USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Franklin > Town of Franklin annual report 1899 > Part 3
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(1.) The course in Latin is intended to help in the study of English grammer, to enlarge the vocabulary and to disci- pline the mind. I believe this result has been accomplished by the diligent and earnest students, but success is lacking in some degree because of the general apathy and indifference of the parents who in turn influence their children to do less con- scientious work. The work is carried on so slowly and thor- oughly that any ordinary scholar by application and study can master it as easily as any so-called " practical " study.
(2.) Concrete Geometry finds a readier reception at the hands of parents and pupils. The work has been very interest- ing and the aim has been to encourage accuracy and precision of definition, to develop originality of thought, and to prepare the scholars for future abstract geometry by a thorough acquaintance with all necessary terms. The whole class has shown progress in the power of concentrating the mind upon special work and in seeing the reason lying back of the matter under discussion.
(3.) While many may doubt the wisdom of teaching Latin and Geometry in this grade, Physics will appeal to the practical mind. This study aims to develop the power of observation, to acquaint the pupils with the simpler laws of nature, and to bring out the mechanical and practical side of the mind. In all these points I believe the work has been a success. The work is done largely in the laboratory, where each student sees and learns things independently, and in addi- tion is taught to use his tools intelligently.
In reviewing the work I firmly believe, as a whole, it has been a success. No parent need fear overwork on the part of
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the scholar. Every recitation period is followed by one of study. so that by close attention to work very little outside study is necessary. It is to be noted that those who do the best work in the English branches stand first in the new studies.
The child's education ought not to be directed entirely to the aim of earning money, but to the development of all sides of his nature, so that when school days are over, the boy may become an intelligent, liberal-minded, cultivated citizen and voter ; the girl that she may be fitted, not only for the house- hold, but for the higher duties and privileges now placed within her reach. All studies are practical which make life larger and richer, and which broaden the mental horizon.
Respectfully submitteed, FRANK H. WILKINS. A. B.
TO THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE, FRANKLIN, MASS. :
The years spent in the primary grades are important, because they lay the foundation, not only for the future years of study, but for life as well. Richter has said that it is the first impulse received, or the first tendency formed, during childhood, which flings broad and deep its light or shadow over the coming years. Hence these first years of school life are weighty and important.
It was in view of these considerations that it was deemed best, the past year. to lessen the number of grades in the Primary rooms by removing the third grade. The change has been a wise one in many ways.
Young children need more personal attention than older ones and take much more of the teacher's time. Some chil- ren in beginning learn very little with others. but need indivi- dual help almost entirely. With large second and third classes demanding attention, it is difficult to find time for much of this work. The change has made it easier, and the
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classes have made more progress, and the work is more advanced than before.
Another advantage of the change is that it has made it possible to use more of the kindergarten games and plays than were appropriate for children as old as those of the third grade. Thus the little ones find more pleasure in their school life, and the teacher also feels that her influence is increased, since it is impossible to make children happy without also helping them to be good.
Respectfully submitted,
REBECCA DUNNING.
REPORT OF THE SUPERVISOR OF MUSIC
The Supervisor of Music in the Franklin Public Schools would present the following report :-
The work in music has been carefully taught in the differ- ent grades, and the development of the plans laid out at the beginning of the year has been successful.
A selected chorus from the High School sang at the graduating exercises given in June in the Opera House. The regular drill in the High School is very satisfactory and a pleasure to supervise, since the pupils read quickly and enjoy the study. Special attention is given to the quality of tone used, the voices are much better and an improvement can be seen.
The grammar work is well taught and some good results are being obtained. The seventh grade is especially good, having made the greatest gain there has ever been in that class. These voices are good and they are faithful pupils deserving especial mention.
An even amount of study is being accomplished in the fourth, fifth and sixth grades. In nearly all classes excellent progress is noticeable. Although we have several new
38
teachers to whom the study is unfamiliar, they are faithfully doing all possible to gain a higher standard. The children enjoy individual singing and it is always encouraged. The music upon both charts and books has developed a high moral influence, which will be helpful to them in after years. It was a delight to see the varied programmes at Christmas time. The songs and carols were well sung, and I have never seen better results at that time of year in the primary schools.
