Town of Newton annual report 1875 Vol. 1, Part 9

Author: Newton (Mass.)
Publication date: 1875
Publisher: Newton (Mass.)
Number of Pages: 244


USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Newton > Town of Newton annual report 1875 Vol. 1 > Part 9


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112


REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.


The class at Newtonville was opened at the High School Building, Nov. 12, eighteen persons admitted, and five more added on the following Friday; making in all twenty-three.


OCCUPATIONS AND RANGE OF AGE OF SCHOLARS.


Newton Centre.


Newtonville.


Occupation.


No. of scholars.


Range of age.


Occupation.


No. of scholars.


Range of age.


Carpenters,


18


16 to 50


Carpenters,


8


19 to 45


Machinists,


3


24 " 29


Machinists,


3


17 " 19


Engineers (civil), 3


17 " 29


Engineers,


3


17 " 20


Surveyor,


1


20


Draughtsman,


1


19


Bookkeeper,


1


20


Cabinet-maker,


1 19


Clerk,


1


25


Bookkeeper,


1


19


Students,


8


15 " 20


Clerk,


1 20


Students,


3 16 " 21


35


No occupation,


2 19 " 20


23


The plan of instruction must of necessity be arranged to include all the branches in drawing required by the different occupations of the scholars. This is a rather difficult task, con- sidering it must all be performed in the limited time of only one evening a week; but, by judicious and systematic arrangement, I hope to accomplish all that can be expected under existing circumstances.


I have divided the classes into two sections, I. and II .; the first containing all those who have had some instruction in draw- ing, and the second those who have not. The former is again subdivided into two branches, architectural and mechanical. The subjects for the architectural are, lectures with blackboard illustrations on building construction, architectural details, draw- ing of plans and elevations to scale from sketches on the black- board.


Subjects for mechanical branch are, lectures on machine- construction, drawing of details of machinery from sketches on blackboard or copies. These details are drawn on a large scale in plan, elevation, and sections, and in due time are put together in one general plan of the machine, drawn to a smaller scale. Those who are far enough advanced in either branch may take


113


SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT.


up special and more elaborate subjects, either copies or original designs.


The course for the second section consists of lectures and draw- ing of geometrical figures from sketches made on the blackboard, orthographic projection, and, as soon as practicable, drawing of simple details to scale, from blackboard drawings.


The course, as indicated above, I think is a practical one ; and, by choosing the subjects to meet the requirements of the different parties, their interest may be kept alive. The success of the school must of course depend largely upon the application and promptness of attendance of the scholars, which I trust will not be wanting, although the great distance which many of the scholars live from the schools may at times be a not entirely vague excuse for absence. I am very favorably impressed with the intelligent appearance of most of the scholars, and shall not fail to do my utmost to make the schools a success, and benefit to those who attend them.


Fully appreciating the readiness with which the Board voted me the privilege of prolonging my stay in Europe, after the opening of the fall session of our schools, I endeavored to render an equivalent by devoting as much time as possible to schools, to the examination of build- ings and apparatus, to conversation with school officers, and to purchasing at low rate some useful apparatus, maps, globes and pictures for our schools.


In England, I made a hasty visit to its three principal foundation schools, viz. : Eton, Harrow and Rugby. At the latter, I spent a day with one of its principal teachers, from whom I learned much of the system of management and instruction in all these schools, receiving reports, and examination papers for subsequent study.


In London, I visited with Dr. Rigg various schools, and in conversation with him and other school officers I received much information upon English elementary edu- cation, not easily gained from ordinary educational reports. From him too I received pamphlets and reports upon the English educational system.


114


REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.


At South Kensington, I enjoyed especial facilities for inspecting the plan of work in the great art school, through letters of introduction kindly furnished me by Mr. Walter Smith.


In Berlin the chief officer in the educational depart- ment gave me every assistance for facilitating the inspec- tion of the schools. From the teachers also I received every courtesy and opportunity for examination. I found them not only willing to enlighten me on any points upon which information was asked, but enthusiastic even in their explanations, and also in their inquiries as to the work in the United States, with which they seemed remarkably familiar.


