Ja^es . . 

 
 
 
 '
 
 otfli6 
 
 Of 
 
 Columbia 
 
 A 
 
 JUNIOR 
 REPUBLIC 
 
 -BY 
 
 IAMES E. ROGERS

 
 STATE OF COLUMBIA 
 
 A JUNIOR REPUBLIC 
 
 -BY 
 
 JAMES E. ROGERS 
 
 MCMIII
 
 The Recorder Press 
 
 San Francisco, Cal. 
 
 1903
 
 oo 
 
 STATE OF COLUMBIA 
 
 A JUNIOR REPUBLIC 
 
 >H The Columbia Park Boys' Club of San Fran- 
 
 Si: cisco, situated at 318 Seventh Street, is an edu- 
 
 g* cational institution, well known by its success- 
 
 ful experiment among boys of the immediate 
 
 crowded neighborhood. 
 
 The members enjoy the privilege of a large, 
 
 splendid club-house, artistically decorated and 
 
 CD furnished with all necessary material and para- 
 
 phernalia essential to the carrying on of the 
 
 club work. Here the boys appreciate the use 
 
 cvj of a splendid library, play-room, meeting-room, 
 
 m large assembly or lecture-room, gymnasium, mil- 
 
 itary armory, work-rooms, where they are 
 
 taught different occupations, and a printing of- 
 
 fice. Chorus, band, athletics, outings, and en- 
 
 P* tertainments are a few of its many auxiliary 
 
 energies. This club puts particular stress on 
 
 v+ the value of the human unit; its organization, 
 
 M thought, and effort are directed towards giving 
 
 the fullest impetus to the faculties and powers 
 
 within the boy himself. While endeavoring to 
 
 supply him with healthful and elevating influ- 
 
 ences, it also makes it a main thought to draw 
 
 out in a boy's growth and development, all hia 
 
 ^ abilities and talents, that he may be enabled 
 
 to give the fullest possible expression to his own 
 
 personality. 
 
 The summer vacation schools of this club is 
 the appellation of the country trips this organ- 
 ization has taken regularly during the summer 
 months of past years. A brief general outline 
 of the summer's work, as achieved by the club, 
 may be of interest to the reader. A list of these 
 
 244552
 
 annual outings are here enumerated and may 
 compare with the undertakings of the famous 
 Sierra Club of this State. 
 
 Summer 1898. Stockton to Calaveras Big 
 Trees and return. 
 
 Summer 1899. Stockton to Yosemite Valley 
 and return. 
 
 Summer 1900. San Francisco to Monterey 
 and return. 
 
 Summer 1901. San Francisco via Santa 
 Rosa Valley to Lake County, returning by 
 Napa Valley. 
 
 Summer 1902. Stockton to Yosemite Valley 
 and return. 
 
 The distance of these trips was generally from 
 150 to 250 miles, and the average number of 
 miles covered daily by the boys twenty-two. 
 The lads who participated in these outings 
 ranged from the ages of ten to fifteen, and 
 walked every foot of the way, creating quite a 
 reputation on the route by their well-rendered 
 club songs and acts. 
 
 Summer 1903. This summer a party of 
 eighteen boys, ranging between the ages of ten 
 and fifteen, under the supervision of Mr. S. S. 
 Peixotto, tramped from San Francisco to Eu- 
 reka and back to Pt. Arena, a distance of about 
 540 miles. A double-horse team, driven by the 
 cook, in which was packed the necessary provi- 
 sions, followed the boys, who walked on ahead. 
 The boys made their requisite twenty miles a 
 day, besides attending manfully to their many 
 arduous camp duties. 
 
 In the year 1902 it was the united opinion of 
 those persons interested in these summer out- 
 ings, that the privilege of a summer's vacation 
 should be extended to a larger proportion of the 
 two hundred club members, the walking trips 
 being limited to from six to twelve boys. The
 
 only feasible alternative at that time was the 
 proposition that the boys support the experi- 
 ment themselves; therefore, it became necessary 
 that some means be devised whereby those boys, 
 who would otherwise be deprived of this benefit, 
 might have the same opportunity. This ques- 
 tion gave rise to an idea that solved the problem. 
 Arrangements were made with a number of fruit 
 ranchers for the employment of the boys during 
 the fruit season. Consequently, these boys 
 went, not as recipients of charity, but in the 
 spirit of independent American lads, determined 
 to fully prove their worth and loyalty to their 
 organization. This they did, as shown, by the 
 kind letters of appreciation received from the 
 orchardists. 
 
 The ' ' State of Columbia, ' ' the first Junior Re- 
 public established in California, was thus suc- 
 cessfully organized. The experiment, composed 
 of forty-five boys, was situated in the neighbor- 
 hood of Vacaville, Yolo County, on a large fruit 
 ranch, where the boys were employed during the 
 day. This enabled them to pay their expenses 
 and earn money besides. One boy made twenty- 
 one dollars clear for two and a half weeks' work, 
 and the average amount per boy was ten dollars, 
 clear of expenses. The total earnings of the 
 camp was four hundred dollars, while the ex- 
 penses of the month amounted to two hundred 
 and ten dollars. This camp differed from the 
 majority of ordinary outings. Its unique feat- 
 ure was that it combined the pleasures of camp 
 life with the beneficial instruction of a Republic. 
 This camp stood for more than a mere outing, 
 for it had its serious and educational atmosphere. 
 It offered suggestions to the many institutions, 
 that are sending away thousands of boys every 
 year to the country. Let the month in the coun- 
 try mean more than a month of leisure and fun,
 
 while you have the opportunity. Some of the 
 most pleasant and memorable incidents of the 
 Club in after years are the exciting and interest- 
 ing stories of these vacation camping trips. 
 
