The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1898-02-12
THE Mixing OF
GOOD CITIZENS
A Colony Where Boys Learn
to Govern Themselves.
How Lazy Boys Become Wage
earners Under Beneficent
"2epublie."

The Industrial Colony Association.
which was organized by phfIanthro-
pists in New York city. is one of the
Few charities which does not prima-
| rily intend to aid the sick or invalid.
It's aim is to reach the healthy, able
bodied boys whose physical we'll
being is in less danger than the NOR
al, and who may only need TO be guild
ed from inclinations to vicfousness, and
to see way to the higher kind of
living, in order to become useful citI-
zens- The boys chosen to. receive the
benefits offered by the colony on the
farm at Gardiner. Ulster county. New
York. are generally selected by work
ers in missions or Sunday schools.
Sometimes the most troublesome boys
are selected, others are taken because
they are homeless or are growing up
amid especially bad surroundings.
Some are cigarette fiends. and all are
OF course, boys of the street. familiar
with the evil learned there. Parents
or guardians consent is gained and
the age of each colonist must come
within the limit of twelve to fifteen
The name colony is in itself inviting.
III is, in fact. a community. for the boys
are expected 10 be elf-supporting
working daily at tasks set or chosen
and being paid in the currency of the
colony, which money is redeemable al
the close Of the term either in goods
or in United States money AS all the
boy gets must be paid for there is ev-
cry incentive to industry that is found
in actual life experiences. If a boy is
too lazy to work he becomes a pau
per, and must be cared for by the
sheriff. There is a disgrace felt con-
corning state of pauperism which
acts beneiicially in compelling the in
dustry of all. and the authorities say
mat the LATEST boy who reaches the
colony Without cOaxing or persuasion
or the coercion of any law finds him
sell Obliged TO do regular work for his
livelihood. and after the first few
weeks there are no idlers or paupers."
There are regular classes i'm farming.
carpentsring and landscape gardening.
and other industries may be followed
Ihe regular working hours are from
~~fCS IN the morning until HOOn-the
ar ernoOn to be spent in recreation, al
though many work all day at any lob
they may find. The wages are 80 cents. 20
cents OF this being necessary for living
expenses. Savings are deposited in the
colony bank. and paid 10 depositors in
United States money when they are
leaving the colony.
The young colonists make their own
laws and choose their own officers, learn
ing obedience and self-cOntrOl- The pen
alties for the breaking Of laws are usu-
ally fines. though a guardhouse is on the
place and is sometimes used. The jus
tice OF the laws and the fairness with
which they are administered are usually
fully recognized and appreciated by
these embryo statesmen
This venture has proved itself TO be
thoroughly successful. The farm at
Gardiner was rented for year. and the
report on the first nine months Of work
1ustfie~ the board of managers in going
on with the work. They wish to select
and buy a suitable farm for the perma-
nent establishment Of the colony, where
as many as a hundred boys may be ac-
commodated
The boys buy al they get. but second
hand articles Of furniture or clothing are
not despised by them. There Is a read
ing-roOm already started. and here many
a happy quiet hour is passed by the
youth so that when he goes out In the
world and starts life again he carries
with him a sense of higher living and
honest purposes.