USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Reading > Town of Reading Massachusetts annual report 1882-1883 > Part 3
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$17,875 ; total insurance, $8,750 ; loss over and above insurance, $91 25.
The apparatus is in good condition, except the hose, which has been in service nine years ; it will wear some time longer, but is not reliable; it would be advisable to purchase five hundred feet of new hose. We are sorry to announce that there is a growing lack of interest manifest in the Eagle and Hook and Ladder companies. The Eagle company has been twenty men short of their usual number during the entire year ; the company feel that they are not provided with suitable accommodations for them- selves and engines ; they complain that their hall floor is weak and unsafe ; that the room below is so damp and cold, that it is next to impossible to dry the hose, or keep the engine front freezing up during the winter months, althoughi a coal fire is kept in the room. The Hook and Ladder company have nothing but a mere shed in which to house their truck and meet in, consequently they are obliged to dispense with their monthly meetings, during cold weather. They ask the town to furnish better quarters ; they also ask for suits, the same as the hosemen have, claiming (with good reason) that they are exposed to the water and dirt the same as the hosemen. Had we thought our appropriation sufficient we should have procured the suits. Another reason that discourages the firemen, is the action of sonie citizens (at almost every fire) who have not the manli- ness to volunteer any assistance, no matter how small the company, or arduous the toil ; but they will stand idly by and not only comment on the work of the firemen, but criticise their character. These criticisms have a tendency, not only to throw a stigma on the department, but prevents de- sirable men from joining ; besides, we consider the criticisms unjust and untrue, as the character and morality of the firemen will be found equal to that of any other association in town, composed of the same number of persons. We feel that the firemen in case of fire, stand nearly in the same relation to the town as do the soldiers to the country in time of war ; with this difference, the former seek to save life and property, while the latter destroy ; therefore, it would seem that the citizens should see to it, that the firemen receive the same aid and encouragement as do the soldiers in time of war.
The engineers would say in their own behalf, that they do not deem their judgment infallible, or their management free from mistakes, and while ready to listen to any wise suggestion, we dislike to have persons assume control of the firemen before they have been duly appointed to do so, as we have on one or two occasions been greatly embarrassed by their
49
so doing ; but if we are found incompetent, it is the duty of citizens to have us removed at once.
Our water supply consists of fourteen cisterns, each having an average capacity, estimated, of 18,494 gallons ; and, basing the pumping capacity of the engine at a hogshead per minute, each cistern would supply an engine nearly five hours. Besides the cisterns there are ten wells, some of which will equal in capacity the cisterns, while others will fall con- siderably short.
The well at the corner of Elliott and Green streets was not properly constructed, and is filling up with quicksand, and we would recommend that it be sunk deeper, and arched.
The new cistern near the Walnut street schoolhouse has not been com- pleted, owing to the heavy rains last fall, but we think the sum appropri- ated will be sufficient for its completion. There are yet several other localities in town where cisterns are needed, and we would recommend the building of one or more each year.
We have been asked to call the attention of the citizens to the practi- bility of purchasing Johnson pumps. We think they would be valuable in keeping the roofs wet, and save withdrawing the streams from the burn- ing building for that purpose. They would also be valuable in extinguish- ing incipient fires. The expenses of the department the past year were as follows : -
Paid Stephen Harrow, services as Steward, to hook and ladder company . . $5 00
H. D. Babb, drawing engine to fire. .
1 75
C. K. Gleason, services as Steward to May 1,1882. 60 00
C. H. Lang, services as Chief Engineer ... 25 00
Lang's Express, sundries 3 00
Hunneman & Co., spring for Hancock engine. . 3 25
Wm. L. Crowe, services as Engineer to May
1,1882. 12 00
Amount carried forward,
$110 00
(7)
50
Amount brought forward, $110 00
Paid James Dewhurst, services as Engineer to May 1, 1882. 12 00
William L. Crowe, watching fire, on estate of George Bancroft. 4 00
H. D. Babb, drawing engine to fire. 1 75
A. S. Richardson, services as Steward for Hancock Company .. 48 00
A. S. Richardson, sundries 1 50
George H. Parker, services as Engineer, to May 1, 1882. 12 00
George H. Parker, services as Clerk. .
