The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1894-04-24
SMALL REPUBLICS.
Countries with Limited Area sad Few
Inhahlennta


San Marine is an italian republic stu
eted In the eastern spurs Of the Apennines,
and occupying an area Of about 38 square
miles. An interesting feature of san Ma
rine IL that 10y an act of the great council
no printing press is allowed within its
limits, and any matter printed in the coun-
try Is liable to confiscation and the pub
Usher TO be sent TO prison. IL Is the only
country on the face Of the globe with such
a law. The inhabitants number about
$500, and their cheese and wine are prob
ably known 10 many newspaper readers.
The city of San Marine can be reached
from Pisaro- Urbino by good carriage
road and would well repay any one for
the visit. 1t numbers about ! 700 inhab-
itants and is a quaint old place, having
changed little, If any, since the time Of
Columbus IL preserves all Of it's old Gus
toms intact, and the dress OF the people
even is the same as IL was three centuries
ago 1t can truthfully be said that this is
ono spot upon which the busy, modern
world has not intruded itself The streets
are steep and narrow, and the houses tall
and gloomy, built of undressed stone, but
decidedly picturesque in appearance for
all that In the principal square Of the
city, called Prancllo, stands a magnificent
white marble statue Of liberty, presented
20 the city by the Duchess of Acquania In
1874. In the city of San Marine no bust
ness Of any kind is allowed to be carried
on, aud all of the shops are to be found at
Borgo Ill san Marine, a busy village about
two miles away.
The republic is governed by great
council of 60 members who aro elected for
life. From this body Is elected a council
OF IL, who decide In the third and last re-
sort. Tho executive department Is repro
scented by two captains regent, one elected
Ivy abe people and the other appointed from
tho nobility by the council Of IL. They
have IA cabinet consisting of homo score
tary, a minister Of foreign affairs and
chancellor of the exchequcr. An army OF
800 men Is maintained, who, however, are
mostly employed on police duty. San
Marine dates its existence a. a community
from ssa, and its independence as a repub-
lie from 1881 Napoleon Ill protected IL
from papal interference In 4 54, and az the
uniflcation Of Italy it was allowed to retain
it, independence, through the efforts Of
one Cehrario Andorrc or Andorra as
IL Is comomnly called, Is another Euro
pcan republic, trine larger In point Of
population than san Marine, and nearly six
times as large in AREA. II Is situated in
an almost inaccessible valley Of the east
ern Pypnecs, between the French depart
ment Of Anege and Caladorra, In Spain.
The country Is crossed by the river Bolira,
which affords an entrance from France,
the only other entrance being a prccipi-
tous mule path from Spain. Tho Andor-
rians arr fine, robust people, whose prin-
cipal occupation consists Of fruit culture
and mining, the mountains surrounding
Andorre containing some Of the finest iron
Bnd lead deposits In tho world Andorra,
the capital Of the republic. Is situated on
the river Balua and contains about z, 200
inhabitants II was formerly quaint old
city. but the progressive inhabitants in
their desire 20 keep pace with the balance
Of the world have torn down many Of its
old buildings, and the town as well as tho
country Is rapidly losing is Individuality
Tho republic Is governed 10y a. sovereign
council 81 80 members chosen by the peo-
pie, and the council clccts one OF its mem
liers to ~ syndic for life, who exercises tho
chief executive power While Andorre col
lests its own taxes and elects It's own ON
cors, France maintains a sort ~ protector
ate over tho country and Insists on the
payment 81 $50 france annually for the
frso importation Of corn into the country
Aproduct tho Andorrians cannot raise and