Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1912-03-02
SCHOOL
TO Be MADE
A REPUBLIC
WILL PASS ITS OwS LAWS ELECT
ITS OWN OFFICERS AND LEARN
TO ADMINISTER THE LAWS
AS WELL AS TO OBRY THEM.

Mr.. Wilson L. GIL, supervisor OF
large Indian schools, addressed a |
meeting OF Salem teachers on the
subject OF self-govenment In our
schools Friday afternoon. Nearly |
the entire force Of Salem teachers |
was In attendance, and listened with |
a great deal Of interest to the very !
able manner in which the speaker
handled the subject. Superintendent
Powers acted as chairman Of the
meeting and introduced Mr. Gill
Mr.. Gill gave a brief outline OF the
conditions that have obtained In the
schools OF the country as regards
the cause Of bringing the matter Of
self-goyernment to the attention Of
those interested In the management
Of our schools.
Mr.. GIL is now located at Chemawa,
where he has successfully inaugurat-
ed the system Of Belf-government,
where II Is meeting with much enthu-
siasm and hearty support by the
teaching force there The speaker has
also recently organized the pupils Of
the Mt. Angel college. He went into
the matter I'm detail and at consider
able length as 10 the exact manner OF
preceding In order TO effect an Or
ganization Of self-government in
school. To those who heard him II 10
evident that he thoroughly under
stands the subject, which has received
his attention during the past seven
Years or more.
The manner OF proceeding is to
place the matter before the pupils in
lsuch a manner as will enlist their
best natures, and, II possible and in
most cases It is possible, to show
them the need Of government The
teacher, or whoever organizes the
school city or republic, as It is called.
points out the need Of legislation, and
then the children are asked whether
II would be good TO make a law that
such things should be prohibited, and
II they vote IN the affirmative II would
have the effect OF law. In order to
carry law into effect successfully 1t
would be necessary to have officers to
enforce them, such as mayor, Judge,
policemen and health officers. II
would also be necessary to have a
Icouncil, or legislature, to make the
laws, and the whole school would
usually act In that capacity After
the officers are all appointed or elect
ed they are to be sworn In by sim
pie promise that to the little ones
would be more effective than an oath
Of office would be to older persons,
Mr.. gill will remain In this locality
for a few days longer, and he gave
this information out TO the assem-
blage Of teachers, and they were glad
OF tho chance 10 get him 10 come to
their schools and organize govern
ments along the lines mentioned In
his address. Prof w. A. Welst, prin-
cipal Of the Engewood school. was
the first TO volunteer his school to the
services OF Mr.. gill 10 demonstrate
his system, and to organize under the
principles advocated by him. and, in
company with Superintendent Powers
and State Superintendent Alderman
Mr., Gill will 90 TO the Englewood
school IN the forenoon Monday and
organize two states out OF the two de.
lpartments OF that school. Next In OF.
der was Prof y. A. Miller, Of the
Grant school, and II was planned thai
Mr. Gill should proceed from tho
EnglewoOd school to the Grant schoo
and organize that school also.
He had number OF copies Of I
school city charter and a school re
public laws, and they we're distribute,
among the teachers present and will
no doubt he Of great service to thos,
organising under the scheme present
ed IN his remarks.
School Republic Laws.
Chapter !. The General Law.
DO good 10 others whatever they d
to you, This natural law, wlthou
which no popular government ca
succeed, IA the general law TO whlc
all other laws and regulations mus
conform.
Chapter II. Things Prohibited.
Article I. DO no wrong TO any on,
Order.
Art O. Anything which disturb
the order IN halls, claRsrooms or {
any place within the jurisdiction Z
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49,. 49,