5 00
H. D. Babb, drawing hose-carriage to fire .. 3 00
20 00
R. A. White, drawing steamer to fire .. ... Levi Hill, drawing Col. Gould hose-carriage to fire .. 5 00
H. C. Carbleen, taking hose-carriage to fire. 10 00
Henry Batchelder, watching fire 1 75
H. W. Gordon, drawing supply-wagon to fire .. 4 00
Members of Fire Department, services to May 1, 1882. 1,194 49
F. O. Dewey & Sons, for lantern. 2 25
Charles S. Gerritson, services as Fireman to May 1, 1882 9 17
N. W. Broad, sundries. 3 68
E. C. Nichols, services as Engineer, and labor on cistern. 15 00
Hunneman & Co., sundries 40 00
W. E. Moulton, cleaning wells. 24 00
W. E. Moulton, use of pump and teaming the same. 11 50
Parker & Stone, sundries. 27 44
Amount carried forward, $1,565 53
·
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Amount brought forward, $1,565 53
Paid W. Bancroft, labor and material
16 75
R. C. Totten, repairs 4 90
Moses E. Nichols, setting glass in Eagle house. 80
J. C Gleason, coal. 3 63
G. W. Atkinson, sundries 4 68
P. McCall, 6 20
Parker & Stone, 78
50
Henry Stock, watching fire
2 00
Wm. L. Crowe, clearing snow from cisterns
9 00
Samuel Brown, sundries. 9 25
2 50
H. E. Cox, making coffee
2 00
Wm. LaClair 75
36
Lang's Express. 3 88
Noble Bunker, watching fire. 2 00
John A. Blunt, sundries. 8 53
Wm. E. Moulton.
1 50
Albert Janes, clearing snow
75
~~ $1,646 29
Appropriation .
1,700 00
Unexpended
$53 71
In concluding our report, we would make the following recom- mendations :-
That the Town furnish better accommodations for the Eagle and Hook and Ladder Companies.
That an appropriation of $200 be made for repairing the well at the corner of Elliott and Green streets.
Wm. Quilin, splicing rope
H. E. Cox, use of small hall
M. A. Stone, sundries
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That the sum of $1,700 be appropriated to cover the expenses of the ensuing year, and purchase suits for the Hook and Ladder Company.
All of which is respectfully submitted.
E. C. NICHOLS, G. H. PARKER, W. L. CROWE, WENDELL BANCROFT,
Engineers.
READING, March 14, 1883.
G. H. PARKER, Clerk.
REPORT OF THE POLICE.
TO THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN OF THE TOWN OF READING : -
The members of the Police force, appointed by the Selectmen, met at their request on the 27th of May, and organized by the choice of Hubbard E. Cox, as Chief.
With the concurrence of the Selectmen, the plan of the work was arranged, so that some member of the force should be on duty during the evenings, for the purpose of securing quiet about places in the village where people have been accustomed to assemble. By this means a greater degree of quiet and freedom from annoyance to those necessarily passing through our main thoroughfares has been secured. During the year we have made but six arrests ; four of them were for drunkenness, one for violation of Town By-Laws, and one for assault with felonious intent. In the last named case the party arrested was convicted and sentenced to five years' imprisonment in the State Prison. Since our appointment four cases of breaking and entering stores have occured. The amounts secured by the thieves have been small, the whole aggregating about sixty-five dollars in value.
We believe it would be for the interest of the town to employ a night watchman, who might go on duty as early as seven o'clock, in which case the services of the other members of the force would be required only upon special occasions.
The only place for detention of parties arrested, now provided, is situated at a distance from the village, and is not sufficiently secure to ensure safe keeping of troublesome prisoners.
We believe that one should be provided at some convenient location, better adapted to the purposes for which it is required. We also think it would be well for the town to provide for the use of its officers suitable badges, handcuffs and other implements such as their duties require.
54
For the purposes of police service we think it would be well for the town to raise and appropriate the sum of three hundred dollars to be expended under the direction of the Selectmen.
HUBBARD E. COX, Chief. SAMUEL BROWN. E. W. BLOOD. Police.
EDWIN BASSETT. WM. L. CROWE, Clerk.
READING, March 1, 1883.
Report of Cemetery Committee.
During the past year the only permanent improvements under- taken, have been simply the extension of avenues and paths, such as the taking up of new lots by purchasers, has made necessary. The cemetery has been kept in as tidy a condition, so far as the public portion is concerned, as it has ever been, and the owners of private lots, show a growing interest in their care. We have not drawn the full amount appropriated by the town at the last annual meet- ing, and we do not see occasion for any increase of appropriation or expenditure for the coming year.
The following financial statement is respectfully submitted :-
Balance on hand March 1, 1882
$155 10
Drawn from Town appropriation
150 00
Received from sale of lots.
