The Coeur d'Alene press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1906-1907, 1907-09-18
SQUAREDEALFO RBOYS
Plan to Establish BOY States
as a Means Of Reform.
ALL TO HAVE FAIR CHANCE.

AGI ~ tbNN6 nil SlAFNVAs
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 a chance
for success Crawford Jackson of At
lanta, Ga, is laying plans to inaugu-
rate what he calls hoy state" In
every state in the United States, says
the St Louis Republic. Mr.. Jackson,
VINO has been interested in the work OF
uplifting boys for several years, went
to St Louis few days ago to interest
phllanthropists in the movement A
humber of those prominent in humane
work, it 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
1t 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 q boy
goyernor, with juvenile assistants;a boy
treasurer, a juvenile legislature, and,
In fact, to make the colony an exact
counterpart of the state. OF course
there will be no salaries attached to
he offices. Each youngster will have
o work for his pay and attend to gov
rnmental duties incidentally, and,
bove all, there will be no chance for
graft. In the happy little state the
boys will be removed from criminal as
location, the essentials Of good citi-
Eenship will be impressed upon their
minds, and there will be a farm and
school and shops to give opportunity
Tor the little citizens Industrial devel-
Opment. The entire plan is, in a nut
shell, a square deal for the boy. In
the little state there will also be a
school, where the youngsters will be
carefully graded There will be no
conditions to make it difficult for
youngsters to gain admittance.
1--WE want the worst boys as well as
others" said Mr. Jackson in explaining
bis plan recently 1--WE viii be delight
ed to take che youngsters with the
very poorest chances. l think 1t
most worthy cause to help the boy
who is practically down and out Take
rude, rough and depraved boy and
by frequent little touches of love and
wisdom, by oft repeated acts of study
Ind patience and make him a shining
hnd useful member of society. This is
The aim of all arts and the more tran
scendent because the more divine.
III tell you my plan in detail, and
think you'll agree that 1t will be what
we call a good thing for the boys. 1t
was white l was interested in the
work of establishing juvenile courts
through the south that met the
worst boy in Atlanta. / was deter
mined to become friendly with him,
md after much perseverance and
many dIsappointments l succeeded.
Now that boy has improved rs per
cent. 1t was contact with him that
impressed upon me the fact that every
boy, no matter what his condition NOR
PLY, will improve If given the chance
10 determined to try to give boys
hat chance. They can get it through
he Juvenile state.
I'VE Rave the lands for it and the
plans mapped out, but to put it in com.
Plete working order about $4,000 will
pe required. A board of trustees has
been appointed and a charter drawn
p. We would like to take charge of
be boys before they have fallen into
vi habits if possible, as well as those
gho have become delinquents, and by
lacing them in the state as active
aembers of life develop correct ideas
citizenship. The officers Of the state
Ill be appointed from among the
Oys. There viii be a governor, a sec
tary Of state, a state treasurer,
wer house and a senate. The govern
will appoint the judges, and the
items will elect their own juries,
PISS their own laws and establish
nalties, the trustees only acting as
dvtsers. II q bad law is made, the
ustees win have the power to veto It
To start it at least $4,000 VIII be
eeded. Among other things 1t IN plan
ID to erect an administration building |
htch win cost approximately $4,000. |
be institution win provide a place for
RS as well as for boys, with ma
On and efficient woman teachers. Al |
ough girls win be allowed to vote, a |
y will be selected for governor.
hile the charter provides for the adj |
AsSion Of both races, the state will be |
arted first for white children alone.
The citizens Of the state win not |
cessarily be offenders, as 1t is pre-
rred to get them earlier from parents, |
DO will enter them voluntarily, re-
wing parental rights Of withdrawal |
hen desired Other cifixans will h, !