
Rev. M. J. Lec
July
17 Curtis H. Dickens Olive S. Cochrane
28 Portsmouth, N II Rev. D.M. Hodge 24 Franklin
..
30 Joseph H. Clark Laura S. Handy
53 Danville, Vt. Rev. E. Mills 43 Franklin
Aug.
22 Chas. W. Butman Mamie Meehans
26
.. Rev. R. Burn
24 Pawtucket
Rev. D. M. Ilodge
29.Frederick E. Pitts Annie McGowan
32
Rev. E. Mills
May
15 Elmer H. Littlefield 30 Mary A. Cheny 27
Rev. M. J. Lee
66
7 John J. Redpath Alice G. Davis
19 Candia, N. Il.
21
..
A 8
20
26 ..
Rev. W. S. Jagger
58
DATE.
NAMES.
| AGE
RESIDENCE.
MARRIED BY
Aug.
25
Henry Clark Mercy Clark
49 Franklin 4S 4 .
Rev. E. Mills
Sept.
Cornelius S, Morrin Vinnie E. McNeill
24 Medford
Rev. E. J. Moore
4 Charles H. Fisher Edith H. Bullard 23
25 Norfolk
Rev. Longren
66
29 John Erickson Ada Anderson
29 Franklin 30
Rev. Longren
Oct.
3 Chas. H. Woodbury Ada E. Smith
25
Rev. A. Bonner
23 Walpole
6.
10 Edward S. Cook Blanche W. Blake
26 Franklin 19 Wrentham
44 Franklin
Rev.C. Dinsmore
24 Willimantic
41 Franklin
Rev. Longren
6.
24 Daniel Sullivan Ellen F. Hearn
24 25 So. Framingham
Rev. J. S. Cullen
66
29 Wm. D. A. Landry Cora Bouchee
22 Franklin 18
Rev. M. J. Lee
Nov.
7 James Malley Delia Curran
28
..
Rev. J. J. Haskins
22 Boston
66
14 Edgar S. Richardson Leah A. Johnson
21 Franklin 21 Stoughton
Rev. T. M. Butler
66
28 George B. Stratton Margaret S. Hastings
. . 30 Franklin 26
James Smith, J. P.
66
29|George E. Bacon Ada D. Shirley
26 20
Rev. Longren
66
29 F. H. Bartholomew Bertha A. Dean
33
6.
Rev. D. M. Hodge
18
66
Rev. S.B. Stewart
29 Lynn
29 Joseph LaPort Victorine Garipev
46 Franklin 32 Woonsocket. RI
Rev. E. Lessard
..
29 Henry J. Cockell Martha Jeffery
29
..
Rev. E. C. Hood
10 William S. Russell Jennie M. Walker
24 Frank W. Vaughan Elizabeth A. Morrill 36
25 Franklin
59
DATE.
NAMES.
| AGE
RESIDENCE.
MARRIED BY
Dec.
4 Robt. E. Montgomery |23 Medway Marion E. Briggs 22 Walpole
Rev. E. Mills
66
19 Nathan H. Kingsley 57 Boston Deborah R. Shaw
:38 Franklin
Rev. W. S. Jagger
66
24 Forest M. Douglass Clara E. Frye
30 Franklin 32 Woburn
Rev. D. March
6 24 Charles B. Stewart Elizabeth A. Hood
28 Franklin 29
Rev. Longren
26 John R. Wilson Mary A. Byron
18 Bellingham 22 Franklin
Rev.T.B. Lowney
31 Edw. St. Senseauver 27 Marrie Coutu 21
6 6
Rev. M. J. Lee
..
14,'93 Charles E. Clark Kittie Wilbur
49 43 New York City
..
6.
Rev. C J. White
Total marriages, 40.
60
VITAL STATISTICS.
Births Registered in Franklin during 1894.
DATE.
NAME OF CHILD.
NAME OF PARENTS.
