Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1894-04-19
PINHEAD REPUBLICS.
MOST OF THEM IN EUROPE OR ON
ISLANDS OF THE SEA.

| The Smallest In Area Is Little More Than
Square Mile. and the Smallest In Pom.
Iation Numbers Fiffy-fiye Souls-simpl.
Forms of Government.
When person speaks of small repub.
Mes, he is supposed to mean those OF
South America and Europe, which are
marked on every map and described in
very cyclopedia printed since they have
l'ecome republics. The fact is, the world
is spotted with small republics that are
never heard of, some so small that they
seem more like needle points than pin
heads. A few of them are known to the
most learned teachers of geography, but
the majority Of them would set the most
of these teachers task which would re-
qu1re more than y single days research.
These little republics are found on is
lands so diminutive that they are mark
ed only on navigators' charts and again
between and in the center OF kingdoms
In area they run from less than square
mile up to about 100. In population they
run from 90 people up to but little more
than that many hundreds They are all
republics in that they are governed by
the people, but their plans of government
show a great many novelties.
To Tavolara may be accorded the dis
tinction of being the smallest republic
in point Of population ON the face of the
globe It is situated on an island about
five miles long by fve-eighths of a mile
i'll width IS miles off the northeast coast
of Sardinia. Its population numbers
about 80 people. The principal occupa-
tion of the inhabitants is fishing, the
land being titled only enough to supply
the needs Of the islanders. The posses
sion and absolute sovereignty Of the is
land of Tavolara was formally granted
by King Charles Albert of Sardinia to
the Bartoleoni family in 1886, and for
more than half century Paul l, king
of Tavolara, reigned over it in peace.
On the 3Oth of May, 1882, King Paul
died Of heart disease, sitting in his chair,
like the Emperor Vespasian, vainly en-
>deayoring to write will His last words
were a request that none of his relatives
should succeed him on the throne of the
island and that its inhabitants be allow
ed to govern themselves None of the
relatives ever filed a claim, and on
March 27, 1885, the islanders held
mass meeting and decided to establish
republic. The matter was simple one
for them A constitution was drawn up
which gives, by the way, equal suffrage
to women and also provides for the elec-
ton of a president every six years. The
president receives no salary and is ad-
vised by council of six, the members of
which are elected by the people. There
is no pay and no perquisites attached to
any of the offices. The Independence of
Tavolara was formally recognized by
Italy in 1887, but there is nothing ON
the records which shows any other coun-
try having taken notice of it.
If we were Judging the countries by
their area, then to Goust must be award
ed the honors. But while its area is not
one-third as great as that of Tavolara
its population is over twice as much, the
total number of inhabitants being about
130. Goust is situated on the fiat top of |
a mountain in the Lower Pyrennes and |
an area of but fraction over |
mile. The republic has existed since |
1913 and is recognized as an independent |
state by both France and Spain. The
government is vested in a council, con-
sisting of II members, who serve seven
years.
This council elects from its number
one who discharges the duties of chief I
executive. He acts as tax collector, as
,essor, judge, ETC., but from all his acts
here is an appeal to the bishop of La
-uns in the valley below Other than
.hese there are no officers, not even
/ clergyman. Neither is there ceme-
cry or any public institution whatever
The pass which leads to the adjacent
spanish parish of Laruns is so steep that
he carrying of heavy burdens is an i'm
possibility. The inhabitants of this tiny
republic have built chute,
therefore,, down which they slide heavy
lrticles and the bodies of their dead to
he cemetery far below. Indeed the good
inhabitants of Goust are baptized, mar
led and buried in the nearby Ossan
ALLEY. Since the seventeenth century
he population has varied but little, am
'ition and desire to see the world call
ng the more venturesome from this re-
'ublic in the clouds. The inhabitants
re long lived and robust, are shepherds
nd weavers of cloth and seem entirely
ontented with their lot, having little
either for riches or power.
heir language is quaint mixture of
'rench and Catalonian Spanish.
Another republic of dwarf proportions
J that Of Franceville, an island in the
lew Hebrides group, situated east of
australia and short distance north of
lew Caledonia 1t contains an area of
ONE S5 miles, and its population con-
lists Of about 40 whites and 500 natives.
he island was formerly a colony of
rance, but its independence was guar
nteed it in 1879. Its government con-
ists Of a president and advisory council
eight, chosen by the people. The
resident, who is at present Mr.. R.
}. Polk, native of this country, is ap-
ointed judge, from whose decisions
here is no appeal. Equal suffrage is ex-
ended to all. White or black, male or
smale, may vote, but only the white
lale may hold Office. The island repub-
C is in prosperous condition and car
les on good trade with France. st.
ouis Globe Democrat
Solicitude.
What it is to be a genuine single ,
minded egotist is illustrated in recent
'rench volume by story of Nine. du s
,effant, celebrity of the last century. /
fme du Deffant WAS oraat invalid | ,