USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Newton > Town of Newton annual report 1875 Vol. 1 > Part 2
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There are some who believe that a plan can be adopted that will better meet the wants of the city, and possibly at less expense.
It being apparent that there was a difference of opinion on this subject, it was deemed best to have a committee, or board of commissioners, appointed out- side of the city council, to fully investigate and report the best plan for a water supply. This commission has been appointed, and will soon enter upon an investiga- tion of the whole matter.
I am, however, satisfied that we must chiefly if not wholly depend upon Charles River for our supply of water, either taking it directly and independently, or by joining with Boston, or taking it from the Brook- line Water Works if it can be thus obtained.
It may be found advisable to utilize the water of Hammond's Pond, Cold Spring Brook, and Bullough's
21
MAYOR'S ADDRESS.
Pond in connection with the Charles River supply, as we can do under a charter granted us last winter. It does not, however, become me to enter into the details of this question. The whole subject is in good hands, and in due time we shall have such a report as will enable us to fully decide upon the merits of the various plans that have been from time to time suggested.
It seems probable that, before this year shall have passed, the work necessary for supplying the city with water will be well under way, if not nearly completed.
After the water has been brought in, and has per- formed its work, there must be some way to get it out again with all the impurities it has gathered.
It may not be necessary to immediately enter upon an extensive system of sewerage, though it must be apparent to all who fully consider the subject that Ward One, at least, will soon need some provision of this kind.
This work, though only to meet the wants of this ward, will need to be so constructed as to form an important part of a comprehensive system for the whole city, of which the main sewer through Ward One will be the only outlet. This drainage must be where nature has provided for it, - down Charles River, or in the valley alongside of it, in a close brick sewer, until it reaches a point near the Arsenal Bridge, where the tide ebbs and flows sufficiently to scour out the channel, and carry to the sea all that may empty into it.
The system of sewerage thus begun could be gradu-
22
MAYOR'S ADDRESS.
ally extended as the wants of the city required until in time it would meet the wants of every part.
If a large outlay is made for the introduction of water, it will be necessary to issue bonds to meet the expenses of the same, so that the taxes may not be largely increased. The debt of Newton being so small, and the wealth so great in proportion to the popula- tion, we ought to be able to borrow at as low a rate as any city in the Commonwealth. Such bonds should run for not less than twenty years, if at six per cent, but a less time if it should be deemed best to issue them at seven per centum.
For the payment or redemption of this debt, a sink- ing fund should be created. Our ordinances provide that " there shall be annually appropriated, and raised by taxation, on account of loans made for ten years, a sum equal to six per centum thereof; on account of loans made for twenty years, a sum equal to three per centum thereof; and, on account of loans made for thirty years, a sum equal to one and one-half per centum thereof."
If this ordinance should be continued, a certain amount will be raised by taxation each year to add to the sinking fund, and the taxes will be increased in consequence.
It is generally believed that the water-rates will not for three or four years pay the annual interest on the water debt; and, if not, then an additional amount will need to be raised by taxation.
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MAYOR'S ADDRESS.
I trust that this whole subject will receive that care- ful consideration at your hands which its importance demands.
POOR DEPARTMENT.
This department has been the past year under the general direction of six overseers of the poor chosen by the city council. The selections made were for- tunate ones, and the whole business has been eco- nomically and judiciously managed. I would repeat the suggestion made last year, that great care be exercised in the selection of these officers. Let us have those that are kind and merciful but still just, and, so far as possible, men of experience in this department.
We are fortunate in having but few poor in our almshouse ; and they have for many years, to my per- sonal knowledge, been kindly cared for both in sickness and in health by the excellent and faithful warden and his wife.
The report of the overseers of the poor says : "The average number of poor at the almshouse for the past year has been seventeen, while six persons have been fully supported by the city at the different State luna- tic hospitals." A large number out of the alinshouse have been assisted at considerable expense. On the whole, we have reason to be thankful that there are no more who are obliged to be supported or assisted directly by the city. The number in our almshouse, Dec. 31, was only twelve, quite a small number con- sidering the population of Newton.
