USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Newton > Town of Newton annual report 1889 > Part 20
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CITY OF NEWTON.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
OVERSEERS OF THE POOR.
FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1889.
WT
ERTY AND UNJO
FOUNDY
3.
CITY 18
8 A
M.
ONA
ORAT
NEWTON, MASS., NEWTON GRAPHIC PRESS, 1890.
At the regular meeting of the Board of Overseers of the Poor, held this day, the Annual Report as prepared by the Clerk, for 1889, was accepted by the Board, and the Clerk was instructed to present the same to the City Council.
NATHAN MOSMAN, Clerk. WEST NEWTON, Feb. 6, 1890.
BOARD OF OVERSEERS OF THE POOR, 1889.
HIS HONOR HEMAN M. BURR, Chairman ex-officio.
Ward One. Ward Two.
R. ORLANDO EVANS.
JOHN F. PAYNE.
Ward Three. Ward Four.
ANDREW J. FISKE. NATHAN MOSMAN.
Ward Five. Ward Six.
EUGENE FANNING. GEORGE WARREN.
Ward Seven,
JOHN WARNER. HENRY C. DANIELS.
Committee on Almshouse.
JOHN WARNER. EUGENE FANNING. NATIIAN MOSMAN.
GEORGE WARREN.
City Almoner, and Clerk of the Board. NATHAN MOSMAN.
Warden of Almshouse. NATHANIEL D. MOODY.
Matron of Almshouse. MRS. ELIZA A. MOODY.
City Almshouse, Beacon Street.
REPORT OF THE OVERSEERS OF THE POOR.
To Ilis Honor the Mayor and the City Council of the City of Newton:
GENTLEMEN :- The Board of Overseers of the Poor here- with presents its annual report for the year ending December 31, 1889.
With one exception the board has remained unbroken during the year. By the death of Mr. John Warner the board suffered the loss of one who had served the city continu- ously in the capacity of Overseer of the Poor since the formation of the city government. Mr. Warner also held the office of City Almoner from March 1, 1877, and of Clerk of the board from February 7, 1878, to February, 1881. The following minute is copied from the records of the board :
IN BOARD OF OVERSEERS OF THE POOR.
It having pleased an overruling Providence to remove by death our esteemed associate, Mr. John Warner, therefore
Resolved, That we, the Overseers of the Poor of Newton, do hereby express our appreciation of the efficient and faithful service rendered by our associate during a long series of years as a member of this board and our regret at the loss to the cause he served and to the community.
Resolved, That these resolutions be spread upon the records and a copy sent to the bereaved family.
The expenses of the department for poor out of alms- house, which slightly exceeded the appropriation in 1887 and
6
1888, have left a balance in 1889. These varying results are caused partly by actual expenditures and partly by the fact that bills are received and paid in December in some years which are delayed in other years until the succeeding January.
The year has been a favorable one for laboring people in matters of business, while the bills for medical attendance and medicines have exceeded those of any past year.
The use of intoxicating liquors continues to be a promi- nent feature leading to crime and pauperism. Could this be abolished one great public burden would disappear. Much ean be hoped from a continued vigorous enforcement of laws regulating their sale.
The number of patients placed in the Newton Cottage Hospital, chargeable to the city, has been 27. The amount paid the hospital for the same is $300.06. In 1888 the amount paid was $788.75. The difference in amount paid is partly accounted for by the fact that while in 1888 $5.00 per week was paid from the appropriation of the Overseers for all state cases placed there, in 1889 $3.00 per week was paid, that being the amount collectable from the state for all such cases. The direct appropriation from the City Council to the hospital is intended to cover the deficiency. The board desires to commend in high terms the hospital and its work. The efficient management, with the careful and thorough treatment given, appear to meet in the best manner the needs of those, especially the homeless and friendless ones, whose cases require the benefits of this charity.
Prominent among the charitable organizations of the city the "Newton Associated Charities" promises to be an impor- tant auxiliary in the care of the poor and unfortunate. Beside relieving needy families and preventing their applying to the Overseers of the Poor, the experienced lady visitors
7
may be of great assistance in families of limited income in advising in the management of their affairs.
The whole number of families out of almshouse, including Newton Cottage Hospital patients receiving partial support during any part of the year, was 156; whole number of persons, 415; having settlement in Newton, 246; having settlement in other cities and towns in the state, 69; having no settlement and chargeable to the state, 100 ; under 16 years of age, 213; of the whole number there were males, 182; females, 233.