Jan. 2 Amy E. Peden
John and Elizabeth
5. 93 Eleanor W. Shippee
Chas. W. and Mary E.
..
4, 93 Martin Donahue
William and Mary
James S. and Bridget
16 Walter Shumsky
Henry and Rosa
..
16 Joseplı W. Reilly
John F. and Honora
16 Charles W. Munroe
William and Catharine
17 Franklin B. Hurd
Calvin M. and Rebecca A.
17 Annie F. McCabe
Bernard W. and Cora L.
Alfred and Louise
.
20 Francis H. Snow
Francis and Eliza John F. and Mary E.
..
23 Alice Murray
25 Kittie M. Peck
Albert E. and Kittie F. John P. and Annie
..
31 Lucy E. Cox
larry T. and Mary J.
Feb. 2 LeRoy F. Keeler
66
5 Charles L. Gibson
7 Mary E. Hood
9 Roland H. Sherman
12 Alice May Cauldwell
6.
16 Martin E. Morris
66
27 O'Connor
March
1 Thomas Mclaughlin
Daniel H. and Rose M. Elmer J. and Rosa R.
..
6 Anne C. LeClair
Cyrille and Carmelie
..
S Ethel L. Mosher 9 McKenna
William E. and Mary E. John F. and Ellen
..
15 Elizabeth B. Kruger
17 James P. Kearns
..
23|Ida M. Campbell
24 Raymond L. Ristino
Frank E. and Cynthia
66
6,'93 Livert B. Ekensteen 27 Ellen G Feeley 2 Annie C. Clark
Michael J. and Abby N.
April . .
5 Robert B. Stewart
١١
12 Howard A. Sherman
15 Blanch A. McCarthy
Frank and Annie George E. and Isabelle E. Bertram and Eva M. John B. and May E. William A. and Matilda
..
19/ Charles H. O'Donnell 23 John E Tero
John and Mary Maxiam and Mary E.
. .
24 Melvina M. L. La Forme
Flavean and Melvina M.
24 Aaron W. Canney
29 Francis X. O'Sullivan
May
6 Douglass H. Huntoon
William A. and Sarah S. John A. and Emma L. Wm. D. and Martha J.
66
1 Alice M. Thayer
Rudolph and Eliza Thomas and Ellen Charles E. and Georgietta Michael and Sylvia A.
Huge and Melinda
.6
16 Oscar J. Hamm
George G. and Rose John T. and Mary C. Walter C. and Anna B. John T. and Hattie A.
Daniel E. and Mary A. Dennis and Bridget
. .
25 |Blanche Woodward
Frank T. and Josephine
26 Blanch M. Malloy
19 Joseph Small
15 Thomas J. Curran
61
DATE.
NAME OF CHILD.
NAME OF PARENTS.
May
G|Thomas A. Crowley
Thomas J. and Margaret
Fred E. and Lottie B.
..
21 Beatrice M. Bassett
John and Ellen
27 Shannon
George J. and Frances W.
2S Ida J. Crosby
John and Annie
June
1 Irena M. Morell
Victor and Maria M.
66
2|Eva M. F. Bennett
Henry C. and Lillie M.
2 Sarah E. J. Bennett
Henry C. and Lillie M.
٠٠
2 Mary A. Conroy
Matthew F. and Mary E.
12 Martin H. Hobin
Patrick and Anne
13 Geo. L. Miller
David and Mary J.
13 Charles H. Sullivan
Stephen and Mary A.
13 Margaret D. O. LeRush
Alphonse and Delvina
14 Dennis H. Brogan
James and Bridget
14 Oliver L. Jordan
Oliver A. and Helen
.
25 Carl E. Johnson
Charles P. and Hilma J.
26 Julia A. L. Rivers
Louis and Julia
July
22 Ruth E. Chaffee
Charles S. and Elizabetlı
Walter E. and Hattie I.
Ang. 66
12 Mary R. Keefe
John E. and Mary A,
22 James E. McClave
. .
