USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Franklin > Town of Franklin annual report 1900 > Part 5
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
" Let us labor, then, to think well ; that is the principle of morality."
Our individuality is the result, more than we realize, of circumstances and of influence. Our natures respond to im- pressions made upon them. Much depends upon the air we breathe, the environment by which we are surrounded.
22
Many pupils end their school days upon leaving the high school. It is for this institution, therefore, to furnish a pure atmosphere and to create a healthful environment which shall develop and make strong the lives which are soon to go forth and take their places in the world.
GRACE C. WHITING.
REPORT OF SUPERVISOR OF DRAWING
The following report of the drawing in the Franklin schools for the past year is respectfully submitted :
The aim of drawing in our public schools is not to make artists of average students, but rather to cultivate the powers of observation, appreciation, imagination, accuracy, reasoning and last, but not least, the ability to represent.
The work of the primary grades includes form study, modeling and paper-cutting. Brushes and ink have been used very effectively for nature-drawing and composition.
Simple perspective rules are begun in the intermediate grades in connection with model drawing ; and magazine illus- trations, etc., are studied to find these rules applied. Color boxes have been furnished for two of the buildings, and add much to the pleasure of work in design as well as from nature.
In the high school we have some effective landscape work in monochrome-blue or black-designs for plaids, for iron- work and for initial letters.
Figure-drawing, wherever we have attempted it, has met with much interest on the part of the pupils and some very good results.
The work of the teachers' class last spring was very satis- factory, and at their request it was continued for awhile this fall, besides the regular teachers' meetings.
23
In all the grades the work seems to compare favorably with that of previous years, and in some I see a decided gain. The lesson periods are often too short for completing work. Especial care should be taken to have materials ready before the lesson. I should suggest more drills on terms used in drawing and in finding measurements.
Limited funds are a drawback in many ways. More casts . are needed for charcoal drawing, more and better instruments for mechanical work, and books and plates on historic orna- ment, without which the best work in design cannot be obtained. The primary schools are without colored paper for cutting and color study.
I wish, also, that we might have the Perry pictures for study and to illustrate art in correlation with history and geography. A few of the teachers are using these pictures, but I think at their own expense.
I think each pupil might begin in the lowest school to fill a little portfolio of his very own. For four cents a year he might have at the end of his course at least fifty of the best pictures, a knowledge of some of our greatest artists and of how to judge a picture.
Goethe says that every one should contrive each day to hear some good music and to look at a beautiful picture, as well as to speak a few sensible words. Surely if the great classics in literature are worthy of study, so also are the classics in art, for " Art begins where literature ends."
ADRA R. MASON.
REPORT OF THE SUPERVISOR OF MUSIC
The supervisor of music would present the following report :
The usual amount of time and attention has been given to music during the past year and many excellent results have been obtained.
24
Holidays have been observed by the selection of songs appropriate to each occasion. On Parents' Day each grade represented the methods employed in its individual room. The sixth and seventh grades furnished special music for Memorial exercises in May. The music rendered at the graduating exercises of 1899 by a chorus selected from the high school was worthy of special mention.
The seventh and eighth grades were prepared in Septem- ber for the music used in the ninth year, and it was arranged that daily drill be given in the high school room, uniting these classes. This is a success and a steady improvement has been seen. The fourth, fifth and sixth grades are doing excellent work and have a much higher rank than in previous years ; this may be due to new methods and plans of the supervisor.
In the primary classes the work is not as uniformly ad- vanced; owing to sickness some have made less progress, while others have already gained about two months, which is unusual. The children are eager to do individual singing, and each voice is heard by the supervisor several times during the year.
Many beautiful songs have been taught. Special note is made of the sweetness of voice and correctness of expression. Examinations have been given during the year by varied methods.
December 22 the friends were invited to see and hear all branches of study. Choruses, quartettes, duets and solos were rendered, indicating the care devoted in this direction that the mere reading of music should be but the means to the end.
Regular teachers' meetings have been faithfully attended The director would extend her thanks to the teachers and superintendent for their ever ready support.
Respectfully submitted,
MRS. LIZZIE, TREEN HOSMER.
January 12, 1900.
25
REPORT ON EIGHTH GRADE.
JANUARY 19, 1900.
TO THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE AND PARENTS : .
The course of study in the eighth grade remains the same with the exception of an additional study-German-which has been introduced as an elective instead of Latin.
