USA > New York > Oneida County > Utica > Outline history of Utica and vicinity > Part 8
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[For entire text of Horace Mann's eloquent plea for Free Schools, see Randall's Hist. Com. Sch. Sys. State of N. Y., pp. 219-226.]
A few cities of the State, among them Utica, had during the previous five years made some of the common schools free. The result of their experiment was so satisfactory
1837-8, P. 17. Ibid., 1839-40, p. 33.
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OUTLINE HISTORY OF UTICA AND VICINITY.
that the Legislature, in 1846, recommended the adoption into the Constitution of a State System of Free Schools.
At a meeting of taxpayers of Utica, called by Mayor Fish in November, 1855, a committee of five was appoint- ed to investigate the city's debt, taxes, schools, and the adequacy of the existing charter. "The city was then in one great school district, and therefore drew no more of the State fund than would a district of thirty scholars."
M.H., pp. 282-4.
The committee reported January 16, 1856, and in ac- cordance with its recommendations, at an adjourned meet- ing, (January 2), it was voted to divide the city into school districts of 100 scholars each, and this change was soon embodied in a charter amendment.
In 1856, Andrew McMillan became Principal of the Advanced School, (b. Augusta, 1820, d. 1893.) He continued to serve the schools of the city thirty-six years: as Principal, 1856-67; as Superintendent of Schools, 1867-92.
In 1858, George C. Sawyer became Principal of the Academy, (b. 1735 ; Harvard '55.) His service lasted thirty-eight years, (1858-96.)
In May, 1865, the Free Academy was destroyed by in- cendiary fire. A new building was dedicated January 31, 1868. At this time the number of pupils was 143, and seven teachers were employed.
In the next quarter of a century, this building in turn became inadequate to the needs of the city, and on Sep- tember II, 1899, the commodious new Academy on Kem- ble Street was opened for use. It is believed that in many respects this is superior to any other High School building in the State.
There are now, including the Academy, twenty-five free public schools in Utica, employing upwards of 225 teach- ers. The average daily attendance is nearly 7,000. This
103
EDUCATION.
includes twelve kindergartens, of which nine form depart- ments of ward schools, one evening school, and a school of pedagogy for graduates. A training school for kinder- gartners, established several years since, has this year, 1899, been made part of the public school system. This and the school of pedagogy are under the Department of Public Instruction, and bestow diplomas which are recog- nized by the State as certificates of fitness.
Since September, 1896, manual training and domestic science have been made part of the school course, obliga- tory in the middle grades, and optional in the Academy.
In the office of the Superintendent is a library consist- ing of about one thousand volumes of the best professional books, with all the current educational magazines. These are for the use of the teachers and the training class of the city, and may be drawn by them for home reading under the same regulations as those that govern the Utica Public Library.
As an incentive to pride in our local history, and the development of patriotism, the Oneida Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, has instituted money prizes for approved essays upon historical subjects. These prizes have been offered and awarded to pupils of the Utica Free Academy, the Advanced School, and advanced grades of the ward schools.
The Oneida Historical Society has offered similar prizes Sch. Rept., to the pupils of the Free Academy. 1898, p. 24.
It is hoped that prizes consisting of books on animals will soon be offered in all grades of our schools for the best essays on the prevention of cruelty to animals.
Prizes upon educational subjects are also offered to teachers, the funds coming from a private citizen.
From the earliest settlement of Old Fort Schuyler to the
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OUTLINE HISTORY OF UTICA AND VICINITY.
present time. the list of our private schools has been a long one. Among noteworthy schools was one established in 1827 by Charles Bartlett. Its course of study embraced exercises for physical culture, as swimming, riding, gar- dening. and gymnastics. The principle of object-teaching, that which we moderns call the .. Laboratory Method," was employed. The teacher of science, Mr. Fay Edger- ton, took his classes on excursions for geological and botanical research. for trilobite and flower. Among his pupils were James S. Dana. S. Wells Williams, and Albert Barnes.
The earliest recorded school was gathered about 1789, when the future Utica was Old Fort Schuyler. It was kept by one Joseph Dana. The plain, severely rough schoolhouse was used on Sundays, until the year 1806, as a place of worship and for occasional town meetings.
Day-schools for little children, including one entitled "The Pattern Infant School, " Seminaries for young ladies, Gymnasiums, and Lyceums for boys, etc., are chronicled in surprising numbers. Mrs. Whittlesee. of missionary fame. established in 1805. or thereabouts, a girls' school of the first rank.