24 Annie Tyler
66
30 Elizabeth G Knapp
،،
31 William W. Perron
Oliver L. and Lena E.
،٠
31 Iola G. Ham
Thomas G. and Alice M.
Sept. 66
1 Bessie L. Young
4 Frederick F. McDonald
9 Clement Baro
. 6
10 Marion L. Phillips
13 Beatrice M. Pitts
Frank L. and Annie John S. and Ada L.
Oct.
1 Mary F. Byron
9 Mary E. McFadden 16, Edith M. Couthill
John and Eliza David A. and Helen C.
Willie R. and Bertha E.
66
25 Timothy A. Harper
Jeremiah and Mary
John M. and Amanda
Nov.
29 Georgianna Landry 6 Maud M. Robinson 13 Etta T. Buckley
Esquire and Maud F.
6.
20 Alfred E. Carlson
6.
21 Mary L. Kennedy
26 Marion McCarthy 28 Henry Brown
Dec.
1 Fannie F. Hill
5 Richard H Fiske
..
S Annie L. Mckinnon
8 Hattie W. Monroe
10 Robert II. Nealey
Jeremiah J. and Jane J. Emer E. and Maria M. Alexander E. and Annie E. Samuel N. and Lizzie M.
James B. and Maggie J. Herbert A. and Elizabeth M. Andrew and Emma J.
Albert E. and Elizabeth L.
James H. and Sarah F. Edward and Mary S. James H. and Lucy J.
Frank G. and Eva I ..
Henry M. and Alice E. Clement and Emily E. Louis K. and Marion G.
19 Lina D. Hamilton
20 Myrtle L. Aldrich
Charles L. and Achsah L.
25 Loretta M. Moran
John F. and Annie M. James and Bridget E.
Daniel and Margaret Carl M. and Anne S. Daniel C. and Catherine A.
21 Walter R. Cook
..
24 Ruth D. Corbett 1 Raymond C. Rockwood
14 Mildred L. Davis
62
DATE.
NAME OF CHILD.
NAME OF PARENTS.
Dec.
12 William A. Smith
66
19|Ralph M. Russell
19 Ralph G. Ekensteen
20 Altred J. Gunning
66
20 John Quinn
21 Donald B. Chapman
21 Robert Doherty 1
J. William and Minnie L. Christopher R. and Marie I .. Hugo and Melinda V. George R. and Nellie F. - and Katie Fred P. and Clara M. Philip P. and Margaret E.
Total births, 103.
63
Deaths Recorded in Franklin during 1894.
AGE.
DATE.
NAME OF PERSON.
CAUSE OF DEATH.
Y. M. D.
January
5 Deborah F. Scott ..
84
3
66
7 Edmond A. Curry.
24
6
4
Phthisis pulmonalis.
S Mattie E. Walker ..
27
5
4
16
Acute Bright's disease
T.& 15 Willie L. Wadsworth.
27
1
10
Hypertrophy of heart.
17|Nancy M. Kimball.
83
15
17
Hepatic sarcoma.
1
1
Meningitis ..
.6
29 George Conroy.
1
5
3
Capillary bronchitis. .
6.
11 HIattie M. Smith ..
-
6
Pertussis
66
12| Mary Ekensteen, ..
62
Icterus.
. .
14 Louise C. Bracket.
1
20
Cerebral meningitis
29
7
18
Consumption ..
66
27 O'Connor
-
Stillborn
March
3 Elias Blake
79
1
19
Old age.
..
9 - McKenna
Stillborn
66
11 Carrie E. Ruggles.
34
8
4
Septie peritonitis.
..
15 Edward A. Scanlan
41
-
66
16 Dennis Mahoney
65
Consumption
66
23 Ralph Moreau
1 27
Railroad accident.
66
29 Murry D. Livingston.
11
12
Phthisis pulmonalis.
April
1 Dorcas D. Whitney ...
10
Suicide by burning .
