The evening times., 1899-06-17
A MODEL REPUBLIC.
Miniature Nation Near PhiIadeI-
phia.
(from lie Philadelphia Record

| (fTom the Philadelphia Record.)
As an educational and social experiment
| in practical philanthropy the Juvenile re-
public recently established by Mrs. Will
| liam 7. Carter, of this city. at the pic
| turesque little hamlet of Redington. Lehigh
| county, is an attractive and promising sue
| cess. Ii is an attempt TO develop in the
| fifty boys and girls gathered from this city
| the sense of individual responsibility. in
dustrial independence. thrift and business
| sagacity, and. above all, IL is a means OF
| teaching the boys what the boys of today
| in our country most need-respect for law.
| The plan of this little republic, which has
modelled its civil institutions so closely aft
er those of the United States. is intended
! to give an excellent training to its citi-
zens in civil duties. II is claimed to be a
great stride forward in solving the prob
| lens of society as affecting those whose
| early educational. social and moral train
| ing has been neglected or prevented The
republics constitution is modelled after
| that of the United States and the laws are
those of Pennsylvania. plus such laws as
| are enacted by the citizens themselves. All
| the laws are made by a legislature chosen
every month by ballot
When the miniature nation was organ
| lied two months ago a president was chos-
| en-. with absolute veto power on the ac-
| tions of congress, and vested with the other
executive duties. Both houses of the legis-
lative branch of the government are elect
ed by popular vote; senator's for two
months and members of the lower house
for one month. The judiciary consists of
criminal and civil courts, presided over by
judges appointed by the president. and all
citizens charged with crime are entitled to
| a trial by jury. Imprisonment and fines
are imposed as penalties for crimes. The
most important feature Of the government
has proven to be permanent police force,
the members being chosen from the people
by ballot.
While the.keynote of the republic is per-
feet liberty, under a reign of self-imposed
law, the community has certain means at
its disposal whereby labor and thrift are
encouraged and rewarded. All its citizens
are encouraged to be workers. but idle
ness is not punished. Non-producers find
themselves at a great disadvantage. and
their moneyless condition soon brings
them to the paupers' table. which is Sc
cluded, and at which the plainest fare is
dispensed. No poor tax, except for the
sick, who are unable to work. is imposed.
Paupers are compelled to do a certain
amount of work for lodging and meals.
The working hours are from $50 until
u. The afternoons are devoted to recre-
alton and study. Farming the 1OO-acre
farm is the chief occupation. All the boys
have their regular occupations, such as
farm labor, landscape gardening. carpenter
work, and light labor in the adjoining
stone quarries. Girls employ themselves
at sewing, millinery, laundry work, cook
ing, and household duties. All citizens
who work at anything receive good wages
is. Il, and 10 cents per hour. according
to the grade of work.
The citizens are required to pay out of
their earnings for board and lodgings.
Nothing is provided free of charge. All
meals must be paid for. and lodging also
has its price. The coin of the republic is
| a circular piece of tin. with the different
| denominations stamped thereon. 1t is is
sued in denominations up to 81. and with II
all the business of the republic must be
| transacted. The money is issued by the
government bank for services rendered.
The situation Of the republic is ideal,