In Berlin too I visited some of the celebrated stores where are to be found the finest maps in the world, and also the justly celebrated establishment of Ernst Schotte & Co., where I purchased beautiful globes and maps in relief, and various other fine globes. These were all pur- chased at the same discount that is allowed to the schools of Berlin.


At Dresden, by the aid of a letter from Mr. Elliot, I purchased at an extremely low rate several fine views of Greek and Roman antiquities, various classical views of statuary and historical subjects, views of ancient armor, and three very large pictures of the Roman Forum, the Colosseum, and St. Peter's. I find that all these pictures, with many others, were recently purchased for Harvard College. Their educational influence will be of great value to our High School.


At Vienna, through the kindness of Minister Orth, I was at once introduced to the Minister of Education. The schools were not in session, but by his assistance I gained access to any of the buildings which I chose to visit. The magnificence of some of these was surprising. Evidently no pains or expense had been spared by the government in erecting and so thoroughly equipping buildings, as to fit them in the highest degree for the


115


SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT.


most intelligent and valuable instruction. From the Min- ister of Education, I received handsomely bound copies of the late educational reports of the Austrian Empire, as well as pamphlets explaining various matters in the educational system.


In Paris I visited some of the finest stores of educational supplies ; among others the famous establishment of Ha- chette and Co. At this house I purchased a skeleton, a man- ikin, a set of forms to illustrate the principles of plane, solid and spherical geometry, and also a handsome chart of the entire metric system. These were also purchased at a low rate, through letters of introduction obtained from Samp- son Low and Co., of London, to whom. Mr. Emerson, my predecessor, had furnished me with an introduction from Messrs. Harper and Brothers.


In so hasty a survey of educational matters abroad, it was impossible to examine any thing very carefully. I could do little more than collect materials for future study, and acquire more definite impressions upon various points, than can be obtained from reading alone. While in many things the schools of Germany excel our own, and while we can learn much from them, our own system is better adapted to our own wants and more in harmony with our system of government. With such modifications as are in accordance with American ideas, I think our schools can become such, certainly in a wealthy and liberal city like our own, that we need not fear a comparison with those of other lands.


CENTENNNIAL.


At the exposition in Philadelphia during the coming year, I hope that our schools will be able to make an honest and creditable exhibition, without any especial efforts which would give an unfair impression of our regular work, and would be worse than nothing. We can show results from written examination papers, and from exhibitions of regu- lar work in drawing and music such as will stand a favora- ble comparison with other places. An idea of primary


116


REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.


work can also be given from the preparation by the children of their printing, writing, drawing, arithmetical tables, &c., which will be of interest, as illustrating the system. Our aim should be to give an exhibition of our system from the beginning to the end as it is, which will be of far greater interest than any forced work of remarkable excellence, which is not an exposition of work, but a display of the genius and aptitude of individuals.


In closing this report, I would express my thanks to the members of the City Council for their generous appropria- tions for the support of our schools, to the members of this Board for their courtesy and consideration, and to our teachers for their ready co-operation in the work in which we are engaged.


H. M. WILLARD, Supt.


117


SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT.


STATISTICS.


Names of Teachers.


Department.


Class.


Whole No. of


Pupils during


Average Whole


Average


Attendance.


No. of Pupils


under 5.


No. of Pupils


over 15.


High School.


Francis A. Waterhouse . .


Ezra W. Sampson


Sarahı W. Fox


C. Augusta Gile .


Carrie Spear


66


A E. A. Godefrin


Hulda Geist


A. Lawrence Bond


District No. 1.


763


632


569 5


1


8


David S. Farnham.


Master.


Muson School.


M. L. Searle


O. M Farnsworth


7


M. L. Adams .


6


Martha S. Allen


5


Isabel C. Patten .


4


Mary A. Rockwood


66


2


Charlotte McDaniels


1


Prospect School.


Martha I. Perkins


9, 8


Mattie M. Miller


7,6


Fannie M. King


5


Mary P. Guilford


66


4


M. Ella Hildreth


3,2 1


Ouk Hill School.


Mary E. Minter .


Principal. Assistant.


9, 8,7 5, 4, 3, 1


Hly le School.


Mary J. Fisher


Alotta E Stearns


Principal. Assistant.