Nature-teaching was specifically inculcated when, in 1826, the Utica Lyceum was incorporated with the stated purpose of promoting the study of Natural History and other useful sciences.
The foregoing were private schools. In the first Directory issued after Utica's incorporation as a city, namely, in 1832, we find the names of fifty-six teachers. A detailed enu- meration of many of the early schools will be found in the Volume of School Reports, 1877-79, and in Dr. Bagg's Memorial History.
In the Utica Directory for 1849-50. Whitestown Semi- nary advertises two departments, each with its Faculty,
Sch. Rep :.. Pioneers. pp. 55- 92.
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.
EDUCATION.
the first a Biblical School, with chairs of Criticism and In- terpretation, Christian Theology, Greek, Hebrew, etc. ; the second, Academic. This Seminary and the Academies at Clinton furnished an inexhaustible supply of good teach- ers, as well as a powerful influence in favor of local literary activity.
In 1788, when George Clinton was Governor, the State of New York united with the Oneida Indians in making a grant of valuable land in Oneida County to the Rev. Sam- uel Kirkland, in recognition of his faithful services. Upon Allison's Hist'l Sketch this tract Hamilton Oneida Academy was built. It was Ham, Coll., chartered by the Regents in 1793, and received the name 1889. of Alexander Hamilton, then Secretary of the United States Treasury, who was one of the trustees named in the peti- tion of incorporation. The Academy was designed to ed- Ibid., pp. 16, 20 ucate Indians and whites together. Baron Steuben laid its corner stone ; the Indian Chief, Skenandoa, was one of the honored guests and assistants. The school was opened in 1797. In 1812, with increased endowment, en- larged buildings, and a new charter, it became Hamilton Ibid., p. 25. College.
XIII.
LIBRARY ; HISTORICAL SOCIETY ; ETC.
UTICA PUBLIC LIBRARY.
T' "HE plan of the Public Library as it now exists was the product of the brain of Benjamin Franklin, (1706-90).
In 1732, ten years after Franklin had organized the first Library Association, and chiefly through his efforts, the Public Library of Philadelphia was founded.
In 1833, General John A. Dix, then Secretary of State of New York, and ex-officio Superintendent of Common Schools, recommended the establishment of School Dis- trict Libraries. This step, thus inaugurated in New York State, met with considerable success, but its limitation to the school district prevented the largest usefulness. It had, however, served to call the attention of educators to the need of providing free reading for the whole com- munity.
Randall's Hist Com. Schs., pp. 81, 84, 85.
In 1835, an Act of Legislature was passed authorizing school districts to raise by taxation a fund of not more than twenty dollars for the first, and ten dollars for each succeeding, year, for the purchase of books for such libraries. Later, one-fifth of the State school fund was appropriated to the libraries, and the remaining four-fifths to the pay- ment of duly qualified teachers.
M. H., p. 473.
A public library had been incorporated in Utica in 1825. It was owned by stockholders, and besides about one thousand standard books, included the best English and American periodicals. It was open to the public at first once a week. Nothing is known of this library after 1837,
N. Y. Even'g Post, Aug. 20, 1898.
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LIBRARY ; HISTORICAL SOCIETY ; ETC.
but it was probably merged in the School District Li- brary.
In 1862, a new arrangement was effected by which the library was open for the accommodation of all every even- ing, except Saturday and Sunday, from seven to nine o'clock. On Saturday morning from ten to twelve, girls U. Herald, under fifteen were waited on, and ladies on Saturday af- Feb. 8, 1862. ternoons from two to five. The library was located over the Central New York Bank on Franklin Square. In M. H., pp. 473, 1856, it was moved to the new City Hall. 474.
In June, 1877, the School Commissioners resolved to erect a new building, agreeably to an Act authorizing one to cost not more than $20,000., the sum to be raised on City bonds, of which $5,000. should be redeemed annually Ibid., p. 349. for four years. A lot had been purchased on Elizabeth Street, and the present building was completed in 1878.
The library thus provided was a School District Library, and continued as such under the control and management of the Commissioners of Common Schools until 1893, when, under the University Law, (Laws of 1893, Chap. 378), a charter was granted by the Regents of the Univer- sity to a new corporation known as the " Utica Public Li- brary." The property of the district library was turned over to this new corporation, which has ever since had exclusive charge of public library matters in the city.
The main support of the library is from appropriation of public money included in the annual city tax levy.