Persons wholly supported during any part of the year, out of almshouse, are as follows :-
Taunton Lunatic Hospital 1
Danvers Lunatic Hospital
1
Northampton Lunatic Hospital
1
Tewksbury Insane Asylum,
1
Westboro Insane Hospital
4
Worcester Insane Asylum 2
Worcester Lunatic Hospital 9
Whole number supported in insane hospitals 19
Remaining at present in insane hospitals
11
Newton Cottage Hospital patients being now classified as partial support cases, do not appear in the full support schedule.
The amount appropriated by the City Council for the poor out of almshouse was $8,800 00 Transferred to alinshouse expense and repairs 200 00
- $8,600 00
The amount expended is as follows :
Cash payments . $263 55
Groceries
. 2,023 29 Fuel ·
716 20
8
Clothing
41 67
Board
534 81
Medical attendance
321 00
Medicine
92 72
Burials .
83 00
Feeding tramps and travellers 23 91
Support of insane . 1,813 56
Paid other cities and towns 622 65
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
485 39 .
Salaries 1,349 98 8,371 73
Balance of appropriation 228 27
Receipts from the State, other cities and towns,
and friends of the relieved 1,761 58
Net cost of poor out of almshouse . $6,610 15
Almshouse Department.
The number of inmates has not varied materially from the previous year. Persons and families capable of partial self- support are relieved at their homes and encouraged to do what they may to keep out of the almshouse. The inmates as a rule enjoy a good degree of health for persons of their age, and this age is beyond the average of those outside who carry the toil and care of life in self-support.
The stock of the farm consists of three horses, five cows, and of swine varying from ten to thirty in number. . It has been considered the true poliey to keep good tools and machinery for working the farm. The hay crop has been large and was secured in fine condition, materially aiding in the receipts. A larger stock of wood than usual is now on hand ready for sale.
The number of persons who have been supported at the almshouse for all or any part of the year is 44; average num-
9
ber for the year, 30; present number, 30; died during the year, 2.
The amount appropriated by the City Council for
almshouse expense and repairs was . $4,000 00
Transferred from poor out of almshouse . 200 00
Total
4,200 00
Amount expended
4,147 71
Balance
52 29
Amount received from board, sales of produce, wood
ect.
1,784 17
Almshouse expense and repairs (net) 2,363 54 .
The total appropriation for the Poor Department for the year was . 12,800 00
Total expenditures . 12,519 44
Total receipts . 3,545 75
Net expense of the Poor Department 8,973 69
Unexpended balance 280 56
Since the reconstruction of the almshouse in 1882 it has not been used to its full capacity. The buildings are not at the present time in a good state of repair. It will be necessary to expend a few hundred dollars to put them in proper order for longer occupancy, should this course be considered desirable.
Respectfully submitted,
For the Overseers of the Poor, NATHAN MOSMAN, Clerk.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
OF THE
CITY OF NEWTON.
1889.
VOLUME L.
LIBERTY AND UNION
FOUNDEL
N
OB
NEWTON, MASS., NEWTON GRAPHIC PRESS, 1890.
ORGANIZATION OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE JANUARY 1889.
HON. HEMAN M. BURR, MAYOR, CHAIRMAN, ex officio. LAWRENCE BOND, PRESIDENT COMMON COUNCIL, ex officio. CHARLES C. BARTON, CHAIRMAN.
THOMAS EMERSON, SECRETARY AND SUPERINTENDENT.
ELECTED MEMBERS. *BRADFORD K. PIERCE J. EDWARD HOLLIS .
TERM OF OFFICE WARDS. EXPIRES. I. January, 1892 I. £ January, 1892 JOHN W. DICKINSON
MARY R. MARTIN
II. . January, 1892
January, 1892
SAMUEL BARNARD
January, 1891 . January, 1891
DAVID E. BAKER
IV. January, 1891
CHARLES E. PARKER
. January, 1891
ALBERT B. PUTNEY . CHARLES C. BARTON
VI.
VI.
January, 1890
GEORGE W. SHINN .
VII.
January, 1890
FRANCIS B. HORNBROOKE
VII. January, 1891
* Deceased. CHARLES A. DREW was elected to fill the vacancy.