24
MAYOR'S ADDRESS.
STREET LAMPS.
There are now five hundred and eighty-five street lamps supplied with gas by the Newton and Watertown Gas Light Company, and two hundred and fifty-five lamps supplied with naphtha by the New England Gas Light Company.
A large sum is yearly paid for street lights ; and we have a right to expect good results from so large an expenditure, the whole expense of which during the year was $17,280.
There has been a manifest improvement during the year, but there is room for still greater; and I would recommend to those who will have charge of this department that they give the subject such personal attention as will insure the very best results.
CITY HALL.
Last year I expressed the hope that the government would not incur any great outlay for a City Hall, but so alter and improve the Town Hall as to fit it for all the wants of the city.
I am happy to say that that plan was adopted, and that we have secured a very commodious, well- arranged, and convenient building at a very small cost.
The City Hall, with the land connected with the same, is worth between thirty and forty thousand dollars, while the cost to the city of the alteration and the furnishing was less than half the largest sum named.
25
MAYOR'S ADDRESS.
It is reasonable to suppose that the present structure will answer all our wants for several years, while the whole outlay will not much exceed the annual interest on what a City Hall would have cost if an entirely new one had been erected. .
I believe the course pursued in relation to this build- ing was one of true economy, and is so regarded by all our citizens.
MILITARY.
The "Claflin Guards," the only military company we have in our city, has received aid from the city council during the past year, and is, I am pleased to know, in a very flourishing condition. We have reason to take pride in this organization, composed as it is of some of the best young men of our city. Such men were needed, and did splendid service, during the late Rebel- lion, and may be relied upon at all times to do their whole duty. I would again commend this company to your favorable consideration.
NEWTON FREE LIBRARY.
The importance of this institution to Newton cannot be sufficiently estimated. Through the great liberality of a few of our citizens, and the additional contribu- tions of many, this Free Library was commenced in 1866. From that time to this, more than $60,000 has been contributed by two hundred and eighty-six per- sons, mostly residents of Ward One, to make this library worthy of Newton. The Newton Centre Li-
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MAYOR'S ADDRESS.
brary Association generously donated their library to this, the same making a large and welcome addition. The number of volumes now in the library is 10,088.
To understand how our citizens appreciate the advan- tages offered by this institution, we have only to know that during the past year 47,642 volumes were issued ; being a larger number than have ever been called for in a single year before. This library is open to all classes, and none are turned away who wish to enjoy its advantages.
In view of the fact that the town had aided one similar association, and that both towns and cities may render aid to libraries, it was thought best by the man- agers of the Newton Library to ask aid from the city to the extent of $5,000; one-half to be paid last year, and one-half this year.
This petition came in late in the year, after all the appropriations were made. The committee to whom it was referred were unanimously of the opinion that such aid should be rendered ; and voted to grant $2,500 if the unexpended balances of the year would permit, and, if not, that the matter be referred to the next city council with the recommendation that the same be granted this year. At the close of the financial year, it was found that the balance of appropriations remaining in the treasury was not sufficient to pay this sum.
I earnestly join in the recommendation made, and hope the money may be paid over at an early day.
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MAYOR S ADDRESS.
I believe the policy established by the town, of aiding libraries, is worthy of continuance; and I will venture the hope that at no distant day this library will pass into the hands of the city, and become the city library, and the only one to be aided by the city ; and when under such control, if branches are needed, owing to our peculiar geographical condition, they can be estab- lished so as to accommodate all the inhabitants.
We should be thankful that so much has been done to establish a Free Library through private means ; and we should be ready to render it such material aid as it so richly deserves.
