The Wichita daily eagle., 1896-12-16
A CoMMUNISTIc COLLEGE.
An Odd Educational Enterprise IN
Northern ulinoia
xhe Workers Are Building Up snan
City. of Their OWn-Lsbor . Nee
esesry Part Of the Ex-

xhe WORKERS Are Building Up snan
City. OF Their Own-Lsbor . Nee
esssry Part of the Ex-
They are making communists edu-
cational experiments near the little town
OF St Anne, Ill, some 60 miles south of
Chicago. that has already attracted a
good deal OF attention and is sure to be
talked OF the world over If anything
like success is accomplished. This ex-
pertinent is known as the Peoples uni.
versity. St. Anne is far removed from
the railroad in q region that is strictly
rural and the university owns an entire
section of land, $40 acres.
Upon this tract stands not only the
university buildings, but also the homes,
for the time being, Of all the students
and teachers. The land is cultivated
comparatively by all. the proceeds are
sold for the benefit OF all, the property
Of the community is kept in a common
storehouse.
The community started with a capt.
tai OF 81 500, invested in tools, machinery
and live stock. The school has asked
tsor no gifts. does not expect to secure
any endowments, and will appeal
neither TO the charity nor the benefi-
cence of the public ia any way. The
students and teachers who are on the
ground are working with their own
hands at the construction Of the build
ings. and arc carrying on the agricul-
tural work of the school, all of which
is done without compensation.
Their labor is employed directly n
producing the food, clothing, fuel and
shelter necessary for their own COM
Portable existence. When this labor
has provided these necessities, the bal
ance Of their time is devoted to study.
The educational workers are build
ing up their own city, including houses,
school and farm. The dwellings ara
cottages. 12xs feet on the ground and a
tory and half high, with frst-cIass
cedar roofs.
They have built five miles of fences;
planted fruit trees and 500 grape vines:
have set out an immense garden Of
about 10 acres, have fields containing
5000 sweet potato plants, 21 acres of
Irish potatoes, so acres of oats, $50
acres of corn, 40 acres OF sorghum. 26
acres of millet and 20 acres of buck
wheat, all OF which are in very fine con-
dition.
NJ - a
large number of visitors that no finer
crop nor better farming is to be found
than there.
The cottages are built in a sort OF
semi-circle. following a slight rise Of
ground which is everywhere over
grown with bluegrass. It would be
difficult to And, or to produce, even
with a considerable expenditure of
money, a more beautiful location for
the.home than this little grove has fur
nished, ready made.
The form in which the buildings ara
constructed is that of small village.
but there is no subdivision of land and
no sale OF lots. The school will hold, in
it's own name and for it's own use, all
land, houses, shops and implements of,
every kind. There is no way in which
any person can secure q speculative or
even legitimate business interest in
any of the work of this school. There
IS no plan for admitting, for residence
IN this village, anyone who does not
come solely for an educational purpose.
The school simply provides an op-
portunity for study for those who are
willing, by their own toll, to take adj
Tantagc of such opportunity; and the
only return offered for labor is mental
training. The man who does not want
10 study has no reason for going there,
and will not be admitted, or if admit
ted by mistake, will not.be permitted to
-eturn. All who are not willing to la
Dor with their own hands at tasks
necessary to comfortable existence are
also excluded.
In fact, this unique community COM
1ines the elements of socialism and
and, it is to be hoped,
without any of their evils. The aim Of
he students of the Peoples university
s to sink individualism and accom-
olish the greatest good for all.
Here is the order C tac days work:
The rising bell rings u 4c'c.nck, break
asst is at s, chapel at 3,3a. and all bands
ittend this morning service In their
clothes. They go direct from
his service to their work in the field.
1t a quarter to IL the bell rings field
all to dinner. Dinner is at ten minutes
,ast 12, and the classes begin, at $780,
1t $3.50 the classroom work is over;
supper is at 6.
From $50 TO 8 the time is spent in
est and play, and from to 9 in stady,
Ifter which the day. is done and all re-
ire. Sunday forenoon is ones own for
'eding and rest, and at in the after
,oon a service OF public worship is held.
The use of tobacco. intoxicants and
plates is not permitted within the uni
ersity's precincts.
The work of building this comrnu-
ity was undertaken by Walter Thorn
S Mills. who, as field secretary for the
is entirely responsible
or its management. The appointment
( teachers, securing OF students, di-
eceion OF discipline. in fact the COM |
'lete management OF the school in its |
Industrial classroom work. Is for the |
in his hands. It IS an cid !
lea of his. Mr. Mills Is known as o
ecturer on temperance and other social |
nd economical topics
The wonderful growth of The corps OF
&c little colony and the very satisfac-
Dry returns which the immediate fu- |
ure promises are held TO justify the ex-
that. in very short time,