District No. 2.


373


294


275


6


18


Luther E. Leland .


Master.


Hamilton School.


Ellen M. Gifford


9,8


Anna G. Swain


7,6


Lo:tie P. Harbach


5, 4


Sarah F. Pratt .


3,2


A. Josephine Clark


1


Williams School.


Elizabeth A. Pinnock .


Head Assist.


9,8


Mary F. White


Mary Tenney


First Assist. Assistant.


7, 6


5


237


220.5


206.8


0


192


Master. Sub-Master. Assistant. 66


M. Isabel Hanson


French. German. Substitute.


9,8


Head Assist. First Assist. Assistant.


..


3


Katherine K. Nicholson .


Head Assist. First Assist. Assistant.


Ellena Thompson


Martha H. Jackson


Head Assist. First Assist. Assistant. 46


the year.


No.


118


REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.


Names of Teachers.


Department.


Class.


Whole No. of


Pupils during


Average Whole


Average


Attendance.


No. of Pupils


under 5.


No. of Pupils


over 15.


Lucy E. Davis


Assistant.


Lilla H. Shaw


Ann B. Smith


District No. 3.


944


743.2


688.1


6


70


Levi F. Warren


Master


Pierce School.


Sarah A. Warren .


Head Assist.


9,8


Aroline B. Meek


First Assist.


7,6


Eliza E. Simmons


Davis School.


Ella G. Bates


Principal. Assistant.


5, 4


Nellie J. Butler


3


Susan E. Copeland


2


Sarah E. Foster .


1


Franklin School.


Emma J. Thompson


Principal. Assistant.


5, 4


Calista S. Wood


3


Susan P. Richmond


2


Clara H. Thompson


1


Adams School.


M. Abby Smith


Head Assist. First Assist. Assistant.


9,8


V. E. Hapgood


7


Estella M. Haynes


4,3


Lydia A. Brierly


2, 1


Claflin School.


Adelaide Reed


Principal. Assistant.


6


Louise W. Stearns


5


Mary R. Ware


4,3


Lizzie S. Flint


2, 1


District No. 4.


837


705.8


631.9


0


16


H. Chapin Sawin .


Master.


Bigelow School.


Angenette F. Tinkham .


9


Eudora Sanford .


8


Martha M. Bakeman


Annie E. Abrahams


6


Esther E. Barry


5


Lucy M. Loring


5


Emma G. Bigelow


Mary H. Dwyer


Lincoln School.


Alotta C. Wilmarth


3,2, 1


Underwood School.


Helen M. Whiton


66


3


Sarah E. Whittemore


Head Assist. First Assist. Assistant.


4


* Deceased.


the year.


No.


4 3, 2 1


*Frances M. Parker


Assistant. 66


6


119


SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT.


Names of Teachers.


Department.


Class.


Whole No. of


Pupils during


the year.


Average Whole


No.


Average


Attendance.


No. of Pupils


under 5.


No. of Pupils


over 15.


Josephine W. Littlefield Emma M. Cleary


Assistant. 66


1


1


Jackson School.


Alice Pitts


Principal. Assistant.


6


Lilla T. Wilder


5


H. Augusta Millard


4


Sarah E. Hayes .


3


Ella M. Hotchkiss.


2


Jeanette A. Grant


1


Wm. S. Tilden


Music.


Emma F. Bowler .


Drawing.


SALARIES.


Superintendent .


· $3,000


Master of High School


300


Sub-Master "


2,000


Assistants at High School


1,200


Grammar Masters


2,200


Head Assistants


800


First


700


Principal Teacher at Hyde, Davis, Franklin, Jackson, and Claflin Schools


800


Principal of Oak Hill School .


1,000


Assistants, maximum


650


minumum


550


Teacher of Music .


2,500


Drawing and Writing .


2,000


120


REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.


The following table gives the statistics of monthly attendance, and the aggregate attendance, for the school-year ending June, 1875.


SEPTEMBER.


OCTOBER.


NOVEMBER.


DECEMBER.


JANUARY.


FEBRUARY.


Average


Whole No.


Average


Per cent


Average


Average


Per cent


Average


Average


Attendance.


