Durango semi-weekly herald., 1901-08-22

Dest cltiZenS. Large NUMBERS OF tne
young men and young women have
gone to Wisconsin, Iowa and Mime
sofa. SO that there is a peculiar per
sonal interest among the people for
every American they meet.
There is a continuous struggle with
nature here. The Norwegian farm
er lives a laborious life, but l have
always noticed that the value of all
things increases with the labor that
is necessary to attain them. We all
place too low an estimate on what
is given away. In Norway no luxuri-
Gus farms are found like those upon
the western prairies of the United
States: no broad acres of wheat and
corn. 1t is only here and there. be-
tween the rocky peaks and the pine
forests that one can find a spot big
enough to furnish subsistence for n
family. and that Is wrenched By hard
labor from reluctant soil 1t is
from his cows and sheep, his pigs and
goats. from his fishing and his la
Dor in the lumber camps that the Nor
weigan farmer gets his profit. rather
than from the soil. 1t is no wonder.
therefore. that the young men of his
family reach out eagerly to the Amer
lean prairies. although they love no
less those narrow valleys. walled in
by precipices and hidden by forests.
The largest migration always takes
place in the spring. and good Friday
is the favorite sailing day.
Notwithstanding the large emigra-
ton of young people, for whom the
home farms are too small it is appar
ent that the development of Nor
way is continually progressing
along the highest lines and that the
tendency of its people is upward so
cially and industrially, in culture and
in wealth. The population of the
kingdom not only holds its own, but
shows slight increase, which seems
remarkable because of the constant
drain of young able-bodied men and
women who have removed to our
western states. In all public move
ments, in all social. intellectual and
commercial activities, in art, science
and literature, in wealth and pros
perity. Norway stands abreast of the
most advanced nations In Europe; but
its progress is not won without great
er effort than any other people put
forth and the application of thrift and
industry elsewhere unknown, but all
of which is required in climate so
bleak and inhospitable and by a soil
so wild and rocky. None but race
like the Norsemen could have kept a
foothold here, but, as | have suggest
nI thic tan OF NJ N
ture has been the strongest factor
in framing the character of the Nor
wegian. The freezing seas that beat
upon his rock-bound coast, the heavy
SHOWS that fill the valleys between the
mountain ranges of the interior, and
he long, cold winters that leave him
but few months of light and sun
shine, are the elements that have de
veloped the men and women that have
made this country great and have con
tributed so much to the greatness and
prosperity of our own.
The people are assisted III a gener-
Gus maner by the state in many lines
of industry; particularly the fishermen
and the farmers. The agricultural
interests are in charge of member
of the ministry, who has an independ-
ent department, aud staff of spe
cialists in agriculture horticulture as
well as dairy farming. There is an
agricultural college and an expert
mental farm near Christiania at
which those who choose can obtain IA
borough education in all the branches
of agricultural science. There are
ra. Go,
and veterinary surgeons, and the
Royal Society for Norway's Welfare"
which is an organization of liberal and
patriotic men. is always working for
The benefit of those who earn their
living from the soil.
At the same time every citizen is
expected to pay his share towards the
support of the government. One of
the chief sources OF the public reve-
nue. is an income tax imposed upon
every wage.earner as well as every
capitalist. The tax is levied by pro-
gression from to per cent. In
comes less than 81 900 pay 2 per cent;
between 81 900 and $1,000 3 per cent;
between $1,000 and $4,000 A per cent,
and from $4,000 upwards per cent.
Sociologists divide the people of
Norway into four classes:
y. Wage earners whose incomes
are 700 kroner or less Ga krone is
worth 26 cents). The compromise 81
per cent of the population, pay so per
cent of the taxes, and consist of work
ing men, farm laborers and house
hold servants.
2. The second class is composed OF
farmers, mechanics, clerks. book
Keepers. foremen. small tradesmen
and others whose incomes are between
700 and 1000 kroner. They consti-
tute II per cent of the population,
and pay ~ per cent of the taxes.
3. Tradesmen, professional men
small manufacturers, large farmers
and others whose incomes are be
tween 5000 and 10000 kroner. This
| class constitutes 1.3 per cent of the
population and pay IL per event of the
taxes.
I