The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1925-12-05
Republics Organized
in Schools Here
Founder of System by Which
Democracy Is Taught
Visits in D. c.

Does a monarchical form of class
room government obtain in the
public schools q Washington, stiff
ling initiative and self-determination
of students, in absolute opposition
to the principles of Americanism
as set forth in the constitution?
Is the public school teacher, q
symbol OF almost absolute power
over her young wards--a survival
of the old form of pedagogy born
in the monarchies OF Europe and
imbued with spirit foreign to
democracy?
Wilson l.. Gill, who for almost
thirty years has successfully
Iabored to reform this system in
various parts Of the United States
and it's possessions. and elsewhere
in the world, answers these ques-
ans with an emphatic MOI for
most of the schools in the District,
since January 5, and "Yesv' for a
I few Of the schools in Washington
and most Of the schools throughout
the country.
Washington's schools have felt
| to a large degree the effect of Mr..
| ellis teaching. Already 1876 mu-
| nicipal educational institutions, in
Guiding one normal, two junior
| high and all but two Of the ele-
mentary schools are working under
a republican form of government.
OvercOmes Opposition
Mr.. Gill is in Washington at
present to. strengthen the bulwarks
of this new system in those schools
which have adopted it. and pos
sibly to introduce the spirit and
plan of the Constitution nf the
United Sta res into the government
of the other schools.
For years. the uniformed have
condemned Mr.. Gills plan as com
pick, unwieldy and impractical.
But he's used to that. Ever since
| 1900, when he began to organize
the Cuban schools along these lines
for the War Department, he has
| been almost constinually attacked
as visionary-but his dreams
have been coming true every. day.
The purpose of the school re-
public is to inculcate in the minds
the ideals upon which this country
| is based-to make the pupils a re-
sponsible part OF the school,
organization-to make them feel
that they are citizens, and have
definite obligations, and real duties
| to perform in the communities in
which they live.
Ben w. Murch, supervising prin-
cipal in the public schools. has just
sent to his principals and teachers
a letter recommending highly the
work of Mr.. Gill and explaining the
efficacy of the school republic as a
practical training of children for
useful citizenship.
THE chief educational, value of
| the application of the spirit and
the plan of the Constitution" he
states, lis in the school-room unit,
but the organizing of the entire
school as little United States,
adds not only greater completeness
from the standpoint Of civics and
pedagogy, but also a valuable
esprit dc corps for the whole
school"
Function of Schools
He further states that the basic
function of the schools is ''to pro-
duce men and women who are
loyal to our country's Constitu.
ton, TO the faith and aspiration of
its fathers. and to the Golden Rule.
as the bedrock on which 10 build
worthwhile personal and ma
tional life"
IF the schools of the nation can
not accomplish this main purpose,
Mr.. Murch's letter concludes, then
indeed, this republic, so long the
hope of mankind, will be wrecked
amid the breakers on the shores
of time"
In connection with this letter,
Mr.. Murch stated today that he
had sent copies of the School City
charter to his principals and teach
ers, and as soon as possible will
endeavor to place a copy in the
hands OF every child who can read.
1t was pointed out that the sys.
tenn is very elastic, permitting OF
wide latitude of choice on the
part of teachers and principals.
For instance, the children may vote
by raising their hands or by all the
! complexities that can be used In