Per cent Attendance.


Average


Average


Attendance.


Per eent Attendance.


Whole No.


Attendance.


Attendance.


Whole No.


Attendance.


Per cent


Attendance.


Mason.


310.3


294.5 222.2


95.2 94.4


325.4 237.3 70 4


299.1 219.5 67.3 33.8


92.7 92.6 95.6 89 8


316.1 234 4 68.9 36.6


288.6 218.4 66.1 34


91 6 93.3 95.8 93.2


296 235.2 70 2 34.6


251.8 207.8 64 4 29 8


85 2 88.4 92 86.4


292.5 216 67.3 32.3


255.3 181.7 59.3 28.4


87 84.6


287.1 209.4


183.2


89.6


Hyde. .


68.3


64 5


94.8


33.7


95 3


37.8


87.8


29.4


25.6


86 9


District No. 1.


649.6


614 9


04 9


670.9


619.7


92 6


656


605.1


93.4


636


553.8


87.1


608.1


524.7


87


589 8


517.5


86.4


Hamilton .


124.4


119.7


96.6


120.2


114.7


95 5


119 7


110 7


92.8


114 9


108


114.5


103.1


91.1


107.7


99.3


92.6


Williams. .


162.9


159.4


97.9


191.9


184 5


96.3


175.6


163.4


93.7


148.4


134.5


178.9


166.2


93


171 3


161.4


94.3


District No. 2.


287.3


279.1


97.2


312.1


299 2


95.9


295 3


274.1


93.2


263.3


242 5


92.1


293.4


269.3


92


279


260.7


93 4


Pierce .


153.9


148.7


96.8


155.3


147.1


94.6


160.2


151 151.2


94 96


157.2


143.6


159 9


91.9


145


92.9


Davis


164.2


157.2


95.8


162 4


156 3


96.2


157.4


145 7


135.7


139.1


92


120


92.9


Franklin.


159.8


148 8


93 2


165.7


150 6


96.2


139.2


93.3


154 6 134 8


138.3 120.9 120 5


153.7 140 9 135 7


129 4 119.6


88.1


132 3


118 4


89.3


District No. 3.


745.8


705


94.7


766.6


719.4


94


734.7


692 6


94.1


728.1


659


90.5


729.3


655.2


91.5


701.7


640 2


91.1


Bigelow


253.1


244.1


96.4


261.1


250.2


95.9


297.1


281.1


94.8


247.2


218.1


88.4


207.7


90.5


247.3


227.5


92


Underwood


139


131.8


94.7


145.2


134 2


92.6


148.2


139.8


94.3


106 8


78.2


83


75


123.7


107.6


86.3


Lincoln . .


71.2


58.3


91.6


65.4


57.8


89.2


67 5


89.5


136.4 65.2 227.2


55.3 196.9


86 87.2


54.9 222.4


191


86.9


195.3


165.8


87.6


District No. 4.


713.1


664.8


94


715


661.3


91.9


752 8


698 4


91.8


676


571.1


84.5


615.8


533.7


84.6


626.3


554.6


88 4


High School .


216.3


210.7


97.1


225


218.6


97.1


225.7


218.4


96 8


227.3


212.6


93.5


221 5


206.5


93.2


221 5


206.5


93.2


Total .


2612 1 2474.5


95.5 2689.6


2548.2


94 3 2664.5


12488.6


93.5 2530 7


2239


88.5 2468.1


(2189.4


89.6 2418 3


(2179 5


90 5


.


.


Jackson .


249.8


230.6


93.5


243.3


219.1


90


240


59.5 218


90.9


135.8


88.7


Claflin ..


127 5


118.2


92.7


136.4


126.7


93.8


133.1


123.5


94.7 92 9


Adams. .


140.4


132.11


95


146.8


138.7


94 5


144 8


129 9 137


89 9 89.9


132.4


86 6


147.1


131.1


89.3


91.7


137.1


125.7


91 5


52


86.5


60


53.7


89 8


.


.


Attendance.


Attendance.


Whole No.


Attendance.


Attendance.


A verage


Average


252.5


81.6


Prospect.


235.6


88.8


63 9


56.2


87.8


Oak Hill.


