1 Cent George Junior

Reverse

Flag and book
Date and value
Star

Script: Latin

Lettering:
1
1946

Edge

Plain

Comment

George Junior Republic, an American Industrial institution, situated near the small village of Smallville, in Tompkins County, New York, U.S.A. The George Junior Republic forms a Miniature State whose economic, civic and social conditions, as nearly as possible, reproduce those of the United States, and whose citizenship is vested in young people, especially those who are neglected or wayward, who are thus taught self-reliance, self control and morality.
The founder, William Rueben George (b. 1866), was a native of West Dryden, a village near Freeville, who as a business man in New York City became interested in the Fresh Air Fund Charity supervised by the New York Tribune, took charge of summer outings for city children (1890-1894) and, becoming convinced that such charities tended to promote Pauperism and crime among the older of their protégés devised first the plan of requiring payment by the children in labor for all they received during these summer jaunts, then (1895) self-Government for a Summer-Colony near Freeville, and finally a permanent Colony, in which the children stayed for several years. The George Junior Republic was founded July 1895; the only check on the Powers of executive, representative and judicial branches of the government lies in the veto of the superintendent.