The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout: Volume 81

Nothing Without Labor

Front Cover

"Nothing Without Labor"

The George Junior Republic.

Location.

The George Junior Republic was founded by William R. George in the summer of 1895. It is located at Freeville, Tompkins County, N. Y.., nine miles from Ithaca, on the Lehigh Valley Rail Road.

A Junior Republic.

It is a town or colony of young people; an organization that aims to instil into the minds of boys and girls principles of self-reliance and self-government, by giving them actual powers and duties of citizenship in a minature state wherein are operating the same economic, social and civic conditions that they will find outside on leaving the Republic. It is merely a frank acceptance of existing conditions. It is not an institution with inmates, where officers have absolute authority over them; it is not a school with instructors and rules; it is what its name signifies—a Junior Republic; A Republic of the children, by the children and for the children.

Historical Sketch.

While Mr. George was engaged in business in New York City he devoted much time to the study of social conditions, especially in relation to children. Between the years 1890 and 1895 he spent his summers in fresh air work, taking from two hundred to two hundred and fifty boys and girls each year to Freeville, N. Y,

An obvious difficulty arose. The farmers demanded protection against the lawless visitors from the city. There was necessity for control. Moreover a strong tendency to pauperism showed itself; the children were receiving food and gifts of clothing, which they soon demanded as a right. So these things were led, first to a system of punishment, (the prison), and second to the cardinal doctrine of the Republic, "Nothing Without Labor." Finding by actual experience the existence of a keen sense of justice, and seeing the advantage of retiring from his self-appointed position of arbitary dispenser of punishment, Mr. George established a Jury. Then it was discovered that the boys made better policemen than their elders.

Late in the summer of 1894 while examining the results of his work Mr. George suddenly discovered the plan he had been working toward was nothing more or less than a junior Republic. The work was so much more satisfactory than that of the previous years that it was decided to continue the summer work in the future on principles of self-support and self-government. During the summer of 1895 it became evident that the training of the lives of children was being carried out successfully and it was decided to make the work permanent. When the large party returned to the city in September, Mr. George and five boys remained at Freeville forming the nucleus around which the Republic has been built.

The numbers have increased gradually but steadily, until now many more applications are received than can be accepted. For two summers after the organization of the permanent work, companies of boys and girls were brought to the Junior Republic for the months of July and August. After this the temporary camp work was abandoned as it was found to be far less satisfactory, and much more expensive than the permanent work.

Principles of Work.

The Republic is now an all-the-year-round home for children founded on the belief—

First—That a boy or girl may break a law, or commit offense, and still not be, necessarily, what is known as "bad" or "criminal".

Second—That as a rule a boy or girl who commits an offense against social or civic laws, is possesed of many of the qualities, courage, leadership, self-reliance, will, which if rightly directed will make the strongest character and the best citizens. And that to direct and develop these qualities and to instil the sense of responsibility, honor, self respect and the respect of the rights of others or in a word to make a citizen, requires more than arbitrary authority.

Third—That to separate a child who has broken the law, or who is criminally inclined, or an unmanageable child from the normal environments of educational, commercial, social, civic, religious and home conditions, and commit him at an impressional age for a definite period to an institution where he is thrown in constant contact with the hardened criminal, where he is restrained by rigid discipline from acting upon his own initiative, and where his individuality is lost id numbers—will never prepare him for the problems and responsibilities of life and citizenship which will confront him upon his release from that institution.

Fourth—But that to develop a sense of responsibility the child must have responsibility placed upon it; to overcome pauperism the child must learn self-support; and to respect law and order, the child [ unclear: most] practice self-government.

Industries and Occupations.

Among the industries will be found farming, which is the most prominent, and which gives employment to the largest number of "citizens". The work is under the direction of a capable man, and besides raising large and varied crops, a large herd of cattle and many pigs are kept. A number of "citizens" have taken op farming as a life work on leaving the Republic.

There are two departments in the bakery. One in which is produced the famous "George Junior Republic Wafer". Many thousands of pounds of these wafers are made by the "citizens" every year, and shipped to all parts of the country. They may be bought of Park and Tilford of New York, and Cobb, Bates and Yerxa of Boston, and at least one dealer in almost any large city. In the other department the boys bake bread and cookies which are sent to the surrounding towns. About fifteen hundred loaves of bread are baked every week.

In the carpenter shop, besides building when there is such going on in the Republic, and general repairing, the boys make fine mission furniture. This is both artistic and durable and has attracted much attention. Orders for both regular and special pieces are solicited and will receive prompt atttention.

All kinds of plumbing, steam fitting, and metal work are carried on in the plumbing shop.

The printing office publishes the Republic paper, "The Citizen", and all reports, pamphlets, etc. It also does job work.

Other occupations may be found in the laundry and cottages for girls, and in the government positions for both boys and girls. Each department is in charge of a competent person who, although in a large sense is an instructor, stands as an employer of labor in his or her relations to the "citizens".

Education.

While the industries play a very important part in the work of the Republic, schooling is by no means secondary to them. The work in a well equipped school house is in charge of a corps of seven teachers. The curriculum includes the regular grade work, a college preparatory course. Although the children are backward in their studies they are by no means unintelligent and many make remarkable progress when once given the opportunity.

Government.

That phase of the Junior Republic which commands the greatest attention is the government. The plan is similar in many respects to the old New England town-meeting system. The community is entirely self-governing. The laws are made by the "citizens" in the town-meetings, one meeting being held each month. All children over fifteen years of age become "citizens" and are entitled to vote and hold office. The laws are those of the State of New York with certain local ordinances, to meet existing conditions. For example, there are laws against smoking profanity, etc. On Tuesday night of every week a session of Court is held, and all cases for the past week are tried before the "citizen" judge and often a jury of four. If convicted the prisoner is turned over to the "citizen" keeper who places him in jail, and directs the prison labor, Here he does not have the privilege of working for himself but for the government, and merely receives his prison fare.

Athletics and Entertainments.

Pleasure and athletics are by no means forgotten in the Republic. Football, Baseball and Basketball teams are organized by the boys, which compete with teams from schools in the neighboring towns. The girls play Basketball among other games. Parties are held in the various cottages, and entertainments are given in the school house at intervals.

Application for Admission.

Boys and girls over fourteen years of age and tinder eighteen years, of sound mind and body are accepted. Applications for admission should be made to the Superintendent, George Junior Republic, Freeville, N. Y., of whom all details can be learned.

Normal Growth.

The George Junior Republic was not conceived in its entirety and thrust upon the public untried. It has come out of a process of evolution. It has grown out of practical experience and is no theory. The respect and confidence of the public has been growing, for it has undoubtedly done more toward the saving of unfortunate and criminally inclined children than any other method.

Visitors.

Visitors are always welcome at the Republic. There are no barriers about the grounds and no rules as to hours. Shaver's hotel at Freeville gives excellent accommodations to those wishing to stay more than a day, while Auburn, Cortland, and Ithaca can be made the basis of operations.

Finances.

With the exception of a few whose parents are able to pay, the expenses of running the Republic is borne entirely by voluntary contributions. No state aid is received. At the present time the annual expenses amount to about $45,000 a year, $10,00 is received from tuition and other sources, leaving about $4.0,000 to be secured through contributions.

Contributions.

It is the earnest desire of the Association to increase its membership. Contributions of any amount will be gratefully received. All checks may be made payable to Mr. A. G. Agnew, Treas., 22 William St., New York City.

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