Washington sentinel., 1899-12-30
IT., ~ SENTINEL
AImost UnIsnown RepnbIIos.

anything about them, yet each is a
little kingdom in itself, with Pres
ident and council to govern state
affairs and its own peculiar trials
and troubles to worry the people.
AS regards population, says a
writer in Tit Bats, the smallest re-
public in the world is that of Tavo-
lara, an island about FIVE miles
long, with an average width of
little more than halt a mile, situa-
ted about a dozen miles to the
northeast Of Sardinia. The total
population of the whole republic
does not exceed sixty, but they
elect a President every six years,
and a council OF six members, all
OF whom serve .he State without
pay. The women OF this island go
to the polls and vote with the men,
and ever since il became a rePub-
lie, in 1886, all public business has
been transacted without turmoil,
the elections taking place without
any high party feeling or undue
excitement.
In 1896 King Charles Albert Of
Sardinia granted the island Of
Tavolara TO a family OF the name
OF Bartoleoni, but N less than hall
a century the inhabitants threw of
the yoke of monarchy and took to
themselves the right 10 be gov
eIned by themselves. This little
war did not alarm the world, and
was quite a peaceful one. King
Paul l. reigned until 1852, and on
his death bed requested that none
OF his kin should succeed to the
throne, and as no one claimed the
honor, four wears later the people
decided to draw up a constitution,
and Tavolara has been a very sue
cesstul llt,le republic ever since.
Twelve years AGO its indepeud-
ence was recognized by Italy, and,
il is to be presumed, other powers
would have rec ognlzed it also If
they had known OF Its existence.
The inhabitants live principally by
fishing and raising fruits and veg
etables. They fear no sudden in
Yaslon, for tn y dispense with any
army or navy, and presumably IN
case Of need would rely upon the
entire population to uphold the
freedom Of the country.
Very few people have heard Of
the existence Of the republic OF
GOuSt, which is situated on the fiat
top of a mountain in the BIsses
Pyrenees, south OF France. 1t has
but an area OF one and a quarter
square miles, and a population Of
40; so that, as regards size, it can
fairy claim to be the smallest re.
public in the world. It's an older
republic than the United States,
having been in existence since
I648, and erjoys the distinction Of
being recognized by both Spain
and France.
The President is elected from an
elder college, consisting of twelve
peasants, who are chosen every
twelve years by the people. The
President is also tax collector, as
SCISSOR and judge. If, however, his
decisions are displeasing 10 the
people they appeal 30 the bishop
Of Laruns, m the Spanish parish
down the mountain side, and what
the bishop says IS law. Goust IS
certainly unique place, for 1t has
no church or clergyman, the peo-
pie worshippIng IN churches be-
yond the limits of their country.
Neither have they any burial
ground, and when a death occurs
among them the body is slid down
to a cemetery in the valley below
In this valley, too, all the baptisms
and marriages take place.
There is a perfectly organized
republic in the western part Of
North Carolina; but, although it is
practically independent Of both
State and National governments, 1t
has never been recognized by tor
eign powers, although its inde-
pendence is acknowledged bv the
American Government at Wash.
ington. This little republic is
known as the Qualla Reserve, the
home Of about 900 OF the CherO-
kee Indians. 1t consists Of tract
oi about eight square miles Of rich
valley land.
The President OF the little re-
public is elected every iour years,
and receives a salary Of $500 a
year. When at Washington. how
ever, on the republics business, he
receives S. a day extra. None but
a Cherokee OF more than IS years
of age is eligible for the position.
When the chief IS absent his duties
are performed ~ assistant chief, a
member OF the national council,
who receives a salary of S75o per
year.
The chiefs cabinet is made up
OF three secretaries and the council
Of Congress comprises two dele
gates from every 100 members of
the tribe. Although the chief E os-
sesses the veto power, he cannot
act in any matter oil public policy
without the consent VI the council.
the Republic OF San MarInO, IN
Central Italy, IS perhaps the besl
known Of these tiny republics. | S
territory covers a 'out thTty- three
square miles and the p pulatIOu
numbers about 3, 500 souls. The
miniature State was founded in the
fourth century by St. Marinus,
who, having embraced Christian.
ity, fed there 20 escape persecu-
tion under DlocIeuan The CAPT.