1
Heart dis. and bronchitis.
66
10 Emigene S. Mitchell.
26
C
5
Phthisis.
66
13 Marietta L Longworth
27
Capillary bronchitis.
66
19 William W. Morey.
85
21
Old age.
66
21 Thomas McLoughlin
-
21
Bronchitis
66
22
William A. Canney.
1
--
Pernicious anaemia.
66
23 Margaret E. Pariseau
4
7
Meningitis ..
66
24 Mary E. Hawkins.
48
10
1
Purulent meningitis
41
5
26
Typhoid fever.
May 66
15 James Green.
26
Accident ..
66
24 Emerson F. Warren.
56
14
Angina pectoris
66
25 Ellen A. Richardson.
-
13
Pneumonia
66
27|Rencellies C. Glidden.
49
1
24
Tuberculosis.
66
27 - - Shannon (male)
19
12
Acute consumption
66
17 Rufus K. Ballard.
60
11
2
Paralysis.
66
19 Sarah Camp.
69
5
19 Fatty degeneration of heart
66
23 Lucy Butman
23
10
24
Acute tuberculosis.
Phthisis.
July
Alfred Harrison
79
11
3
Paralysis,
-
2 Elizabeth Shaw.
77
3
3
Paralysis.
66
10| Maria A. Lowell.
55
-)
22
4
Cholera infantum
66
15 Rosana M. Gibson
39
Sarcoma of obit.
66
17 Mary Rockwood.
70
9
Heart disease
16
19 Whipple Peck.
60
5
-
Phthisis.
20 Peter George.
26
Phthisis pulmonalis
66
23 Martin HI. Hobin
I
11
Cholera infantum
66
23 Edward F. Brown.
8
3 Diarrhea ...
28 Malvina La Forme ..
-
3
5
Cholera infantuin
-
2
16
Whooping cough ...
February 7 Agnes C Woolford
3
1 16
Capillary bronchitis
5
Cerebral anæmia. .
11 William G. Doherty
27
1
13
Ac. disquamative nephritis Consumption
5 Pertussis and pneumonia ..
66
28 Unknown.
30
4
Old age ....
4 James A. Proctor.
86
3
35
4
Phthisis.
12 Margaret Baro ..
69
-
¡Consumption
27| Albert C. Lovering. 4 Edith L .. Fiske.
13
Heart disease
June
2|Etta May Jones.
1
1
1
Cholera infantum.
27 Valentine Malkemus. 30
-
9
4
Acute Miliary tuberculosis Heart disease.
13 Zeita A. Gilroy.
1
5
5
Heart disease
21 John Herron.
Daniel A. Lamont.
20
6
12
Senile dementia.
20 Charlotte Fisher.
24 James F. Gilleaney, Jr.
31 Robert L. Colburn.
Acute bronchitis.
1 Pernicious anaemis.
9 Ilelen Mann.
15 Margaret J. Stearns
13 Kittie F. Peck.
2 Lizzie Mallon
61
7 |Frank E. Cleveland.
Stillborn.
12 Edith M. Hosie.
64
DATE.
NAME OF PERSON.
CAUSE OF DEATH.
Y.
M. D.
August
1 Paul B. Clark
86
9
18
Old age ..
3 Alice M. Thayer.
-
-
Cholera infantum.
S| Bessie F. Lincoln.
11
13
Cholera infantum.
66
14 Charles L. Gibson
6
9
Cholera infantum.
66
17 James P. Ray
74
-
17
Angina pectoris
66
22 Mary A. Chaffee ..
1
S
Cholera infantum
66
24 Annie Tyler (female).
66
25| David Phillips ...
54
6
15
Vavular disease of heart. Old age.
66
7 Sarah A. Gay ...
75
5
.)-)
Cardiac dropsy.
66
13 | Margaret B. D. LaRoche ..
-
-
5
4
Cholera infantum.
66
16 Oliver L Jordan.
1
Marasmus.
