USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Franklin > Town of Franklin annual report 1897 > Part 2
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
In filling the vacancies, as severally mentioned, much care has been taken. We get better work, while she remains, from the teacher who is progressive and means to use her success as a stepping-stone to something better than from the one who is contented to spend her life here. Scholarship, character, earnestness and chance for success must be considered.
Of the faithful teachers who have remained with us, the- public has had ample opportunity to judge of their success.
Four years ago only one of the public school teachers was doing any advanced studying ; now there are six, and these are our best and most progressive teachers. In addition to the regular monthly teachers' meeting, a volunteer class, meeting once a week, has been formed for mind-study.
The devolopment of a broader spirit has not been limited to the teachers, as evinced by the successful drama and lecture course given by the senior class in the High school. The evening before Thanksgiving an entertainment was prepared for the public, the admission asked being provisions for the
25
poor. The next morning many dollars' worth of supplies was distributed among the needy.
"BY THEIR FRUITS YE SHALL KNOW THEM."
Fred V. Hussey, valedictorian of the class of '96, entered Brown University on certificate from the Franklin High School and has obtained honors in more than half of his sub- sequent examinations. F. Roy Comey entered Boston Uni- versity and has already received advanced standing in French. O. S. Stetson, class of '97, passed without conditions the ex- aminations of both the Boston and Worcester Institutes of Technology. Lee C. Abbott, '95, entered the University of Vermont after several months of successful teaching in a neighboring town. Margaret Sullivan, '96, is doing excellent work at Bridgewater Normal. Marion Bennet, Chas. Frazer and Pearl Jacobs have been pursuing advanced courses in the High schools. Eliza Newell is at home. Louis De Sorgher is a druggist clerk.
It is a pleasure to mention Dr. King's careful, business-like supervision of the repairs during the summer, and his effec- tive use of the town's money for such purposes.
The furniture of the various rooms have been most skill- fully renovated and kept in repairs by our janitors. The re- pairs needed next year are an enlarged woodshed and fencing at 'Latic, and a new floor ; fencing at the Four Corners, and better ventilation at the Brick. Walls in a few rooms need tinting. The plan of incineration in the closets at the Horace Mann is in many respects a failure, and is at present, I believe, unsanitary. These closets must be repaired or new ones on a better plan, introduced. The third floor of this building needs strengthening by iron girders. In buildings of the same cost great pains is taken to render the floors sound-proof and fire-proof by means of cement and asbestos. These and a few other repairs must be done before the building can be called first-class. Few can realize in what an unfinished condition the Horace Mann was left, and how much of the janitor's time has been used to bring it to as near completion as it is at present,
26
Early in March there was an epidemic of diphtheria among certain families. The Four Corners' building was supposed by some to be the cause. The superintendent closed it and sent the pupils temporarily to Nason street. The recom- mendations of the Board of Health were fully complied with and by their permission the building is in use again. A more fruitful source of disease is in the exchanging of books and supplies among the pupils. A different method of distri- bution has been employed by advice of the Health Board al- though it involves a slight increase in expense.
The majority of our text-books are in better condition than ever before. Great economy has been followed in the purchase and distribution of books and supplies. In some subjects only one book has been allotted to two pupils ; yet the very parents who are in favor of less appropriation for schools do the fault-finding.
Greater care must be exercised by the teachers as well as by your children with the town's property. In one week five books were found and brought in to me, yet only one had been reported lost. How careless the other four ! Teachers are not exact enough in recording each book nor the children in the use. Parents, please help us.
Permit me to call attention to a few defects. There is a lack of interest by the parents in the daily routine. Let a teacher give an entertainment and we are blessed with visitors who never call during the routine work. Does this not im- plant the idea in the child's mind that the show-periods of life are more important than daily truth-living ?
The average salary is too small to retain our best teach- ers. If we do good work we are at best but a training school for larger places.
The number of school weeks should be increased to at least thirty-eight per year in grades 4 to 8.
The work in geography and nature-study, with the ex- ception of the course at School street, is decidedly poor throughout the schools. The teachers have not been trained in the scientific study of geography,
27
Last summer Frye's Geographies were introduced in part, though against the Superintendent's recommendation.
These text-books, although containing many valuable features, are inadequate and unsatisfactory except under ideal conditions, which we do not at present possess.
The old text-book in grammar has given place to the new Sheldon's Series.
