California Boys State - Yearbook (Sacramento, CA)

Page 10 text:

THE AMERICANISM PROGRAM In addition to the operation of the school of practical government where the boys learn by doing, the schedule includes an Ameri- canism program. The boys are taught that love of our coun- try and respect for its flag are an integral part of the duty of all citizens. For many years P. A. Dick Horton presented a pageant of the history of the flag. Recently the program has been under the direction of Willard Wilt. ; 5 ? ' THE PRE-WAR YEARS Year Bovs Governor 1937 254 Tom Howard 1938 389 Ralph Miller 1939 Jack Maiben 1940 829 John Cleary 1941 699 Wells DeLoach Party Sponsoring Post Lieut. Gov. Whig Sunnyside, San Francisco ? Dinuba Wm . Ulyate Nationalist Montebello Dave Hurford Independent Whig Geo. Washington San Francisco Santa Maria Don Hitchcock Victor Hancock The Third Inaugural C. A. Yank Harelson, Chairman of the Boys State Committee at the mike. Seated behind table are Governor Jack Maiben, Department Commander Doc Walters and Judge Jolm Pullen. State, county, and city officials in background witli local legion- naires. Jack Maiben Takes Oath With Jim Howie looking on Justice John Pullen administers oatli of office to Jack Maiben

Page 9 text:

RALPH MILLER taking oath of office as 2nd gover- nor of Boys ' State. Justice John PuUen is administering oath while Governor Frank E. Merriam looks on. DEPARTMENT COMMANDER RECOMMENDS BOYS STATE AS A LEGION ACTIVITY IN CALIFORNIA In his Pepoit to the 1937 Convention Commander Thomas J. Riordan stated: Your Commander investigated the feasibility of conducting the first California Boys State, which action you instructed the Commission to t ake, and found that such a venture was very practical and certainly essential to the welfare of the youth of California, Briefly, we are pleased to report that the Boys State in this first attempt was a successful program. The Comman- der feels safe in saying beyond question The California Boys State program enlarged and improved will be the most practical program that the American Legion can sponsor as a subsequent year activity. FIRST GOVERNOR, TOM HOWARD, ADDRESSES AMERICAN LEGION CONVENTION From Summary of Procedings of 1937 American Legion Convention: Chairman Bert Mann of the Americanism Commission made his report to the convention. — He introduced Tom Howard of San Francisco, Tom appeared to be no more than 16 years of age. His poise and delivery were outstanding. He stated in part: 1 not only discovered a reality of purpose of the American Legion, but I also found our that this Legion is in a class by itself, in that it aloue, out of the hundreds of other organizations , bends its efforts toward the betterment of youth through such pro- grams as this Boys State- - - I am proud to be the first governor of California Boys State, and as such I earnestly ask you to give California youth a lift and to continue this program, Bert Mann made a plea for the continuation of the Boys State program — the practica- bility of the program is well established and it is the most unselfish program in which the Americanism Commission ever engaged. GOVERNOR ' S COUNCIL Governor Ralph Miller and other constitutional offi- cers with 23 appointees to the Governor ' s Council. This 1938 session brought 389 boys, an increase from 254 in 1937, ijkLIHl

Page 11 text:

Boys State Staff - 1940 Legionnaires acted as Senior Counselors and Coordinators. Most of the Junior Counselors were Law College students. In 1940 Boys State consisted of 20 cities and 5 counties. QUALITY RATHER THAN QUANTITY An Important Decision Many Legionnaires were so enthusiastic about the success of Boys State that they wanted to ex- tend the benefits of the program to as many boys as possible. It was also good publicity for the Legion. Those closest to the operation of this youth movement recom- mended that a limit be placed on the number of boys allowed to attend. The reasons for the limitation were the long lines wait- ing for registration, chow, admission to buildings, etc, , also the limited capacity of meeting halls, the extra personnel prob- lems, discipline cases, and especially as a health precaution. Jim Howie, Chairman in 1940, had the scare of his life when three cases of scarlet fever and two cases of mumps brolce out. Activities were curtailed and all boys were rushed home as the City Health authorities threatened to quarantine Boys State. Howie wished for a limit of 600. In 1942 and again in 1946 a limit of 500 was recommended. Governor John Cleary speaking at the 1940 Inaugural Ceremony Lt. -Gov. Don Hitchcock and Gov. Cleary with other constitutional officers John Cleary of San Francisco conducted a suc- cessful campaign for Governor as an Independ- ent. Through some misunderstanding he failed to qualify for the Primary Election of his party so he ran as an Independent and obtained more votes than his two opponents combined. John Scott of Whittier was the Whig candidate and Robert Gross of Fresno ran on the Federalist ticket.