CHANGE OF WARDS
Section 3 of our charter provides that " the city council may in the year 1875, and in every fifth year thereafter, make a new division of wards, so that they shall contain, as nearly as may be consistent with well- defined limits to each ward, an equal number of voters in each ward, according to the census to be taken in the month of May or June in said years."
There are some who feel that we should have an increased number in both branches of the city council, and believe it might be well to have our charter so amended as to provide for the election of three alder- men at large, making nine with the present number ; also that it provide for three councilmen from each ward, instead of two as at present. Our charter could be so amended as to allow an increase in the number
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MAYOR'S ADDRESS.
of wards, and then a new districting of the city could be made this year if desirable, and the same put into seven or eight wards, which would have the effect to increase the board of aldermen one for each new ward, and the common council two for each new ward. Let this subject receive due consideration at your hands.
GENTLEMEN OF THE CITY COUNCIL : -
I have now briefly called your attention to matters of municipal interest with which we have had to do in the past, and which may demand our attention during the year that is now just opening before us.
Many questions of importance will arise that will require patient investigation and careful consideration. Let us be determined to honestly and conscientiously discharge every duty that devolves upon us, our only aim being to promote the public welfare.
The signs of the times most fully demand that we shall continue to exercise the most careful economy in all our expenditures, - a true economy that will not lead to waste or extravagance, and its inevitable results, heavy debt or taxation, but will give us the dollar's worth for every dollar expended, and enable us to keep our debt small, and our rate of taxation reasonable. With such management, we shall be even more pros- perous in the future than we have been in the past, and many more of such as we shall be glad to welcome will come among us to find pleasant homes on our beautiful hillsides, and along our peaceful valleys.
29
MAYOR'S ADDRESS.
Let us, then, earnestly resolve to perform the duties devolving upon us to the best of our ability, and in such a manner as shall meet the approval of our con- stituents, of our own consciences, and of the good God from whom we have received all the blessings we now enjoy.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
OF THE
CITY OF NEWTON.
1875. NO. XXXVI.
IBERTY AND UNIO
FOUNDED
79.A CITY1873
O. INC
NC
NON
TUM.
ORATE
BOSTON : FRANKLIN PRESS : RAND, AVERY, & Co. 1876.
RAND, AVERY &CO.)
PRINTERS,BOSTON.
ORGANIZATION OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE, 1875.
HON. J. F. C. HYDE, MAYOR, CHAIRMAN. Ex- Oficio. HON. GEO. E. ALLEN, PRES. COMMON COUNCIL, Ex- Officio. BRADFORD K. PEIRCE, CHAIRMAN. H. M. WILLARD, SECRETARY.
DISTRICT COMMITTEES,
District.
1 JAMES S. NEWELL,
Newton Centre,
Term expires 1877.
66
66
66
1875.
6 6 WALTER ALLEN,
66 JOHN A. GOULD,
Newton Upper Falls,
Newton Lower Falls,
66
66
1875.
3 GEORGE E. ALLEN,
West Newton,
66
66
66
6 ELIJAH W. WOOD,
66 66
66
* JULIUS L. CLARKE, HENRY C. HAYDEN,
Newtonville,
66
66
1876.
66 WINFIELD S. SLOCUM,
4 BRADFORD K. PEIRCE,
Newton,
66
66 HENRY C. HARDON,
66
66
66
STANDING COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD.
HIGH SCHOOL. - J. F. C. Hyde, B. K. Peirce, George E. Allen, J. E. Latimer, H. C. Hayden.
EVENING SCHOOL. - H. C. Hardon, Julius L. Clarke, W. S. Slocum.
MUSIC. - J. E. Latimer, H. C. Hayden, Julius L. Clarke.
DRAWING. - H. C. Hardon, James S. Newell, Alden Speare. INDUSTRIAL DRAWING. - J. A. Gould, Isaac Hagar, E. W. Wood.
TEXT-BOOKS. - B. K. Peirce, J. E. Latimer, Walter Allen.