Your Superintendent had been dissatisfied for some time with both the methods and results obtained in the first year's reading. In St. Louis, where phonics are well taught, it has been found that "children can read as well at the end of four months as those attending schools where phonics are not taught can read in two years' time." Similar results have been gained here in Miss Linton's room. In view of this fact Ward's Manual and Reader were introduced. A decided gain has already been shown.
Among the minor changes must be mentioned the in- creased time given to algebra and the excellent work in physiology in the ninth grade. Bookkeeping is not taken as a separate study in that grade this year because of the ad- vanced course in the High School. Latin, however, is made elective in both the ninth and tenth years.
The vertical system of writing introduced in all grades be- low the eighth is successful. - We cannot get the best results until the teachers themselves can write better. We have but one excellent writer among the teachers. I have come to be- lieve that part of the money now expended in special instruc- tion in other lines, would bring more practical results if used to employ for a few weeks a special instructor in penmanship.
A public kindergarten is needed and can be established if the town will grant a like appropriation to that of last year.
A larger appropriation for physical apparatus for the sci- ence department of the High School is needed. Several hun- dred dollars would be required to fit a class for Harvard. We hope for at least $100 this year to advance the excellent and faithful work of Miss Goodwin in the sciences.
In June some twelve pupils from our ninth grade failed
28
to deserve the marks required for promotion. The Committee decided that these pupils could not enter the High School that year, a decision which has proved wise by subsequent events. In September four students from another school wished to enter the High School. Contrary to custom they had exactly the same questions as had been previously given in June in our examinations, but only one of these pupils passed. Should the others enter with a lower per cent. than by the twelve already refused? No. Yet this decision, the only one possible, was unsatisfactory to some.
A PLEA FOR THE CLASSICS,
There has been a revolt in recent years against the study of the classics, while science and modern languages are urged as an equivalent. There is a serious danger in this tendency. The scientific spirit demands the test of experiment for all. But from environment or temperament all are not capable of deriv- ing the truth from these tests. The dearest images and the high- est ideals of the past are needlessly lugged into their quasi- laboratories and dissected. Faith is undermined, reverence for the great achievements of the past is lost, and authority of anything but the individual's own experiments is questioned. In abandoning the study of these monuments of past thought and glory, are we not "selling our birthright for a mess of pottage ? "
Respectfully submitted,
E. D. DANIELS, A. M.
29
SCHOOL STATISTICS FOR THE YEAR CLOSING JAN. 31, 1997.
SCHOOL.
TEACHERS.
Whole
Enrolled.
Average
belonging.
Average Daily
Attendance.
Per cent. of
Attendance.
Number of
Tardinesses.
Number of
Visitors.
High
E. D. Daniels.
*81
66.2
62.2
+93.9
22
131
Grace C. Whiting.
Cora B. Goodwin.
66
A. Fannie O'Hara
High Gram.
1 Frances E. King.
35
32.2
30.4
94.4
13
63
2
Anna G. Pierce.
42
36.5
34.7
95.1
34
36
Sub-Gram.
1
Isabelle M. Reilly
40
39.2
36.4
92.9
21
59
2
Mary L. Saxton
51
46.2
42.8
92.6
31
57
Intermediate
1 Susan L. Senter.
55
45.8
39.0
85.2
33
106
2 Julia G. Stockbridge
47
47.7
44.7
93.5
95
59
Primary
1 Rebecca Dunning.
45
30.3
26.4
87.1
70
111
2
Mary F. Kauffmann
44
34.2
30.0
87.7
52
77
3 Annie B. Bright
59
42.6
39.7
93.2
47
96
4
Emily F. Morse
62
41.5
37.9
91.3
46
63
66
5
Lucy E. Tower
51
39.0
35.1
90.0
40
76
City Mills
Bertha E. Ellis
29
18.2
16.5
90.7
19
125
Populati
Rachel Wordell
26
22.9
20.2 17.7
94.2
46
51
Districts Transported.
Drivers.
Mount
Alfred F. Everett.
30
25.3
20.
78.8
41
13
So. Franklin.
John H. Tyler
Totals for 1896-7
719
586.6
533.7
90.9
650
1062
Torals for 1895-6.
716
558.7
510.6
91.3
801
817
Totals for 1894-5.
736
560.17 510.52
90.4
782
747
Totals for 1893-4
938
660.8
559.8
90.3
1339
630
Totals for 1892-3
883
752.2
681.7
90.6
2194
1020
Number of visits made by the Superintendent in school hours 196.
