Evening star., 1899-05-29
THE MAYNARD ONES
Encouraging Prospects of Movement
for Their Benefit.
TIE NATIONAL JUNIOR REPUBLIC
Meeting Last Night in the First
Congregational Church.
ABLE SPEAKERS PRESENT
ABLE SPEAKERS PRESENT

The objects of such an institution, its work
of elevating into good citizenship the way
ward boys and girls of the two cities, were
fully set forth by prominent speakers, in
cluding Mr. John d. Long, Secretary of the
Navy; Rev. Alexander MackaySmith, Mr..
John B. Wight District Commissioner;
Rev. E. Lawrence Hunt, who has been
identified with the George Junior Republic
OF Freeville. \. V, and Jacob Smith, the
eighteen-year-ol first boy president of that
governmental establishment in miniature.
The audience gave close attention to what
was uttered on the subject, being espe
cially Interested the remarks of young
Smith. who was loudly applauded upon
concluding his narrative of the George Re
public. The republic had made him what
he was, he said, and he urged the people
of this city and baltimore to assist in
claiming many others who might like to
become good citizens If given opportuni-
ty.
That deep interest is being taken in the
movement was evidenced in the subscrip-
ton last evening of S362. Rapid progress
is being made toward securing the $1,000
guarantee fund to match that already in
hand In Baltimore. When the full amount is
subscribed a meeting of contributors will
be called for the purpose of eIecting Wash
ingtOn directors. 1t was announced last
night that Mr.. Hay, Secretary of State;
Commissioner Wight, Mr.. Thomas Nelson
sentcd to act as vice presidents.
Secretary Long Presides.
Rev. Alfred Dunn assistant pastor of the
church, announced that Secretary Long
would preside. In assuming charge of the
meeting Secretary Long said that the move
ment to be considered was in the line of the
Masters service.
In our country" continued the Secreta-
ry, new and difficult problems are con-
stantly confronting us, but l regard most of
them as not half so important the old
ones that are with US alWays-the prob
lens OF drink, accumulated wealth and the
cities with their immense aggregate of
population. Then there is the problem
that will interest us tonght-the rough and
tough element of the city, the street arabs.
w hen We realize what menace to society
and TO the maintenance or order are these
boys and girls who are turned adrift in the
streets IN childhood, all who are interes led
III good government and who have the dig
nifty of the states at heart will consider the
uplifting of this class worthy of the great
est attention.
In the scheme of the junior republic the
boy is placed in a position of responsibility
W hat man is not better when he feels d
responsibility resting upon him? 1t Is this
realiza lion that makes defalcatiOns and dis
honesty so seldom in the great army of
office-holders in our government.
There are clements of good and evil in
all of US. There is an element of good in
street. hidden possibly in his present posi-
ton, but ii can be reached. Give the boys
and girls a chance. Place the boy in a
position Of responsibility. Give him credit
for what he does well and let him pay the
penalty If he fails.
The good will soon predominate.'
The Republics Model.
Secretary Long introduced Rev Mr. Hunt,
who spoke briefly of the establishment of
the George Junior Republic, the model of
which IS to be followed in the national re-
public in this vicinity. He also told of the
plans foot in this city and Baltimore
The George republic he said, is the United
States republic on a small scale, where the
citizen attains his majority at the age of
twelve The plan is thoroughly American
and not socla'istic in any sense The re-
public was formed five years ago by Mr..
William r. George. The boys and girls
there learn the value Of work and the dig
nifty OF the law-essential elements in the
good citizen. They have their various ex-
ecutive, legislative and judicial establish
ments and their special branches of work or
professions. The money is tin. 1t must
be used in paying for livelihood The
hard working boys live at the best hotel
while the others have to content themselves
with very humble places of abode. In this
way the citizens" learn the difference be-
tween ideuess and thrift
Mr.. Hunt related the story of one little
fellow, who, after being arrested by the
boy police several times and made to serve
on the rock pile, called to Mr.. George one
day and told him he would never again be
arrested. His reason was that it cost 100
much to be bad. If ne worked outside as
hsrd as he did in the gang" he could live
at the "Waldorf'' instead OF being behind
bars and having nothing to eat but bread
and soup, 1T has a mean principle said
the spea ker. but it was the boys first idea
of the value of labor"
Mr.. Hunt read a letter from Mr. George
lTAs.th
Baltimore and Washington and Offering 10
lend his assistance and moral support in
any way possible.
Secretary Long said that for the first
two years Of its existence Mr.. George was
the president of the republic. After that
he turned everything over to the citizens.
Jacob Smith was the first president elected.
He was introduced. A bright lad speaking
at times with force and vigor, and using
excellent English throughout, young Smith
was given undivided attention. amusing the
audience at times by the relation OF some
of the obstacles met with in the formation
of the government of the junior republic
Organized IL Congress.
During the first year. said the ex-
president, we had a congress. The basis
of representation was Industrial the farm
ers, mechanics ard others sending so many
boys to the different houses. Finally, we
came to the conclusion that congress was
all legislation should be accomplished
through town meetings. We were sure of
getting what we wanted then, for we did it
ourselves and did not have to wait on the
pleasure of our statesmen. We have a
president and secretary of state, who at
tend TO most Of the work. Our judiciary is
made up of civil and criminal branches
AT first there were civil cases in the great
est plenty. Every boy wanted to sue the
other. Where they got the idea know not
un!ess possibly through reading the outside
papers. The fad soon wore off however,
and now civil cases are few and far be-
tween. The criminal and police courts are
the most important. Judges and lawyers
and policemen have to pass civil service
examination. When a boy is convicted he
is robbed OF the right to vote and is sent
on the gang. AS the boys up our way say
the gang IS no cinch.' They soon learn to
behave and keep out of trouble"
Smith next told of the Introduction of a
protection measure, tax of 20 cents on
the dollar for all imported articles The
monetary problem was quite difficult one
to handle but the present ratio Is more
than satisfactory. The personal property,
poll and income systems of taxation would
not work in the Junior republic. Finally
a hit was made in taxing the boys accord
ing to their age and ability to earn money
This graded system proved successful
library of 1000 volumes and a debating w.
Ceum are features of the reDublic Several