192 00
Paid G.C. Gleason, for labor
$127 00
Paid Timothy Riordan, "
10 49
Paid M. Hennesey,
7 00
Paid Eben Buxton,
66
1 75
Paid P. Barrett,
66
136 99
Paid C. K. Gleason, 66
18 37
Paid R. M. Boyce,
66 and teams
78 34
Paid W. Bryant, for labor and use of. stump-puller. .
10 00
Paid H. P. Nichols, for gravel.
8 40
Paid E. Wight, for gravel.
6 00
$404 34
Balance on hand
$92 76
F. O. DEWEY, WM. J. WIGHTMAN, G. C. GLEASON, JAMES A. BANCROFT, WM. S. RICHARDSON, S. BANCROFT,
Committee.
READING, March, 1883.
$497 10
LIBRARY REPORT.
The trustees of the public library submit the following report:
The town appropriated. $300
Dog licenses. 187 49
$487 49
We have expended for insurance
$ 18 75
Rent. 125 00
Book Case
23 50
Books
82 91
Bills now outstanding :
Miss Cox for services and labor .$134 00
Binding books. 16 00
Bills for books 87 33
-- $487 49
Number of books purchased, 124.
Number of books contributed, 18.
Whole number of books in library, 4,793.
Whole number of patrons, 805.
Circulation, 17,011.
Per cent. of circulation : -
Fiction and Juvenile 75
Biography and Travels 15
Poetry and Art 2
Scientific
2
Miscellaneous 6
It will be seen that a very large per cent. of the circulation is fiction and juvenile. The trustees would say that they have aimed to supply the works of the highest and best character of that class.
The increase of the library has been such that there is much need of enlarged accommodations, in order to meet the wishes and demands of the citizens, and to promote the usefulness of the library which has become one of the most valuable institutions of the town.
57
The trustees again call the attention of the patrons of the library to the importance of more care in using the books. A large number have been worn out during the past year. With proper care on the part of those who use the books this may be avoided in the future.
As our report goes to press, a vacancy occurs in the Board through the death of Hiram Barrus, our Treasurer and Secretary.
Mr. Barrus was born in Goshen, Mass., July 5, 1822, and came to Reading in 1863. He was soon called to take an active part in public affairs, being elected to the School Committee in 1865, and remaining a member of that body until 1876. An earnest friend of every educational movement, he was one of those whose efforts culminated in the establish- ment of the Public Library in 1868, and being one of the original Board of Trustees, he has continued in service by successive re-elections, until the present time. His literary taste and knowledge of books made him from the first an exceedingly useful member, and his interest in the welfare and improvement of the library never flagged. His researches into the early history of the town, which have been permanently preserved in the pub- lished History of Reading, and in the files of the local paper, are of great value.
By his decease the town loses an estimable citizen, whose exemplary private character and faithful public service are so well known as to need no eulogy here: but we desire to record our high appreciation of his ef- forts in behalf of the educational institutions of the town, and our deep sorrow at the loss we have suffered in his death.
Respectfully submitted.
STEPHEN FOSTER, Chairman. H. G. WADLIN, WALTER S. PARKER, JAMES H. GRIGGS, CYRUS M. BARROWS,
Trustees.
READING, March, 1883.
(8)
58
LIST OF BOOKS ADDED TO THE LIBRARY DURING THE YEAR.
TRAVEL AND ADVENTURE.
A Trip Eastward.
Narrative of the Expedition of Am- erican Squadron to the China Seas and Japan.
Round the World Letters.
The Land and the Book.
Walks in Rome.
European Breezes.
Paddle and Portage.
A Lady's Life in the Rocky Moun- tains.
A Family Flight Through France, Germany, Norway, and Switz- erland.
The Mississippi.
FICTION AND JUVENILES.
Ben Hur ; a Tale of the Christ.
The Fate of Madame La Tour.
After the Freshet.
Grandmother Normandy.
Sinner and Saint.
The Prince and the Page.
The Seaboard Parish.
To-days and Yesterdays.
On Board the Rocket.
Polly Cologne.
Polly's Scheme.
Yensie Walton. Yensie Walton's Womanliood.
Tent in the Noteli.
Royal Lowrie.
Royal Lowrie's Last Year at St. Olave's.
Anne. Friends ; a Duet. Hyperion. Forever and a Day.
Unknown to History.
Aunt Serena. Brought to Bay.
There is no Place like Home.
Flitters, Tatters. and the Counsellor
The Stolen White Elephant. A Tallahassee Girl. Dorothea. Saints and Sinners. A Reverand Idol.
The Fortunate Island.
Wrecked but not Lost. Pride and Passion.
Her Picture. The Chaplet of Pearls.
Dollars and Cents.
Roxy.