 The second annual Junior Republic, composed 
 of fifty boys, under the direction of the writer, 
 was successfully established during the past sum- 
 mer, at Glenwood, Santa Cruz County. The 
 idea of the boys supporting, by their own effort, 
 the expenses of the Republic was no doubt orig- 
 inal and interesting, but experience had proven, 
 that a month of hard work could not be, in re- 
 ality, a pleasant outing. Therefore, this year's 
 project was conducted on a different basis. For 
 a month previous, the anticipation of the com- 
 ing trips caused a sudden spread of infinite de- 
 lights and beautiful dreams among the boys. 
 Deeply appreciative of my responsibilities, I 
 planned most carefully the details of the camp, 
 endeavoring in every way to improve upon my 
 previous year's experience. 
 
 Preparation and a common understanding be- 
 ing essential, the first step therefore was to as- 
 semble and organize the youths selected, as the 
 members of the camp-to-be. A number of meet- 
 ings were held with the boys, weekly and daily, 
 in which all matters and details of the camp 
 were discussed and arranged. Elections were 
 held, laws enacted, instructions in government 
 given, and announcements made. Thus, all the 
 preliminary work of organization was accom- 
 plished at the club-house months in advance. 
 By this method an intelligent and definite idea 
 of the trip, its purposes and needs, was grasped 
 by the boys, who were thereby prepared to cope 
 with the various and -perplexing conditions and 
 problems of camp life. 
 
 A month was devoted to equipping this project 
 with all necessary paraphernalia and material.
 
 The question of equipment and financial sup- 
 port demanded constant activity and thought. 
 Through the kindness and financial assistance 
 of Messrs. Dr. 0. N. Orlow and J. P. Chamber- 
 lain all anxieties of the future were removed. 
 With sufficient funds at command, it was pos- 
 sible to fully realize all plans, as designed. With 
 a set plan in view, a careful study of the prob- 
 lem found expression in many typewritten sheets 
 of valuable data and matters of policy. Under 
 the different headings, as for instance, list of 
 outfit, of implements, of utensils, of medicines, 
 of food, etc., a vast number of indispensable 
 necessities were remembered and utilized. As, 
 for example: 
 
 LIST OF OUTFIT. 
 
 1. Kaki hat. 
 
 2. Overalls. 
 
 3. 2 Black sateen shirts. 
 
 4. Shoes (oiled and hobbed nailed). 
 
 5. 3 Pairs of socks. 
 
 6. 2 Suits of underwear. 
 
 7. Knife, fork, spoon, cup, and 3 plates. 
 
 8. Toothbrush and comb. 
 
 9. 3 Towels and soap. 
 
 10. Sleeping bag; 2 or 3 blankets. 
 
 11. Writing material. 
 
 12. Sewing outfit. 
 
 13. Outfit bag. 
 
 14. Handkerchiefs. 
 
 15. Looking glass. 
 
 16. Club sweater. 
 
 17. Pocket knife. 
 
 LIST OF IMPLEMENTS. 
 
 1. Shovels. 
 
 2. Hammers. 
 
 3. Rakes. 
 
 4. Hoes.
 
 5. Axes (large and small). 
 
 6. Picks. 
 
 7. Wheelbarrow. 
 
 8. Nails (all sizes). 
 
 9. Hooks. 
 
 10. Trowels. 
 
 11. Hose. 
 
 12. Rope (various sizes). 
 
 13. Scythe. 
 
 14. Saws. 
 
 15. Planes. 
 
 16. Squares. 
 
 17. Incidentals. 
 
 By the aid of these memorandums, we were 
 prepared to meet the ordinary exigencies of the 
 camp. Arrangements were made with whole- 
 sale business firms, for purchasing the groceries, 
 tools, tents, and other necessary articles. Thus 
 being organized, the questions of state were be- 
 ing transacted weeks previous, as demonstrated 
 in the records of the Republic. 
 
 Strange to remark, the parent to this idea, 
 namely the George Junior Republic was un- 
 known to the younger generation, until an arti- 
 cle appeared in a morning paper about the camp 
 at Vacaville, comparing the two experiments. 
 Many people know or have heard of the George 
 Junior Republic, therefore it is unnecessary to 
 go into details. A short review of its aims is, 
 however, of interest. The George Junior Re- 
 public, founded by William Reuben George, in 
 the year 1890, was situated near his home at 
 Freeville, in the very heart of the State of New 
 York. It was while working among the poor, 
 that Mr. George was deeply impressed with the 
 absolute need of sending the children of the 
 dirty and squalid streets of the slums, into the 
 healthful and invigorating country. The coun- 
 try has been recognized as a promoter of good
 
 morals and decent living. The fundamental 
 principle upon which the Republic was based is, 
 " Nothing without labor." The most interesting 
 feature is their system of punishment. Courts, 
 judges and police comprise this department. 
 The membership, especially during the summer 
 months, numbers in the hundreds, but many lin- 
 ger throughout the year. It has become a per- 
 manent organization. The citizens, generally 
 dependents or waifs of the streets, are finally 
 equipped with a knowledge of things and of a 
 sense of right and wrong. 
 
 THE CAMP. 
 
 The State of Columbia was situated near Glen- 
 wood, Santa Cruz County, in the very heart of 
 the Santa Cruz Mountains. The ground se- 
 lected, kindly loaned by Dr. 0. N. Orlow, was a 
 large, open piece of land, covered with trees and 
 a thick growth of underbrush. This spot was 
 cleared of its undergrowth and watered by the 
 boys, who worked under an intense summer's 
 heat. No other spot available could be found 
 under the shade of trees, for it was necessary to 
 have an open space, in order to build a real col- 
 ony with its streets and public buildings. The 
 ground plan was designed by a draughtsman, af- 
 ter being surveyed and laid out in regular mu- 
 nicipal form. The general plan was success- 
 fully carried out, except where existing circum- 
 stances made it necessary to alter matters, as in 
 the case of the constructions of streets. 
 
