The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1899-12-30

The South African Republic" said Mr..
Jackson to the HERALD reporter, "is made
up principally of the Beers OF course, Of
late years, there has been great influx Of all
nationalties, principally English speaking
people. into the country, creating a very
mixed population. The principal farmers in
Cape Colony in the Orange Free State and in
the South African Republic are the Beers, OF
Dutchmen, as we call them They restrict
themselves principally to farming In the
present generation, however there are many
of the farmers sons who have taken advant-
age of the improved facilities for education
aud they have become some of our brightest
lights. They have proved intelligent and
apt pupils and have taken up branches IN
various professions, such as law. medicine,
civil engineering etc. and many have proved
themselves remarkably smart. This has been
within the past twenty-five years. But, AS
whole. the Beers are not progressive. They
prefer an easy going method of existence and
appear to be perfectly satisfied if they can
produce enough to meet the necessities of
life. They are a very hospitable people and
visitors to their farms are almost always re-
ceived cordially. OF course, you will occasion
ally meet with men of other disposition, as
you will in all parts of the world, but as
whole, they are generous and hospitable. In
social sense they are If a very retiring
and modest nature. We business Uen
meet them frequently aud have very
pleasant chats. but social calls are
seldom, if ever, exchanged The Boer
will drive in from his farm to the
city, hitch his team to a post in front of a
store, enter the place and proceed to pur-
chase the goods he desires. He generally
carries a list of what he wants which he has
prepared before leaving home. While the
goods are being put up he will seat h mself in
the store, fill his pipe and converse freely
and cheerfuly on current topics When his
order IS filled he will place the goods on his
wagon and start back for the farm. That is
about all we see Of the BOer.
The people are rather inclined to idleness
than industry, but they consider themselves
hardworking people. To people who come
from a country characterized by energy and
progress this claim appears fallacy. OF
late years, however, the Beers have been
| taking more interest in education than they
had in the preceding years, and they are
making great strides in that direction.
The government of the Beers is in peculiar
contrast to the eXgeucies of the country. Ii
is young government and unequal to the
requirements created by the great influx of a
varied population. In other words there has
not been a corresponding advance in the
system of the government with the great
increase of population and the great and
steady Developments and progress OF the Re
public This is not the fault of the Beers,
but their misfortune. The influx of resi-
dents has been too sudden and great for
them Their form of government is primi-
tive and their officials lack the training and
capacity to cope with the demands of the
times They think they are doing all right,
and no doubt are, so far as their own limited
sphere is concerned, but their form of gov
ernment affords neither justice or equity to