The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1900-09-13
Observation-Disclosures
cHILD-cRIMINALs REDEEMED
AT FREEvILLE. N. Y.
The Excellent Reformatory Work of the
Miniature Republic Conducted by a
New York Lawyer - Young Citizens
Govern Themselves.

The George Junior Republic was
founded in 1895 by a young Christian
lawyer OF New York, who took 14O
Gresham children" out to Freeville.
N. Y, to spend three months. Self
government was established in the lit
tie community, and a system of labor
was arranged whereby each child
might feel that he was earning his
own living. By degrees the scheme
expanded. 1t was found practicable to
make permanent home for such of
the children as had no other home.
AS the number of regular citizens in
creased, the number of summer citi-
zens necessarily diminished, until in
1893 the practice of inviting visitors
for the summer was abolished.
Meanwhile the principles of self
government had taken firm root in the
minds of the young citizens, and Mr.
George was enabled to leave more and
more of the direction of affairs in their
hands. The president of the Republic
is now bright lad of eighteen, who
was elected to the Office by his fellow
citizens. Mr.. George, the founder, re-
tains merely general oversight and
the title of Daddy The government
Of this miniature Republic is mod
eled largely after the United States
Government. Citizens over twelve
years of age have the right to vote and
hold office. The laws are based pri-
marily on those of New York State,
but the citizens hold frequent meet
lngs, at which are passed many new
laws suited to the needs of the COM
munity. 1t is remarkable how clever
the little fellows have become in con-
structing bills to meet their various
needs. A custom house has been es-
tablished, and ruinous tariff is i'm
posed on all unripe fruit imported. A
store is kept by certain citizens, and
here are sold all sorts of things, from
candy to clothing. In the early days
Of the Republic, speculative young
ster fresh from New York acquired a
capital of few dollars, bought the
entire stock of candy and proceeded
20 speculate on the corner thus ere
ated.. Others followed suit, and in a
lay or two there were corners on every
available article
Mr.. George and his friends watched
the affair with interest. Perhaps they
noped in this small society to find a
remedy for the speculation in the big
world outside. The children showed
themselves fully able to cope with
their own troubles. They passed a law
limiting the purchases of individuals
to what was demanded by their own
personal needs.
Not long ago the citizens, after a
heated discussion, passed an eight
nour law. This was at P. NJ. At 5
P. M. the girls who work in the res
tsArant formed in procession and
lrched around the Republic, bearing
Manner on which was printed, "Hur-
4gh for the eight-hour day." AS they
sa1 they chanted:
git no supper any more
kRours ended at four!
This Rnsternation among
the boys. A meeting was hastily
tailed, but after stormy debate adj
journed, having accomplished nothing.
The Republic went supperless to bed
that night. On the following Gay the
law was repealed.
More important than self-govern-
ment is the independence, self-relianee
and thrift that life in the Junior Re
public teaches. Each citizen is thrown
on his own responsibility Work is
supplied for every one, and all labor is
paid for in the aluminium coin of the
Republic. Food, clothing and shelter
are to be had in exchange for this
money. The citizen who refuses to
work must go without. He may even
be arrested for vagrancy and placed in
the prison, where he will be compelled
to work. United States money is of
no value there. A dollar in the Re
public currency represents no intrin-
sic value.
An active police force insures obedi-
ence to the laws. All transgressors
are \ amply arrested and brought be-
fore the court, which sits in the school
house on Saturday morning The
judge, a bright little fellow of fifteen,
presides with dignity and shows a
surprising knowledge of legal tech
nicalities.
A glance at the prisons is enough to
convince one that the life of a Grim
inal in the George Junior Republic is