 A unified appearance and dignity was thus 
 afforded the camp. In the center of the village 
 v/as Peixotto's Plaza, a large level spot, where 
 the camp-fires blazed nightly. On one side was 
 "Washington Street, on another Lincoln Boule- 
 vard, on the third Grant Street, on the fourth 
 McKinley Avenue, whilst a series of serpentine 
 streets met at this central point. The Capitol
 
 and White House faced the trumphal arch, sit- 
 uated on Dewey's Roadway. Flag poles were 
 erected at different points about the camp, and 
 perhaps an explanation of their significance 
 may be proper at this moment. The flag situ- 
 ated in the center of Peixotto's Plaza was the 
 scene of dress parade ceremonies, when in the 
 early mornings and evenings the stars and 
 stripes were raised and lowered with due respect 
 and ceremony. The flag waving majestically 
 before the Capitol was the national colors of the 
 State, while the other two pennants were placed 
 on prominent points near the camp, commanding 
 a most splendid view of the surrounding coun- 
 try. Facing Peixotto's Plaza, a large, substan- 
 tial stage was erected against a beautiful green 
 background of a group of small redwood trees. 
 Off towards the left, a large, open-air cookery 
 was constructed. North of this, for about forty 
 paces, four long tables were placed under a 
 large overhanging tree. The play-grounds, 
 swimming-hole, and the industrial factory were 
 all situated outside of the limits of the city 
 proper. 
 
 ORGANIZATION OF THE STATE OF COLUMBIA; THE 
 
 CONSTITUTION AND THE PROPOSED ORDER 
 
 OF DAILY LIFE. 
 
 The constitution was the supreme law of the 
 land, for herein was described the whole system 
 of governmental machinery. 
 
 CONSTITUTION OF STATE OF COLUMBIA, GLENWOOD, 
 CAL. 
 
 "We, the citizens of the State of Columbia, in 
 order to form an ideal camp, to establish order, 
 to ensure good fellowship, and provide for a 
 common employment, to promote the general 
 welfare and happiness and secure to the citi- 
 zens the benefits of a summer's outing and the
 
 blessings of a well-regulated, harmonious and 
 peaceful Republic, do ordain and establish this 
 constitution for this State of Columbia of the 
 Columbia Park Boys' Club. 
 
 ARTICLE I. 
 
 LEGISLATIVE DEPARTMENT. 
 
 SECTION 1. The legislative department of the 
 State of Columbia shall consist of the House of 
 Representatives and the Senate. All legislative 
 powers herein defined shall be vested in these 
 two bodies, which shall compose Congress. 
 
 SEC. 2. The House of Representatives shall 
 consist of seven members elected for a term of 
 four weeks. The members shall be elected by a 
 direct vote of the citizens. 
 
 The House of Representatives shall choose 
 their speaker and other necessary officers. 
 
 No person shall be a representative who is not 
 a member in good standing as a citizen or who 
 has failed to conform to the standards of good 
 membership in the Columbia Park Boys' Club. 
 
 The House of Representatives shall meet every 
 Monday of each week at 7 a. m. 
 
 SEC. 3. The Senate of the State of Columbia 
 shall consist of four members elected by a direct 
 vote of the citizens. They shall be chosen for 
 the term of four weeks. 
 
 The Senate shall elect their necessary officers. 
 The presiding officer shall be the vice-president. 
 
 The qualification shall be the same as those of 
 a representative. The Senate shall meet every 
 Friday at seven in the morning. 
 
 SEC. 4. The power for amending the Consti- 
 tution shall be vested in the Congress and the 
 Executive. Both houses and the Executive shall 
 assemble together every Wednesday at 7 a. m. 
 
 The laws of procedure governing the meetings 
 shall be Robert's Rules of Parliamentary Law.
 
 Both houses may initiate laws that become legal 
 on the official sanction of the President. The 
 laws must be directed towards the well-being, 
 pleasure, health and interest of the State. 
 
 ARTICLE II. 
 
 EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT. 
 
 SECTION 1. The chief magistrate is the Pres- 
 ident, elected by the popular vote of the citizens. 
 He shall appoint a cabinet of three, Secretary 
 of State, Secretary of the Interior and Secretary 
 of Industries. 
 
 SEC. 2. The President has entire administra- 
 tive direction of the camp. 
 
 SEC. 3. There shall be a Vice-President whose 
 duties shall include presiding over the Senate 
 and such additional duties as the President shall 
 depute to him. 
 
 ARTICLE III. 
 
 JUDICIARY DEPARTMENT. 
 
 This branch of modern government is abol- 
 ished as there is no need for courts or police for 
 an ideal body politic such as this, where order 
 and loyalty are inherent and requisite qualities 
 of the citizens. 
 
 ARTICLE IV. 
 
 FINANCES. 
 
 A State Bank under the supervision of the 
 Treasurer, appointed by the President, shall be 
 created as a national depository of the State's 
 currency. Taxes shall be levied to meet the 
 necessary expenditures of the camp. 
 
 ARTICLE V. 
 
 COMMITTEES. 
 
 The machinery of government shall be per- 
 formed by the following committees: Committee 
 on Streets, Committee on Buildings, and Board
 
 of Health, Commissary Department, Indoor 
 Pastimes and Outdoor Pastimes. 
 
 The duties of the above-mentioned bodies are 
 as follows: 
 
 Committee on Streets To water, to clean, to 
 construct and to supervise the grounds of the 
 State. 
 
 Committee on Buildings To erect, fix and re- 
 pair Public Buildings. 
 
 Committee on Health To clean and take care 
 of the State's property. 
 
 Committee on Indoor Entertainment To ar- 
 range, prepare, and manage the program and 
 selection of entertainments. 
 
 Committee on Outdoor Pastimes To arrange, 
 to institute and superintend the sports, games 
 and pastimes. 
 
 Committee on Commissary To assist the cook, 
 to arrange the tables, and take care of the sup- 
 plies, etc. 
 
 These committees shall be appointed by a dele- 
 gate representing the people, in conjunction with 
 the President. 
 
 Each citizen is held responsible for the per- 
 formance of his prescribed duties. Each com- 
 mittee shall elect its own chairman, who shall 
 direct and supervise the work of his special com- 
 mittee. 
 
 All committees shall meet weekly. 
 
 TRADES AND PROFESSIONS. 
 
 All citizens are obliged to work. The citizens 
 shall, in the performance of their respective em- 
 ployments, aim to attain perfection. 
 