*The enrolment does not include all the pupils. There have been 120 different pupils reciting to the teachers of the High School in the school year of 1896-7. +This total does not include all the specials.
39
Unionville.
Kate B. Lee.
22
18.8
88.2
40
North West.
Ed. P. Proctor
Number of Pupils
Number of Pupils
NAMES OF
30
HIGH SCHOOL BUSINESS COURSE.
TO THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE OF THE TOWN OF FRANKLIN :
Although the " Business Course " was not introduced into the curriculum of the High; School until last September, we believe that much has already been accomplished in fitting the young people of Franklin for a more successful business career.
We believe that no one can be a successful business man or woman, unless he knows how to manage his own business. To do that he must write well, spell well, add correctly and rapidly, and be acquainted with the ordinary business forms, and with the ordinary business forms and laws, and with the principles of double-entry and book-keeping.
Thus far the members of the book-keeping class have become well grounded in the principles and ordinary forms of " double-entry book-keeping," and in many of the rapid and approved methods of " commercial arithmetic."
The stenography class are already familiar with the "Gregg system of phonography." They write correctly, and with a fair rate of speed, and are able to translate what they write readily.
Another year, with added experience, increased facilities and improved methods, we hope to fill entirely the place which has hitherto been occupied by the Business College.
Respectfully submitted,
ANNA FANNIE O'HARA.
February 5, 1897.
REPORT OF THE SUPERVISOR OF DRAWING.
But few changes have been made in the drawing meth-
31
ods, these mainly in raising the grade work where possible.
Several new casts were purchased at the close of last year, and are appreciated in the charcoal drawing, as are also the better accommodations for the juniors and seniors in the hall over the main school-room. There is yet need of a few more desks and drawing boards. Conflicting hours of recita- tions are, perhaps, the most serious difficulty encountered here this year, and this seems unavoidable.
A little has been attempted in water-colors in the higher grades, with fair results, considering the difficulty of handling the medium, and the short time given it. The work has in- cluded laying flat washes of color, grading from tints to shades, and mixing colors. Water-colors have also been em- ployed in simple designs, and in map-coloring. <
Color tablets have been furnished the primary grades, but the supply of colored paper is very low.
More attention is being given to designs, one of the prac- tical features of art, with the additional endeavor for individu- ality and originality, not always easily secured.
The point needing most strengthening in all grades is readiness in drawing from objects, and nothing will-effect this but practice. This readiness in seeing, and representing what is seen is the chief end and aim of all the drawing instruction. It would be an advantage if home sketches were required often of the pupils. A welcome variation might thus be made from the type forms, which are of necessity, the subject of most school sketches. In the High School this is done, par- ticularly with the seniors and juniors, the sketches being criti- cised with the class. A pocket sketch-book and a few spare moments each day might accomplish wonders. Another fea- ture to be recommended is drawing from memory. To sum up everything " The only way to learn to draw is by draw- ing."
Thanks are due the teachers and many of the pupils for their interest and endeavors.
Respectfully submitted, ADRA R. MASON.
January 26, 187.
32
REPORT OF SUPERVISOR OF MUSIC.
The Supervisor of music in the Franklin Public Schools would present the following report :-
The study of music has been accomplished throughout the year with excellent success, the usual amount of work be- ing done in the lower grades, while a remarkable improve- ment has been noticed in the High School. A reason for this is the new Cecilian, one of the Normal series which was pur- chased during the year. A collection seems to be an in- centive to the pupils ; it gives a broader field of work, with the use of the Euterpean, which has been used for many years.
The voices are improving in the High School and the part singing is excellent because of the good readers.
Tunefullness of intervals and quality of tone have been suc- cessfully attained through much labor on the part of the Su- pervisor and the regular teachers. There are fewer pupils without a good scale this year than in those preceding ; an average of two or three in a room without a true scale would, I think, cover the lower grades. Individual singing has been encouraged, and many pupils are delighted to sing exercises and songs alone.
The lessons have been generally well learned and it has been a pleasure to hear them. The teachers' meetings have been fully attended. Since September there have been sev- eral grade meetings.
Written work has been required nearly every week from all the grades upon technical points, and the many papers will be seen in May or June of this year, when an exhibition of music will probably be given. Last June some very good vocal work was exemplified, in the presence of the Commit- tee and a few musical people.
The Supervisor would herewith extend her thanks to the teachers for their constant aid in her behalf, knowing success is due largely to their ever willing kindness to her, and faith-
33
ful daily teaching.