35.4


94.4 89 9


91.6 92.8


146.2 127.6


157 123.2


SCHOOLS.


Average


Average


Per cent


Whole No.


Whole No.


229 3 109.2


The following table gives the statistics of monthly attendance, and the aggregate attendance, for the school-year ending June, 1875.


MARCHI.


APRIL.


MAY.


JUNE.


YEAR.


'YEAR.


YEAR.


Average


Whole No.


Average


Per cent


Average


Average


Attendance.


Per cent Attendance.


Whole No.


Attendance.


Attendance.


Whole No.


Attendance.


Per cent Attendance.


Whole No.


Average


Per cent


Attendance.


Mason.


288.8


252.2


87 3


301 6 224.5


270.6 264.1 65.8 27.1


89.7 90 9: 93.3 84.9


310.3 232.7 76.6 30 9


276.7 210 6 72.1 27.1


90.1 90 3 94.8 87.1


309 2 224.1 79 2 28.2


74.4 25.9


91.8


303.7 226.3 69.7 32.4


64.3


92.1


Oak Hill


27.3


23.2


85.4


31 9


28.8


88.9


District No. 1.


591.8


520 6


87.9


628.5


567 6


90 3


650.5


586.5


90.5


640.7


582 9


01


632.2


569.3


90


Hamilton .


108 4


102.8


94 8


120.7


113.9


94.3


121.2


Williams .


146.5


132 1


90 1


187.4


176


93.9


196.1


111.4 182


91.9 92 8


184.8


105.1 174


92.6 94.1


174.4


163.4


93.6


District No. 2.


254 9


234.9


92.1


308.1


289.9


94.1


317.3


293.4


92.5


298 2


279.1


93.5


290 9


272.2


93.5


Pierce. .


159


146 6


92.2


143.9


134.8


93.6


134.1


123.4


92.2


124.7


115.3


92.4


)50.5


140 2


93.1


Davis .


136.8


131.4


96


170 8


162.2


94.9.


186.3


173.8


93.1


175.3


164.8


94


156 6


148


94.5


Franklin


136.2


119.3


87.6


156 7


145 3


92.6


162.9


147.7


91.1


166 4


151.4


90 9


154.2


139.5


90.4


Adams


134.3


123.8


92 1


145.8


137


93.9


154.1


142 9


152 8


140 9


92 2


143.9


132.9


92.8


Claflin. .


138.3


127.8


02.3


149.9


133.6


92 4


152.6


137 8


145.3


132.6


91.2


138 7


126.4


91.1


District No. 3.


704 6


648 9


92 1


767 1


717.9


93.5


790


725.6


92


764 5


705


92.2


743.2


686.9


92.4


Bigelow. .


250.8


230 2


91.8


262 2


03


239 9


91.4


250 1 176.6


224.1 149.6


89.6


256.1


236 7


92.4


Underwood .


137.9


113.4


82 2


169 2


90.1


153 5


85.7!


85.3


146 4


126.4


86.3


Lincoln. .


60 6


50.9


83.9


33 4


30.1


90.1


25.6


22.5


87.8


25.8


23.8


92 6 89


53 226.1


200 6


¿8.2


District No. 4.


652 1


573 7


87.9


691.3


620.6


89.7


696 9


620


88 9


676.8


597


89.7


681.6


609 5


89.4


High School.


219 8


197 5


89 8


217.2


199.5


91.8


217.2


200.4


92.2


211


197.1


93.4


220 2


206.8


93.8


Total.


2423.2


2175.6


89.8|2612 2


2395 5 | 91.7


2671.9 |2425.9


90.8 2591.2


2361.1


91.5


2568 2


2347.8


91.5


Attendance.


271.8 204.6


89.4


Prospect


213 9


192 5


89.9,


Hyde. . .


61 8


52.7


85.2


70 5


Attendance.


Whole No.


Average


Average


Per cent


Average


Average


276.6 206


89.4 91.9


116.2


108.8


93.7


Jackson. .


202.8


179 2


88.3


226.5


202.3


89.3


229.8


204.1


88.8


224.3


199.5


46 4


87.6


SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT.


121


SCHOOLS.