The aim has been to give a practical turn to all lines of work. In arithmetic and geometry especial attention has been given to actual examples in business life. In history an attempt has been made to study all questions from the " world-state" point of view, to efface narrow and selfish conceptions of his- torical accounts and to teach independence of thought. In all other studies as well, effort has been made to develop original thought, to lead out and strengthen individual traits of mind and character, and to give each pupil sufficient confidence to judge his work effectively and accurately.
The school life up to this time has been formative, largely, and dependent on authority, while this grade seeks to trans- cend this idea and to inform and to grant freedom of thought and action. In most cases the change produces good results.
There are two hindrances to good work in the grade :- (1) The withdral of many pupils (over 14 years of age) who consider that they have finished(?) their education ; (2) the many absences of this class of pupils who are excused by law from further attendance. Irregularity of attendance and lack of study caused thereby will demoralize any school.
As a whole, the work is progressing favorably, the inter- est is intense and there is a healthy development. To main- tain this standard the pupils must have plenty of sleep, have regular habits and give less attention to outside amusements which waste their time and energy.
The question for every parent to decide is-whether his child shall become a well-balanced, healthy, moral citizen, or a spineless, society creature without aim or ambition. The school alone cannot do this work.
26
An educated person is one who sees the relative value of all things.
Yours, respectfully,
FRANK H. WILKINS, A. B.
THE WM. M. THAYER SCHOOL.
TO THE MEMBERS OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE, FRANK- LIN :
At the opening of the school year in September it was most gratifying to the teachers to note that the interior of the William M. Thayer School had been receiving the attention of the committee on repairs. Although the rooms were put in much better condition than they have been in a number of years, very much yet remains to be done before they will pre- sent a cheerful and attractive appearance.
I desire in a few words to call your attention to the most important needs of the building. The floors and blackboards are in such poor condition as to need replacing. Besides this all the woodwork in each room should have two coats of paint. The ceilings in some of the rooms need repairing and the walls ought to be tinted with some soft color that would form a good background for pictures. I would recommend some means of lighting the upper rooms, two cabinets for the primary and sixth classes, and a closet for the drawing mate- rials.
It would add much to the happiness and well-being of the pupils and teachers if the rooms were adorned. Teachers are realizing the power of a beautiful picture in the classroom. Its very presence has a softening, refining influence over the roughest nature.
In speaking of the care of the building I am pleased to
27
report that it is kept clean, so far as sweeping is effective in the matter. I am convinced that school floors should be thor- oughly washed and school walls carefully brushed much oftener than is now the case. If we consider the amount of passing in and out in all kinds of weather that goes on at our schoolhouses it will become evident that the matter of thor- ough cleaning should have much more attention. The best of sweeping only changes the location of much of the dirt that thorough washing removes. In proof of this statement we have only to glance at the school furniture after a sweeping.
The need of more generosity in supplying the teachers with the materials such as I have described in my former recommendations is still as pressing as ever. It may be econ- omy to limit the teachers in the quantity of paper used, but do the practical results of this economical system prove that a larger quantity and a better quality of work have been accom- plished by the school ?
In my last report I called your attention to the unsatis- factory condition of the furnaces. Is it considered safe to have' the coal gas escaping into the rooms? It seems to me that the welfare of the pupils of the William M.' Thayer School is of sufficient importance to warrant an immediate investigation.
Respectfully submitted,
ISABEL M. REILLY.
28
SCHOOL STATISTICS FOR HALF-YEAR CLOSING JAN. 31, 1900.
The reduction in period reported is occasioned by a change in the State law.
SCHOOL.
TEACHERS.
Whole
Enrolled.
Average
belonging.
Average Daily
Attendance.
Number of
Tardinesses.
Number of
Visitors.
Horace Mann ....
Ernest D. Daniels.
158
143.20 137.0
31
63
Grace C. Whiting.
Ruth E. Hubbard
Clara E. Ham.
Anne L. Judd.
Frances E. King.
Frank H. Wilkins ..
Win. M. Thayer ..
Isabel M. Reilly.
51
47.10
44.7
3
28
Charles F. Frazer
52
46.96
42 8
15
28
Lucy B. Connor
61
46.80
43.2
17
34
Alice H. Fernald.
50
37.30
33.5
33
37
Nason.
Theresa D. Lewis,
52
44.20
41.5
11
21
Pearl L. Jacobs.
57
46.97
44.7
20
24
Lucy E. Tower.
35
34.40
29.5
17
16
Brick
Rebecca Dunning.
32
27.40
24.9
16
24
Four Corners
Bertha H. Hood.