Respectfully submitted, MRS. LIZZIE TREEN HOSMER.
January 25, 1897.
SCHOOL STREET SCHOOL.
TO THE CHAIRMAN. AND MEMBERS OF THE SCHOOL COM- MITTEE :
At the request of the Superintendent of Schools I have prepared for the Committee a brief report of the work at the School Street School for the past year.
The most important change of the year has been the in- troduction of the departmental plan of instruction in the fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh grades. Certain classes of studies, mathematics, English, geography and nature have been arranged in departments reciting to one teacher. As this system of teaching was one of the new departures in edu- cational matters, I have carefully watched the results obtained in each study. At first the work of our classes progressed, perhaps slowly, but in the end most satisfactorily. After a trial of six months the teachers were willing to admit that the change to the departmental plan of teaching was for many reasons a wise one and was sure to be a success if continued in the future.
I have found the advantage of this system to be: 1. Better classification and progress of pupils ; more frequent promotions. 2. More interest manifested by the pupils in ยท preparing their work. 3. More careful planning and better arrangement of lessons through the numerous grades ; econ- omy of time,
34
The past year's experience will be of much assistance to us in our work for the ensuing year. We hope to make a complete success of this system of instruction and prove it to be a great success.
All the grades are well supplied with language books, much to the satisfaction of the teacher in that department. In the seventh grade the change from Sheldon's arithmetic to the New Franklin was appreciated by teacher and pupils. The arithmetics in the sixth class are in poor condition. Many of the books are old and ought to be replaced by others. Pupils and teacher of the sixth and seventh grades welcomed the in- troduction of Frye's geography. A few additional copies are required in each of the grades to facilitate our work.
Respectfully submitted,
ISABEL M REILLY.
TRUANT OFFICER'S REPORT.
TO THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE :
Since receiving my appointment as Truant Officer last April I have had twenty cases reported. Found one boy playing truant. I swore out a warrant and arrested the boy. He was taken before Trial Justice Doe, the case was contin- ued, and the boy left town soon after. I find that in most of the cases reported the parents keep the children at home. Whatever fault may be found should therefore fall on the par- ents and not on the children. All of which is
Respectfully submitted,
SILAS W. NICKERSON, Truant Officer. .
35
REPORT OF FIRE DEPARTMENT.
The Engineers of the Fire Department submit the follow- ing report :
Appropriated, $2,500 00
Expended, 2,577 07
FIRES.
May 1-Nealy's photograph saloon ; Cotton Block ; dam- age slight.
June 5-Morris Long's house ; Alpine place ; cause un- known ; insured.
May 4-E. Waite's picker house ; slight damage.
Sept. 2-Railroad bridge ; damage slight.
Sept. 9-Fiske's fish market ; damage slight.
Oct. 1-Nathan Daniels' cider mill ; insured.
Nov. 16-J. Heaton's house ; no damage.
Dec. 25-Joseph Hutchinson's house ; Arlington street ; insured.
Your department consists of five engineers, two engine companies, two hose companies, one hook and ladder com- pany. We have traded the No. 1 engine for a new hose car- riage and built a house for the same at the head of Cottage street.
We have introduced the Steavens fire alarm system on trial and it gives satisfaction, and we recommend the adoption of the same by the town with the addition of five more boxes ; we have five at the present time. We recommend an appro- priation of five hundred dollars to pay for the present system if adopted. We recommend twenty-two hundred dollars for the department and three hundred dollars for new hose.
JOHN G. CUNNINGHAM, J. B. McKINNON, GEORGE I. PECK, EDGAR A. METCALF, W. F. BUCKLEY, Engineers of Franklin Fire Department.
36
REPORT OF BOARD OF HEALTH ..
FRANKLIN, Mass., Feb. 1, 1897.
TO THE SELECTMEN OF THE TOWN OF FRANKLIN :
GENTLEMEN :- The Board of Health elected at the last annual town meeting was organized March 5, 1896, with Dr. G. A. Martin as chairman, and Dr. Dwight M. Hodge as sec- retary. We have attended promptly to such complaints as have been brought before us, and have ordered such action as seemed to be called for in each case. It is a pleasure to re- port that we have found citizens ready to co-operate cheer- fully with this Board in maintaining the health of the town and our business has been transacted without friction or un- pleasantness. The rules of this Board, adopted in April last, and published by us have, so far as we are aware, been generally observed. In eight cases written complaints have been formally laid before us of nuisances inimical to public health. These cases have been carefully investigated by this Board. In seven of them the Board ordered the removal of the objectionable con- ditions complained of and, in one other case, suggested advis- able changes. In every case the order of this Board has been cheerfully complied with. In other cases, without formal complaint being made, we have advised changes which seemed to us advisable with a view to a better sanitary condi- tion, and to obviate ultimate complaint.