 PLAN OF THE STATE. 
 
 The institutions and outline of the Republic 
 shall conform as near as possible to the design of 
 the State architect.
 
 CIVIL LAWS OF COLUMBIA. 
 
 Every one signing his name to the Constitu- 
 tion before two citizens, becomes a recognized 
 and full-fledged member of the State. 
 
 Duties of a citizen are as follows : 
 
 Each citizen shall actively participate in the 
 establishment of a law-making and a law- 
 enforcing community. 
 
 Every boy pledges himself to do a certain 
 amount of work, a minimum standard being set, 
 and to render proper services to the common- 
 wealth. 
 
 Every citizen shall be a member of at least one 
 committee. 
 
 The citizens must be responsible for good be- 
 havior and obedience to the laws governing the 
 community. Each is required to promote the 
 peace, happiness and well-being. 
 
 Every member shall be a member of the State 
 militia, no standing army being maintained. 
 
 A mess-leader shall be at the head of each 
 table with his waiters. 
 
 Every boy must wash and clean his own dishes 
 and property. The boys must recognize and 
 obey the authority of a head. Throughout the 
 working hours, citizens should work steadily and 
 honestly. As the success of the camp depends 
 upon the members for mutual assistance and 
 harmonious spirit, every boy should preserve and 
 raise his voice to say, 
 
 "Long live the State of Columbia!" 
 
 WEEKLY PROGRAM. 
 
 Evenings The several evenings shall be de- 
 voted to a special program. 
 
 Monday evening shall be amateur night. An 
 entertainment, talks, or stories exclusively by 
 members.
 
 Tuesday evening shall be devoted to games 
 and recreation. 
 
 Wednesday evening shall be the meeting of 
 the Columbia Park Boys' Club on summer out- 
 ing. The President shall preside. Reports of 
 committees, discussions of State affairs, address 
 of President, etc., shall be the regular order of 
 procedure. 
 
 Thursday evening shall be given up to indoor 
 games, debates, mock-trials, or any other selec- 
 tion deemed proper. 
 
 Friday evening shall be devoted to a rehearsal 
 for the grand weekly entertainment which takes 
 place on Saturday night. 
 
 Day Program The order and routine of the 
 camp shall be as follows: 
 
 4:45 a. m. First bugle call. 
 
 5:15 a. m. Every boy must be dressed, 
 washed and have prepared his 
 berth. 
 
 5:30 a. m. Every boy's place at he table 
 must have its plate, cup, etc. 
 Second bugle signifies "Assem- 
 ble at table for breakfast." 
 
 7:00 a. m. Bugle for meetings. 
 
 8:00 a. m. Day's work begins. 
 12:00 noon. Dinner. 
 
 5 :00 p. m. Quit work. 
 
 5 :00 to 6 :00 p. m. Bathing. 
 
 6:00 p. m. Dress parade. 
 
 6:05 p. m. Supper. 
 
 7:30 p. m. Assemble in camp. 
 
 8:30 p. m. Taps. 
 
 9:00 p. m. Lights out. 
 
 THE ACTUAL WORKING OF THE GOVERNMENTAL 
 MACHINERY. 
 
 The daily program was carried to a success- 
 ful end, except that the hours were changed, for 
 4:45 a. m. was found to be rather early for
 
 these healthy and active boys. Only growing 
 boys, who have worked hard, know what deep, 
 sound sleep is like. The daily conduct of the 
 citizens was under the strictest military disci- 
 pline. The boys were awakened from their 
 peaceful slumbers at 5:30, by the sharp note 
 of the bugle. Dressed, washed, berth arranged, 
 the second bugle assembled the boys on Piex- 
 otto's Plaza, when the national emblem the 
 stars and stripes was raised with due respect 
 and ceremony. Another bugle blast, the boys 
 were divided in their respective groups, accord- 
 ing to the number of their different tables, when 
 under the leadership of a competent instructor, 
 a quarter of an hour was devoted to a lesson in 
 setting-up exercises. In the meantime, the boys 
 having placed their plates on the tables, the wait- 
 ers proceeded to do justice, by filling them to 
 the very brim. At a given signal, the boys 
 marched to their particular tables, in sections as 
 grouped, and promptly commenced to satisfy 
 their enormous appetites. No one can realize 
 what an enormous appetite a growing boy has, 
 until he or she has attempted to feed fifty. It 
 seems the country air does a great deal towards 
 enlarging the expansion of their stomachs. 
 Most of these boys were liberal expansionists. 
 Method and order ruled this feature of the 
 camp. When a boy had finished, he handed his 
 plate to the waiter, who goes to the head of his 
 table, where two boys, equipped with ladles and 
 forks, are kept busy filling the many plates to 
 be refilled. Breakfast over, the boys proceeded 
 to wash their own dishes, so by this rule the bug- 
 bear of a big washing three times a day was elim- 
 inated. Everything in order, after an hour's 
 play, the citizens congregated into groups ac- 
 cording to committees, and proceeded to work 
 about camp until 8:30 o'clock, when they were
 
 again assembled to go to their different occupa- 
 tions. At 11 :30 a. m. work ceased, and the boys 
 were again called to camp, to listen to the read- 
 ing of the laws, passed by Congress, or to other 
 necessary announcements. At noon, lunch pro- 
 ceeded under the same routine as in the morn- 
 ing. Between the hours of eleven and two, the 
 time was taken up by the citizens, in playing 
 games, swimming, washing, sewing, etc. Two 
 o'clock found the boys back to their places at 
 the factory, or on the hill, cutting down trees. 
 The camp soon becomes deserted, except for the 
 younger boys, who were occupied with duties 
 about camp. 
 
 At five o'clock the bugle to stop work was met 
 with a shout of welcome by the citizens, and soon 
 the camp became a swarming bee-hive of boys, 
 playing, talking and laughing. Some proceeded 
 to wash, others to mend their clothes, some gath- 
 ered around the bulletin board to read the daily 
 instructions, while a few were occupied with 
 their camp duties. A blast of the bugles and 
 the roll of the drums assembled the citizens to- 
 gether again for dress parade, when the duty of 
 hauling down the flag took place. Before this 
 ceremony, a quarter of an hour was given up 
 to drill. 
 