Regular teachers' meetings have been held, all showing an earnestness to gain. One examination was given in the spring covering a new line of thought, which was of great benefit to the teachers. The supervisor would again suggest for the school library a few books upon musical subjects for reference, such as an encyclodpedia and musical dictionary ; these would increase the interest.
Not as much written work has been done since Septem- ber, but many oral tests have been made upon technical points ; often bright answers have been the result. and difficult prob- lems solved. Much care has been given to the position of pupils during the singing period ; not a sufficient gain is shown ; doubtless this is due to not having regular calisthenics in the schools.
The director would here express her thanks to the teachers for their faithful and untiring assistance.
Respectfully submitted,
MRS. LIZZIE TREEN HOSMER.
JANUARY 25, 1899.
REPORT OF SUPERVISOR OF DRAWING.
The Supervisor of Drawing in the Public Schools would present the following report : -
Many new ideas in school drawing are shown by the new series of drawing books,-happy changes for the pupils, but
39
meaning much additional preparation for the teachers ; which will, I think, however, be more than balanced in the end by increased class interest. Each teacher is to be provided with the numbers of the drawing books best adapted to her grade, and I feel sure they will prove quite an aid to them, as well as an incentive to the pupils, many of whom already wish to buy copies. An interest that reaches beyond the lesson hour is delightful to meet.
A class has been suggested for the teachers, and perhaps some of the older pupils, to give special drill in free-hand work. I hope it may be arranged, as otherwise most of the work cannot be taken up. In many towns very good draw- ings are made from life, in the fourth and fifth grades,-pupils taking turns in posing ; and even the first and second grades draw from real, live animals-a kitten, perhaps, playing with a curtain tassel, the sketch often made with brush and ink. Why should we not keep up with the times? The doubling of grades necessary in some rooms, of course, pushes the grades back just so much, but surely the ninth grade ought to accomplished seventh grade work.
The seniors and juniors do not accomplish so much in combination as they did alone. I wish they might have the additional work of the teacher's class.
We need more colored paper, compasses, a set of color- boxes, and above all softer drawing pencils.
I wish that each pupil might have at least one drawing- book during the year.
Some of the rooms are too crowded for one teacher to give a lesson, and all the individual superintendence that is often required.
Miss Morse reports that her desks are so high that free- hand pencil-work, the most important thing of all, is impossi- ble, the children having to lift their arms to the shoulder-level. This lack will be strongly felt next year in the third grade. I have often noticed it in the fourth grade, and have been at loss to account for it. The work in colored paper in her room is especially excellent ; neat, harmonious and original.
40
Unionville shows some pressed flowers, all the tones, petals, calyx, stamens, pistils, stems and leaves, matched in colored paper, well studied and mounted. City Mills espe- cially neat colored paper work. These schools deserve special credit, as I can give them no direct supervision-merely criti- cising work and assigning it, as also in the primaries.
The seventh, eight and ninth grades among other things had some very good designs for wrought-iron, plate-borders, brackets and all-over patterns, many of them in color.
Some of the teachers are making good use of the Perry pictures, copies of all the best pictures, and the children enthu- siastically seize upon Madonnas everywhere. I wish we might follow out the course in these pictures recommended by Henry T. Bailey. The cost to each pupil a year would not exceed four cents.
In many places the month's work is placed on exhibition in the High School Hall at the beginning of the succeeding month. I think the teachers might take turns in arranging it, and that each grade would feel pride in showing as good work as possible.
My absence during part of the year was, as interruptions must always be, an injury to some of the work. Also the extra school this year crowds the supervisor's day to its utmost. Yet on the whole I think there has been a gain in many ways, due largely to the efforts of the teachers, to whom I give sin- cere thanks.
Respectfully submitted, ADRA R. MASON. January 26, 1899.
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SCHOOL STATISTICS FOR YEAR CLOSING JANUARY 31, 1899.