Magnum Bonum.
Echoing and Re-echoing.
From Hand to Hand.
The Bailiff's Maid.
White Wings.
Roy and Viola.
Viva. Rhona.
Dolores.
Patty's Proprieties.
Leona.
Deep Down.
Her Crime.
Vice Versa, or a Lesson to Fathers.
The Jolly Rover.
Rachel's Share of the Road.
Weighed and Wanting.
A Modern Instance.
The Young Moose Hunters.
The Knockabout Club Alongshore.
Three Vassar Girls Abroad. Zig-zag Journeys in the Occident. Doctor Zay. An Honorable Surrender.
The Story of Helen Troy. The Mormon Wife.
Janet, a poor Heiress. The House of a Merchant Prince. A Transplanted Rose.
HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHY.
Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies in the War of the Rebellion. 8 volumes. England : Her People, Polity, and Personel. The Epoch of Reform (in England) 1830-1850. Prophets of Israel and their Place in History. Manuel of Historical Literature.
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Campaigns of the Civil War, 7 vol- umes, comprising :
1. The Outbreak of the Rebellion.
2. From Fort Henry to Corinth.
3. Mcclellan's Campaign of 1862.
4. The Army under Pope.
5. The Antietam and Fredricksburg Campaigns.
6. Chancellorsville and Gettysburg.
7. The Army of the Cumberland. Great Movements and Those who Achieved them.
The Friendships of Mary Russell Mitford.
Young Folks' History of Mexico.
History of the 14th Reg't., N. H. Volunteers.
American Statesmen (Brief Biogra- phies of) 3 Vols., comprising :
1. John Quincy Adams.
2. Alexander Hamilton.
3. John C. Calhoun.
Charles Lamb. (English Men of Letters Series.)
R. W. Emerson and Thomas Car- lyle (Correspondence Between) 2 volumes.
SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL.
Contagious Diseases of Domestic Animals.
Culture of the Sugar Beet.
Agriculture of Massachusetts, (Re- ports of Sec'y of the State Board) 1877-78-79-80.
An Etymological Dictionary of the English Language.
Garden Flowers.
Hints and Helps for those who Write, Print or Read.
The Old House Altered (Architect- ural Hints.
Report on U. S. Geographical Sur- veys.
Atlantis : The Antediluvian World. Is Consumption Contagious ?
Hand-book of Heraldry.
The Webster Centennial (Proceed- ings at.)
Real Pen-work: (Self-instruction in Penmanship.)
Thirteenth Annual Report of Mass. Bureau of Statistics of Labor. Arbitration and Conciliation in Eng- and America. (in Labor Con- troversies.)
Political Economy and the Labor Question.
MISCELLANEOUS.
President's Message and other Doc- uments. 1880-81.
U. S. Consular Reports.
Reading Chronicle. Vols. 11-12-13 14. The American Irish.
Conversation : Its Faults and its Graces.
Plain Speaking.
The Gypsies.
The Atlantic Monthly. Vols 43 to 48 inclusive.
The Revolt of Man.
Everyday Life at Eaton, Harrow, Rugby and other great Schools. New Games for Parlor and Lawn.
Oddities in Southern Life and Char- acter.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
OF THE
TOWN OF READING,
For the Year 1882-3.
REPORT.
The Committee respectfully subinit the following report : -
There has been no radical change in any of the schools during the past year. In some of the schools the Committee has noticed a marked improve- ment, in others the improvement has been slight. As a whole, the schools have advanced. In our report of last year we called attention to the feasibility of allowing the High School Principal to supervise the lower schools a small portion of the time; to visit the schools occasionally, and, by inspection and examination, aid the teachers in improving their work. We believe this year has demonstrated the practicability of the plan. He has acted as the executive of the School Board, and has carried out the various plans suggested by the members of the Committee. The members of the Committee, by occasional visits, inspect the schools, but very seldom really examine them. His line of work is such that he can do better than any member of the Committee.
We call attention to his report as made to us. This does not convey an idea of the many oral reports that he has given to us from time to time. He has taken only a very short time each week, and we believe if he be allowed to continue his work in this direction, it will conduce to lasting good to the schools.