 Dinner over, the citizens, if free from camp 
 duties, were allowed to take a walk, or do as they 
 pleased, until the bugle announced the com- 
 mencement of the evening's performance. This 
 lasted until, after a rousing club yell, the boys 
 dispersed to their tents. The dear old Colum- 
 bia Park yell C-0-L-U-M-B-I-A, Hip Hip Hoo- 
 ray re-echoed among the distant mountains. 
 As the last sweet note of the trumpet flowed 
 away into the dark silence of the night, the many 
 lights were extinguished, and a deep stillness 
 ensued. Sunday was the day of rest and
 
 leisure. Occasionally, afternoons were spent in 
 cross-country walks and sham battles. The boys 
 loved to gather around the camp-fire in the long 
 evenings and listen to thrilling tales of hair- 
 breadth escapes, ghost stories, exploits of boy- 
 ish adventures, and the blood-thirsty tales of In- 
 dian fights. Round games were then played un- 
 til taps signified the bed hour. 
 
 Some of the fun of club life was transferred 
 to the camp. On Monday night the boys donned 
 costumes and masks brought from the club's 
 wardrobe, and had impromptu theatricals. 
 Wednesday evening, meetings were conducted 
 under strict parlimentary rules. The interest 
 and seriousness of the members were manifested 
 in the heated discussions and enthusiastic 
 speeches that followed. One time is especially 
 remembered, when, after a heated debate it was 
 finally decided by a rising vote, that every boy 
 should be allowed to spend thirty-five cents on 
 fire crackers. This was during the first of July. 
 Saturday evening entertainments were appre- 
 ciated by the audience, that came in buggies and 
 wagons from miles around, to witness these 
 weekly performances. At these picturesque out- 
 of-door shows, many talented and well-trained 
 boys furnished the numbers of the program, 
 which consisted of recitations, musical selections, 
 solo and choral numbers, as well as short orig- 
 inal club "plays." Admission fee was strictly 
 refused many times. The people were well 
 pleased, and these theatricals became the talk of 
 the country. A large stage equipped with 
 necessary paraphernalia was erected for this 
 purpose. Seats were placed in the center of the 
 large plaza situated in the middle of the camp, 
 where the big camp-fires burned brightly every 
 night. 
 
 The system of committees worked like a
 
 charm, the citizens having manfully performed 
 their camp duties like brave young soldiers. 
 With pluck and endurance, these lads overcame 
 all obstacles, and established a government of 
 their own. They built streets, fences, rustic 
 seats, tables, benches, swimming-hole, etc., gen- 
 erally from the trees felled by their own axes. 
 It seemed at times, as if the uppermost thought 
 with the boys was all work and no pleasure, as 
 shown in the records of the meeting of the Com- 
 missary Committee. The following extract is 
 from a meeting of above committee: 
 
 "The motion made and seconded in the for- 
 mer meeting, 'That the citizen of the Commis- 
 sary should not work during play-time,' was 
 brought before the House of Representatives 
 and was lost." 
 
 A specimen of committee work is seen in the 
 minutes of the meetings of the following com- 
 mittees : 
 
 Building Committee A motion was made 
 and seconded to send a communication to Health 
 Committee, to find a place suitable for new lav- 
 atories. It was carried." 
 
 Out-Door Committee " Committeeinan Jescke 
 was instructed to get up a tournament between 
 the different tents and between the Optimus and 
 Maximus parties." 
 
 Street Committee " Chairman Jorss ar- 
 ranged the boys as to their various duties. Ten- 
 nebaum and Vetter to sprinkle all of the camp, 
 including the plaza and steps. Buck and Davis 
 to clean streets. Glynn, Merritt, Tresch and 
 Bob to build and construct roads." 
 
 Some of the laws enacted by the different 
 Houses of Congress: 
 
 House of Representatives "Leader of Physi- 
 cal Culture be elected by popular vote." 
 
 "Health Committee clean tents every day."
 
 "Road to tables be watered before meals." 
 By Senate "No one to go swimming twice a 
 
 day without permission of President Rogers." 
 "Building Committee build stairs leading 
 
 from arch." 
 
 "Citizens borrowing State Property should 
 return it in their own name, or be prohibited 
 from using same." 
 
 The general rules and papers were printed at 
 the club-house, and the new enactments arising 
 out of the necessities of the Republic were posted 
 in the bulletin-board. During the day every 
 rule and law was strictly observed, as far as per- 
 mitted by circumstances. The life of the citizen 
 was under the strictest discipline, the laws being 
 transacted with exact precision and despatch. 
 
 Isolated from human life, because of its sep- 
 aration from town and people, it became a gov- 
 ernment, with its citizens, quietly living to- 
 gether, transacting their affairs of State, which 
 thereby assumed the true dignity and tone of a 
 law-making and law-enforcing community. The 
 scene in front of the Capitol was a sight long to 
 be remembered. The bearing of congressmen 
 and statesmen was observed in the boys when 
 they set about the management of some impor- 
 tant affair. An earnest preseverance and loy- 
 alty was shown by the citizens, in the conduct of 
 their duties. There was no grumbling about it, 
 even though in the division of responsibilities 
 some boys were given more work than others to 
 do. Amusement and pleasure thrived. Coun- 
 try walks, sham battles, tournaments, round 
 games, baseball, etc., were all entered into with 
 an earnest and cheerful spirit, pervading the 
 camp life with joy and happiness. 
 
 One of the incidents of camp life was the cele- 
 bration of Fourth of July. The following is
 
 an extract from the Secretary of State's diary 
 in reference to this affair: 
 
 "To Santa Cruz on wagons; drilled in morn- 
 ing in parade, went in swimming in surf ; in af- 
 ternoon took part in 'horrible's' parade; in af- 
 ternoon several boys went in races at ball 
 grounds and won prizes ; returned home at about 
 12:30 p. m." 
 