Through the public spirit of some of our citizens, we . now look forward to the larger building and better con- veniences which the intelligence and growth of Utica de- Apr. 22, May U. Herald, mand, and which will provide external conditions corres- 18, 1899. ponding with the exceptionally high skill and intelligence with which the Library is conducted.
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OUTLINE HISTORY OF UTICA AND VICINITY.
ONEIDA HISTORICAL SOCIETY.
The Oneida Historical Society was formed in December, 1876, for the collection and preservation of relics, memen- tos and traditions of the past. At the first meeting Ho- ratio Seymour was chosen president. He held office for ten years. The Society was but six months old when it was asked to take suitable action to commemorate the ap- proaching centennial anniversary of the Battle of Oriskany, August 5, 1877. This was done by a worthy and most impressive ceremony. A granite shaft now marks the bat- tlefield. This was dedicated August 6, 1884.
M. H., P. 849. Trans. O. H. S., 1881-4.
In 1881, relatives of Baron Steuben, "guests of the nation," who had crossed the ocean by invitation to be present at the centennial celebration of the Surrender of Yorktown, (1781), came to visit the grave of the Baron in Remsen, Oneida County. A committee appointed by the Historical Society received and entertained them.
It is fitting here to speak of the grave of Steuben. This was first made according to his wish in a secluded spot on his own grounds in the township of Steuben. When the opening of a new road made a removal necessary, Col. Benjamin Walker made the re-interment and placed an iron railing around the grave. He also leased fifty acres of land to the First Baptist Society of Steuben on condi- tion that five acres, including the grave, should be pro- tected and kept in a state of nature.
E. and F., p. 637.
In the Columbian Gasette of May 3, 1825, preserved in the Historical Society Library, is a notice of a meeting "attended by a very respectable number," to consider the propriety of erecting a monument over the remains of Baron Steuben. It was held at "Shepard's Tavern," (Bagg's Hotel, kept for the time by Abraham Shepard), and William Clarke, Esq., President of the Village, was called to the chair. Resolutions were passed, one of which read :
Jones'sAnna's, pp. 439-49, 445, 446.
+P
-
MUNSON-WILLIAMS MEMORIAL.
Oneida Ilistorical Society.
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LIBRARY ; HISTORICAL SOCIETY ; ETC.
" Resolved, That subscription papers be circulated, and that no one pay more than two dollars." A committee was appointed which agreed to accept no subscription un- less accompanied by the money.
This doubtless indicates the part which Utica took in
Jones's Annals raising funds for the monument to Steuben "erected by p. 446. subscription when LaFayette visited this country." Judge Jones says, "The tablet is about seven feet by four, and nearly a foot in thickness, of the purest limestone," and Ibid., p. 440. he appeals to the honor of the town and the county to give it the needed repairs. This stone was inscribed, "Major- General Frederick William Augustus, Baron de Steuben."
Some years before the Civil War, the State Legislature appropriated a sum of public money for the erection of a monument, and this was afterward turned over to an asso- ciation which completed the work, large credit being due to Governor Seymour. The corner stone of the new monument was laid June 1, 1870, and Governor Seymour delivered an address. The only inscription is the word " Steuben."
E.and F.,p.637.
Recently other appeals have been made for better care
UJ. Herald, of the burial ground, and efforts made to obtain an appro- June 16. 1899. priation from the Legislature for the purpose.
March 2, 1882, the Historical Society celebrated the "Semi-Cent'l Semi-Centennial of the City, by appropriate exercises in City of U." (Trans O. H. S.)
the City Opera House.
On July 4, 1883, the Society determined and dedicated Trans. O. H. the site of Old Fort Schuyler, at the junction of Main and S., 1881-4. Third streets.
The State gave three mounted Parrott guns, which have been placed on their carriages at the corners of the trian- gular plot. A large square base stone in the centre indi- cates the monument to come.
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OUTLINE HISTORY OF UTICA AND VICINITY.
Trans. O H. S., 1881-4.
The Society also took the initial steps for the Centen- nial Celebration of the settlement of Whitestown, which occurred June 5, 1884 ; and for a similar celebration in New Hartford, June 27, 1888.
Ibid., 1887-9.
In 1895, the Society left the crowded quarters in the City Library and took possession of its new home in the Munson-Williams Memorial Building, near. Chancellor Square.
Daily Papers.
Here it has received the Battle Flags of the Oneida County Regiments as already mentioned, (see IV.), and on March 15, 1898, celebrated the hundredth anniversary of the erection of Oneida County.