TO THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE OF READING :
Gentlemen. - By your request, I respectfully submit the following Report : -
Sickness has been a great hindrance in nearly all of the schools, but in none is it more seriously felt than in the lower grades. A day's absence here is a loss which can be made up only by giving another day for the one lost, unless parents take the trouble to fill the place of teacher. - a labor which many parents have not time to give. A system with regard to enter- ing the Lower Primary would facilitate the progress of the classes very much. Pupils entering at all times of the year make it exceedingly hard for the teacher to do justice to any class of beginners. When most enter at the beginning of the year and are well started, a single scholar coming in
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later with no preparation, detracts front the class more than his proper share of the time and attention of the teacher. Let all who are of proper age enter in the fall and spring, and a large part of the inconvenience of new-comers would be removed, and promotion of scholars, better prepared, would result. Too much cannot be said in favor of Parker's Arithmetical Chart, which has been introduced during the past year. It excites an interest in the subject of numbers, which is pleasing to witness, and the enthusiastic manner of reeitation, shows how far from dullness are those engaged in the study. In judging of any teacher's work, one must take into consideration the class of pupils under his charge. It so comes about that a very smart class is often followed by one containing not as many bright intellects, and, consequently, it is impossible to bring up the standard each year in any grade to the same degree of excellence. That teacher who takes a class containing many of those who need special drill, should have corresponding praise for excellence of work done. While in the matter of writing, our Primary schools do not stand as high as many, the degree of neatness and evident effort should not pass unnoticed.
The Lower Medium is, in many respects, highly favored. Entering the school as a class naturally above the average of classes, with a preparation better than ordinary, they have well sustained their reputation. For neat- ness and excellence in all their work. especially in drawing and writing, they stand far above the average. More mental arithmetic is especially desirable. beginning with this grade and extending through all the higher grades. The Upper Medium has been favored with a good attendance, and a corres- ponding amount of good work. There are some in this school who find it exceedingly difficult to keep up with the studies assigned. and the work which the majority of the school could easily do. A false idea of promotion prevails in some minds, and the evil effects are noticeable in this school. Without a sure foundation it is impossible to build a good structure, and it is as impossible to succeed in school work without first having thoroughly mastered the rudiments. The same might be said of the Third Grammar. There are some reckoned among the class utterly incompetant to do the simplest work of the class, and, besides wasting there own time in work beyond there capacity, they are a serious hindrance to those who are able and desirous to advance. Let it be understood and repeated, that it is no disgrace to remain in the same school two years, provided one is not com- petent to thoroughly complete the work.
There has been a marked improvement during the year in the Second Grammar. It is manifest in the better order. in the greater care about doing work, and in the general spirit and tone. There is still room for great improvement. A listless. don't-care spirit, is hard to overcome, and a general backwardness cannot be remedied in a few months. The First Grammar has kept up its reputation for general interest and progress. It is
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no easy task to amalgamate so different material from all parts of the town into one homogeneous whole. Here. as nowhere else, a comparison can be drawn as to the success of the different schools, which furnish pupils for this. If in any branches we are behind other towns, having like grade of schools, it is more manifest in arithmetic and writing, defects which must begin to be remedied in the lowest grades. The arrangement of the course of study made by the committee during the past year is eminently fitted to overcome this obstacle, and a hearty union of effort on the part of com- mittee and teachers cannot be too earnestly urged. The schools at Walnut street seem to be working under needless disadvantage : the lower section being in quarters too cramped for the best work, and the higher in a room so large as to put teacher and scholar at a distance incompatible with any true teaching. Now this waste of room could be utilized to the infinite advantage and health of most concerned, and the town cannot too early put the house in a suitable place, and the inside arrangements in a suitable condition to do the work which that part of the town demands.
The Woburn-street Schools have some of the best material, and it is well developed in the Primary Department. Want of harmony between parents and teachers destroys the best teaching and influence, and this may account for some defects in the Upper Department. Lack of accuracy has been the most glaring fault in the Lowell street School. It is not the amount of ground gone over, though that is much, which tells, but the thoroughness with which whatever is undertaking is accomplished. No teacher can afford to let inaccuracies pass by unnoticed, however much it may mar the good show of a school to call attention and correct what- «ever is wrong.
Our schools most remote from the centre furnish us with many glad surprises. Considering the fewness of the numbers, there is and must be that lack of enthusiasm which large numbers create, and yet for thorough, intelligent teaching, these out-districts furnish bright examples.
One caution is always needed in rooms where there are stoves used for heating, lest in the teachers becoming so interested in teaching as to forget the draughts, and expose the children to too great heat and cold.
A true devotion to the work of teaching will not think it too great a bur- den to use faithfully all the time allotted during the school year. Taking out legal holidays, and those set apart by the committee, for gaining informa- tion from others in regard to the best methods of teaching, taking out those days in which the state of the weather actually prevents many from attend- ing school, there remains full little time enough to do the work required as it should be, without watching and wishing for one-session days and every holiday which every neighboring city and town may have.
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