Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-01-12
SCHOOL CITY PLANS
WOMAN SUFFRAGISTS UNITE
WITH FEDERATION.

AT meeting of the Woman's Suffrage
Society OF the District of Columbia. held
last evening at 1919 New York avenue
northwest, 1t was voted to cooperate with
the Washington School City Federation,
which was formed here about a month
ago. The meeting was well attended by
prominent local woman suffragists and
much interest was shown in the proposed
system OF teaching self-government to the
pupils of the schools. Mrs. Daniel Paul,
president of the Washington School City
Federation, attended the meeting and ex-
p-ained what was proposed for this city
and told of the work elsewhere.
Inc interest which was shown last even
ing in this matter is being manifested
throughout the city, and many indorse-
ments of the system have been given by
prominent people here. Five clubs have
animated with the federation, the Alumni
Association of the Washington College of
Law the Elizabeth Cady Stanton Study
Club, the Peoples Sovereignty League, Pro
lie Nata and the District of Columbia Wom-
ans Suffrage Society. Invitations have
BEEN issued to other clubs and societies
10 JOIN. but no action has been taken by
them as yet on account of not having any
meetings during the holidays.
Much interest is being taken in the pub
lie meeting of the local School City Fede-
ration, which will he held in the Public
Library the evening of January -. The
regular meeting of the Elizabeth Cady
stanton Club was to have been held that
night, but the public meeting replaces the
other. 1t is expected that several promi-
nent men and women of the District will
address that meeting.
The Woman's Suffrage Society also voted
to give its support to the lecture on Swit-
zeriand which will be given by Nine. Marie
Lohry next Wednesday evening at the
Washington Club, 1510 I street northwest.
The lecture will be given under the patron
age of the Swiss minister.
Mrs. Paul's Address.
Mrs. Helen r. Tinaall presided at the
meeting last evening, and she introduced
the speaker from the School City Fedora
ton, Mrs. Paul The outline of the plan
was then taken up. The school city is an
organization of the pupils of school into
a self-governing body. each pupil becoming
a citizen. Each of the grades of the school
eject representatives to a common council,
who are to make the rules for the school.
FOR instance, they make a rule that the
throwing of stones in the school yard is
prohibited, etc. For the school. also. a
mayor. judge, city clerk, constable, police
men, etc. are elected, and they are taught
to fill their positions as is done in a real
city The plan is the same as that followed
out by the George Junior Republic. where
both boys and girls are citizens, and where
they elect and are entirely governed by
their own officers. Elections are held in
the school city about four times year
The government of the pupils Is thus left
TO themselves, and they will obey the rules
made by themselves mach quicker than
those made by others. And experience has
shown that these common councils have
made good ordinances and have enforced
them, changing schools noted for their bad
order to the most quiet and orderly of
schools.
An interesting feature brought out by the
discussion last evening was that the plan
not entirely perfect, was tried and put into
successful operation in the Tenleytown
school in the District. and proved great
help to the discipline of the school. In
many other cities the school city idea has
been carried out. More than thirty schools
IN the city of Philadelphia have tried the
system, and in other cities the experiment
has shown the system to be good
Also introduced in Cuba.