54
37.50
34.3
17
96
Arlington
Margaret M. Sullivan
51
39.50
36.1
30
24
City Mills
Mary E. Bright.
22
18.40
14.3
16
13
Unionville
Bertha E. Ellis
33
27.40
24.0
6
50
Totals ..
708
597.13 550.5
232
458
Percentage of attendance, 92.2. Special Instructors.
Mrs. Lizzie Treen Hosmer
Music
Districts
Miss Adra R. Mason
Art
Transported.
Drivers.
Mount .
Alfred F. Everett
North Franklin ..
Ed. P. Proctor
South Franklin ...
John H. Tyler.
NAMES OF
Number of Pupils
Number of Pupils
COURSE OF STUDY FOR THE HORACE MANN SCHOOL.
FIRST YEAR.
SECOND YEAR.
THIRD YEAR.
FOURTH YEAR.
FIFTH YEAR.
SIXTH YEAR.
SEVENTH YEAR.
English Language Grammar Literature Spelling
English Grammar Literature Spelling
History Greek & Roman till A. D. 800
History Mediaeval
History English
History United States Civics
previous
History United States
History United States Citizenship
ELECTIVES.
ELECTIVES.
ELECTIVES.
ELECTIVES.
Sciences Geography Physics
Sciences Physiology Chemistry
Music Drawing Elocution
Music Drawing Elocution
Music Drawing Elocution
Music Drawing Elocution Manual Training
Mathematics Arithmetic Geometry
Mathematics Arithmetic Algebra
Algebra
Geometry
Manual Training Household .
Household Economy French Greek
Nature Observation Manual Training Music
Nature Observation Manual Training Music
German Latin
French Greek Latin
French Greek Latin
Sciences Physics
Penmanship Drawing Physical Exercise
Penmanship Drawing Physical Exercise
Sciences Ph. Geography Zoology
Sciences Mineralogy Geology Botany
Sciences Astronomy Chemistry
Double-Entry Bookkeeping
Commercial Industry Arithmetic Geography Law Economics Stenography Typewriting Mathematics Reviewed Solid Geometry Trigonometry.
Electives Latin or German
Electives Latin or German
English
English
Rhetoric
Literature
Electives
from
Manual Training
Manual Training
years.
Economy
Latin
30
PROGRAMME OF THE
COMMENCEMENT EXERCISES OF HORACE MANN HIGH SCHOOL, CLASS OF '99, MORSE OPERA HOUSE, WEDNESDAY EVENING, JUNE 21, 1899.
ORDER OF EXERCISES.
March CARRIE C. MASON.
Song, "On the Wings of the Morning," from " Weber's Preciosa " CHORUS.
Prayer,
REV. DWIGHT M. HODGE.
Salutatory, ELLEN D. WOODWARD.
Essay, " Advantages of a Preparation for Business," SARA B. COCHRANE.
The Spring Wild Flowers of Franklin, LILLIE M. CHILSON.
Essay, " Glimpses of Roman Life in the Augustan Age," HARRIET M. SULLIVAN.
Song, " O Hark ! the Merry Sound," Arr. by H. A. MacDonald CHORUS.
Some of the Newer Developments in Chemistry, With experiments by CLARA E. NIXON.
Class Prophecy, " From the Object,"
EMMA J. HOLMES.
Reading, " The Bishop and the Caterpillar," GERTRUDE M. ROSE.
" With Raphael," Illustrated with Stereopticon ELLEN D. WOODWARD.
Selected
Interlude, Piano Solo,
CARRIE C. MASON.
Valedictory, CLARA E. NIXON.
Presentation of Diplomas, DR. A. J. GALLISON.
Song, " The Cuckoo Calls Us,"
Adam Geibel
Benediction,
REV. DWIGHT M. HODGE.
31
BE TRUE. CLASS OF 1899.
CLASSICAL COURSE.
Emma Josephine Holmes, Clara Elizabeth Nixon.
Gertrude May Rose,
Harriet Margaret Sullivan, Ellen Dale Woodward, * Anna Theresa Kelley. SCIENTIFIC COURSE. Lillie May Chilson.
COMMERCIAL COURSE.
Sara Bentley Cochrane.
* Partial Course.
TRUANT OFFICERS' REPORT.
FRANKLIN, MASS., Feb. 1, 1900. TO THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE :
During 'the year ending January 31, 1900, we have attended to thirty-five (35) cases of absence from school com- ing to our notice. No arrests have been made. In the more aggravated cases, with few exceptions, we believe the parents are more at fault than the children, either from indifference or failure to comprehend the injury to the child caused by non- attendance at school.