Attendance.


Average


90.4


244 144.2


262.5 179


93.2 90.4


113 4


122


REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.


SCHOOL APPROPRIATIONS FOR 1875.


General appropriation for support of Schools . $80,000.00


Balance unexpended Dee. 31, 1874 2,036.06


Received from the Dog Tax . . 1,185.60


Tuition of non-resident Pupils 96 00


$83,317.66


Amount paid to Superintendent and Teachers to Dec. 31,


1875. .


$70,701.00


Amount paid to Janitors 3,408.00


Amount paid for Fuel


7,457.47


$81,566.47


Balance unexpended Dec. 31, 1875 .


$1,751.19


Appropriation for Industrial Drawing $1,500.00


Balance unexpended Dec. 31, 1874 388.31


$1,888.31


Amount expended Dec. 31, 1875 $932.68


Amount transferred to School Incidentals 350.08


1.282 76


Balance unexpended Dec. 31, 1875


$605.55


Appropriation for School Incidentals . $13,000.00


Amount transferred from Industrial Drawing 350.08


$13,350 08


Amount expended Dec. 31, 1875 .


13,350.08


Appropriation for conveyance of Pupils to the High School $1,000.00


Amount expended Dec. 31, 1875 . 800.00


Balance unexpended Dec. 31, 1875 $200.00


Appropriation for enlarging and furnishing of tlie High Schoolhouse Amount expended .


24,880.19


Balance unexpended .


$119.81


Net balance unexpended Dec. 31, 1875 .


$2,676.55


RECAPITULATION.


Expenditure for the support of Schools. $82,499.15


Expenditure for Sehool Ineidentals . 13,350.08


Expenditure for conveyance of Pupils to the High School . 800 00


Expenditure for enlarging the High Schoolhouse 24,880.19


Total expenditure for Educational purposes, for the year ending Dec. 31, $121,529.42 1875


$25,000.00


1


THE TRANSFER


OF THE


NEWTON FREE LIBRARY


TO THE


CITY OF NEWTON :


INCLUDING THE


ADDRESSES OF HON. J. WILEY EDMANDS, MAYOR SPEARE, HON. JAMES F. C. HYDE, REV. B. K. PIERCE, D.D., JOHN S. FARLOW, ESQ., AND GEORGE H. JONES, ESQ.,


ALSO THE


CITY ORDINANCE RELATING TO THE LIBRARY,


WITH THE


NAMES AND ORGANIZATION OF THE CITY BOARD OF TRUSTEES.


PUBLISHED BY ORDER OF THE CITY COUNCIL.


EW


BERTY AMD UNION 1,3


FOUNDED


79.A CITY 1873., 4


630.INC


N


UM


N


A


BOSTON : FRANKLIN PRESS: RAND, AVERY, & CO. 1876.


RAND, AVERY &CO.


PRINTERS, BOSTON.


CITY OF NEWTON.


CITY HALL, APRIL 15, 1876.


BY a concurrent order of the City Council, the City Clerk was directed to request the several gentlemen who participated in the transfer of the Newton Free Library to the City, to furnish copies of their addresses on that occasion for publication, with the proceedings incident thereto. The request has been promptly complied with ; and the addresses, with a brief compilation of the pro- ceedings of the City Council in connection with the transfer and acceptance of the Library, is herewith


Respectfully submitted, EDWIN O. CHILDS, City Clerk.


PRESENTATION OF THE NEWTON FREE LIBRARY


TO THE


CITY OF NEWTON.


PRELIMINARY PROCEEDINGS.


THE following communication relating to the trans- fer of the Newton Free Library to the City of Newton was presented in the Board of Mayor and Aldermen, Nov. 15, 1875.


To HON. J. F. C. HYDE, MAYOR OF THE CITY OF NEWTON, - At an adjourned meeting of the Newton Free Library, held on the 3d inst., a vote was passed, empowering the Managers to tender the Library to the City.


The undersigned have been chosen by the Board, with full powers, to consummate the transfer of the franchise and property of the Corporation.


Pursuant to this vote, we have now to inform you that the Committee are prepared to communicate with the Board of Alder- men as to the steps to be taken to place the Library formally in the hands of the City Government; and we await their action regarding further proceedings.