** Resigned. FRANK J. HALE was elected to fill the vacancy.
II. III. III.
. January, 1890
WILLIAM D. PHILBRICK
IV. V. V. January, 1890 January, 1890
WALTER C. FROST
ABBY E. DAVIS .
STANDING COMMITTEES.
High School.
CHARLES C. BARTON. JOHN W. DICKINSON. FRANCIS B. HORNBROOKE. Ward One.
BRADFORD K. PEIRCE. J. EDWARD HOLLIS. FRANCIS B. HORNBROOKE.
Ward Two.
JOHN W. DICKINSON. MARY R. MARTIN. GEORGE W. SHINN.
Ward Three.
ABBY E. DAVIS. SAMUEL BARNARD.
LAWRENCE BOND.
Ward Four.
CHARLES E. PARKER. DAVID E. BAKER.
SAMUEL BARNARD.
Ward Five.
ALBERT B. PUTNEY. WALTER C. FROST.
WILLIAM D. PHILBRICK.
Ward Six.
CHARLES C. BARTON. WILLIAM D. PHILBRICK.
BRADFORD K. PEIRCE.
6
GEORGE W. SHINN.
Ward Seven. FRANCIS B. HORNBROOKE. J. EDWARD HOLLIS.
Evening Schools.
GEORGE W. SHINN. BRADFORD K. PEIRCE. MARY R. MARTIN.
Drawing, Music, and Sewing.
ALBERT B. PUTNEY. ABBY E. DAVIS.
MARY R. MARTIN.
Text Books.
CHARLES C. BARTON. FRANCIS B. HORNBROOKE ALBERT B. PUTNEY.
Rules and Regulations.
WALTER C. FROST.
GEORGE W. SHINN.
BRADFORD K. PEIRCE.
Salaries.
FRANCIS B. HORNBROOKE. SAMUEL BARNARD.
J. EDWARD HOLLIS.
School Houses.
JOHN W. DICKINSON.
CHARLES E. PARKER.
J. EDWARD HOLLIS.
Accounts.
SAMUEL BARNARD. ABBY E. DAVIS.
LAWRENCE BOND.
Supplies.
WILLIAM D. PHILBRICK. CHARLES E. PARKER. WALTER C. FROST.
City of Newton.
IN BOARD OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE, September 25, 1889. The Chair appointed the following members as the com- mittee to prepare the Annual Report, viz .: Charles C. Barton, John W. Dickinson, Francis B. Hornbrooke.
IN BOARD OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE. December 23, 1889. The Annual Report was read by Mr. Barton, and was adopted.
Ordered, That twenty-six hundred fifty copies of the Annual Report be printed.
THOMAS EMERSON, Secretary.
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
The school committee herewith submits its report for the year 1889, being the fiftieth Annual Report.
The schools of Newton have had a prosperous year. The results of skilled supervision and of the cordial co-operation of instructors are now seen, more fully than before, in the thorough organization of the schools, and in the improved methods of conducting their exercises.
The superintendent has taken great pains the past year to present to the committee for appointment to the vacant places in the teaching force teachers who have had a professional training and a successful experience. These teachers have been found, not through letters of recommendation merely, nor alone through verbal examination, but added to these means of information there has been the most careful observation by the superintendent of work done by these persons in the school room. This mode of selection is filling the public schools of Newton with instructors of the highest order.
While the causes of popular education in this Common- . wealth are found in the people acting together as a people in the cordial and generous support of the schools ; in the School Committee chosen by the people to be their executive school officers ; in the school superintendents, the legal agents of the School Committee ; and in the teachers and pupils of the schools ; the necessary means for the causes to use, are found in school houses constructed with reference to convenience, comfort, and good taste; in courses of studies adapted to
10
occasion in the minds of the children useful knowledge and a right development of their faculties; in methods of teaching ; and in text books, in natural objeets, and in illustrative apparatus.
An intelligent examination of the schools of the city will show that they are supplied not only with skilled teachers and earnest pupils, but with the most approved means of teaching also.
The best argument for the maintenance of public schools must always be found in the evident value of the education they furnish, and in the use which the pupils make of the opportunities so abundantly provided. The vital question must always be, how can such an education be obtained ?
Many factors must enter into the successful work of the schools. Among these one of the most essential is the co- operation of the parents. No school can hope for the most desirable results where this co-operation is wanting.
