The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1915-05-27
Bridgeporters Hedr Young Citizens of Juvenile Ma tion Discuss Their Rejuve- nation Through Placing Their Responsibilities on Their own Shoulders.


 No better proof of the effectiveness of the training at the George Junior Republic could have been produced than the five boys who last night told of their lives before and after going to the Republic to the members of the Bridgeport George Junior Republic as sociatton in the Hotel Stratfeld.
 So intelligent and quick were the boys, and so original and well spoken the etortes which they told that it WeAs hard to believe that a short time ago they were among the incorrigtble res idents of the state. It was a splendid Illustration of what giving the boys g chance will do.
 One of the most interesting stories was that of Ernest Clitten of this city who has been at the Republic for the is glad that he has been there that long because he has learned a great deal both in school and at work which he knows he couldn't have learned in Bridgeport Chit as he is famil- 3arly known told of several encoun- who finally caught him by pulling him out of bed by the neck with the crook ed handle of his umbrella and telling him to ''come on,' that the was going to the George Junior Republic.
 Another boy in whom Bridgeport is especially interested is Joseph Ade- Hzzd, who was introduced by Lester Babcock, the Instructor of the boys, as s'sthe most ambitious boy I have ever met.'' The young man, for he is now well grown up, told his story eff fectdveIy. About two years ago. he said, 1T was one of the boys of this city without money, education or an1- bitton."
 He had no mother or father and practically lived in the streets. He
 R-s. meanor and sent to the Republic. Soon after arriving at that place, he was sent to jail there for using language which he thought was customary '' He instituted the system for contract ing for work there and during his stay rose to the position of president of the Republic. Although his time at the Republic has long ago been completed, he is staying there pursuing a special course of study with q correspondence school and he hopes soon to become a. full-fedged civil engineer.
 He is an ardent believer in the self government system and advocates that it be installed in all schools.
 s'In two years,'' he concluded, ftI, who would probably have become disgrace to your city, was rescued from your streets and now I am a young man with the ambition to be- come a civil engineer.
 
 1chap from New sHaven. told of his efforts to become an actor before he was sent to the republic. He had won several prizes at amateur night performances for singing songs which he himself had com posed. He concluded by singing two sof these, one a medley of popular songs and another a. soldier song. For so small chap the songs were. real ly remarkable. Needless to say, they were highly appreciated by last nights audience.
 Joseph Donahue also of New Ha- ven, told considerable of the life on l the Republic comparing it with the reformatory, at which he had also been an inmate by saying that the | life at the Republic was much freer, that it gave a boy and opportunity and a. chance to show his originality. James Robertson of Hartford, who I is clerk of the court at the. Republic, 1 told of the three main features of the 1 school, government. education and athletics. He said that in the latter they played practically everything and 1 that their past season had been most successful He mentioned that they hoped that at some future time their friends would be able to do something | for their athletics. At the end of I the session he was presented with $25 l for this department by several men of the audience and needless to say happiness and surprise beamed from 1 his face at the gift.
 l The boys were sure of themselves, 1used good English and illustrated their talks with entertaining anec- dotes
 The fire which destroyed the Iarg- est and most handsome cottage of the Republic in December was men, ttoned sorrowfulIy by all the boys.
 Lester Babcock. the boys instruc- I tor, gave a short talk before th&se of 1 the boys, telling how they had looked forward to coming to Bridgeport with La. great deal of pleasure as the l Bridgeport aid was the foremost in the state and also some of their best boys have come from this city.
 There are now 85 boys at the insti- tuition, which is the largest number one time. and consequently they are a little crowded at present.
 II Many of the boys, he said, come from the Juvenile courts and they are defiant and sullen when they arrive at the Republic but a change soon takes place. As they become judge or chief of police or other officers of the Republic they learn to have respect Fl for law and order and when they do l1eave they have greater respect for the government of their country. The government of the Republic is play Il things to the boys, they carry it out with an earnestness which might prove an example for many a citizen of a real republic.
 Nothing Without Labor" is the motto to which they live up most carefully for each citizen must pay his
 board from the money which he earns by labor about the Republic and the more board he pays the better the food which he can have As this money can only be obtained by work it behoovess every boy to work.
 | The Bridgeport Association recently
 presented the boys with aluminium
 money representing in all $1,000. The
 pieces range from one cent up and
 are -octanguIar in shape and bear. on one -side,l the well shaped head of 9