 The following citation also illustrates another 
 incident of life within the Republic. 
 
 "Arch completed, road to arch also finished, 
 stage built, boys in bead work commenced to- 
 day, swimming, flag near capitol erected, morn- 
 ing and evening nice, noon rather hot. All are 
 having lots of. fun." 
 
 These boys did not go as a lawless, rough 
 group, bent upon having a good time, but in- 
 stead; as a trained and earnest body of boys, to 
 form a law-abiding community. In their par- 
 liamentary bodies, in their elections or daily 
 duties, these susceptible and plastic youths were 
 grasping the first seeds of organization and self- 
 government. They felt the love of independ- 
 ence and freedom that carries with it the bur- 
 dens and responsibilities of citizenship. These 
 boys went trained and equipped, for they un- 
 derstood the value of law and order ; they knew 
 how to be obedient to established authority. 
 They were learned in parliamentary usages, so 
 they were promising material. This experiment 
 was not a matter of playing or practicing the 
 part, but instead that of living the life for a 
 month of a true citizen. 
 
 ECONOMIC ASPECTS. 
 
 The camp food was a simple diet, staple, 
 wholesome, and good, a few luxuries or dainties 
 being part of the menu. The foods were bought 
 in large quantities, this being the major expense
 
 of the camp. The general daily menu, with 
 some variations, was as follows: 
 
 Monday. 
 
 B. Mush; Toast; Coffee. 
 L. Beans; Corn-Bread; Coffee. 
 D Pudding; Bread; Fruit; Tea. 
 
 Tuesday. 
 
 B. Pancakes; Coffee. 
 L. Stew; Crackers; Coffee. 
 J>. Maccaroni; Fruit; Bread; Tea. 
 
 Wednesday. 
 
 B. Mush; Crackers; Coffee. 
 L. Beans; Vegetables; Tea. 
 D. Codfish; Cake; Ice-Cream. 
 
 Thursday. 
 
 B. Rice; Bread; Coffee. 
 L. Maccaroni ; Potatoes ; Coffee. 
 D. Oysters; Fruit; Tea. 
 
 Friday. 
 
 B. Pancakes ; Chocolate. 
 L. Salmon; Vegetables; Tea. 
 D. Maccaroni; Cake; Coffee. 
 
 Saturday. 
 
 B. Mush; Coffee; Bread. 
 L. Beans; Bread; Tea. 
 D. Pudding; Fruit; Coffee. 
 
 Sunday. 
 
 B. Pancakes ; Chocolate. 
 L. Meat; Vegetables; Mixed Cakes; Ice- 
 
 Cream. 
 
 D. Oysters; Crackers; Tea. 
 An ideal open-air kitchen was hailed with de- 
 light on its completion. An excellent cooking 
 oven, perfectly suitable for the purposes, was 
 constructed, besides all the essential shelves, par- 
 titions, tables, etc., helpful to the hired cook.
 
 The cook, with the aid of the Commissary Com- 
 mittee managed very well to the satisfaction of 
 the citizens. The main thought was, a few 
 staple foods, but plenty of them. The method 
 of serving was conducted with order. Each 
 table had a waiter, whose duty was to take a 
 plate offered to him, to the front of the tables, 
 where two boys were dishing out the food from 
 large, steaming vessels. As each table finished, 
 the citizens were dismissed. This avoided the 
 kicking up of the dust and confusion in the rush 
 to wash dishes. The waiters, with the Presi- 
 dent, ate after the others. 
 
 The boys' outfit was plain, but comfortable, 
 consisting of only the absolute necessities, as 
 seen in the list on previous pages. The state 
 uniform consisted of a brown kaki hat, a black 
 sateen shirt, brown overalls and leggings. This 
 national dress created within the citizens a civic 
 pride, giving one an impression of order and or- 
 ganization to the Republic. 
 
 The boys were housed in large, ample tents, 
 having been divided into groups of six, under 
 the leadership of a tent-master, who was held 
 responsible for the behavior and cleanliness of 
 his respective tent. A spirited competition for 
 the best tent the points being arrangement, be- 
 havior, etc. fostered a friendly rivalry among 
 the boys, which resulted in a general care and 
 neatness of the different tents. These were 
 equally divided on each side of the large plaza, 
 into the Optimus and Maximus parties. "We 
 could not afford to have a mix-up in politics, as 
 this was an ideal Republic, so, instead of Repub- 
 lican and Democrat being the titles of the po- 
 litical parties, the names Optimus and Maximus 
 were substituted. The tents were cleaned and 
 aired daily, this being part of the Health Com- 
 mittee's duties. A hospital tent, under the
 
 supervision of the State Doctor, an older boy, 
 was provided with complete medicinal supplies 
 for ordinary indispositions. Homesickness and 
 poison-oak were the only ailments. A visitor's 
 tent, furnished with two beds and necessary 
 furniture, was in frequent use from visiting 
 parents, who stayed over night. Mothers were 
 anxious to understand the secret of managing 
 fifty boys, especially how her son John ever hap- 
 pened to wash his own face or mend his clothes. 
 It was a victory for the boys, for it proved that 
 they could do things, if rightly directed and en- 
 couraged. Each tent had two lanterns for light- 
 ing facilities. 
 
 The boys were occupied from the hours of 
 8 :30 a. m. to 11 a. m. and from 2 p. m. to 4 -.30 
 p. m., in making Indian bead belts and rustic 
 flower baskets, while another group was cour- 
 ageously clearing the side of a large hill of its 
 trees and undergrowth. The industrial activi- 
 ties were highly successful. An ideal factory 
 was constructed, with all the necessary benches 
 and appurtenances. The sale of the belts and 
 baskets also assisted to defray the expenses of 
 the camp. At the present moment, there exists 
 a rage for Indian bead belts everywhere. It is 
 the fashion in Europe, while in this country it 
 has become a fad. The prices for an ordinary 
 bead belt ranges from two to four dollars apiece. 
 The boys managed to produce about one hundred 
 belts. 
 