Nov.
16 James H. McCloskey.
25
10
Phthisis pulmonatis.
29 Leo A. Laundry.
1
3
Marasmus
30| Ruby Drew ..
11
12
Heart disease.
Dec.
1 J. William Smith.
33
1
6
Railroad accident
3 Adalaide C. Dean
53
29
Cerebral hemorrhage ..
7 George W. Adams.
41
5
12
Phthisis pulmonalis.
66
17 Henry E. Sanborn
40
1
16 Acute phthisis.
66
20 James H. Pond ..
63
S
-
Apoplexy
66
28 Bridget E. McCloskey
..
60
-
Apoplexy.
Sept.
3 Mary A Hawkins
$7
-
-
3
Cholera infantum.
Oct.
11|Thomas A. Crowley.
3
6
Scarlet fever.
-115
23 John Lynch ..
57
-
Cerebral apoplexy.
20 Catherine Cherry.
3
25
Chronic Bright's disease.
Deatlıs, 89.
AGE.
5
Stillborn ..
15 Francis E. Granger.
65
WARRANT FOR THE ANNUAL TOWN MEETING, MARCH 4, 1895.
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS. NORFOLK, SS.
To either of the Constables of the Town of Franklin, GREETING :
You are hereby required, in the name of the Common- wealth of Massachusetts, to notify and warn the qualified voters of the town of Franklin to assemble in their Town Hall on Monday, the fourth day of March, A. D. 1895, at 8 o'clock in the forenoon, then and there to act on the follow- ing articles, viz :
ARTICLE 1. To choose by ballot a Moderator to preside over said meeting.
ARTICLE 2. To choose by ballot the following named officers, viz : Three Selectmen, one Town Treasurer, one Town Clerk, an Auditor, three Assessors of Taxes, three Overseers of the Poor, one Collector of Taxes, three Con- stables, three members of the Board of Health, all for one year, and one School Committee for three years, to be voted for upon one ballot ; and also upon the same ballot, to vote upon the question, "Shall license be granted for the sale of intoxicating liquors in this town?"
ARTICLE 3. To choose all other necessary town officers for the year ensuing.
ARTICLE 4. To see in what way and manner the town will collect its taxes the current year.
ARTICLE 5. To hear a report of the town officers and act thereon.
A 9
66
ARTICLE 6. To see what action the town will take relative to a pound.
ARTICLE 7. To vote a suitable number of names of persons into the jury box for the year ensuing.
ARTICLE 8. To see if the town will authorize the Treasurer, under the direction of the Selectmen, to borrow money in anticipation of taxes for the current year, as may be necessary to meet the current expenses.
ARTICLE 9. To see if the town will instruct the Select- men to suppress the illegal sale of intoxicating liquors in the town for the current year.
ARTICLE 10. To see what sums of money the town will raise and appropriate for the repairs of roads, bridges and sidewalks ; for the support of schools, including the salary of a superintendent and the transportation of scholars, for re- pairing school houses, for school books, supplies and miscel- laneous school expenses ; for the support of the poor ; for the support of the fire department; for water supply ; for payment of town officers ; for payment of town debt and in- terest ; for abatement and collection of taxes ; for street lights ; for printing and stationery ; for suppression of illegal liquor traffic ; for payment of police ; for state and military aid ; for support of the library of the Franklin Library Associa- tion ; for the decoration of soldiers' graves ; for soldiers' aid ; for miscellaneous town expenses.
ARTICLE 11. To see if the town will vote to require the School Committee to employ a Superintendent of Schools, or do anything relating thereto.
ARTICLE 12. To see if the town will appropriate any and what sums of money to construct concrete sidewalks or do anything relating thereto.
ARTICLE 13. To see if the town will take any and what action in relation to printing its records or any par thereof.
ARTICLE 14. To see if the town will vote to erect and maintain an electric arc light on Oak street near Church street, or do anything relating thereto.
