Town of Newton annual report 1875-1877, Part 5

Author: Newton (Mass.)
Publication date: 1875
Publisher: Newton (Mass.)
Number of Pages: 674


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VALUATION OF CITY PROPERTY.


City Hall, furniture and land, 844.000 00


High School buildings, furniture and land. 60.000 00


Mason schoolhouse, furniture and land, 50,000 00


Hyde schoolhouse. furniture and land, 20.700 00


Prospect schoolhouse, furniture and land, 32.000 00


Prospect schoolhouse No. 2, furniture and land, 7.500 00


Oak Hill schoolhouse, furniture and land, 13,000 00


Hamilton schoolhouse, furniture and land, 30.000 00


Williams schoolhouse, furniture and land, 28.500 00


Pierce schoolhouse, furniture and land. 32.000 00


Davis schoolhouse, furniture and land,


13.000 00


Franklin schoolhouse, furniture and land,


16.000 00


Claflin schoolhouse, furniture and land. 33.000 00


Adams schoolhouse. furniture and land. 22.500 00


Bigelow schoolhouse, furniture and land. 34.500 00


Underwood schoolhouse, furniture and land, 25.300 00


Lincoln schoolhouse, furniture and land, 6.000 00


Amount carried forward.


$468,000 00


52


Amount brought forward, $468,000 00


Jackson schoolhouse, furniture and land, 15,000 00 School apparatus, 4,000 00


Steam fire engine house, No. 1, engine and apparatus,


furniture, lock-up, dwelling house, stable and land, 26,500 00 Steam fire engine house, No. 2, engine, apparatus,


land, etc., 25,000 00


Steam fire engine house, No. 3, engine and apparatus, furniture, stable, land, etc., 25,000 00


Hook and ladder carriage, etc., Newtonville, 800 00


Hose carriage, hose, etc., Newtonville, 1,200 00


Hose carriage, hose, etc., Auburndale, 1,500 00


Fire engine house, engine, apparatus, land, etc., Newtonville, 8,000 00


Fire engine house, engine, apparatus, land, etc., Auburndale, 4,000 00


Fire engine house, engine, apparatus, land. etc., Lower Falls, 6,000 00


Fire engine house, engine, apparatus, land, etc., Upper Falls. 3,000 00


Fire engine house, engine, apparatus, land, etc., Newton Centre, 4,000 00


Hose. apparatus, hooks, ladders, etc., 1,500 00


Fire Alarm Telegraph,


14,500 00


Reservoirs for fire purposes,


6,000 00


Almshouse land and buildings,


$17,000 00


personal property, 5,000 00


22,000 00


City stables, buildings, and land,


18,600 00


Highway teams, tools, stone crushers, etc.,


Lock-up, North Village,


4,000 00


Land on Pearl street, Ward 1. $2.300 00


66 Jewett street, 3,000 00


Dalby street, 66


1,170 00


6.470 00


Land on Crafts street, Ward 2, $1,200 00


.. Chapel street, 500 00


.. Watertown street, Ward 2. 2.250 00


Amounts carried forward,


$3,950 00 $689,070 00


24,000 00


53


Amounts brought forward,


$3,950 00 $689,070 00


1,200 00


Land in North Village, Ward 2, 66 66


600 00


66 66


875 00


6,625 00


Land on Pine street, Ward 3,


$500 00


66


66 66


1,000 00


.6


Wash. street, 66


1,000 00


..


66


1,500 00


66 66


66


375 00


4,375 00


Land, Ward 4,


500 00


66


66


$700 00


Land on Parker street, Ward 5,


300 00


Land, Ward 6,


$5,500 00


Land on Summer street, Ward 6, 66 cor. Centre and Station st.,


5,000 00


Ward 6,


3,000 00


Land on Beacon street, Ward 6,


500 00


Land in Newton Cemetery,


$2,000 00


Tomb . 6 66


800 00


2,800 00


Total value of City property,


$718,370 00


1,000 00


14,000 00


THIRD ANNUAL REPORT


OF THE


OVERSEERS OF THE POOR FOR THE CITY OF NEWTON.