 The results of this work was most gratifying, 
 as shown in the beautiful, well-made .belts. The 
 price of the belt depends, to a large extent upon 
 its design and artistic coloring. The aesthetic 
 impression derived from the handling of the 
 many beautiful colored belts, inculcated in the 
 citizens an artistic taste for the beautiful. They 
 soon learned to discriminate between the real
 
 and superficial colors. It is still a question 
 whether or not this occupation was suitable work 
 for the boys. In the first place, it is girl's work, 
 pure and simple. In the second place, the oc- 
 casion was not work, but a summer's vacation, 
 with the problem of establishing a Republic, 
 which, in itself, is worthy of constant thought 
 and energy. Again, the boys worked under 
 many trying conditions, for the work demands 
 a skilled person with patience. This latter qual- 
 ity is seldom found in boys. Again, the work 
 is slow and tedious, exacting extreme accuracy 
 and thought. The intense heat of the sun, the 
 country, as an inappropriate place for this fine 
 art, and the character of the work, were draw- 
 backs, that the boys surmounted. Of course, 
 there is the other side. These industrial ener- 
 gies gave a tone of permanency and realness to 
 the whole experiment. It kept the boys inter- 
 ested, and occupied for a few hours every day. 
 In a way the boys, by this means, were self- 
 supporting. They learned many good habits, 
 such as neatness, patience, accuracy, endurance, 
 etc. It had, no doubt, its educational value as 
 a manual training occupation. And lastly, this 
 was not a trip founded to have a good time and 
 nothing to do, but instead its cardinal principles 
 were labor first and pleasure afterwards. Its 
 object was to create something real. It seems at 
 times as if the boys forgot how to play in their 
 intense desire of creating a real Republic, not 
 in name only, but in fact. 
 
 The citizens were all members of the Colum- 
 bia Park Boys' Club, recruited from the imme- 
 diate neighborhood of that organization. They 
 were fifty in number, ranging between the ages 
 of ten and eighteen. All attended the public 
 schools. Their power of endurance was dem- 
 onstrated in the work accomplished; their en-
 
 ergy was shown in the creation of the State of 
 Columbia ; their obedience is manifested in their 
 laws and conduct ; the prevailing spirit of good- 
 fellowship was expressed in the unity and 
 strength of the camp. This Junior Eepublic of 
 which I write, was neither a farce, a mere bur- 
 lesque of the real; nor was it a mere fancy or 
 idea of the mind, but a successful reality proven 
 by a set of determined and loyal boys, who went 
 to establish a precedent. A month of self-gov- 
 ernment by young, intelligent, active, American 
 boys, depending upon their own ability and 
 initiative, holds within lessons and pleasures 
 a storehouse of benefits. These boys success- 
 fully founded a Republic, controlled and regu- 
 lated their immature community with the same 
 spirit and intelligence as is manifested in larger 
 governments. They built a colony with streets 
 and public buildings, elected their officers, legis- 
 lated and enforced laws ; in short, they instituted 
 a government "of the people, for the people, 
 and by the people. ' ' 
 
 Building upon the desire to have an instruct- 
 ive and unique camp, organized and systematized, 
 the idea gave rise to the thought, which was 
 finally realized in the formation of both these 
 experiments. It is impossible to depict the pic- 
 turesqueness and interest of the camp life of 
 these boys, or to tell of their thoughts and ac- 
 tions, or the many groups that gathered together 
 to play or talk. It would be hopeless to at- 
 tempt to relate the many happenings and details 
 of this project. Let this brief narrative suffice. 
 
 Many good seeds were sown during these 
 months of sunshine by these boys, browned and 
 hardened by earnest toil and rational pleasure. 
 Here was taught the valuable precept of uni- 
 versal brotherhood I am my brother's keeper 
 the stronghold behind all the relationships and
 
 friendships of humanity. The duty of the indi- 
 vidual towards the welfare and common interest 
 of the mass was deeply impressed upon every 
 citizen. They realized the independence of hu- 
 man souls in this great game of life. Responsi- 
 bility, co-operation, and reciprocal relationship 
 in common effort every citizen deeply felt. The 
 value of home and the love of the parent was 
 learned. In learning to take care of themselves, 
 and how much depended upon others for mutual 
 assistance, the character of their manhood was 
 touched. They learned the independent spirit 
 coming from self-dependence. They learned to 
 be loyal to the rules and laws of the State. The 
 whole trip was a great lesson in life for every 
 boy, for he saw a large world, and the true rela- 
 tion he held towards it and towards his fellow- 
 boys as brothers. Truer and better citizens is 
 bound to be the result, if the good work is kept 
 in progress. 
 
 The closing of school at vacation time means 
 to many boys simply to be put to work or idle 
 away their time on the dirty and crowded streets. 
 The street and this idleness are the root of much 
 evil. A summer's vacation in the country is 
 the root of much good. At Glenwood those boys 
 were taught the benefits of self-control and self- 
 reliance, of simplicity and modesty in life. In 
 mind they developed larger conceptions of life, 
 while in body they gained in health and vigor. 
 Within the past few years the general move- 
 ment throughout the country towards the estab- 
 lishment of summer vacation schools has greatly 
 expanded in scope and number. The valuable 
 and beneficial results of properly organized and 
 directed juvenile summer camps have been re- 
 cently recognized by thinking men and women. 
 They are to be considered in the future as a 
 training school for the young. It can be con-
 
 sidered as a continuation of the school during 
 the summer months. Such is the case with 
 many schools in this country. Realizing the 
 many possibilities of summer camps the ques- 
 tion naturally arises, Why not place these trips 
 above the mediocrity of mere outings and ele- 
 vate them to a standard that will furnish a lib- 
 eral development of the boy. A step in this 
 direction may be found in these Junior Repub- 
 lic outings, which not only afford all the pleas- 
 ures and pastimes of a vacation, but also lay 
 stress upon the education of the young during 
 those impressionable years. During the school 
 months of vacation and leisure the youth must 
 be watched. The Columbia Park Boys' Club 
 has opened the way. Let others follow.
 