Respectfully submitted,
SILAS W. NICKERSON, NELSON E. NEWEL, Truant Officers.
371
FRANKLIN TOWN RECORDS.
FOR THE YEAR 1899.
WARRANT FOR THE ANNUAL TOWN MEETING, MARCH 6, 1899, AT 7 O'CLOCK A. M.
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 Commonwealth of Massachusetts, to notify and warn the qualified voters of the Town of Franklin to assemble in their Town Hall, on Monday, the sixth day of March, A. D., 1899, at seven o'clock in the forenoon, then and there to act on the following articles, viz :
ARTICLE 1. To choose by ballot a moderator to preside over said meeting.
ART. 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 Constables, all for one year, and one School Commit- tee for three years, one member of the Board of Health for three years, and one member of the Board of Health for one year to fill vacancy, to be voted for upon one ballot; and also upon the same ballot to vote upon the question, "Shall license be granted for the the sale of intoxicating liquor in this town."
ART. 3. To choose all other necessary town officers for the year ensuing.
ART. 4. To see in what way and manner the town will collect its taxes the current year, and what rate of interest the town will fix to be charged on taxes after December 1st next.
ART. 5. To hear a report of the town officers and committees and act thereon.
ART. 6. To vote what action the town will take relative to a pound.
372
ART. 7. To vote a suitable number of names of persons into the jury box for the year ensuing.
ART. 8. To see if the town will establish an electric arc lamp at or near the corner of Oak and Church streets, or do anything relating thereto.
ART. 9. To see if the town will vote to name the School street school house the Wm. Thayer school house.
ART. 10. To see if the town will authorize the school committee to employ a secretary at a salary not to exceed $50 per year.
ART. 11. To see if the town will authorize the school committee to employ a superintendent of schools.
ART. 12. To see if the town will vote to increase the pay of members of the fire department from $15 and poll tax to $20, and poll tax per year, or do anything relating thereto.
ART. 13. To see if the town will establish three electric lights on Grove street, Unionville, between the engine house and the mill of the Norfolk Woolen Company, or do anything relating thereto.
ART. 14. To see if the town will authorize the selectmen to put in a sewer on Main street from Emmons to Central street and on Dean Avenue. and provide a suitable outlet for the same, under Sections 4 and 7 of' Chapter 50 of the Public Statutes, the abutters on line of said sewer to be assessed for the cost of said sewer and outlet.
ART. 15. To see if the town will take any and what action to construct and maintain a system of sewerage, or do anything relating thereto.
ART. 16. To see if the town will order the ringing of a "Curfew Bell," so called, at eight o'clock in winter and nine o'clock in summer, or at any other specific hours respectively ; give any instruction to its officers regarding the idling, without laudable purpose, or parental permission, on the public streets of children under sixteen years of age, or any other limit of age as may be fixed by the town, or do any- thing in relation thereto.
ART. 17. To see what sums of money the town will raise and appropriate for the support of schools, including the salary of a superintendent and the transportation of scholars; for repairing school houses, for school books, supplies, salary of a secretary for the school committee, and miscellaneous school expenses. For the repairs of roads, bridges and sidewalks; for support of the poor; for support of the Fire Department; for a water supply for hydrants; for street lights; for the payment of the town debt and for interest: for the payment of town officers; for the abatement and collection of taxes ; for printing and stationery; for the payment of police and sup- pression of illegal liquor traffic; for state and military aid ; for soldiers'
373
relief ; for support of the Franklin Library Association ; for Memorial Day ; and for insurance of town buildings and miscellaneous town ex- penses.
ART. 18. 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.
ART. 19. To see if the town will instruct the Selectmen to sup- press the illegal sale of intoxicating liquors in the town for the current year.
ART. 20. To see if the town will adopt Section eleven (11) of Chapter four hundred and eighty-one (481) of the Acts of the year eighteen hundred and ninety-four (1894), which provides as follows :
" With the exception of Boston, each city or town which has adopted Chapter two hundred and forty-three of the Acts of the year eighteen hundred and seventy-two, or Section one of Chapter one hundred and four of the Public Statutes, or which adopts this section, may for the prevention of fire and the preservation of life, by ordin- ances or by-laws not repugnant to law and applicable throughout the whole or anv defined part of its territory, regulate the inspection, materials, construction, alteration, and use of buildings and other structures within its limits, excepting such buildings and structures as are owned and occupied by the United States or the Commonwealth, and excepting also bridges, quays and wharfs, and may prescribe penalties not exceding one hundred dollars for each violation of such regulations."
