The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1907-08-28
AREDEALFORBOYS
Plan to Establish boy States
as a Means of Reform.

as a Means of Reform.
ALL TO HAVE FAIR CHANCE.
Philanthropists Interested In Georgia
| Mans Wide Scheme to Train Lads
In Good citizenship-Farmins TO Be
the Chief Industry.
That every boy, no matter what his
condition in life, may have chance
for success Crawford Jackson Of At
lanta, Ga, is laying plans to naugu-
rate what he calls Il hoy state in
every state in the United States, says
the St Louis Republic. Mr.. jackson,
who has been interested in the work Of
uplifting boys for several years, went
to st. Louis few days ago 10 interest
philanthrOpists in the movement A
number of those prominent in humane
work, 1t is said, have promised to help
him. He contends that crime is more
expensive than education and that the
boy state will lessen the cost.
Georgia will be the first state to have
this special juvenile government, and
it is possible that Pennsylvania will be
among the first to follow in its foot
steps. L. G. Hartman of Commerce, a
small town in Georgia, has given 436
acres of land for the project.
Mr.. JacksOn's plan is to have boy
governor, with juvenile assistnnts;a boy
treasurer, a Juvenile legislature, and,
| in fact, to make the colony All exact
counterpart of the state. OF course
there will be no salaries attached to
the offices. Each yonngster will have
ernmental duties incidentally, and,
above all, there will be no chance for
graft. In the happy little state the
| boys will be removed from criminal as
sociation, the essentials of good citi-
zenship will he impressed upon their
minds, and there will be farm and
school and shops to give opportunity
for the little citizens industrial devel-
opment The entire plan is, in nut
shell, square deal for the boy. In
| the little state there will also be Il
school, where the youngsters will be
carefully graded. There will be no
conditions to make it difficult for
| youngsters to gain admittance.
I'VE want the worst boys as we'll as
others said Mr.. jackson in explaining
| his plan recently. I'VE will he delight
ed to take the Youngsters with the
| very poorest chances. | think it Il
most worthy cause to help the boy
4 who is practically down and out. Take
Il rude. rough and depraved boy and
by frequent little touches of love and
wisdom, by oft repeated acts of study
and patience and make him Il shining
! and useful member of society. This is
the aim of all arts, and the more tram
scendent because the more divine.
IN tell You my plan in detail, and
think You'll agree that it will be what
we call a good thing for the boys. Ii
was while l was interested in the
work of establishing juvenile courts
through the south that l met the
worst boy in Atlanta. | was deter
and after much perseverance and
many disappontmcnts l succeeded
Now that boy has improved 10 pei
cent. 1t was contact With him that
| impressed upon me the fact that every
boy, no matter what his condition NOR
ally, will improve ii given the chance
SO | determined to try to give boys
that chance. They can get it through
the Juvenile state.
I'VE have the lands for it and the
plans mapped out, but to put it in com
plete working order about $4,000 will
be required. \ board of trustees has
been appointed and charter drawn
up. We would like to take charge OF
the boys before they have fallen into
evil habits if possible, as we'll as those
who have become delinquents, and 10y
placing them in the state rs active
members of life develop correct ideas
of citizenship. The officers of the state
will be appointed from among the
boys. There will be a governor. Il sec
rotary of state, state treasurer, q
lower house and Il senate. The govern
or will appoint the judges and the
citizens will elect their own iuries
|
penalties, the trustees only acting as
advisers. If a bad law is made, the
trustees will have the power to veto it
ITO start it at least $4,000 will be
needed. Among other things it is plan
ned to erect an administration building
which will cost approximately $4,000
The institution will provide place fol
girls as we'll as for boys, With Il ma
iron and efficient woman teachers. Al
though girls will he allowed to vote. !;
boy will be selected for governor
While the charter provides for the ad
mission of both races, the state will bs
started first for white children alone.
"'rhe citizens of the state will no
necessarily be offenders, as it is pre-
ferred to get them earlier from parents
who viii! enter them voluntarily. re
ceivins parental rights of Withdrawal
when desired. Other citizens will bt
obtained from the municipal and stat,
courts and at times from the fedora