SCHOOL.
TEACHERS.
Whole
Number of Pupils
Enrolled.
Average
Number of Pupils
belonging.
Average Daily
Attendance.
Per cent. of
Attendance.
Number of
Tardinesses.
Number of
Visitors.
Horace Mann ....
E. D. Daniels.
149
134.4
124.2
92.4
62
95
Grace C. Whiting.
*Clara E. Ham.
* Arthur W. Blake.
Frances E. King.
*Frank H. Wilkins.
School Street ....
Isabel M. Reilly.
51
42.7
39.2
83.9
12
83
Charles F. Frazer.
41
41.2
37.5
91.2
13
58
* Lucy B. Conner.
55
46.6
41.6
89.4
74
66
*Caroline L. Atkins.
60
32.9
29.8
90.5
52
96
Nason School.
...
*Theresa D. Lewis
58
44.1
40.1
90.9
35
5.
*Pearl L. Jacobs
5
42.6
39.5
95.
22
35
Lucy E. Tower.
50
29.3
26.5
90.1
43
64
Brick.
Rebecca Dunning.
51
34.1
28.6
83.9
65
104
Four Corners
Bertha H. Hood.
65
38.9
34.8
89.4
36
151
Arlington
Emily F. Morse
68
38.9
35.4
91.
60
24
City Mills
*Margaret M. Sullivan
28
21.1
18.8
89.1
11
35
Populatic.
*Mabel H. Perry
20
19.2
18.4
96.3
10
40
Unionville
Bertha E. Ellis
25
19.1
17.7
92.6
7
91
Total for 1898-9.
726
585.1
532.1
90.9
502
997
Total for 1897-8.
714
547.9
508.8
92.5
454
877
Totals for 1896-7.
719
586.6
533.7
90.9
650
1062
Totals 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
Special Instructors
Mrs. Lizzie Treen Hosmer Music
Miss Adra R. Mason .
Art
Mrs. Nellie Willard
Sten- ogra-
phy
Districts Transported.
Drivers.
Mount . ..
Alfred F. Everett ..
North Franklin ..
Ed. P. Proctor.
South Franklin ... John H. Tyler.
NAMES OF
* For only a portion of the school year. Miss King again this year has the fewest tardinesses reported, viz. : six.
1
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COMPARISON OF FRANKLIN WITH NEIGHBORING TOWNS. 1897-8.
NAME OF TOWNS.
(A)
(B)
(c)
(D)
(E)
(F)
(G)
(н)
(I)
Bellingham
$ 742,335
1401
301
242
$ 5046 25
$ 3822 82
.005-65
$17.36
Franklin
2,915,440
5136
714
724
15251 58
11311 37
.004-07
*16.412
Dedham
8,006,270
6188
1492
1166
96406 17
30694 95
.003 83
26.325
Hyde Park
9,328,235
11026
2063
2190
45184 69
37062 02
.003-97
16.923
Medway
1,141,435
2913
599
468
10102 18
7700 00
.005-45
16.452
Milford
5,447,>08
8959
1649
1388
29135 72
21865 05
.004-01
15.752
Nortolk
520,337
882
1000
154
3391 57
2235 17
.00-457
15.442
Norwood
3,6×6,175
4572
1020
926
21300 36
15245 48
.004-13
16.463
Walpole
2,389,038
2994
627
537
12977 08
10575 00
.004-58
20.412
Wrentham
1,469,340
2584
584
450
10526 17
8456 00
.006-06
19.804
Compiled from the Annual Report of the State Board of Education, 1897-8, and verified.
Milford is added to the list because it is a near neighbor. It did not seem wise to print these statistics for the twenty-eight towns now in the county. Franklin differs from Millis and Braintree in "per cent. of valuation appropriated to the public schools " by only five one- hundreds of a mill (.00005). Milton, Sharon, Brookline, Cohasset were omitted because of their great wealth and different social condi- tions.