RULES AND REGULATIONS. - W. S. Slocum, Alden Speare, Walter Allen. SCHOOLHOUSES. - Isaac Hagar, J. A. Gould, J. S. Newell. ACCOUNTS. - Isaac Hagar, George E. Allen, Elijah W. Wood.
* Elected in convention to fill vacancy.
66
1877.
66
2 ISAAC HAGAR, J. E. LATIMER,
Auburndale,
66
66
66
ALDEN SPEARE,
66 JAMES F. C. HYDE,
Newton Highlands,
ORGANIZATION OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE, 1876.
HON. ALDEN SPEARE, MAYOR. CHAIRMAN, Ex- Officio. HON. GEO. E. ALLEN, PRES. COMMON COUNCIL, Ex- Oficio. BRADFORD K. PEIRCE, CHAIRMAN. H. M. WILLARD, SECRETARY.
DISTRICT COMMITTEES.
NEWTON CENTRE DISTRICT.
JAMES S. NEWELL, *ERASTUS BLAKESLEE,
Newton Centre,
Term expires 1877.
6 1876.
WALTER ALLEN,
Newton Highlands,
=
1877.
JOHN A. GOULD,
Newton Upper Falls,
GEO. W. SHINN,
Newton,
66
UPPER FALLS DISTRICT.
JOHN A. GOULD,
WALTER ALLEN,
JAMES S. NEWELL,
ERASTUS BLAKESLEE,
ISAAC HAGAR, Newton Lower Falls, Term expires 1878.
AUBURNDALE AND LOWER FALLS DISTRICT.
ISAAC HAGAR,
J. E. LATIMER,
Auburndale,
Term expires 1878.
ELIJAH W. WOOD,
West Newton,
66
WEST NEWTON DISTRICT.
ELIJAH W. WOOD,
JULIUS L. CLARKE,
West Newton, 66 66
Term expires 1878.
GEO. E. ALLEN, ex-officio,
WINFIELD S. SLOCUM,
Newtonville,
66
66
J. E. LATIMER,
NEWTONVILLE DISTRICT.
H. C. HAYDEN,
Newtonville, Term expires 1876.
W. S. SLOCUM,
L. R. STONE, B. K. PEIRCE, JULIUS L. CLARKE.
Newton, 66
6 1878.
66 1876.
NEWTON DISTRICT. GEORGE W. SIIINN, H. C. HAYDEN.
B. K. PEIRCE,
H. C. HARDON,
L. R. STONE,
STANDING COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD.
HIGH SCHOOL. - B. K. Peirce, H. C. Hayden, George E. Allen, J. E. Latimer, Walter Allen, George W. Shinn, Mayor, ex-officio.
EVENING SCHOOLS. - H. C. Hardon, Julius L. Clarke, W. S. Slocum.
MUSIC. - J. E. Latimer, L. R. Stone, H. C. Hayden.
DRAWING. - H. C. Hardon, E. W. Wood, W. S. Slocum.
INDUSTRIAL DRAWING. - Erastus Blakeslee, Isaac Hagar, J. S. Newell.
TEXT-BOOKS. - B. K. Peirce, J. E. Latimer, Walter Allen.
RULES AND REGULATIONS. - Walter Allen, Erastus Blakeslee, Geo. W. Shinn. SALARIES. - E. W. Wood, Geo. E. Allen, J. S. Newell.
SCHOOLHOUSES. - Isaac Hagar, J. A. Gould, L. R. Stone.
ACCOUNTS. - Isaac Hagar, George E. Allen, Julius L. Clarke. * Elected in convention to fill vacancy.
66 66
1876.
CITY OF NEWTON.
IN BOARD OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE, Oct. 27, 1875.
THE following named gentlemen were appointed to pre- pare the Annual Report of the School Committee for the year 1875 ; viz., Messrs. Peirce, Newell, Hardon, Hayden, Walter Allen, and Slocum.