CITY HALL, December 31, 1876.


TO THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF NEWTON:


Gentlemen, -The City Ordinance requires the Overseers of the Poor to present to your Body, annually, a statement of the condition of that branch of the public service under their charge. The Board, therefore, submit the following statement of their expenditures for the year 1876:


Amount of appropriations for Poor out of Alms- house for the year 1876 (original. $7,000 ; addi- tional. $2.393.85.) $9.393 85


Expenditures of the Board.


Amount paid Hospitals at Worcester,


Northampton and Taunton for sup- port of insane,


$2.231 97


Amount paid Reform. Industrial and State Primary Schools, 196 27


Amount paid cities and towns for relief of poor. 1,116 01


Amount paid for medical attendance, 906 09


66 66 for medical prescriptions, 103 71


66 for fuel, 1,127 13


66 for groceries and supplies, 2,934 35


Amounts carried forward, $8,615 53


$9,393 85


55


Amounts brought forward, $8,615 53


$9,393 85


Amount paid for burial expenses, 290 00


. for board of sundry poor, 126 43


66


66 for supplies at station house, 84 93


66


66 for miscellaneous expenses. 219 25


Total,


$9.336 14


Balance Unexpended,


$57 71


By the foregoing statement you will notice that the Board exceeded the original appropriation of $7,000, by $2,336.14; but an additional appropri- ation of $1,193.85 was made in September, and another of $1,200 in October, making in all $9,- 393 85, leaving an unexpended balance of $57.71.


The additional appropriation of $1,193.85 is the amount which has been collected the past year, from cities, towns and individuals, for support of persons not having a legal settlement in our city, and there is now due from such parties about $950, which will soon be collected and paid into the city Treasury.


The large amount expended has been made necessary in consequence of the continued depres- sion of all business interests during the year, mak- ing it almost impossible for persons to find constant employment, and consequently unable to furnish those dependent on them with their daily bread, and should the present depression continue during the year to come, the expenditures of this branch of the public service must be as great, if not in excess of the past year.


The first meeting of the present Overseers of the Poor was held February 3, 1876, and by vote


56


of the Board, Mr. John J. Ware was elected Warden of the Almshouse, for the year, at a salary of $537.50.


The Board have held regular monthly meetings during the year, and a special meeting at the Alms- house for the annual inspection of that institution.


The average number of poor at the Almshouse has been 18 16, supported at an average expense of about $2.46 per week for each person; and 12 persons have been supported by the City at the State Lunatic Asylums.


The number of "tramps" provided with food and lodging at the Police Stations, during the year, has been 2,486, at an estimated expense to the City of about $500.


In closing, permit us to say, that in our opinion the deserving poor should be employed upon our highways and other public works, so far as they are capable of performing the labor.


Respectfully submitted in behalf of the Over- seers of the poor.


A. B. COBB, Clerk.


POLICE REPORT,


FOR THE YEAR 1876.


OFFICE OF THE CITY MARSHALL, WEST NEWTON, Dec. 31, 1876.


To HIS HONOR THE MAYOR AND THE CITY COUN- CIL OF NEWTON:


Gentlemen,-In accordance with Section 3, of Ordinance No. 19, I have the honor to submit for your consideration, the Third Annual Report of the transactions of the Police Department of the City, for the year ending December 31, 1876.


The maximum number of the Police force, as now organized is thirteen, as follows: City Mar- shall, two day and ten night Patrolmen.


During the year, the new Station House in Ward Six, has been constructed, furnished and occupied, thus providing excellent and ample accommoda- tions for that section of the City. Station One has been improved in its arrangements and newly furnished, and is now, together with Stations Two and Three, in good condition.


The amount paid during the year for the com- pensation of the force and for its contingent ex- penses, has amounted to $15,087.72. During the same period there has been paid into the City Treasury, on account of Officers' Fees, etc., the sum of $1,198.19; leaving the net cost of the Department $13,889.53, a reduction of $956.46, from the cost of the previous year.