UTICA STATE HOSPITAL.
More than a half-century ago, in 1843, the State Lunatic Asylum was founded. Before the building was fully fin- ished, the necessity of enlarging it was reported to the Legislature. The Managers in their first report call it the "noblest of public charities." At the date of the report there were two hundred and ten patients. There are now more than eleven hundred.
July 14, 1857, the main building was burned, entailing a loss of $200,000.
The cottage plan is now under trial to a small extent. By this arrangement a colony of about thirty convales- cent male patients are freed from some of the irksome features of a large institution.
The present name of the institution is the Utica State Hospital.
MASONIC HOME.
The Masonic Home for destitute Masons, and widows and orphan children of Masons, was dedicated October 5,
-
"OLD SARATOGA."
Saturday Globe
III
LIBRARY ; HISTORICAL SOCIETY ; ETC.
1892. On April 1, 1899," it sheltered one hundred Rep't Trustees ninety-six Fadults and forty-eight children. Its one hun- Masonic Hall dred and seventy acres comprise woods and farm, flower and Asylum gardens and lawns, overlooking the valley of the Mohawk. P. 37. Fund, 1899, They lie upon the border line that divides Oneida from Herkimer County.
CHURCHES, HOSPITALS, AND HOMES.
The Churches of Utica number fifty, including two Syn- agogues.
There are seventeen Hospitals and Homes. The Utica Orphan Asylum, incorporated April 19, 1830, is said to be the first established in the State outside of New York City.
"OLD SARATOGA."
One Revolutionary relic deserves mention, -the old cannon, popularly believed to be one of the guns surren- dered .by Burgoyne at Saratoga. In earlier times this often did duty when a public demonstration was demanded, and again it has lain neglected in back alleys and rubbish heaps. At different times it has stood in the yard of the City Hall, Dec. 12, 1896. Sat. Globe, the Public Library, and the State Hospital. At last, in Mar. 5, 1808. U. Herald, December, 1896, through the public spirit of a few, it was placed at the entrance of the State Armory, where it now stands, a silent and dignified reminder of the early history of our nation.
XIV.
THE GOVERNMENT OF UTICA.
U TICA is one of the shire towns of Oneida County, shire being the old English name for the division of land generally known as a county. A shire town is one in which the county business is transacted.
Utica constitutes the First Assembly District of the county, and is in the Thirty-fourth State Senatorial District, Oneida County forming the district. It is in the Twenty- fifth Congressional District, which includes the counties of Oneida and Herkimer, and the Fifth Judicial District, com- prising Oneida, Onondaga, Herkimer, Oswego, Lewis and Jefferson Counties. According to the last census it rates as a third class city. The population of a city determines its rating as first, second, or third class.
The government of the city is based upon a charter grant- ed by the State Legislature. The charter has often been changed as the growth of the city demanded. The charter of an American city is defined by Seth Low as the legal instrument which gives the community authority to act as a corporation, and defines the duties of its officers. The State is the authority behind the charter. The Legislature has ·power to compel municipal bodies to perform their functions as local governments.
Besides this authority of the State, which touches the city government at every point through the charter and State laws, the city feels also the contact of the National government through the postoffice, the United States courts and marshal, the collection of internal revenue, and through certain general election laws.
State Consti- tution, Art. XI1., Sec. 2.
Cooley's Con- stitutional Limitations,! D. 283.
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THE GOVERNMENT OF UTICA.
FIRST VILLAGE CHARTER.
Chapter 79 of the Laws of New York for 1798 is enti- tled, "An Act to Vest certain Powers in the Freeholders and Inhabitants of the Village commonly known as Old Fort Schuyler."
A freeholder is a person possessed of real estate, houses and lands.
This Act, passed on April 3 of that year, was the first charter of our village. It defines the boundaries of the village and gives it the name of Utica, provides that free- holders and inhabitants qualified to vote shall elect at their annual town meeting five of their number as trustees, " empowered to make, ordain, constitute and establish such prudential rules, orders and regulations as a majority of said freeholders and inhabitants shall judge necessary and convenient for the improving of their common lands, keeping streets in repair." etc., and further, that "it shall be lawful for said owners of houses and lands at their an- nual meeting to determine what sum shall be raised for such purposes, provided always that such sum shall not exceed in any one year the sum of three hundred dollars." This was government by town-meeting.
SECOND CHARTER.
