The Vinita daily chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1902-1913, 1906-02-22
IN THE SCHOOL CITY.
Workings Of a New Experiment Ia
the Self Government or
the Young.


The writer was present few weeks
ago when the first school city was
organized in Boston BY Wilson L. Gill,
the inventor and founder Of the sys.
tenn. writes Frank Pearsons. in Cen
ury. There were roo pupils. all girls
Of the grammar grades. They we're
delighted with the plan. voted unani-
mously and enthusiastically to adopt
the Golden Rule as the fundamental
law Of their school city, supplemented
il with various provisions against dis
order. destruction Or injury OF prop
erty. profanity. rudaness. unkindness,
etc. and showed remarkable dIscre-
ton in the election of their officers.
The mayor was a hright-faced girl
81 twelve and a half years. when
asked, shortly after the election. what
il meant to her to be mayor Of Han
cock school. she said: 1T means 10
see that every girl is orderly. clean
and good 1t means that they must
have good conduct. They must be-
clean and neat in their dress and
habits They must keep the school
rooms ana the school yard neat. and
they must be kind to everybody
THAT Is great task. Aren't you
afraid 81 it,
The answer was prompt and clear:
No. tor think they are all good
citizens
Mary Finn. the judge said. II
shall warn citizens who don't behave.
and If that does no good shall pun
ish them. They must behave
The whole discipline Of the school
Is put into the hands AZ the pupils
The teachers give instruction. and
advice when il il neeaed. and the ul-
innate responsibility and authority are
always with them. Bnt the students
make laws and really govern them-
selves, although there Is All author
ity above theng. JUST as grown-up
city goysrns itself. although the legis-
laturs may At any thine revoke its
charter.
In fact. there Is more real selfg1y-
ernmant til these school CITIES than
In most 81 our large cities Fen
ghera is no apathy in me school city
no stay home vote. no political ma
chine or hoss-
There is no graft III the school city
no hooale on. she council. No under
standing between the police and
wrongdoers. The ten-yearoIa judge
ana the twelve-year-old mayor are ah-
s0lutaly ineogruptihle Habits of good
citizenship ara formed while the mind
is plastic. open to the full force on
considerations ct right and justice and
free from commercial motives ant
other 1nfiaencss that IN later life 81
often interfere with the duties Of
citizenship. The love 0f liberty is
strengthened and enrohled BY recog
nitl0n st the rights az others and the
necessity 1t mutnal limitations for the
public good. Respect for law and au-
tAority Is developed. The sense OF
justice IS strengthened and the judicial
attitude 0f mind Is cultivated.
The results have been excellent In
every way. z3oth conduct and schoi-
arShip are greatly Improved. Dis0he-
dieace is pulled ID hy the roots Pub
Tic sentiment rsngss Itself On the side
az law when the pnblic makes tAe
law. A breach of order IS no longer
REGARDED as a defiance of an alien gov
eminent. but As an Injury and an in
suit to the community. Even the
most asSorderlv schools have been re-
6uced to sood cond1ct 81 tie instlta-
tscn of the school clzy.