6


58


The following is a synopsis of the service of the Department for the year:


General Statistics.


Number of Arrests. 514


Number of Search Warrants


served. 50


Truants taken


Americans, 65


to School. 76


Foreigners. 386


. 6


Provided with


Minors, 80


6.


Commitments, 98


Nativity of Prisoners.


United States,


55


Germany, 3


British Provinces,


2


Norway. 1


Ireland.


354


Sweden.


2


England,


14


Indian.


1


France.


1


Negro,



Italy.


11


Nature of Crime.


Arson.


1


Larceny, simple, 22


Assault and battery.


52


66 felonious, 4


Riot.


7


Adultery,


2


Resisting an officer, 2


Breaking and entering,


7


Refusing to assist officer.


1


Common drunkards.


2


Stubborn children.


4


Cruelty to dumb animals,


9


Suspicious persons.


7


Drunkenness


160


Disturbing the peace.


41


Threatening bodily harm.


1


Disorderly, 164


Truancy, 1


Violation of city ordinance. 24


Evading car fare.


4


.. liquor law, 37


Fornication. 1


dog law. 5


Fraud,


1


Vagabonds. 4


Contempt of court,


-2


Witnesses. 2


Incendiary.


Arrested on capias. 2


66 Males. 481


Females. 33


Lodging. 2.486


Assault. felonious.


3


Disturbing public school. 3


Suspicion of larceny. 4


.


59


Miscellaneous Business.


Assistance in case of acci- dents, 16


Buildings found open and


secured, 98


Dangerous buildings repor- ted, 3


Dead bodies taken in charge, 3


Defective lamps reported, 198


66 streets 66 18


sidewalks " 17


Disturbances suppressed, 164 Dogs killed, 24


Fire alarms given. 23


Fires extinguished without


alarm. 12


Foundlings cared for, 1


Intoxicated persons assisted home, 244


Injured persons assisted, 15


Insane cared for, 8


Lost children restored, 8


Liquor shops permanently closed, 11


Liquor seizures. 32


Nuisances reported, 19


Stray teams put up, 14


Street obstructions removed, 42


Water running to waste


reported, 1


In addition to the foregoing details of duty, new services have been required from the Police force of the City, such as the distribution of large numbers of city documents and notices, tax bills and sum- mons on the same, and also other City bills for col- lection.


During the year, the services of the force were required on four occasions of unusual disturbance among the laborers on the water works, in course of construction within the City limits. On the 22d day of April a serious strike occurred among the employees on the Boston Water-Works, commenc- ing in Framingham, from which place, an organized body of rioters came down the line of the works and were joined by many others on their way. On reaching this City, they numbered nearly fifteen hundred men, armed with clubs, pick-handles and such other weapons as they were able to secure;


60


4


driving before them also the men employed on our own works, a large number of whom voluntarily joined them. The violent proceedings of this body of men, very many of whom, were professional tramps of the worst class, assumed threatening proportions, and the most serious results were imminent. The riot was finally and effectually suppressed by the timely presence, coolness and courage of officers Moulton, Heustis, Davis, Rob- erts, F. E. Hinds and Marsh, the latter being entitled to special mention for the prompt efficiency of his action. On three other occasions very seri- ous trouble was suppressed by the prompt presence and efforts of the Police, among the laborers on the Newton Water-Works.


With many thanks to His Honor the Mayor and the City Council, for their kind consideration and their readiness to co-operate with the Department in forwarding the best interests of the City, this Report is respectfully submitted.


R. L. HINDS,


City Marshal.


ANNUAL REPORT


OF THE


CITY TREASURER


AND


COLLECTOR


FOR THE


YEAR ENDING, DECEMBER 31, 1876.


NEW


0


IBERTY AND UNION


FOUNDED 163


79.A CITY 1873.


NCO


NONI


ITUM


ORATED ATO


CITY TREASURER'S ACCOUNT.