67
ARTICLE 15. To see if the town will vote to put an electric arc light or incandescent light on Peck street at the junction of North Park street, or do anything relating thereto.
ARTICLE 16. To see if the town will vote to instruct the Selectmen to complete Dean street extension, from Alpine street to Pleasant street.
ARTICLE 17. To see if the town will instruct its Select- men to petition the legislature for leave to widen Central street between Union street and Fisher street, and take a por- tion of the Cemetery therefor.
ARTICLE 18. To see if the town will vote to put town water into the almshouse for the purpose of supplying the institution, or do anything relating thereto.
ARTICLE 19. To see if the town will authorize the Selectmen to sell the Chapel school house and lot, situated on East street, or do anything relating thereto.
ARTICLE 20. To see if the town will remove the town lockup from the front of the house of Lydia A. Richardson, to some other part of the town lot, or do anything in relation thereto or act thereon,
ARTICLE 21. To see if the town will maintain two arc lights on McCarthy street, one opposite Jacob Geb's house and the other opposite Edward Whittaker's house, and appro- priate money for the same.
ARTICLE 22. To see if the town will vote to instruct its Selectmen to contract with the Franklin Water Company for the location of a suitable number of hydrants on Washington street, or do anything relating thereto.
ARTICLE 23. To see what action the town will take in relation to putting electric arc or incandescent lights on Cross street.
ARTICLE 24. To see if the town will take any and what action to amend its by-laws.
ARTICLE 25. To see if the town will authorize the exten- sion of the water works from Wachusett street to Union street, through Arlington street, and appropriate money therefor.
68
ARTICLE 26. To see if the town will establish an elec- tric arc light on Arlington street near the school house on said street.
The polls will be opened at eight o'clock, A. M., and may be closed at twelve o'clock noon.
Hereof fail not, and make due return of this warrant, with your doings thereon, to the Town Clerk, on or before the hour of said meeting.
Given under our hands at said Franklin, this twentieth day of February, A. D., 1895.
EDGAR K. RAY, Selectmen EDWIN A. MASON, of
WALTER M. FISHER, S Franklin.
A true copy. Attest :
LEWIS R. WHITAKER, Constable of Franklin.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
OF THE
TOWN OF FRANKLIN
FOR THE
YEAR ENDING JANUARY 31, 1895.
EDWARD C. ABBOTT.
Term expires March, 1893
REBECCA M. FARNUM.
66
66
1895
MARY A. WIGGIN.
..
. 6
1896
CHARLES KINGSLEY,
66
..
1896
J. HERBERT BAKER.
66
1897
FRANCES E. KING.
66
1897
ERNEST D. DANIELS, SUPERINTENDENT.
A 10
71
SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
TO THE CITIZENS OF THE TOWN OF FRANKLIN :
The following work has been attempted the past year : Repairing, providing necessary supplies, preparing course of study, rules for committee, teachers and janitors. introducing new work, improvement of the regular work.
It has been the practice of the committee for the past two years to have as many of the repairs as possible made by the janitors. Some of the work required of them has been paint- ing, making apparatus for laboratory, repairing furniture and making cases for books and supplies. It has proved a wise plan. effecting quite a saving in cost.
By a careful oversight the usual supplies have been pur- chased of a better quality and at reduced rates. Extra supplies have been needed for the laboratory. A large saving was made in buying wood on contract.
A course of study for all grades was prepared by Supt. Daniels, adopted by the committee and ordered printed. It gives the teachers something definite to follow and helps them keep their schools up to grade. Rules for guidance of com- mittee, superintendent, teachers and janitors were prepared and printed. Nature study has been introduced.
