The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1881-02-03
A Plgmy RenublIc.

The Republic of Andorra rauks only
second to Monaco among the small indie
pendent States of the world, and it very
rarely enjoys the luxury of q popular
revolution. II has several political fnc.
ti0ns, however, and the more advanced
of these thought that gaming table
would be IL sure source of wealth to the
Republic. The conservatives held that
Its character was more important than
its wealth, and bitter fight ensued. II
seems that the independence of Audorra
dates from the time Louis the Mild, son
OF Charlenngne, who, 10 reward its in-
habitants for helping him to capture
U!rgel, granted them Magma Charta,
which is still preserved in their archives.
According TO this charta they were
entitled to an autonomous government.
and though after the death Of his father
and accession TO the throne he made over
part of his suzerain rights to the bishop
Of Urgel. he retained one-half of the
tithes, which, up to q very recent date,
.Tere still known as the "Carlovingian
tax" Sine, that time the republic of
Andorra has scarcely undergone a single
change, and the only attempt to inter
vehe i'll its internal affairs was when
Henry W., then Count de Folk, forbade
the establishment Of the Inouisition
there. Ii clericalism was in favor among
the Andorrans 800 years ago, ihe ideas Of
their defendants have undergone COM
plete change, fpr in 1912 popular reyo.
luton led 10 the abolition Of the tithe
and of all taxes for ecclesiastical purpo-
ses. The republic is governed by q gen.
eral council, composed of twenty-four
councillors or consuls, twelve of whom
retire by rotation every year. All pub
lie functions nre gratIitous, and no ono
man can hole an official post unless he is
native of Andorra. The Syndic or
Procnrator General is appointed for life by
the council, and the two viguiers, whose
nomination is subject to the sanction of
France and Spain, are coequal with the
syndic in all that relates 70 the admins.
irai,on ofjnstice. The yiguers have COM
nland Of the armed force, which consists
OF all the able-bodied men in the "yal-
leys anf. sovereignties of Andorra," as
the little Republic styles itself in all
State documents. Andorra, however, is
to q great extent subject TO Spain,
for the Spanish gendarmes often
pursue criminals within its limits.
the real independence Of the inhabitants
consisting in their freedom from taxa.
ton, the military conscriptiop, and Gus
toms dues.
There are few more curious specta.
cles than that which is to be witnessed
Mt Andorra when its council meets. The
lwenty-four Councillors wear knee
breechcs ofgray cloth. with waistband
and wastcoat Of red wool, black ailk
cravat, woolen stockings Of light blue
shade, and shoes with silver buckles, a
long, mantle (balandron) of black cloth,
lined with crimson, and u red cooked
hat. The viguiers arc al .ycd in black
velvet, and they alone, as dispensers of
Justice and commanders OF the forces,
are entitled to wear sword Andorra
itself, with its narrow and tortuous
streets, and its ill-built houses, is moth.
ing better than dilapidated village,
but it contains handsome church. and
the building in which tie Councillors
meet, with the arms of Andorra and the
inscription "Dnmus concilli. sedes
justie," is remarkable as being Of the
Oldest places of architecture in Europe.