i68 EMIL MUNSTERBERG 



among adults. In the year 1896 these were removed from 

 their offices and replaced by boys, since the children mider- 

 stood better than the men how to get along with their com- 

 rades, and the feeling of responsibility awakened in them self 

 respect, and a striving for honorable behavior. In 1887 for 

 the first time the president was also chosen from among them, 

 and that for one year. By his side stands the legislature, con- 

 sisting of a senate whose members are chosen for two weeks, 

 and the house of representatives, whose appointments have 

 force for only one week; so that all capable citizens can take 

 part in the legislative work. Every occupation class elects one 

 representative to twelve persons for the house, and also one for 

 the senate. The laws of the republic are those of the state of 

 New York, but amendments maybe made by the legislature and 

 the president. For every offense the citizens are brought to 

 account. If a complaint is laid, a session of the court is called 

 to be held in the evening. In simple police cases only the 

 accuser and the plaintiff appear before the judge, who alone 

 renders a decision; in more important instances, six jurymen 

 and several witnesses are called, and only in complicated cases 

 attorneys. Punishments are usually fines, work, and con- 

 finement. For repetition of an offense the punishment rises 

 progressively. In exceptional cases other means are employed. 

 For example, in the case of a girl on whom no punishment 

 made an impression, her hair was shorn. That worked won- 

 ders, so deeply did the child feel her honor touched. The in- 

 corrigible are excluded from the republic. Those who conduct 

 themselves exceptionally well under correction are admitted 

 earlier to freedom. The office of policeman is about the most 

 respectable and desirable in the republic. To attain it an ex- 

 amination is required. The policemen are paid out of the 

 taxes and are dressed in uniform. Each is responsible to the 

 police board, 9.nd, like every officer, loses his position at once 

 if he does not fill it conscientiously. He is severely pmiished 

 for overlooking an offense or permitting a prisoner to escape; 

 and a misuse of his power brings a penalty. The longer the 

 children remain in the republic, the less frequently, as a rule, 

 do they need correction. While in 1896, fourteen serious 