At the beginning of the school year it was decided to hold only one session a day in the High School. The com-
mittee were divided as to its feasibility. Other towns no larger had tried the plan and were pleased with the result. so it could not be called an experiment. There were objections raised at first. as is usually the case when anything is done ont of the ordinary course. It has proved to be a great improve- ment. We now have the services of Mr. Daniels as principal of the High School for the full time. instead of one-half the time, as last year, so that now the work is as well done as it would be if he were engaged in no other work. It gives the assistant teachers more time for preparation of laboratory and blackboard work. Better discipline is maintained. Pupils can accomplish more in the first part of the day. Actual experience shows that more and better work is being done.
Only a very energetic and thoroughly prepared man could fill the position of principal and give the necessary time to supervision. Mr. Daniels has continued to do so to our entire satisfaction. It would be a difficult matter to find a man competent to do this double work at the salary we pay him. There is a large saving made over our former plan of supervision. and. as it seems probable that the Legislature will make supervision obligatory. as recommended by the State Board of Education. it would seem wise to continue the present plan.
It seems to some of us that there may be danger of crowding so many kinds of work into the lower grades that the more important studies may be neglected. It is the desire of the committee that especial attention be given to instruc- tion in reading, writing, spelling. arithmetic and geography. We trust some improvement has been made in that direction the past year.
It is a difficult matter to arrange a course of study that will help most those pupils who are in school but a short time and still be adapted to those who wish to continue. We hope the new course of study will meet this requirement.
We would remind the good people of Franklin that the services of the committee are entirely gratuitous. They have given much time and thought to the work with no selfish end in view-only a desire to make your schools better. We ask
73
your co-operation and help. If you must criticise do so charitably. and when your turn comes to take our place do the work as much better as you can. The duties of the Secretary of the Board are arduous and should receive some compensation. We recommend the payment of at least $50 a year for such service as long as the present plan of super- vision continues.
We recommend the disposal of the chapel schoolhouse and lot.
We recommend the transportation of pupils from out- lying districts as far as practicable. that they may have the better advantages of the graded schools of the center.
For the Committee.
EDWARD C. ABBOTT, Chairman.
74
REPORT OF SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT.
TO THE CHAIRMEN AND MEMBERS OF THE SCHOOL COM- MITTEE :
I have the honor to submit to you my second report as Superintendent of the Public Schools. It is the function of such a report to enumerate what is being done to maintain and improve the standard of our public schools. to state im- partially defects and to suggest appropriate remedies.
The schools on the whole are better than a year ago. although they have followed similar lines. There have been many changes, but only such as were fully warranted by the conditions.
The subject of reading is justly receiving great attention. While the primary purpose of reading in the schools is with- out doubt to make good readers, it is not the only purpose. To become good readers involves more than the mechanical process of correct word pronunciation, distinct and expressive enunciation, with due sentence emphasis. Oral reading is the medium by which the written thought of another awakens the same thought in the mind of the reader and is by him conveyed to a third. Then the end and purpose of reading becomes not only the conveying of thought by naming right sounds, but the occasioning of thought in the mind of the reader. The child in after life will seek his enjoyment on the level of his power to appreciate, and his power of apprecia- tion depends upon the thoughts he has cherished. There- fore it is our duty to occasion the best thoughts in the pupils by giving them only the best literature to read.
The old-fashioned reader and the namby-pamby story books do not satisfy the mind, and the child is driven perforce to more exciting and ofttimes pernicious writings. Vitiated by these in boyhood, in manhood his mind can rise but little
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beyond the horizon of the newspaper, where the articles are "written down" as if to minds of lower order.
Our old readers have been replaced by a more vigor- ous literature, chiefly of the Riverside Series, classified as far as possible in culture epochs, and some preparation for each lesson is required. The pupils are encouraged and directed in the use of the public library for collateral reading.
Reading is also for information, and should be encour- aged for that end in science, in geography and in history. In science, reading should be given in addition to the pupil's own experiments and observation, never in place of them. For higher culture and better appreciation of the true and beautiful some parts of the reading lesson are required to be memorized. The Grecian boys memorized thousands of lines from Homer, improving thereby their daily speech until it became the ever-living standard of perfection.
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