The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1901-09-03
A JUNIOR REPURLIC.y
Something About the Government OF
Bethesda, Near Savannah.
William G. Sutlive in the Atlanta Jour
nal


Bethesda, Near savannah.
William G. Sutlive in the Atlanta Jour
nal.
savannah, Ga, Aug. 31-If Col. ].
ii. Estill, of Savannah, should be called
by the people of Georgia to the guber-
material chair next year he will not en-
ter upon his duties entirely inexperi-
enced. For more than twenty years Col.
Estill has had in keeping the destiny
OF junior republic near Savannah.
Since 1878 as president of the Union So
clety, he has largely managed the af-
fairs OF the Bethesda Orphans Home,
few miles out of the city. If his sue
cess with that institution is any cri-
terion, he should not fail to give the
people of Georgia a splendid admins
tration should they honor him with the
office he seeks. This venerable charity
has seen its most prosperous days UNI
der the guidance of Col Estill as it's
president 1t is in better shape by far
to-day than at any period since the
time of George Whiteheld died. Ben
Jamln Franklin says in his autobiogra-
ply that Whitefield made him turn
from his pockets all his copper, silver
and gold and give it to Bethesda af-
ter ne had mentally resolved not to
give a cent
Col. Estill does not possess the elo-
quence of Whitefield, but he has the
painstaking business instinct Of John
Holbrook Estill, and by his careful
management and excellent business
xrif1a . j
directors, his cabinet as it were, built
up since the war, the Bethesda home
until now it is not only the oldest or
phanage in the Union, but one of the
most substantial.
Col. Estill runs this little republic
almost entirely according to his own
IDEAS. The managers and stewards as
rule are content to permit him to
manage its affairs alone. and as he
sees best. The man who would be gov
ernor of the state of Georgia makes
nut few mistakes in conducting the
business affairs of the lesser institu-
ton. There is firm hand at the helm
OF this miniature ship of state and
every detail of its government is look
ed after in that same careful manner
that has characterized Col. EstilIs
management of his own affairs since
prentice.
When Col. Estill was made president
OF the Union Society there were nine
teen boys there. The outlook was not
the brightest. To-day there are l31
boys at Bethesda and they are well
housed and well fed Their clothes are
comfortable and their educational adj
vantages splendid. There is a good
school conducted by able teachers and
the moral surroundings are all that
couid be desired. 1t is not exactly
junior republic in the commonly ac-
cepted sense of the term: the bows do
not choose their own officers IN man
age, technically, the affairs of the col
ony, but they are given the greatest
freedom possible with good manage
ment and are taught to be independ-
ent and self-sustaining Much OF the
work on the place is done by the in
mates, but they are not burdened with
chores to the extent that their relig-
lous and mental training is neg
lected. Governor Estill governs
with more tact than that. He advises
with his cabinet and statehouse officers
the teachers, the superintendent and
the other officers of the homeland de-
cldes what is the best policy to pursue
IN meeting the routine or special work
The successors of Whitefield have all
been men capable of governing large
bodies or institutions, but none made
as great success of Bethesda as Colonel
Estill has done. There have been
George Whitefield and William M.
Wadley, John S. Fay and Robert D.
Walker, the latter still living, and John
M. Cooper who was the president of
the society during the war between the
states, and who moved the boys to
Bethany, Ga, for safety-these and
others have been called to look to the
interest of the orphans and did their
duty conscientiously, but President Es-
till has accomplished more during his
twenty odd years at the head of the
institution than almost all the others
combined. Whitef1eld founded the asy-
lum for the parentless youth--the prop
erty became prescribed and less val
liable than when the home was found
ed. Under Estills management the
original 500 acres have all been re-ac-
quired. The late Abram Minis, Esq,
saw the cornerstone of the present
building laid, Estill saw that the build
ing was completed. 1t will be seen that
all through his administration his CAPT.
tai has been improved and the state
affairs of the little republic given the
served.
Financially, as compared to the state
of Georgia, the we'll governed republic
of youths is in excellent shape. 1t has
plenty of money to pay its school
teachers and the funds are not locked
up where a supreme court says they
cannot be touched. Listen to this for
a showing OH April 1st
Atlanta and West Point Railroad six
per cent. debentures. $500; Central of
Georgia five per cent. consolidated
bonds, $4,000; note of William Hone
estate. $1044: Bethesda home and
grounds--five hundred acres; Whitfield
building in city of Savannah,
vannah, twelve stores in rear. Prop
erty Bay and Jefferson streets; dwell
ing on Oglethorpe avenue; Springfield
plantation land. Tiperary plantation.
Bryan county. The total valuation of