The Marble times and Crystal silver lance., 1900-10-05
Observation-Disclosures
p-cRIMINALS REDEEMED
AT FREEvILLE. N. Y.
Excellent Reformatory Work OF the
mature Republic Conducted by q
L. York Lawyer Young Citizens
warn Themselves.

he George Junior Republic was
aded in 1895 by young Christian
YER of New York, who took 140
lair children" out to Freeville,
~. to spend three months. Self
ernment was established in the lit.
community, and system of labor
arranged whereby each child
hit feel that he was earning his
living. BY degrees the scheme
anded. 1t was found practicable to
10 a permanent home for such Of
children as had no other home.
the number of regular citizens in
ased. the number of summer citi-
necessarily diminished, until in
& the practice Of inviting visitors
the summer was abolished.
Meanwhile the principles Of self
kernment had taken firm root In the
nds of the young citizens, and Mr..
brge was enabled to leave more and
Ire of the direction of affairs in their
hds. The president of the Republic
now a bright lad of eighteen, who
h elected to the Office by his fellow
izens. Mr.. George, the founder, re-
ms merely a general oversight and
title of Daddy" The government
this miniature Republic is mod
Id largely after the United States
,vernment. Citizens over twelve
ars of age have the right to vote and
lid office The laws are based pri-
hrily on those of New York State,
ID the citizens hold frequent meet
gs, at which are passed many new
|ws suited to the needs of the com
3unity. 1t is remarkable how clever
I little fellows have become in con-
ructing bills to meet their various
beds. A custom house has been es-
(blished, and a ruinous tariff is i'm
bsed on all unripe fruit imported. A
lore is kept by certain citizens, and
ERE are sold all sorts of things, from
Indy to clothing. In the early days
the Republic, speculative young
Ter fresh from New York acquired a
bpital of few dollars, bought the
btire stock of candy and proceeded
speculate on the corner thus Gre
ted. Others followed suit, and in a
Ry or two there were corners on every
vailable article.
Mr.. George and his friends watched
he affair with interest. Perhaps they
oped in this small society to find a
emedy for the speculation in the big
yorld outside. The children showed
themselves fully able to cope with
heir own troubles. They passed law
limiting the purchases of individuals
0 what was demanded by their own
ersonal needs.
Not long ago the citizens, after a
eated discussion, passed an eight
our law. This was at 3 P. M. At
,. M. the girls who work in the res
aurant formed in procession and
larched around the Republic, bearing
banner on which was printed, "Hur-
ah for the eight-hour day" AS they
marched they chanted:
'ous don't git no supper cny more
Our eight hours ended at four!
This caused CONSERVATION among
he boys. A meeting was hastily
allied, but after a stormy debate ad-
having accomplished nothing
he Republic went supperless TO he'd
hat night. On the following day the
aw was repealed.
More important than self-govern-
lent is the independence, self-reliance
nd thrift that life in the Junior Re
ublic teaches. Each citizen is thrown
n his own responsibility. Work is
upplied for every one, and all labor is
aid for in the aluminium coin of the
.epublic. Food, clothing and shelter
re to be had in exchange for this