THE CITY OF NEWTON IN ACCOUNT WITH EDWARD J. COLLINS, Treasurer and Collector.


Receipts.


Balance in Treasury, Dec. 31. 1875, $217,943 74


Amount received during the year, 926,111 54


Making a total of $1,144,055 28


This sum was received from the follow-


ing sources, viz. :-


Temporary Loan from the Provident Institution for Savings, 100,000 00


Sale of Water Bonds, 350.000 00


Premium on Water Bonds, . 13.593 75


Accrued Interest on Water Bonds, 1,741 67


National Bank No. America, interest on


daily balances on Water Account, 2,651 30


Sale of Municipal Bonds.


34.000 00


Premium on Municipal Bonds,


132 60


Accrued Interest on Municipal Bonds. 17 22


14,814 47


Corporation Tax, 1876, 6. balance 1875, 212 09


National Bank Tax, 14.140 78


Trustees Newton Free Library. 2.818 92


State Aid. 1.400 00


Support of Sundry Poor Persons, 1,193 85


Dog Tax, 975 17


Highway Account.


6.249 40


County Commissioner Award on Waltham ¿ Street, 1.500 00


Amount carried forward, $545.471 22


66


Amount brought forward, $545,471 22 Fire Account, sale of old engine house, Ward 3, 1,535 00 Fire Account, James Boyd & Son, sale of old fire property, 201 70


Fire Account, rent of engine house, Ward 6, 14 00 Fire Account, C. A. Cole, sale of old junk, 1 50


A. J. Fisk, 1 35


66 6. Orrin Whipple, sale of rope, 75


Fees in criminal cases, 1,228 49


Rent of City Hall, 574 00


Tuition of non-resident Pupils, 254 50


School incidentals, 204 50


Speare Library Fund, 250 00


Reimbursed on Interest account, 210 00


Armory Rent, 484 00


Almshouse Account, sale of produce,


320 21


Return Premiums, Insurance Account, 123 00


Record and other Fees, 215 70


Police Account, sale of horse,


106 05


On account of Fire Inquest, 81 00


Rent of Schoolhouse Halls. 62 00


Water Account, 3 00


Rent of Black Bass Pond,


1 00


Taxes of 1876,


309,160 32


66 1875, 57,399 32


66 1874,


1,372 81


Interest on Taxes,


3,345 85


Newton Bank, interest on daily balan-


ces, 3,490 27


Balance Dec. 31st, 1875, 217,943 74


Total, $1,144,055 28


67


Payments.


The sums disbursed during the same


period were on the following ac- counts :-


General Appropriations for Schools, $74,634 73


Drawing Schools, 1,168 96


Conveyance of Pupils,


900 00


Evening Schools. 409 92


Incidentals for Schools, 9,420 03


Total for Educational Dept., $86,533 64


Water Commissioners,


553,058 98


City Loans,


133,800 00


Highway Department,


75,524 13


Interest on Water Bonds,


30,911 39


State Tax, 28,944 00


Fire Department. 24,980 68


Lighting Streets,


22,071 98


Interest on City Loans,


26,175 73


Police Department,


15,087 72


Land Damage,


14,635 62


Salaries.


13,408 04


Sinking Funds,


21,344 20


County Tax,


10,100 12


Poor out of Almshouse,


9.336 14


Public Property,


5,880 27


Newton Free Library,


4,579 88


Almshouse Expenses and Repairs.


4,243 68


Miscellaneous Expenses,


3,255 07


Books, Stationery and Printing,


2,821 56


City Hall,


1,877 51


State Aid,


1,612 00


Insurance, 1,514 50


Gravel Lands,


1,436 16


Armory Rent and Expenses.


1,433 89


National Bank Tax.


1,239 47


Memorial Day,


300 00


Amount carried forward, $1.096.106 36


68


Amount brought forward, $1.096,106 36 Burial Grounds, 195 80 On account enlargement High School, 46 77 Balance in Treasury, Dec. 31st, 1876. 47,456 35


Speare Library Fund. 250 00 47,706 35


Total. $1,144,055 28


EDWARD J. COLLINS, Treasurer.


