The Washington herald., 1909-02-21
CHILD RULE FOR SCHOOLS
Independence Is Now Being Urged
for all Young Americans.
Junior Republic Idea TO Be Model.
Citizenship Instead of Boss
slavery the Object.

New York. Feb. 20-That the teaching
OF citizenship in a democracy may soon
suppiant the present paternal and sristo-
cratic form OF government in every school
lin this country is the object Of general
movement that was sci on foot in this
city to-day. Following the principles OF
self-rule which have made hundreds Of
the best citizens out Of boys and girls
sent as "incorrigibles to the George
Junior Republic in this State during the
last fourteen years. an effort viii be
made 70 have all children fitted TO be in
dependent and self-reliant Americans be
fore everything else,
With Junior Republics already estab-
|lished in California. New York, Connec-
ticut and Maryland. and others being
set up to-day in Massachusetts, New
Jersey. Pennsylvania. and projected in
many more States, the organizers OF this
new school system are preparing 10 carry
their object lesson into every public and
private school throughout the nation
One of the leading preparatory schools
in this part Of the country IS already
making plans 10 revolutionize its methods
and put its pupils on the basis Of citizens
in little republic Of their own, it was
announced at the headquarters Of the
National Association Of Junior Republics
at - William street, to-day The term
master is 10 be abolished and we'll
bred sehooIboys are TO learn 20 become
bosses of themselves instead Of servants
Of a political boss IN the public schools
Of this city. as well as in score Of pri-
vate and public educational Institutions
in this State the junior republic idea is
reported 20 be at present applied sub
lstantially as II is in the successful sub
stltute for the reformatory which Mr..
George has worked out
The teaching under a democracy must
be different from that under all the other
systems OF government" said ThOms NJ.
Osborne. president OF the National AS
sociat;on Of Junior Republics. in this city
to-day. we have reformed our meth
DDS Of teaching somewhat in the schools
but We have not carried the reform 70
the bottom as Yet. We still call the
teacher the master. This is a relic Of pa
lternaiism. Our American system OF edu-
cation has not only the faliacies Of pa
ternalism in IL: L has the falIacies of
aristocracy as well. Co TO some boarding
schQol and you will find as charming a
I little company OF aristOcratS as ever vas.
In the public schools YOU VIII find pster-
nalism fouTishing 20 dangerous extent
WHY? Because the students are trained
not 10 be citizens. but the servants 81 a
political boss And Yet the very life OF
the republic depends on them.
Educators Of every section Of the coua-
try will be- invited 20 make an inspection
of the George Junior Republics. which
are to-day spreading into many states.
and consider the adoption of their princl-
pies OF child rule in every field Of school
work Before teachers conventions.
school and college faculties, and bodies
Of parents this successful method Of max
ing strong citizens instead Of tools for
any boss viii be urged as the prime OBJ
iect for every child.