By columns H and I of the above table Franklin. one of the richer towns in this neighborhood, has also one of the least appropriations for pupils, between the ages of five and fifteen, of any of the ten. The average of the ten for each child between five and fifteen is $18.135, or $1.725 more than the cost per child in Franklin. Westwood of this county appropriates $39.629 per child; Brookline. $38.672. All the towns of the county, with the exception of Norfolk and Stoughton, appropriate more per child between five and fifteen than Franklin does.
The average expense per child, between five and fifteen for the county, is $21.39.
If our pupils cost only the average of the ten, $18.35 x 729 = $13285.40, plus expense for repairs, books, sundries, clerk. $1674.97 less state funds and tuition received, $413.87 = $14546.50, amonnt necessary to be raised by taxation for all school expenses ; or at the average rate of the county $15486.36 plus the above named expenses = $16747.46 ; or at the rate of Westwood of this county $28592.12 plus
* For the state during the same period and computed on the same basis, the aver- age is $19.02, an excess over Franklin of $2.61.
Percent. of valuation
appropriated to public
schools, equivalent to
mills and hundredths
Sum appropriated by
town for each child
between 5 and 15 years
Amount Ex-
pended for all School
Amount raised by tax- ation and Expended
for schools, including
wages,transportation,
fuel, care of fires and
school rooms.
VALUATION.
Population,
State Census 1895.
Number of all
Pupils of all Ages in
Public Schools.
Number of Child-
ren Between 5 and 15
in Public Schools.
Purposes.
of mills.
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the above named expenses $30852.22, almost thrice our expense.
In view of these figures is there just cause for complaint at the size of former or future appropriations for school purposes ?
Column I of the table above is from the SWORN STATEMENTS Of the school committees of the different towns and published by the state. It includes the amount per pupils, between the ages of five and fifteen, raised by taxes for wages, transportation, fuel, care of buildings. plus the amount of dog license in the case of Franklin. It does not include the amounts for books and repairs, sundries, clerk. Tables for comparison are very misleading unless the items in each are iden- tical.
TRUANT OFFICER'S REPORT.
TO THE BOARD OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE OF FRANKLIN ;
For the year ending Jan. 31, 1899, we have investigated nineteen cases of alleged truancy or absences from school without excuse. With few exceptions, it was found that the pupils were either sick or out of school, with the knowledge of parents, for a short time only. In every case talk with the parents and admonishing the pupil has corrected the evil with- out more severe measures.
Respectfully submitted, NELSON E. NEWELL, ANTHONY CONNOR, Truant Officers.
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TWENTY-FIFTH COMMENCEMENT OF THE HOR- ACE MANN HIGH SCHOOL.
PROGRAMME.
" Commencement March," Class of '98. Invocation,
REV. C. W. LONGREN.
Song. " 'Tis Morn, Guild
HIGH SCHOOL.
Salutatory, Our National Songs, MISS ELSIE V. TRASK.
Address, PROF. WILLIAM G. WARD.
Piano Solo. " Polonaise Brillante," Otto Fleisner MISS ALICE M. PAUL.
Essay and Valedictory, Gladstone, the Worker, MR. ALEXANDER C. EWEN. Presentation of Diplomas.
Song, "Ave Maria," from Loreley CHORUS BY YOUNG LADIES.
Benediction,
REV. C. W. LONGREN.
" Labor Omnia Vincit," Class of '98. CLASSICAL COURSE.
Alexander Cantlay Ewen, Walter Alberton Hills, Alice Maud Paul, Elsie Verona Trask.
ENGLISH COURSE.
Clarence Edson Abbott,
Jennie Frances Cook,
Claude Isaac Lewis.
COMMERCIAL COURSE (Special). Rubie Maie Wales.
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Reports of Town Officers.
SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
To THE VOTERS OF FRANKLIN :
The Board of Selectmen for the year 1898 organized with J. Cushing Gallison as chairman.
The members all being without experience in the official conduct of town affairs were in a measure handicapped, and desire to testify emphatically to the efficient aid given by Mr. Nelson E. Newell, reappointed Secretary to the Board. He has been a most faithful officer.