People demand that the corps of instructors should be carefully selected with reference only to their fitness for com- municating the best knowledge in the best way. They also demand that those subjects that go towards the formation of a thoroughly educated man or woman of to-day should be embodied in the course of study. These things those intrusted with the care of the schools have faithfully tried to do.
But it is not enough to have good teachers and a wisely planned and ample course of study. These alone cannot make the school what it ought to be, nor enable it to do the work it ought to do.
Pupils must study, and they must give all the strength they can command to the work in hand. Nothing less than the undivided devotion of time and energy to that will avail.
It may be asked, what have the parents to do with this? Much more than they are apt to think. They still have or
11
ought to have much influence over their children, and control of the use of their time. Youth cannot be expected to feel the importance of giving all available time and force to the work of the school. They have not had the experience that can make this a real thing to them. But most parents have learned this lesson. They realize that there is only so much of any one, and that what is given to one part of life is so much taken from another.
The teacher knows this, and tries to impress it, but the scholar is apt to think that the teacher is looking at the matter from an interested point of view.
Just here, therefore, the co-operation of the parent will be of the greatest service to the teacher and pupil and in conse- quence to the whole work of the school. It is a source of regret that parents often do not seem to realize this.
They allow their children to assume many of the burdens of social life, not seeming to be aware that the demands of the school and society can not be met by those who do their duty by either, and that most of those who try to serve the two masters must either overtax their strength or neglect the one for the other.
The complaint is sometimes made that the work of the schools is too hard, and that the pupils have too much to do. And they have too much to do if they try to do work or to enter into engagements outside of the school. Parents can help in this matter by refusing to allow their sons and daughters to take upon themselves extra duties, and by insist- ing that if anything is to be given up it must not be the required work of the school.
There is still another way in which the parents may be of the greatest service : Pupils are often anxious to do some work or to acquire some accomplishment outside of the school. To do this, it is necessary for them to be absent from some regular
12
recitation, or to use the time which is allotted to study by the school. If parents would throw the weight of their influence altogether in favor of the demands of the school, we do not think that requests for leave of absence in order to take music or dancing lessons would be so frequently made. If they would impress upon the minds of their children that because the city spends its money for their education, they are under a moral obligation to give all their time to the work it imposes, we think pupils would soon feel that they have no right to do anything which would conflict with the purposes of the school.
A general feeling among the parents in favor of punctual and regular attendance and a determination upon their part to secure undivided interest in the proper work of the school and also to oppose whatever distracts attention from it, would produce the most beneficial results.
Parents may also do very much for the school by doing all they can to sustain the authority and influence of the teacher. It must be clear that a teacher of whom the parents allow themselves to speak in terms of disparagement cannot keep the respect of the pupils. Of course no school is above criticism, and every teacher may at times deserve it, but there are times and places for it more appropriate than in the presence of the pupils. The spirit of criticism is always destructive of authority, and nowhere more so than in the school room. It may seem to parents that the teacher deserves blame for his mode of dealing with their children, but if so it will be better to know all the circumstances before deciding that all the' blame or any attaches to the teacher. Many a teacher has harder work to do because the parent takes a one-sided view of some circumstance and condemns him unheard, and so saps his authority, and subjects him to the disrespect of the pupil.
There is another aspect of this matter which ought to have the careful consideration of all parents. It may seem to
13
them that many regulations are imposed for which there is no real need. We are also of the opinion that the fewer the rules the better, and that the more pupils can be trusted to do what is right the better it is for them and for those who have them in their care. It should be taken for granted that the pupils will want to do what will be for their own good, and for the well being and good name of the school. But, on the other hand, it must be evident that what might be allowable and harmless in a school of forty or fifty pupils may be destructive of the orderly movement of the school when it has ten times that number. Many demands which are trifling so far as this or that pupil is concerned, would not seem so if viewed with reference to the orderly and harmonious working of a great school. We trust that parents will regard in this light all rules that are made from time to time, and will give the teacher credit for having the best interests of the school at heart, before condenming his action. In this way very much which at first sight might appear harsh and unreasonable would appear most reasonable, and, in the larger view, the kindest thing that could be desired.
In thus suggesting some of the ways in which parents can aid the schools in achieving the best possible results, we do not wish to be regarded as making a special criticism upon the people of Newton. Many of them, we know, act in the spirit in which we have indicated parents ought to act. Perhaps there are as many of these in Newton as anywhere; but we throw out these suggestions because, obvious as they are, they cannot be too often repeated or too deeply impressed upon the mind and heart of any community which desires the best results in the work of its schools.