To see if the town will amend its by-laws as follows: No build- ing or other structure now or hereafter erected upon or within the area bounded by Main, Emmons and Central streets, or upon or within five hundred (500) feet of said area, shall be used as a planing mill, saw mill, or box factory, or do anything relating thereto.
ART. 21. To see if the town will vote to appropriate $400 for the construction of concrete sidewalks, or do anthing relating thereto.
ART. 22. To see if the town will vote to appropriate a sum of money for the repair of Pond street from Plain street to the Medway line, or do anything relating thereto.
ART. 23. To see if the town will raise and appropriate money for forest fires, as recommended by the engineers of the Fire Department in their report.
ART. 24. To see if the town will instruct the Selectmen in re- gard to the removal of snow from sidewalks, or do anything relat- ing thereto.
ART. 25. To see if the town will raise and appropriate one hun- dred dollars to reimburse Carl B. Johnson for loss in printing the births, deaths and marriages in 1898, or do anything relating thereto.
374
ART. 26. To see if the town will vote to pay Lucy A. Darling for the land taken to widen East street, on the northerly side thereof, or do anything relating thereto.
ART. 28. To see if the town will buy about 600 feet of land ad- joining McCarthy street, of Michael Doherty, to widen said street. or do anything relating thereto.
ART. 29. To see if the town will take any and what action to re- pair the cemetery at corner of Union and Central streets belonging to said town, or do anything relating thereto.
The polls may be opened at seven o'clock A. M., and may be closed at eleven o'clock A. M.
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 this twenty-first day of February, A. D., 1899.
J. CUSHING GALLISON. HORACE W. HOSIE, HIRAM WHITING,
Selectmen of Franklin.
Upon the foregoing warrant the following return was made, viz : NORFOLK, SS. FRANKLIN. FEBRUARY. 25TH, A. D., 1899.
By virtue of the within warrant I have notified the inhabitants of the Town ot Franklin herein described to assemble in their Town Hall on Monday, the sixth day of March, 1899, for the purposes with- in mentioned, by posting attested copies of the within warrant in each of the post offices of the town, and in ten other public places, seven days before the day of meeting, in compliance with Section two of Article one of the By-Laws of the Town of Franklin.
LEWIS R. WHITAKER,
Constable of Franklin.
A true record of the warrant and return thereon.
Attest : ORESTES T. DOE.
Town Clerk.
375
Proceedings of the Annual Town Meeting, MARCH 6, 1899.
Pursuant to the foregoing warrant the inhabitants of the aforesaid Town of Franklin, qualified to vote in town affairs, met at the Town Hall, in said town, on the first Monday of March, it being the sixth day of said month, A. D., 1899
The meeting was called to order at the time and place named in said warrant by the Town Clerk, who read the warrant and return thereon, after which Lester L. Burrington was chosen Moderator by ballot, in receiving which the check- list was used, and he was sworn by the Town Clerk.
Before the opening of the polls the Selectmen appointed Nathan C. Nye and Michael J. Costello Ballot Clerks, and they were sworn as such by the Town Clerk before receiving the ballots, and before the opening of the polls the Town Clerk delivered a bundle packed by him and sealed, as re- quired by law, containing 1,100 official ballots, and 75 special official ballots for women, and the receipt of said Ballot Clerks was taken for said ballots.
The Town Clerk caused the cards of instruction and specimen ballots to be posted in each of the 12 marking shelves or compartments provided by the Selectmen, and a guard-rail was set six feet or more from said marking shelves or compartments, as required by law, and the cards of instruction, and specimen ballots were posted outside the guard-rail, according to law.
Voted, that article two (2) be acted upon next.
Voted, that the Moderator appoint a committee, consist- ing of fifteen legal voters, to consider the remaining articles of the warrant.
Voted, that when this meeting adjourns it be to Monday, March 13, at 7 o'clock, P. M., at Morse's Opera House.
Voted, that the polls be kept open until 4 o'clock, P. M., and then closed.
The ballot box, provided by the Secretary of the Com- monwealth, used at the election, was publicly opened and
376
shown to be empty, and was examined by the Moderator and Town Clerk and found to be empty, and the register thereon was set at 000, and then locked and the key thereof given to Officer Anthony Connor, and the polls were declared open.
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.