Attest : H. M. WILLARD, Secretary.
IN BOARD OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE, Dec. 14, 1875.
Voted, That the Superintendent of Schools be added to the above Committee.
Attest : H. M. WILLARD, Secretary.
IN MEETING OF COMMITTEE ON THE ANNUAL REPORT, Dec. 14, 1875.
Voted, That the reports of the sub-committee on the different schools, made to the General Board, and accepted by the same, constitute, with the general report of the Chairman of the Board, together with the reports of the Committees on Music and Drawing, and of the Superin- tendent, the Annual Report.
Attest : H. M. WILLARD,
Secretary.
1
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
TO THE CITIZENS OF THE CITY OF NEWTON :-
THE report of the Superintendent of Schools will give all the accustomed statistics, the history of the year's work and progress, criticisms suggested by careful, personal, and constant visitation of the different districts, and such recommendations as seem to him to be demanded by their present con- dition. During his late tour in Europe, he has been enabled to examine some of the educational institu- tions, especially of England and Germany, and brings back with him observations and impressions worthy of preservation, and such as may be of practical value to us. These will appear in his report to the Board. Of this valued officer it is our pleasure to bear testimony to his diligence and effi- ciency in securing unity and a high order of instruc- tion throughout the schools of the city, in giving suggestions to the masters and teachers ; and, as far as his other duties permitted (which have been mul- tiplied in their details far too much, for lack of other provision for their discharge), he has given normal lessons in the instruction of classes. In this field, and in conference with the teachers, his time is of the greatest value to the city; and arrangements
8
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
should be made to relieve him entirely of simply clerical labor.
The reports from the District Committees and from special committees upon music and drawing give very full, and on the whole very satisfac- tory, evidences of real progress, and of a very healthful and vigorous condition of the schools. There are comparisons often made between the character of the instruction and the progress of pupils in schools of the present day, and the public schools a quarter of a century ago, not always to the credit of the modern institutions. No sane man will dare to affirm that we have not now a better trained class of teachers. Certainly the whole sub- ject of education is better understood, both as to its modes and its objects, than formerly. The text- books are clearer and more philosophical. More public attention is now given to the schools. They are better supervised, and kept up to a higher tone. But this is also true of them : Public sentiment does not now admit of as rigid discipline as formerly. The expressed opinions of the community continually stay the hand of the teacher, in pressing forward the pupil, for sanitary reasons. We have in the last twenty years shortened, by one-sixth, the period of daily instruction, lengthened the recesses, and greatly increased the extent of vacations. We are continually warned of the danger to body and mind of crowding the pupils. Physicians and parents protest against much study at home out of school hours. Children are oftener retained from school for slight indisposition than formerly. Competition, secured by rewards and public commendation, is
9
GENERAL REPORT.
done away. With all this, would it be a wonder if our young people failed to advance in the schools as rapidly as under the more rugged and urgent dis- cipline of a previous day ? Besides, the outside demands upon the time, and vital and intellectual powers, of our young people, have been increased to a great extent. They go into society earlier, and cultivate its exciting opportunities more constantly. They take exacting lessons in music, and attend lectures, which draw heavily upon their mental and physical powers. If it had not been for the remark- able progress which has been made in modes of instruction, and for the better order of teachers which we have secured, with all these drawbacks, our public schools especially would show a very serious demoralization.
It is not to be questioned that we now crowd the short day we have with too many studies. For the body of the children, who will not remain in the schools but a few years, a better arrangement of study might and ought to be made. It may not be wise to submit all pupils to the same curriculum of study and discipline. There are many problems in the economy of public instruction not yet solved. But, on the whole, excellent work is done in our schools. In many branches our children secure a proficiency never attained in former years; and, what is better, the institution itself is a living thing. It is not in a condition of decay. There is vigor enough in it to shed its old bark, and make new fibre when required.