ANNUAL REPORT


OF THE


SCHOOL COMMITTEE


OF THE


CITY OF NEWTON.


I876. No. XXXVII.


W


LIBERTY AND UNION


FOUNDED


30.ING


679.A CITY 1873


NONA


TUM.


ORATED AT


BOSTON: FRANKLIN PRESS: RAND, AVERY, & COMPANY. 1877.


ORGANIZATION OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE,


January, 1876.


HON. ALDEN SPEARE, MAYOR, CHAIRMAN, ex officio. HON. GEORGE E. ALLEN, PRES. COMMON COUNCIL, ex officio. REV. BRADFORD K. PEIRCE, D D., CHAIRMAN. H. M. WILLARD, SECRETARY.


DISTRICT COMMITTEES.


NEWTON CENTRE DISTRICT.


JAMES S. NEWELL, Newton Centre. WALTER ALLEN, Newton Highlands. ERASTUS BLAKESLEE, " JOHN A. GOULD, Newton Upper Falls. GEORGE W. SHINN, Newton.


UPPER FALLS DISTRICT.


JOHN A. GOULD. JAMES S. NEWELL. WALTER ALLEN. ERASTUS BLAKESLEE. ISAAC HAGAR, Newton Lower Falls.


AUBURNDALE AND LOWER FALLS DISTRICT.


ISAAC HAGAR. JAMES E. LATIMER, Auburndale. ELIJAH W. WOOD, West Newton.


WEST NEWTON DISTRICT.


ELIJAH W. WOOD. GEO. E. ALLEN, ex officio, W. Newton. JULIUS L. CLARKE, West Newton. WINFIELD S. SLOCUM, Newtonville. JAMES E. LATIMER.


NEWTONVILLE DISTRICT.


HENRY C. HAYDEN, Newtonville. LINCOLN R. STONE, Newton. WINFIELD S. SLOCUM. BRADFORD K. PEIRCE, " JULIUS L. CLARKE.


NEWTON DISTRICT.


BRADFORD K. PEIRCE. GEORGE W. SHINN.


HENRY C. HARDON, Newton. HENRY C. HAYDEN.


LINCOLN R. STONE.


STANDING COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD.


High School. - Bradford K. Peirce, Henry C. Hayden, George E. Allen, James E. Latimer, Walter Allen, George W. Shinn, Mayor, ex officio. Evening Schools. - George W. Shinn, Henry C. Hardon, Julius L. Clarke. Music. - James E. Latimer, Lincoln R. Stone, Henry C. Hayden. Drawing. - Henry C. Hardon, Elijah W. Wood, Winfield S. Slocum. Industrial Drawing. - Erastus Blakeslee, Isaac Hagar, James S. Newell. Text-Books. - Bradford K. Peirce, James E. Latimer, Walter Allen. Rules and Regulations. - Walter Allen, Erastus Blakeslee, George W. Shinn. Salaries. - Elijah W. Wood, George E. Allen, James S. Newell. Schoolhouses. - Isaac Hagar, John A. Gould, Lincoln R. Stone. Accounts. - Isaac Hagar, George E. Allen, Julius L. Clarke.


ORGANIZATION OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE, January, 1877.


HON. ALDEN SPEARE, MAYOR, CHAIRMAN, ex officio. HON. GEORGE E. ALLEN, PRES. COMMON COUNCIL, ex officio. REV. BRADFORD K. PEIRCE, D.D., CHAIRMAN. ISAAC HAGAR, SECRETARY.


Elective Members.


BRADFORD K. PEIRCE,


Ward One,


Present Term of Office. Expires January, 1880.


HENRY C. HARDON,


Two,


66


1880.


HORATIO S. NOYES,


JULIUS L. CLARKE,


" Three,


*ELIJAH W. WOOD,


JAMES E. LATIMER,


66


Four,


ISAAC HAGAR,


66


66


66


66


1879.