The appropriation for roads and bridges has been exceeded several hundred dollars. The unprecedented snow- storms of February and November entailed a great expense. which no human power could foresee or prevent. In common with other communities, we found ourselves unable to open the streets and roads, excepting by the slow and expensive process of shovelling. It is, however, a source of consolation that the "Act of Providence" gave much needed employment to our own citizens.
In addition to the unavoidable " patching " required by over one hundred miles of road, we have. following the wise example of our predecessors. endeavored to construct a certain amount of road permanently.
In the interest of public safety and to forestall litigation, a large number of the most important bridges have been thoroughly replanked and railed. These will last several years.
46
The matter of guide-boards should receive prompt atten- tion, and a specific sum appropriated for establishing a com- plete system. Nothing adds more to the appearance of thrift in a community.
We recommend the sale of the steam engine and boiler, now idle in the quarry, unless a stone-crusher and other neces- sary machinery be purchased to operate the plant.
The question of the extension of Dean Avenue to Central Street is one to receive careful attention. The opportunity to improve our village now offered may be lost, and future years bring regret and deserved criticism.
We believe that the town should take positive action in the matter of abolishing the Union Street grade crossing. By vote of the town last March. the subject of abolishing this crossing was left in the hands of the Selectmen. A request in writing was sent to the officials of the railroad for any facts bearing upon the subject in their possession. We were informed that the matter had been referred to their president and a reply received Feb. 15 stated that the company had no plans it cared to present to the board, but would be very glad to receive any suggestions the board may have to offer. We suggest that the matter be continued in the hands of the select- men with further instructions as to future action by the town.
In constructing gutters of concrete, we have worked along the lines adopted by our predecessors, believing it economy to thus provide for the disposition of surface water.
The great problem of electric roads entering our town has given your board much carnest study. In granting a location to the Milford. Woonsocket and Attleboro Street Railway, we have endeavored to occupy the middle ground of conservatism. While guarding faithfully the interests and rights of the town, we have tried to avoid the opposite extreme, thereby endan- gering the enterprise.
The ownership of the Franklin Water Works has passed from the hands of distant capitalists into those of our own townsmen. We believe that the welfare of the town in this matter will be regarded by the new owners with friendly interest.
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The request of citizens for a "curfew ordinance" was carefully considered. We were of the unanimous opinion that without some specific action by the town, we had no power in the matter.
The question is of great importance, and we hope will receive attention at the hands of the voters.
The experiment of providing healthy labor for tramps, in part payment for their entertainment, has proven a success, and much reduced the nuisance.
We have endeavored, so far as possible, to have the bills in every department presented within the year. The ancient method of carrying over unpaid bills is misleading.
The money used the past year on the highways has been expended as follows :
Emmons Street,
$22 50
Ray 66
12 00
Arlington 66
11 00
High
13 25
Beaver .6
45 00
Howard . .
10 00
Crescent 66
23 00
Beach 66
17 00
South 66
22 00
Grove 66
17 25
Spring
14 80
Prospect 66
37 00
Dean Avenue.
570 50
Peck Street,
45 50
Wachusett "
221 20
Elm
6%
25 00
Chestnut 65
64 50
Bent
15 00
Forest 6 6
25 00
Miller
66
142 90
Cottage 66
95 00
King
119 00
Lincoln 66
58 00
Winter
66
42 00
48
Summer Street.
100 00
Wash. 66
104 75
Pond
200 00
Oak ..
175 00
Jordan 66
50 00
Pine
55 00
Partridge
35 00
West 66
18 00
Central 66
236 65
East 66
20 00
Union 6 €
220 50
Alpine 6.
50 00
Worsted 66
15 00
Cross
25 00
Maple
40 00
Fisher 66
20 00
Other Streets.
53 00
Snow bills.
1,926 19
Harness repairs,
27 75
Horse,
150 00
Hay and grain.
426 04
Gravel,
50 50
Bridge lumber,
316 00
Concrete gutters,
822 34
Insurance,
22 00
Blacksmithing,
128 08
Drain pipe, tools, etc ..
