The Washington bee., 1895-09-28
The Childro rs Rrpnl,I,c.

"HlIe Tue grown IOlRs are talking o.
the tariff and free silver and all Of the
many things that go to make a govern.
nent, our young readers will be interest.
ed In hearing about q republic where
boys and girls make their own laws and
have their own officers to see that they
are obeyed. About five years ago a
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
| hfty acres of land was bought near Itha-
| "a and the name of Freeville was given
| to 1t. 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
lamp. All the departments of regular
government were formed on small
scale. There was 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, Is and so cents and one dol
lar.
At the close of the season. all moneys
were redeemed with fruits, vegetables
and clothing. Some of the more thrifty
boys had three barrels of potatoes to
take home.
Taxes were levied and there was a
oank, a post Office and a hotel.
Everything was on a paying basis.
Each boy and girl spent the morning Of
Zach day at work, the boys in carpentry
and farming, and the girls in cooking,
sewing and millinery work, for whi-h
hey were paid regular wages
Public officers received good salaries.
The price of unskilled labor was fifty
cents 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 repu bile, 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, at first every boy wanted to
Dc policeman, SO law was passed re-
suiring every candidate to pas a civil
service examination.
Another difficulty came when a bright
cut smallsized ''cop" was obliged to ar
est two offenders, older and larger. He
Tas greatly afraid of being punched"
out when he found he would be fined
Ind lose his office If he didn't do his duty,
lie did it, Two policemen were at one
md dlose his office if he didn't do his duty,
md the other for receiving bribes.
There was no resistance offered for
hat meant heavy fine.
The wealthy men could enjoy q great
many luxuries. One of these was life at
he Hotel Waldorf loft OF barn
ill the "hotels" here the boys slept
we're at first in possession Of the govern
nent, but this one building was leased |
o the highest bidder. 1t was estimated |
haiti it cost 81 day to run it, and one pro- |
'rietor, who leased it at $3.50, could not |
aeet his liabilities and failed. A later |
proprietor paid $3.50 a day and made |
money. BY that time the "hoter' had |
'een partitioned off into private and ex-
ensive apartments, costing from fifty to |
twenty-five cents day. The most elab-
ase of these had beautiful chromos up
4 their white muslin partitions. This
proprietor increased the number of his I
partments. and charged his patrons five
ents eacn time they used a writing ta-
lie 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
ne poorest children of New York. He
I'D twenty unpaid assistants this sum-
Ter. and support was given by different
ro;estant religious bodies OF Central |
lew York. A regular organization for
he Young America Republic Is to be
ormed Immediately with many philan-
lropic men as officers.