It was a significant fact, that, in the competitive exercises which broke out like an epidemic all over
-
10
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
the land in spelling, - that venerable and most re- spected, and supposed to be most neglected, of all rudimental studies, - in comparison with those who were children twenty years ago, and with private institutions, the lads and girls of our public schools bore away a fair proportion of the honors.
In general information and culture, our pupils to-day will be found to be far in advance of their predeces- sors of the " olden time." We think, upon a candid survey of the whole field and a somewhat careful examination of the condition of our schools, we may say without qualification to our citizens, that they are in a hopeful and improving condition.
The report of the committee upon the High School, last year, was devoted chiefly to the existing and prospective necessities for larger accommoda- tions. During the summer vacation, delaying the opening of the school in the fall but a month, the City Committee upon Public Property, without ex- hausting the liberal appropriation of the Council, provided ample, very convenient, and well-appointed additions to the High School edifice. Without needless architectural display or unnecessary expense, but with excellent taste, the new building has been erected in harmony with the old, and now presents a very attractive feature of the pleasant Ward of the city, of which it is its chief ornament. The new recitation-rooms are large, well ventilated, and pro- vided with blackboards ; the chemical and philo- sophical rooms are thoroughly appointed for the practical illustration of the sciences taught in these departments. A very convenient room has been set apart for the use of the school committee, and as the
11
GENERAL REPORT.
office of the Superintendent of Schools. It is neatly furnished with plain and convenient desks, and cases for books. A fine assortment of maps, globes, and photographic illustrations, at a small cost compara- tively, was obtained in Europe by the Superintendent during his late visit. There seems to be little lack- ing now to afford the pupils of our highest city school ample facilities, and the most favorable cir- cumstances, for the prosecution of their studies, but a considerable addition to the Library, and such illustrations in art as the generous citizens of New- ยท ton may be pleased to hang upon its walls. In the many fine private libraries of our city are valuable volumes for reference and consultation, which the owners, if the thought be but suggested to their minds, will, without doubt, be happy to place upon the now empty shelves of the High School. In this way, without calling upon the city treasury, or seri- ously taxing individual citizens, a large and useful library may be secured.
One great end of the enlargement was to enable the school to broaden its scope of instruction, and especially to bestow a wider and more thorough cul- ture upon the pupils that complete their school life when they leave its halls. Nothing further seemed to be required in the instance of those pre- paring for college. Although in our first collegiate institutions, during the last ten years, the require- ments for entering the Freshman Class have been almost annually raised, the young men from Newton High School have won the highest credit for its thoroughness in the conspicuous excellence which they have shown upon their preparatory examina-
12
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
tions. As, however, only a limited number in each class expect to enter college, and enjoy its protracted training, it becomes specially important to give the most careful attention to those who graduate from all academic tuition when they close their connection with the school. To this end, the thoughtful con- sideration of the Principal of the school, of the Super- intendent, and of the committee, has been given ; and we think it may be said, without any fear of a well- founded contradiction, that there is no single institu- tion of learning of its class, that affords a better arranged, or a broader curriculum of instruction, either for candidates for college, for young ladies and lads that limit their school life with its classes, or for youths intending to enter upon a business life, than the Newton High School. We know of no public school in the State that has so admirably arranged a commercial course. The marked difference between the preparation we are now enabled to give our lads proposing a mercantile life, and that secured in the business colleges, so called, is to be seen in its philo- sophical adaptation to the developing powers of the mind, in its scope and breadth, and in its thorough- ness as tested by constant written examinations. It is necessary to develop the intellect and the moral powers of the youth, as well as to discipline his hand to a fair and free style of penmanship, and to instruct him in the rudimental laws of commercial arithmetic and book-keeping. As our merchants form one of the largest elements in our social life, become our ruling citizens, and give direction to public affairs, it is im- portant that they should have a general knowledge of history and civil government, and be familiar with
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