The Washington bee., 1895-09-21
The Childral'S Rtnnhlic.

u
the tariff and free silver and all of the
many things that go to make a govern
ment, our young readers will be interest
ed in hearing about republic where
boys and girls make their own laws and
have their own officers to see that they
number of good men and women in New
York city thought Of plan by which
they might give the poor boys and girls
who roam the streets Of that city a
pleasant summer outing, and that, at the
same time, would help to make good men
and women of these poor children. About
fifty acres of land was bought near Itha-
"a and the name Of Freeville was given
to it. Here, each summer, are sent the
boys and girls of the streets. This sum-
mer the plan Of forming a republic, and
letting the children govern themselves,
was tried. The name Of the Young
America Republic was given to the
camp. All the departments of a regular
government were formed on a small
scale. There was a Congress, with It's
Senate and House Of Representatives
Policemen were appointed and courts
were formed and judges elected. An
army was formed, with real guns, drums
and flag. Money was issued in red, yell
low, and blue paper-of six denomina-
tions, l, 5, 10, 25 and so cents and one dol
Jar.
At the close of the season, all moneys
to L1ac
and clothing. Some Of the more thrifty
boys had three barrels of potatoes to
lake home.
Taxes were levied and there was
oank, a post office and a hotel
Everything was on paying basis.
Each boy and girl spent the morning Of
each day at work, the boys in carpentry
and farming, and the girls in cooking,
sewing and millinery work, for with
hey were paid regular wages.
Public officers received good salaries.
The price of unskilled labor was fifty
cents a day, and the highest pay ninety
cents.
With this money they paid for their
BOARD and lodging and other expenses.
Each meal cost ten cents, and lodging
vas also ten cents.
Representatives were elected every
week in the republic, and Senators every
:wo weeks.
There was woman suffrage, too, the
girls voting as we'll as the boys. There
vas girl Senator and two of the judges
we're girls.
Of course, a first every boy wanted to
De policeman, so a law was passed re-
4uiring every candidate to pas a civil
service examination.
Another difficulty came when bright
out smallsized ''cop" was obliged to ar
est two offenders, older and larger. He
vas greatly afraid Of being punched"
out when he found he would be fined
md lose his office if he didn't do his duty,
le did it. Two policemen were at one
and lose his office if he didn't do his duty,
md the other for receiving brbes.
There was no resistance offered, for
hat meant a heavy fine.
The wealthy men could enjoy great
many luxuries. One of these was life at
he Hotel Waldorf loft Of barn.
All the hotels there the boys slept
we're al first in possession of the govern
nent, but this one building was leased
@ the highest bidder. 1t was estimated
hat it cost S4 day to run it, and one pro-
1rietor who leased it at $3.50, could not
meet his liabilities and failed. A later
proprietor paid $3.50 day and made
money By that time the "hotel' had
oeen partitioned off into private and eX-
oens:ve apartments, costing from fifty to
;eventy-five cents a day. The most elab-
,rate of these had beautiful chromos up
IN their white muslin partitions. This
proprietor increased the number of his
apartments and charged his patrons five
.ents eacn time they used a writing ta-
de he provided, and ten cents for lying
n bed in the day time.
Mr.. William r. George is the origina-
or and chief mover in this work among
he poorest children of New York. He
lad twenty unpaid assistants this sum-
sier, and support was given by different
Protestant religious bodies of Central
New York. A regular organization for
he Young America Republic is to be
,ormed Immediately with many philan-
.hropic men as officers.