Your obedient servants, J. WILEY EDMANDS, J. S. FARLOW, E. W. CONVERSE, -


Committee.


NEWTON, Nov. 12, 1875.


6


PRELIMINARY PROCEEDINGS.


Upon the receipt of this communication, the fol- lowing order was adopted :-


IN BOARD OF MAYOR AND ALDERMEN, Nov. 15, 1875.


Ordered, That the proposition of the Newton Free Library Asso- ciation to make a free gift of their Library, with all its franchises, be referred to a Joint Special Committee of five, one of whom shall be the Mayor, one Alderman, and three from the Common Council.


In compliance with the foregoing order, the follow- ing-named gentlemen were constituted the Committee therein provided for, - his Honor the Mayor, and Alderman Pettee, with President Allen, and Messrs. Ward and Weed of the Common Council.


After due consideration of the subject, the Com- mittee submitted the following order, which was adopted in concurrence by the two branches of the City Council : -


IN BOARD OF MAYOR AND ALDERMEN, Dec. 20, 1875.


Ordered, That the City of Newton accepts the Newton Free Library as a gift to the City, upon the terms and conditions con- tained in the tender of the same by the Corporation, and that the City of Newton hereby assumes all the obligations and the condi- tions of trust attaching to the Institution.


Ordered, also, That a Joint Special Committee be appointed by the incoming City Council of 1876 to petition the Legislature for the necessary enactment as suggested in the opinion of the City Solicitor.


Soon after the organization of the new City Govern- ment for 1876, and in response to the foregoing order,


7


PRELIMINARY PROCEEDINGS.


and the recommendation of his Honor Mayor Speare, the following-named gentlemen were designated as the committee to petition the legislature for the necessary enactment, - the Mayor, and Alderman Rice, and Councilmen Potter, Chester, and Goodrich.


In compliance with the petition of this Committee, the legislature promptly passed the following Act : -


[Chapter 18 : Acts, 1876.]


Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives, in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows : -


SECTION 1. - The Newton Free Library may grant, transfer, and convey to the City of Newton its franchise, library, and prop- erty, real and personal, for the establishment of a Public Library therein, to be forever maintained by said city.


SECT. 2. - All grants, donations, or bequests heretofore made to the said Newton Free Library, shall, by force of this Act, and of the transfer and conveyance hereby authorized, inure and pass to the City of Newton, for the use and benefit of the Public Library to be established and maintained therein as aforesaid.


SECT. 3. - This Act shall take effect upon its passage.


HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Feb. 24, 1876.


Passed to be enacted.


JOHN D. LONG, Speaker. IN SENATE, Feb. 28, 1876.


Passed to be enacted.


GEORGE B. LORING, President. Feb. 28, 1876.


Approved.


ALEXANDER H. RICE.


Upon the passage of this Act, the Board of Managers


8


PRELIMINARY PROCEEDINGS.


officially notified the City Council of their readiness to complete the formal surrender of the Library to the city. The committee representing the City Govern- ment consisted of the following gentlemen, - Messrs. Gorham D. Gilman, James F. Edmands, J. Willard Rice, on the part of the Aldermen; and Messrs. Dwight Chester, Rufus Moulton, and William J. Towne, on the part of the Common Council.


This Committee thereupon proceeded to make ar- rangements for the formal reception of the Library by his Honor the Mayor, in behalf of the City, designat- ing Thursday evening, March 16, 1876, for that pur- pose, the services to take place in the Library Hall. Both branches of the City Council, with the heads of Departments, Ex-Mayor Hyde, the clergy of the city, and other citizens, were invited to be present.


THE FORMAL TRANSFER OF THE LIBRARY TO THE CITY.


IN accordance with arrangements made by the Joint Special Committee of the City Council and the Trustees of the Newton Free Library, the formal transfer of the Library, with its building and other property, real and personal, from the care of its Board of Trustees to that of the City Government, was made on the evening of March 16, 1876. There were present his Honor Mayor Speare, and members of the Board of Aldermen, Common Council, and School Committee, with officers of the City Government, clergymen of the city, and others interested in the business which had called them together.




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