We should be very derelict in duty, however, if we did not remind the people of Franklin that no Board of Health, nor any action of its citizens, short of that of providing suita- ble sewerage, can maintain proper sanitary conditions here. Early measures should be adopted to secure effective sewer- age. If this is not done, property will still further depreciate in value, Franklin will become more and more undesirable as place of residence, business will be less and less likely to lo- cate here and there will continue to be grave danger of formid- able epidemic diseases.
37
Cases of contagious or infectious diseases have been re- ported to this Board and received its attention as follows :- Diphtheria, 9 cases ; typhoid fever, 3 cases ; scarlet fever, 4 cases ; measles, 1 case. Total, 17 cases.
The report of the inspector of animals, appointed by this Board, is herewith submitted :
REPORT OF THE INSPECTOR OF ANIMALS.
Number of animals quarantined, 111
Released from quarantine,
10
Slaughtered, 101
Number of carcases inspected in markets, 254
Beeves, 11 ; of which 4 were tuberculous.
Veal, 107 ; " 2 66 66
Hogs, 105 ; " 3 46 66
Sheep, 31 ; "
66
none.
DR. T. L. MARTIN,
Inspector of Animals.
In co-operation with the State Board of Health, provision has been made for examinations by the State Board of sus- pected discharges in cases of consumption and diphtheria, with a view to positive diagnosis This has been done with- out expense to the town, and it is for the convenience of med- ical men in surrounding towns also. Examinations in cases of suspected malarial diseases are also provided for in this connection.
Examination of the public water used in Franklin has been made by the State Board of Health the past year and its report has been published.
GREGORY A. MARTIN, DWIGHT M. HODGE, METCALF E. POND, Board of Health.
-
38
REPORT OF OVERSEERS OF POOR.
The Board presents the following report for the year end- ing Jan. 31, 1897 :
The demands on this Board for temporary aid since the business depression began have been much larger than for the corresponding period of last year.
Men and women, willing and ready to work, have been obliged to call for aid because of their inability to find work.
These demands must be met, and we deem it for the best interests of the town, to help these unfortunates through their temporary embarrassment, rather than to care for them at the almshouse.
Should the business depression continue for any great length of time, these demands will necessarily be large, and the expenditures correspondingly increased.
Appropriated, $7,183 00
Of this amount $3,036.21 was used to pay bills remain- ing from year 1895-96.
The remaining sum of $4,146.79 has been used to sup- port the poor during the past year.
There now remains in our hands bills to the amount of $700, which have not been paid. There are due from other towns and from the State bills amounting to $635.47. If this amount had been received, the sum overdrawn would have been but $153.89.
The total number of persons who have received aid is 136. Of this number 11 are confined in our almshouse, 5 are insane, 21 settled in other towns, 20 are state charges and 79 are settled in Franklin.
The amount received from produce, etc., sold at farm, including the money received from the State for condemned cattle, is $1,607.
39
INMATES AT ALMSHOUSE.
Name.
Age.
Weeks.
George Daniels,
54
52
Levi C. Fisher,
87
52
Daniel C. Green,
91
52
J. W. McPherson,
83
52
Charles A. Clark,
83
52
Catherine Riley,
62
52
John Cobb,
-
1
Anton Burnic,
3
Anton Ytulanis,
-
3
* Adelia Pitman,
75
17
Frank McDonald,
71
1
Mary Lynch,
-
16
Jennie La Rock,
-
1
Anna Grant,
19
8
George Miller,
-
4
Superintendent's family (3),
156
One house servant,
52
One hired man,
52
Total number of weeks,
626
-
* Deceased.
All of which is respectfully submitted.
GEO. E. EMERSON, S. Y. REED, HENRY R. JENKS, Overseers of the Poor.
40
TREASURER'S REPORT.
HENRY R. JENKS, TREASURER,
RECEIPTS.
Balance in Treasury Feb. 1st, 1896,
$5,866 07
Mrs. Lydia Harris, for Lockup,
20 00
For Auctioneer licenses,
1 00
Billiard and pool table licenses,
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.