The sanitary condition of the school houses has attracted the attention of the superintendent, and the School Committee, and, so far as possible, defects have been remedied. As the
14
school population in the different parts of the city has in- creased, new school buildings have been erected and furnished with modern improvements in lighting, heating, and ventila- tion. The courses of study taught in the schools have been reconstructed with reference to the wants of the mind as its powers are developed. and with reference to the relations that one branch of knowledge holds to another. Special attention in all the schools has been turned to methods of teaching. That natural methods may be employed. the schools have been supplied with the real objects of knowledge, and with simple illustrative apparatus.
All necessary text books and school supplies have been selected and obtained with careful attention to quality and economy.
The results of these things may be seen by visiting our schools and witnessing the intelligent work of the pupils and the great interest they take in its performance.
The industrial element in education has been introduced into all the schools by exercises in industrial drawing and modelling in clay. by the practice on the part of the pupils of constructing simple apparatus for illustrating topics in ele- mentary science, and by exercises in sewing. Newton was one of the first, if not the first, town in the Commonwealth, to introduce drawing into the regular exercises of its elementary schools, but not till within a few years has the subject held equal rank with other studies, in the estimation of either the school authorities or the people.
High School.
The High School holds an important place in our system of public schools. It offers free scientific instruction to all who choose to enter its classes. It produces a marked influ- ence on the character of the instruction and on the school
15
spirit in all the grades of schools below it. Francis Adams, of England, said that if the primary schools of Germany were the best in the world, it was because the secondary schools were open free to all.
Primary courses of instruction, the methods by which they are presented to the children, and the regularity of attendance in the lower schools are all modified by the character of the high school and by the opportunities it offers to all classes of children for scientific study and for a preparation to enter the higher institutions of learning. Our high school is organized and equipped for producing the best results. Its accomplished and faithful principal, with his able corps of assistants, is doing valuable service for the school and for the city. Those who have made a thoughtful examination of the spirit and work of our high school agree in giving it a rank of excellence second to no other institution of its grade in the Common- wealth.
Supervision.
A superintendent of public schools in Massachusetts is an agent of the school committee. They delegate to him all the authority he is expected to exercise. But he is supposed to be an expert in everything pertaining to the administration of school affairs, and as he is made responsible for the results which the schools produce, a definite work should be assigned by common consent for him to do. He should be allowed to nominate the teachers, to arrange courses of studies, direct the teachers in their use of methods of teaching,-suggest the text books that should be used. purchase and deliver them to the schools, give advice concerning the method of school government that should be employed, report upon the condi- tion of the school houses, secure the attendance of all children of school age, keep a record of the acts of the School Board,
16
and make an annual report of his own doings to them and to the town.
The necessity of employing such agents will appear when we reflect on the duties of their office. It is the policy of the Commonwealth to place the legal control of the public schools in the charge of School Boards, but at the same time to make provision for the appointment of skilled agents who, acting under general directions, shall perform those school duties which require the exercise of skill, learning, and experience. Seventy-four per cent. of the schools of the State are already directed by special supervision.
The Newton School Committee is fortunate in being able and disposed to employ a skilled school superintendent. Under his faithful and efficient supervision the public schools of Newton are taking the highest rank. Such service is of great value to the city, and deserves recognition and appreciation.
The Schools and the State.
The necessary attributes of a good citizen are 1st. general intelligence, that he may know what sort of personal life will contribute most to the support of good government, and public morals; 2nd, a patriotic loyalty, that he may render a cordial and constant support to those institutions which government has established for producing an intelligent, virtuous and prosperous people : 3d, industrious habits, that he may pro- vide for his own wants and contribute his share for the promotion of the public good : 4th, an unswerving integrity, that he may be honest himself, and lead others to exercise that fidelity and truth without which civil society is impossible ; and 5th, complete self-control that substitutes deliberation and reason for impulse and prejudice.
The home is the original institution established for culti- vating these private and public virtues, The home, organized
17
for instruction and control, as well as for protection and sup- port, is responsible for that early training which will make the child a willing subject to all those influences which have a tendency to develop him into a good citizen. It is the great work of the public school to continue, and, as far as possible, perfect this development.
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