The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1900-03-25
TO RECEIVE GEORGIA BOYS.
JUNIOR REPUBLIC AT FREEvILLE,
ITS PLANS AND OBJECTS.

1ts SfuZens Govern the Miniature
Commonwealth and Its Officers, Its
Lawmakers and It's Judges-How
the Charity VIII Be Conducted
Here.
a plan is on foot to make 1t possible for
those children of the sluns in whose life
there is nothing Of fair promise. and who
might be convicted in the Georgia courts
of various crimes. to enjoy the advantages
and reap the benefits of the residence and
citizenship in the George Junior Republic,
at Feeville, New York.
The plan and scope of this Juvenile
commonwealth are not unknown to read
ers of the religious and secular magazine
press of the country. in which it has
found constant friends, and where its eff
forts to reclaim children from the effects
of bad training and evil associations, and
to make of them valued citizens in a larg-
er community, and in a wider and broader
sphere Of life and influence have met with
warm and unstinted praise and common
dalton. The republic is based upon new
charitable principle, new at least in the
extent of its application, and has been
the expectations CT its founder.
|. publication of the association by
which the Republic is managed and con-
trolled has this to say of its aim: THE
Junior Republic IS an attempt to dimn-
ish pauperism and crime, by instillng in
to neglected children lessons of moral
ity, responsibility and self-control. These
lessons are taught in such way that the
children laarn oU he
inevitable results of lazness, disorder
and disobedience of moral laws That
they may learn these lessons as naturally
as possible and in a way to make them
useful in after life, the children are al
lowed to form system of society of their
own, modelled as far as possible upon the
great republic in which they will ulti-
mately become citizens, and the largest
practicable measure of self-government is
allowed them.
THE result" continues the pamphlet
rs not by any means an ideal state; yet
ID is believed that under this system each
child receives just the treatment which
its case demands and that the lessons
learned are exactly in line with the ex-
periences with which it will meet in ma
ture life. 1t Is in this that the Junior
Republic is so radictlly different from any
reform school or similar institution"
On this basis what has been termed
tab4ished at Freeville. In its town meet
ing the citizens of the community lads of
from II to 20 years, assemble and enact
laws for their own guidance. The repub-
lie has constitution model after that of
the United States, and forming the basis
of the statutory law of the state. It has
a President, cabinet officers, Civil and
Criminal Courts, a police force and all
other needed officers to carry on the ma
chinery of its government. These Offices
are filled by the boys themselves and in
| most cases the office holders owe their
selection to the SURFACES of their fellows
The motto of the republic is Nothing
| Without Labor" and it is lived up to to
| the letter. Every citizen of the republic
must work, for upon work depends his
| ability to feed, clothe and lodge himself
| Nothing is given away. The necessity and
| dignity of honest and faithful labor are
| sedulously taught, and the new citizen
| soon finds that his fellows have absorbed
| this truth, and that upon his own per-
| Torrance of duty will depend his stand
| ing in the community.
The community has its own currency
! that is good everywhere and for every
| thing within its limits For the work done
| by the citizens they receive pay in this
money and in turn it is paid out by them
| in return for clothing, food and lodging.
They are taxed for the support of the
| government, and the officers of govern
| ment, Legislative, executive and judicial,
are supported In this way. The laws are
made and enforced by the citizens and
they all have a personal interest and soon
| learn to take a personal pride in seeing
| that they are enforced.
The plan of the Junior Republic had its
origin in the brain of Mr. w R. George.
| 1t has been about four years in operation
| and there is perfect unanlmity of opinion
that 1t has accomplished very much good.
| The republic maintains schools and public
| works, and the citizens are the students
at one and the laborers on the other II
| maintains bank, lodging houses and res
| taurants, and all of these are conducted
| by the citizens and In strict accordance
| with business principles.
There is, of course, no law in This state
| that will justify the sentence of crini-
| nails, young in years, to confinement in
this junior republic. Those of them who
| go. must go voluntarily, and with the
| consent of their parents and guardians
Those who have the institution in charge
| welcome this state of facts, as they would
| have admission into the republic regarded.
| not a a punishment, TO be avoided, but as
| a privilege to be sought.
| 1t is hoped by those Interested in the
matter that boys Who show IL
| disposition to lead criminal life
or in whom criminal traits and character
istics have already developed may be in
Ouceu 10 accept tne dement's OF residence
| in the republic. II is expected that in this
the representatives, Of the institution will
have the support of the solicitor general
and the Judges of the courts and that the
young offenders may be induced to ac-
cept the alternative of becoming citizens
Of the republic at Freeville, in lieu of
prosecution and ultimate imprisonment
The plans upon which the charity will
he operated here are at present but faint
ly outlined, but in the future it is likely
that an agent will be appointed. and that
the expenses of the children will be paid
from here to New York. 1t is expected
that in a short while. Mr. Thomas M.
Osborne the president of the George Jun
Tor Republic Association, will visit sa-
vannah, and that he will address the peo
pc here upon the purposes of the repub-
lie and its plans for future usefulness