JOHN A. GOULD,


Five,


66


1878.


WALTER ALLEN,


66


66


66


66


1878.


JAMES S. NEWELL,


Six,


66


1878.


AMOS E. LAWRENCE,


66


66


1878.


GEORGE W. SHINN,


Seven,


66


66


1878.


LINCOLN R. STONE,


66


66


1879.


* Elected in convention to fill vacancy.


1880.


HENRY O. MARTIN,


1880.


1879.


1878.


66


1879.


DISTRICT COMMITTEES.


NEWTON CENTRE DISTRICT.


JAMES S. NEWELL, Newton Centre. WALTER ALLEN, Newton Highlands. AMOS E. LAWRENCE, 66 JOHN A. GOULD, Newton Upper Falls. GEORGE W. SHINN, Newton.


UPPER FALLS DISTRICT.


JOHN A. GOULD. WALTER ALLEN.


JAMES S. NEWELL. AMOS E LAWRENCE. ISAAC HAGAR, Newton Lower Falls.


AUBURNDALE AND LOWER FALLS DISTRICT.


ISAAC HAGAR.


JAMES E. LATIMER, Auburndale.


ELIJAH W. WOOD, West Newton.


WEST NEWTON DISTRICT.


JULIUS L. CLARKE, West Newton. GEORGE E. ALLEN.


ELIJAH W. WOOD. HORATIO S. NOYES, Newtonville. . JAMES LATIMER.


NEWTONVILLE DISTRICT.


HORATIO S. NOYES. LINCOLN R. STONE, Newton.


HENRY O. MARTIN, Newtonville. BRADFORD K. PEIRCE, " JULIUS L. CLARKE.


NEWTON DISTRICT.


BRADFORD K. PEIRCE. GEORGE W. SHINN.


HENRY C. HARDON, Newton. LINCOLN R. STONE.


HENRY O. MARTIN.


STANDING COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD.


High School. - Bradford K. Peirce, Horatio S. Noyes, George E. Allen, James E. Latimer, Walter Allen, Amos E. Lawrence, George W. Shinn, Mayor, ex officio. Evening Schools. - George W. Shinn, Henry C. Hardon, Julius L. Clarke. Music. - James E. Latimer, Lincoln R. Stone, Amos E. Lawrence. Drawing. - Henry C. Hardon, Elijah W. Wood, Horatio S. Noyes. Industrial Drawing. - James S. Newell, Isaac Hagar, Henry O. Martin. Text-Books. - Bradford K. Peirce, James E. Latimer, Walter Allen. Rules and Regulations. - Walter Allen, Amos E. Lawrence, George W. Shinn. Salaries. - Elijah W. Wood, George E. Allen, James S. Newell. Schoolhouses. - Isaac Hagar, John A. Gould, Lincoln R. Stone. Accounts. - Isaac Hagar, George E. Allen, Julius L. Clarke.


CITY OF NEWTON.


NEWTON, Sept. 29, 1876.


REV. B. K. PEIRCE. Dear Sir, - At a meeting of the School Committee of the City of Newton, held the 27th instant, the following-named gentlemen were appointed to prepare the Annual Report of the School Committee for the year 1876; viz., Messrs. Peirce, Wood, Latimer, Gould, and Lawrence.


Respectfully yours, ISAAC HAGAR, Secretary School Committee.


REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.


DURING the past year, the schools have suffered a number of temporary embarrassments, which have greatly increased the labors of the teachers, and somewhat hindered the obtaining of such results as they would be glad to show in the progress of their pupils.