 OBSERVATIONS OF PERSONAL EXPERIENCE. 
 
 Herein is recorded a few personal suggestions 
 for those persons desirous of establishing such 
 a summer's outing. The following is a general 
 outline of a few casual conclusions necessary to 
 a correct method in the formation of a camp. 
 This short brief should not be taken as purely 
 sound gospel, or as the infallible advice of the 
 writer, for he fears contradiction; but, instead, 
 it should be considered the result of simply his 
 personal experiences. They may differ from 
 many others. 
 
 The primary step necessary in the organiza- 
 tion of a camp is to determine upon its char- 
 acter, that is, whether or not it is to be a per- 
 manent camp, a walking outing, or a general ex- 
 cursion over the country. Having ascertained 
 its character, the question of locality conse- 
 quently engages attention next ; that is, whether 
 or not the vacation in consideration is to be spent 
 by the sea, on the plans, or in the mountains. 
 At this time one must decide if the time is going 
 to be devoted to hunting, fishing, recreation, or 
 what not. Having settled upon the particulars 
 of the trip in question, its aims and functions, 
 it becomes essential to select the special locality 
 of our summer's outing. This is most impor- 
 tant. The location of a camp must be chosen 
 with deep consideration, for a great many fail- 
 ures have resulted from the selection of an un- 
 interesting and ill-adapted spot. The immedi- 
 ate country should be attractive and suitable to 
 the tone of the trip in mind. 
 
 In deciding upon the question of a site for the 
 camp, many necessary points must be studied. 
 We must ascertain the climatic conditions of the 
 vicinity, the nature of the surrounding country, 
 the water and fuel supply, location of towns and
 
 the possibilities of food supply. All these things 
 must be known beforehand to the person in 
 charge. A close scrutiny and knowledge of the 
 situation of the camp will not only prepare one 
 to cope with all the emergencies of camp life, 
 but will also familiarize him with the actual 
 conditions to be met. With a set ideal in mind, 
 the character and situation having been selected, 
 it then becomes necessary to decide upon the 
 number and character of the members who are 
 to compose the experiment. The next proposi- 
 tion to be considered is, whether or not it is to 
 be a camp of girls or boys, men or women, or 
 both sexes together. Also, if it is to be inaug- 
 urated for the dependent or the self-supporting 
 person, for provisions and arrangements must 
 be made accordingly. The basis of support is 
 another serious problem of consideration. Suf- 
 ficient financial aid is absolutely essential to the 
 real success of any such enterprise. 
 
 It is advisable, especially with the young, to 
 be careful in your selection of the members to 
 compose the camp in embryo. Always make it 
 a point to rely upon a few trusty and able as- 
 sistants among the boys or girls, whatever the 
 case may be. The assistance from them is in- 
 calculable, for they can do much of the detail 
 work. Impose your trust in them and they will 
 faithfully perform their duties. Give them re- 
 sponsibilities and they will prove their worth. 
 Impress upon them the fact that the success of 
 the experiment depends upon the whole group, 
 and not any single individual. Make them real- 
 ize that the camp is theirs, not yours. They 
 must be the creators, not you. The establish- 
 ment of the camp is the product of combined ef- 
 forts, not the result of a personal wish. 
 
 Preparation now becomes a vital necessity. 
 Meetings must be held in which all matters must
 
 be discussed and details arranged. Having thus 
 far come to a common understanding of the 
 question, and having the situation well in hand, 
 the subject of equipment necessarily follows. 
 This feature of the camp is most important, and 
 should receive the most careful study. Partic- 
 ular emphasis, let it be repeated, should be de- 
 voted to this side of the experiment. The equip- 
 ment must be appropriate, sufficient, and 
 adapted for the occasion. The lack of sufficient 
 supplies in way of foodstuffs and accessories in 
 the way of implements, will greatly hinder the 
 successful realization of the project. Arrange- 
 ments settled in regard to the supplies, trans- 
 portation, equipment, etc., the start is then 
 made, the hour being chosen as to have the party 
 arrive in camp during the day, so that prep- 
 arations for the evening are possible. Better 
 still would be the sending of a squad to precede 
 the rest, by a few days, in order to lay out an 
 available plan for the camp, and get everything 
 in readiness. 
 
 The question of administration now comes un- 
 der discussion. No definite or rigid rule can be 
 laid down for the management of a camp. That 
 question we must decide for ourselves, as it de- 
 pends upon the character of the individual and 
 the circumstances under which he is laboring to 
 fully comprehend the method of control. The 
 leader must be determined to carry out the idea 
 set in view, yet he must be flexible enough to 
 alter his opinions when necessity demands it. 
 He must have a thorough understanding of the 
 members of the camp and a deep knowledge of 
 the purposes of the latter. His attitude must 
 always be congenial and obliging. Beyond doubt, 
 a summer's vacation discloses the different tem- 
 perament and traits of character of the individ- 
 ual. "We cannot hide ourselves. Camp life, 
 
 52
 
 pure and simple, is rough and perplexing at 
 times. During those moments of discourage- 
 ment and failure, a happy and sweet disposition 
 is rare. 
 
 Everything depends upon a good commence- 
 ment. Half the victory is won with a correct start. 
 In the camp of which I have written, it became 
 necessary to work toward a well-planned idea. 
 As regards the management of the camp, in 
 reality, a great deal depends upon the character 
 of the person in charge, and the conditions of 
 affairs existing. One must be earnest and sin- 
 cere in his work, cool, considerate, just, kind, 
 and sympathetic, yet firm and courageous. As 
 in all things, in the final end the man must be 
 there to decide all questions.
 
 UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA AT LOS ANGELES 
 
 THE UNIVERSITY LIBRARY 
 This book is DUE on the last date stamped below 
 
 181 
 
 Form L-9-15m-2,'36
 
 HV 
 
 876 Rogers - 
 R63s State of 
 
 Columb 
 
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 junior republic 
 
 
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 KY 
 
 A 000 805 379 5