A second charter was granted in 1805 in response to a petition of freeholders and inhabitants asking for more power in the management of village affairs. It extended the boundaries of the village, declared the freeholders a body corporate, and gave them power to raise among them- 1805, Ch. 92, selves a sum not exceeding $1,000. annually for ex- III. penses of the corporation. Town meeting was held the first Tuesday in May, at which time five trustees and other town officers were elected. One of the duties of the trus- tees was to "enact, regulate and publish on the first Mon-
Laws of N. Y.,
Secs. I., II.,
Ibid., Sec. V.
8
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OUTLINE HISTORY OF UTICA AND VICINITY.
Jones'sAnnals, P. 560.
day of every month an assize of bread." The trustees at their first meeting adopted a seal for the village. It was Pioneers, p.207 heart-shaped, with the letter F in the center.
THIRD CHARTER.
Twelve years later, in 1817, a third charter was grant- ed. The village was again enlarged, separated from the town of Whitestown, and made a town by itself, and divided into three wards. The freeholders now elected six trustees, a supervisor, three assessors, a collector, and
1817, Ch. 192, Sec. II.
Laws of N. Y., two constables. The trustees appointed a clerk, treasurer, one or more overseers of the poor, one or more pound- masters, fence-viewers, common criers, porters, carriers, carters, truckmen, scavengers, measurers, surveyors, and gaugers. This charter provided that a president of the Ibid., Sec. IV. village should be appointed annually by governor and council. The council of appointment was a body of four senators chosen by the assembly to act with the governor in making appointments. The president could also be re- M. H., P 153. moved by State authority. In January, 1824, the board of trustees learned "with deep regret that Ezra S. Cozier, president of the village, had been superseded in office by act of the governor and senate of the state."
Elections were held by wards. The trustees were given power to raise by tax a sum not exceeding $1, 500. for an- nual expenses of the corporation. The matters which had come before the electors at town meetings were now delegated to officers chosen for that purpose. Government ceased to be by town-meeting and became representative. Laws of N. Y., The following oath, taken by voters if required, shows what were the qualifications for voting: " I do solemnly swear I am a citizen of the United States of the age of twenty- one years, have resided in this village six months, and that I am possessed of a freehold in said village, or : I have
1817, Ch. 192, Sec. VI.
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THE GOVERNMENT OF UTICA.
rented a tenement of the yearly value of five dollars for one year."
In 1830 an amendment to the charter was enacted pro- Laws of N. Y., viding for the election of the president of the corporation. Sec. I. 1830, Ch. 3,
CITY CHARTER.
Utica received its charter of incorporation as a city by act of Legislature, Feb. 13, 1832. The city was divided into four wards. The city officers were a mayor, four jus- tices of the peace, a supervisor, and three constables. Each ward elected three aldermen, one assessor, and three inspectors of election. The aldermen formed the common council and appointed the mayor, clerk, city attorney, treasurer, etc. The first mayor was Joseph P. Kirkland. M. H., p. 200. (See III.) The common council was given power to Laws of N. Y., raise by tax a sum not exceeding $8,000. annually for the 1840, Ch. 21. expenses of the city. In 1840 the charter was amended to provide for the election of the mayor. John C. Dev- ereux was the first mayor elected by the people. He had M. H., pp. 236, been mayor by appointment of the common council the 240. previous year, 1839.
Under a State law municipal elections are now held in November on the same day as State and other elections. Laws of N. Y., The officers then chosen enter upon office on the first of 1893, Ch. 13. January following.
FUNCTIONS OF CITY GOVERNMENT.
These are described by Wilcox as primarily the main- tenance of public safety, the protection of public health, and the administration of justice ; and secondarily the raising of money for the maintenance of government. The practical Wilcox's Study of City PP. 24, 32, 53. accomplishment of these objects is entrusted to officers Gov't, Ch. II., chosen for that purpose. The governing force provided by our charter comprises the common council, the chief executive, certain administrative officers and boards, and the city judiciary.
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OUTLINE HISTORY OF UTICA AND VICINITY.
THE COMMON COUNCIL.
THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH OF THE GOVERNMENT.
(Mayor and Aldermen).
Each ward of the city is represented by one alderman. The aldermen are elected for two years, the odd numbered wards electing one year, the even numbered wards the fol- lowing year. These aldermen and the mayor constitute the body known as the common council. This body is the representative of the city, its legal guardian and trus- tee. It appoints a president from its members, and deter- mines its own rules of action. It works through various committees which it appoints, as claims and audits, finance, public improvement, etc.
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