The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-05-28

Hls report is made to the vicar of the
Bishop Of Urgel. but the Bishop is the rec
ognized Spanish ruler of Andorra.
The general council is composed of
tNenty-four embers, and these elect the
general syndic of the valley. Andorra is
divided into SIX parishes-Canillo, Eu-
camps, MaSSana, Ordino, San Julia aud
Andorra. Each parish is composed of a
village and hamlets, and each parish sends
four members TO the council. These depu-
ties must be natives of Andorra, must be
married, must be of sober habits, without
any physical infrmity, and must own a
certain amount of property. To be voter
in Andorra, one must be married and what
IS called cap de case. For example, man
may be rich, important, etc, but if he live
IN his fathers house his father alone votes.
The general council folds five meetn gs
IN the year-at Christmas, Easter, Whit
suntide, st. Andrews day and All Saints
day.
The syndic. officially called procurador-
general, is elected for life by this council,
ana second syndic is also elected to re-
place the other in case of illness or abb
sence The syndic is President of the
Republic of Andorra, the highest incarna-
ton of national representation. but al
though he has the official seal, although he
administers the public funds, although he
delivers passports. he gives advice, but does
not rule.
Ii the syndic wishes to decide grave
matter he must solicit authority from the
vig9ers. but these never interfere when
public order is not directly involved.
The NANTES and hats of syndic and
members OF the council are old and greasy,
because they are passed from one to an
other and descend from generation to gen.
Grafton. The national building is called
Casa de la Val (House of the Valley, and
for centuries all public business has been
tod in ~
which are opened by a key of immense
proportions The Casa de la Val is in a
position almost fortified, as on TWO sides it
is surrounded by rocks. The facade is
massive. and on one side there is small
tower surmounted by a cross. Its plas-
tered roof is hardly higher than that of
tne nelgh boring houses. and in reality its
DISTINGUISHING characteristics are shield
with the arms of Andorra over the en-
trance door and the flag of the republic in
three stripes-blue, yellow and red.
The council chamber is long and mar
row, the walls are whitewashed, and the
room is lighted by two small windows; at
one or the room chapel is concealed by
curtain. Here at the beginning of each
session the deputies listen to mass, for
WIZ the Andorrans religion walks hand in
hand with politics. and their respect for
religious observances might we'll be imi-
tated by other nations.
AS sucn session or the council lasts four
or i've days. the deputies find in the palace
all that Is necessary for their comfort.
mere are dormitOries, a dining room.
stables for their horses-all at the expense
Of the State. This is necessary. as each
deputy receives only SIS year. and tie
PRESIDENT himself Is allowed but SI6.
In Inc palace are preserved the tables of
the law = the Digest and the PoIitar-
handed down for centuries, and here is the
schooi for children. boys only, for girls re-
main IN ignorance. 1t Is the village priest
who teaches the boys to read in the
catechism. and when he has the time. to
write little. The people are intensely
ignorant; not more than 100 persons can
read, ana only few can speak French
IheIe Is not book written In the language
Oh the country, and those who learn to
read do so in Catalonian.
The tribunal or Corts that metes out ius-
lice TO criminals holds its session In the
room pr the palace used as school. The
Walls or thls room are ornamented with
irescos representing the passion. Behind
a baize-coyered table sit the Judge and two
vlgulers. Beside them are the two battles
ana Two rahon adores, or lawyers, whose
duty Is 10 see that all formalities have been
carried OUT. Before the accused was
brought H." says a friend who witnessed
one OF these trials. "a rahonadore ruse and
said:
"'The prison is near the church and the
church Is refuge. If the criminal crosses
the threshold of the holy place, we shall be
IN dlflculty; therefore ask that before he