Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1891-01-22
EUR0PE'S TINY REPUBLICS.
Andorra ank San Marine, and How They
Are Ruled.
From the New York Star.

From the New York Star.
Until France adopted her present
form Of government, modern European
republics were nearly all tiny bits of
territory that seemed hardly worth
monarch's conquest. In all cases, too,
they have been mountainous lands.
Indeed, IN several instances they have
been little more than mountain or
range of mountains. SWitzerland's
centuries of republican freedom are
known to all the world, and this little
country is the largest Of the mount ain
republics in which Liberty has long
made her home. Two others there are
of which the world knows little, and
perhaps cares less. How many men,
ten years out of school, can give the
geographical position of Andorra or of
San Marine? A word as to these tiny
republics.
it7was a German princeling that is
said to have declined a gift of a long
range rifle cannon, upon the ground
that there was not room in his princi-
pality to give the weapon fair trial.
Thackeray is never tired of poking fun
at the Prince of Pumpernickel, and the
diminative army of one German poten-
tate has long been the theme of scorn-
full jest. Small territories and scant
revenues have made even some of the
more conspicuous German princely
houses famous for simplicity and econ
on1y. But it must be a small principal
ity, indeed, that is smaller in area Or
population than the Republic of An
dora.
This tiny state lies on the south side
Province of Lerida and the French De-
partments of Arlege It's area is 100
square miles, not very much more than
that of Philadelphia. Its population is
1000. The people are mostly busted in
smuggling, mining and the manufacture
of tobacco Those thus not employed
are shepherds. The people speak a
Spanish dialect. The republic is sur
vival of many such once hourishing in
the valleys of the Pyrenees. It has
maintained it's independence since the
year 1875. The country is divided into
six parishes, and each parish has two
consuls, who, by the aid of local coun-
ellis, decide all questions concerning
and the division of pasture lands. Final
ly, there is a general council Of twenty
four members, four from each parish.
Since 1860 these officers have been.
elected by all heads Of families. Before
that the elective franchise was confined
to an aristocracy maintained by primo
geniture.>
The army Of Andorra consists of 600
men under militia organization. These
men hold themselves ready to be called
out at the wish of the state. The COM
mand of the militia is intrusted chiefly
to two officers, one nominated by France
and the other by the Bishop OF Crgel,
Spanish See. The army is exempt from
f,r chief
Of the two officers, or vigniers, as they
are called, is to administer criminal
Justice. Civil cases are tried before two
aldermen, deputies Of the vlgnlers. A
civil Judge Of appeal, however, may set
aside the Judgment of the aldermen.
This Judge is nominated alternately by
France and by the bishop of Urgel.
The final appeal is to: the court of cas-
satioh at Paris, or to the Episcopal Col
lege at Urgel
The little republic pays an annual
tribute of 960f to France, and in con-
sideration of this payment free trade
prevails between the two countries. A
like sum is paid as tribute to the Bishop
Of Urgel This tribute and the ex-
penses of eminent are paid by a
species of tax levied as rent for the use
of pasture land. The people live the
simplest sort of lives, and are scarcely
conscious of any government beyond
the neighborlv understanding necessary
to the existence of a civilized commune
tv. Andorra, the capital, is an odd lit
tie town Of 900 inhabitants.
Far smaller than Andorra is that
other mountain republic, San Marine:
1t lies upon the Adriatlc. surrounded
by Italian provinces. The area Of the
country is only thirty three square
o,,I in fapf "a ranI1 bIir iS mora
ly one mountain peak, 200 feet high.
On the sides of this mountain stand the
town of San Marino and four or five
villages besides. The town is built
about the ancient hermitage of San
Marino, founded in the year AL. The
place is accessible by only one road,
and is not only walled, but has three
forts. Itcontains the governors palace,
six churches, a theater and two great
cisterns for the supply of water. Moth
ing could be more curious than the re-
public's system of government. The
Legislature consists of a Senate Of sixty
members. elected for life, equally from
mobiles, citizens and peasants. The
little republic is amply provided with
presidents There are two chosen
every six months. There are likewise
two Judges and two secretaries of state
The army consists of $50 men, or about
one-eighth of the entire population.
The town has a population of 1900.
The court of last resort is council OF
twelve, elected by the Senate.
The town, or capital, is curious in
more WAYS than one. Not only does it
lie impregnable on the hillside, but it
proudly proclaims it's independence by
means Of statue of Liberty in the pr
azza The houses are of dressed