In order to secure, as far as practicable, in our schools, at least the number of thirty-five pupils to each teacher, the classification, in some instances, has been affected, and two classes, or two grades of one class, have been allotted to a teacher; thus de- volving much more work upon the instructor, and preventing such general and marked improvement, as, tested by written examinations, might have been obtained from one select and well-graded class. There are two incidental difficulties, also, attending this course. In the effort to equalize the classes, some pupils were crowded forward more rapidly than their acquirements or abilities justified; and what was, perhaps, a more serious evil, some partially defective children were kept back in lower classes, to their great discouragement and injury. This evil perpetuates itself; for, in the case of a number of


8


REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.


children, it appears that they have been for three years in one class. Their ambition has been utterly quenched ; and their latest examinations have proved to be less favorable than the first. The real power of the teacher is measured by the success attained in these difficult cases. An ordinary instructor may readily manage the bright and responsive pupils. Such apparently dull children as these should not be permitted to accumulate in the lower classes. Some stimulant of hope and ambition must be discovered. An ingenious teacher, in these instances, will find his opportunity to test the richness of his expedients. Some experiment must be tried ; for it is ruinous to the child's whole educational development to keep him ringing the familiar changes from year to year upon the simplest rudiments of knowledge. It often occurs, that the pupil is only defective in one branch, and quick enough to apprehend others. This weak point, of course, is to be specially addressed ; but the whole progress of the child should not be hindered by this one intellectual deficiency. Perhaps no feature in our schools occasions so much anxiety and distrust among intelligent parents as this; and it should be carefully considered by our teachers.


As the new arrangement, however, becomes per- fected, and the two classes in a room are well graded, these difficulties will be largely obviated. The char- acter of some of our thinly populated districts renders such an arrangement of classes necessary in order to secure a proper number of pupils for each teacher, and, wisely managed, may be in itself an advantage. One division is enabled to study while the other recites ; and at the same time, in the gen-


9


GENERAL REPORT.


eral exercises of the room, each division can enjoy the common instructions of the teacher.


During a portion of the year, there were serious interruptions in some of the schools through prevail- ing epidemics. Great care was taken by the district committees to limit the spread of these diseases. Children of families thus afflicted were kept from school as long as was deemed necessary by medical advisers ; and, in several instances, teachers were prevented, for a number of days, from taking charge of their classes, substitutes being provided. This protracted and unavoidable interruption could but affect unfavorably the progress of the schools.


There have been more than the usual changes among the lady teachers of the schools. It cannot be questioned that women are eminently successful as educators, and especially of young children. They are the natural and preferable instructors of the first years in school-life. Many of these teachers have prepared themselves by careful study, by normal instruction, by familiarity with kindergarten modes, and by continued personal examinations of model schools, for the peculiarly delicate and no less impor- tant office of leading little children along their first steps in the path of knowledge, and of inspiring them with a love for the task; and many have as carefully trained themselves for the requisitions of the higher classes. But this possibility attaches to all these teachers, even mature age proving no defence. The domestic necessity dominates them; and at any moment they are liable to be called into another relation by so peremptory an occasion, that resist- ance to it is hopeless. Where a teacher has accom-


10


REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.


plished marked success, won the love and obedience of the class, and secured the confidence and co-ope- ration of parents, it becomes quite a serious matter to supply the vacancy created by her removal. We can clearly see the evil ; but we are not sufficiently wise to suggest its remedy. Unless a class of our ladies emulate the self-sacrificing spirit of the Sisters of Charity, the full power of women in the school- room will not be felt.


During a large portion of the year, more or less preparation was going on for the public exposition of our schools at the World's Fair in Philadelphia. With every effort to prevent any interruption of the regular order of studies, or any undue devotion of schooltime to the work, it was impossible that so exciting a call for special endeavor, with the compe- tition in view of all the schools in the land, could fail to have its influence upon teachers and pupils. We bear cheerful testimony to the patient and effi- cient efforts of our instructors, largely out of school- hours, to secure an exhibition of which we might be proud (as, indeed, the results have proved we have every reason to be), with the smallest possible en- croachment upon the daily duties of the school. Although the interruption has sometimes been per- plexing, still, in the enforced habits of attention which have been necessary for the execution of the fine specimens which bear the city seal in the Educational Department at Philadelphia, there have been secured adequate compensations. Experts have already expressed their high appreciation of the work, in all departments, from the primary to the high school, which has been submitted for




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