203 50
Surveying,
26 00
Clark Bros.' bill, repairs, etc ..
55 83
Micellaneous and general expenses.
1,193 94
$8,434 47
The following estimates for the expenses of the town for the ensuing fiscal year is respectfully submitted :
For support of schools, as estimated by the School Committee, $13,800 00
Repairs of roads, bridges and walks, 7,000 00
Support of poor, 5,000 00
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Fire Department, 2,500 00
Water supply. 4,040 00
Street lights, 3,700 00
Abatement and collection of taxes,
1,000 00
Town debt.
2.200 00
Interest,
1,300 00
Town officers.
1.500 00
Printing and stationery.
375 00
Police and suppression of illegal liquor traffic,
1,500 00
State and military aid.
500 00
Soldiers' relief, 500 00
Public library,
700 00
Memorial day, 100 00
Miscellaneous. 700 00
Insurance, town buildings.
150 00
$36.565 00 J. CUSHING GALLISON. HORACE W. HOSIE. HIRAM WHITING, Selectmen of Franklin.
ASSESSORS REPORT.
The Assessors met and organized April 12th, 1898, and made choice of William Rockwood to serve as Chairman and J. O. Chilson as Secretary. They have attended to their duties as follows :
Valuation of personal property, $ 386,000 00
buildings,
1,548,200 00
66 land, 863.300 00
66 resident bank stock, 130,020 00
$2,927,620 00
50
Number of polls,
1,258
Rate of taxation per $1,000,
$ 16 00
State tax,
1,725 00
County tax.
2,566 96
Town grant, less corporation tax,
44,378 64
Number of houses,
999
66 horses,
592
.6 COWS, 647
66
swine, 51
66 sheep, 14
ABATEMENTS:
THE FOLLOWING ARE THE ABATEMENTS WITH CAUSES.
Abatements for 1898.
July 20, '98, Timothy Kane heirs, real estate tax. 1896, poor and needy, $ 9 00
July 20, '98, John Coughlin, poll tax, 1896, 2 00
July 20, '98, National Malt Co., personal estate tax, 1896, not collectible. 36 00
Total, $47 00
Nov. 12, '98, Joseph E. Boucher, personal estate tax, 1898, over value, $ 64
Nov. 17, '98, Frederick H. Johnson, real estate tax. 1898, over value. 3 20
Nov. 17, '98, Emma Wight, real estate tax. 1898, over do, 4 80
Nov. 17, '98, Susan Sargeant heirs, real estate tax, 1897, poor and feeble. 4 50
Nov. 30, '98, Franklin Water Co., personal estate tax, 1898. over value, 8 80
Dec. 10, '98, Davis Thayer, real estate tax, 1898. over value, 40 00
Jan. 18. '99, Benjamin W. Dalton, poll tax, 1897 and 1898, 4 00
Dec. 3, '98, J. G. Ray, real estate tax, 1898, over value, 43 60
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Jan. 28, '98, Daniel W. Halloran, personal estate tax, 1894 and 1895, did not own, 7 95
Jan. 28, '98, Robert B. Stewart, personal estate tax 1895, poor, 7 03
Jan. 28, '98, Richardson Metcalf, poll tax, 1898, 2 00
Abatements for 1897 taxes. Edward H. Sherman, Collector.
Blake, Fred L., (not 20 years),
$2 00
Babcock, Edwin, left town, 2 00
Bennett, Lyman G., left town, 2 00
2 00
Blake, Lewis A. E., left town,
2 00
Bloedow, Julius, old age,
2 00
Bresnahan, Richard, left town,
2 00
Bishop, James W., left town,
2 15
Collins, John B., did not own,
59
Conway, James T., did not own,
1 48
Croston, Ellen, poor widow,
7 40
Champany, Joseph, left town,
2 00
Coleman, Harry, left town.
2 00
Collins, Thomas, dead. 2 00
Costello, Michael J., residence Brighton,
2 00
Coughlin, William A., 2 00
Cox, Harry T., left town, 2 00
2 00
Dalton, Benjamin, poor (Jan. 10. 1899),
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