The Washington times., 1904-09-11
Boys Rale in Illinois Prison:
System of SelfGovennment

~ ONTIAC, H., Sept .-superin-
r tendent NJ NJ. MaIlary has in
stituted in the State reformatory
ut Pontiac what has probably resulted
in the most unique, instructive, and in
spring copy OF our popular form OF
government that is afforded by any or
ganization in the country.
On any and every day visitor 10 the
State rcformatory could easily pick out
the boys who constitute the junior re-
public. as they have named themselves.
They are known as the dornitory boys,
the only boys in the institution who do
not sleep in cells Their home, a large,
well-llghted and weIl-ventilated room,
has all the facilities and improvements
Of a modern house. It contains a library
of 1.OOO volumes, and in most ways is
especially adapted to be the home of this
republic.
Their ages range from thirteen TO sew
enteen years. their numbers from $50 20
200, and the school grades from the first
to the eighth year as set forth in the
Illinois State course Of study. In the
general management they are as en-
tirely separated from the older and more
experienced boys as they would be in a
distinct institution many miles away.
Columns of Fours.
In marching they are always in coll
umns OF fours, neatly sized. with the
larger boys in front; with their natty
uniforms Of gray, trimmed with black
braid, their constant Impression is that
of companies of soldiers in step. bodies
erect and faces TO the front. In this way
they march 10 their meals in their own
dining room. "a their six hours schoOi
work. 20 their playground for an hour
each day. and TO their dormitory at
noon and night.
In the dormitory converse ton. games
reading. studying, and the like are per-
mitted so long as they are quietly in
dulged IN. In fact, any privilege having
a tendency 10 good home life is allowed
and encouraged.
In Three Departments
This republic. pattern of our national
republic. has three departments-the ex-
ecutive vested in the president, vice
president. and all appointive officers:
the legislative, vested in congress Of
ten members chosen from the five dis
tricts of the dormitOry. the judicial.
vested In a court of three judges elected
by the members Of congress. The court
has first disposition of all cases. An
appeal can always be taken to the SUI
preme court consisting of the president
and the institution teacher in charge Of
the dormi;5ry boys
Election days are momentoUs occa-
sions. demonstrating that the average
American boy, five or six years short
of his majority. takes to politics in
stinctively
once elected. the officials settle down
to maintain strict discipline. which. (
along with the educational feature, is !
the high aim OF the junior republic
A Weekly Congress.
Congress convenes once "a week to at
tend to any matters which may be sug- |
Eested by by the president and vice /
president. Congress is really the regu- !
lator and balance wheel of the ma |
chine. the part which suggests, rene |
dies and makes laws. The chief eXecu- /
tive and judges. being only boys. are |
apt to be in troubles Of their own and |
in these instances trial IS conducted by J
the congress acting as a judicial body 4
Ia the presence of an institutional Off /
ciaI.
The presidents. bright, energetic, sound /
arc officials Of high standard.
Elected by popular vote. they are natur-
ally the most popular boys, and can al
ways be found mingling with the citi-
zens. listening TO troubles, giving good
advice, and in general setting a gentle
manly example for all boys TO copy.
Court convenes daily and furnishes the
BUSY part of the republic. Cases are dis v