Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1899-09-06
WEDNESDAY. SEPTEMBER 6. 1899
NATIONAL JUNIOR REPUBLIC.
A NEW DEPARTURE INMARYLAND,
A New Institution for the Government
of Boys, Assuming Shape.

The National Junior Republic is being
rapidly put into shape on the Willie New
bold farm. near Annapolis Junction. So
far only two "citizens" of the new repub-
Inc are on the ground with the superin-
tendent, VIM. c. Rogers. but eight more
boys are expected by the end OF this
week. when quarters will be ready for
them. These have already been select
ed, four from Baltimore and four from
Washington, and the ten will form a
nucleus for the organization.
The two first arrivals will be impor-
tant personages in the new republic. as
they are slated for high Offices. Holger
Hansen, former citizen of the George
Junior Republic, near Freeville. y. v.
is to be the Judge when the new republic
is organized, Gilbert Jackson. another
former George citizen. will be the chef
of police. For the present Superintend-
ent Rogers will probably perform the
duties OF president until the new citizens
get settled down and appreciate their re-
sponsibilities.
The old farmhouse is being remodeled
to suit its new uses. On the first floor
will be the superintendent's Office, a re-
ception room, dining room and kitchen.
When new building is put up IT is hoped
to have the present kitchen and dining
room thrown into one in order TO make
room for the boys. An outside kitchen
has been fitted up for temporary use un-
I'll cold weather. and near it is the dairy
building, which is sweet and clean. On
the second floor the superintendent and
matron will have their sleeping apart
ments, and the other rooms will be fitted
up as dormitories for the boys. White
enameled iron beds are already in place,
and the bedding is being unpacked.
Mrs. +. Miller, of Baltimore has been
selected as matron and will begin her
her duties in day or two.
An important injunct OF the republic is
the Jail. which is rapidly being put into
condition tor occupancy under the skill
fui hands OF carpenter. A quartet oil
iron barred cells look strong enough TO
oonfne any obsueperous youngster who
violates the laws OF the republic.
These laws are evolved as the necessi-
ty for them appears. One OF the first TO
be enacted will provide a penalty for
leaving the bounds of the republic with
out permission. This will probably be a
fine in the aluminium currency which
will be used by the boys to represent
values of work and goods bought. An
other penalty will be tor vagrancy.
Industry is one of the cardinal princi-
plies of the republic, and the citizen, no
matter how lazy he may be, soon comes
to prefer to work voluntarily rather than
be forced to it in the gang" under di-
rection of the police. The prison fare
will not be bread and water, but it will
be homelier than that supplied the other
citizens. and the work OF the prisoners
will be considerably more arduous.
Another thing the young citizen soon
learns is his individuality and sense oil
responsibility. He soon realizes that the
farm and its belongings are his in com.
mon with the other citizens and that his
efforts are rewarded in proportion 10 his
energy. The smallest boys will be paid
10 cents an hour, and the larger ones
IzI cents an hour. The skilled me-
chanics" will be lpaid 5 cents an hour.
This is all in the currency of the repub-
lie.
The citizens are required to pay for
their board at the restaurant at the rate
of Is or IS cents meal. They will also
be required to pay for their clothing,
which will be supplied at the republic
store. This will be one OF the largest ex-
penses of running the republic. although
it is expected that much OF the clothing
will be donated.
A banker will be appointed to take
charge Of the savings of the boys. and
upon these funds will be drawn checks
by the various departments in running
the republic.
A question to come up later will be the
rate Of taxation. This is usually poll
tax, payable monthly. At the George
Republic it has lately been suggested
that an income tax would be more equit.
able. and this method may be adopted
at the National Republic.
At first the citizens of the republic will
be largely selected from among appli'
cants whose names have already been
sent in by charitable persons who recog-
nize that the boys need change in their
present surroundings. Next will come
boys of criminal tendencies, degenerates,
who viii be put in charge OF the repub,
lies managers under suspension of their
sentences in criminal courts. Another
class will be those who volunteer or
whose parents request that they be al.