The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1907-11-07
*Sparta's Unique
Constitution.

Sparta as it is today, the currency was
reformed so decisively that money be-
came burden. Lycurgus had all the
gold and silver recalled and issued
coin made Of iron. It was so heavy
and worthless that it required a yoke
of oxen to haul twenty pounds of it.
This coin was the means of abolishing
many forms of vice and dishonesty, |
for it was 80 cumbersome that, If man /
did steal any of it, he found it impossi-
BILE to carry it away. The people soon
ceased to have an attraction for money,
and with its decline went many of the
luxuries so dear to the hearts of the
well-to-do and the arist0crats. Art
was declared unnecessary. Even in
the senate all pictures and decorations
were. removed, as Lycurgus claimed
that such things attracted the attention
of the lawmakers and untitled them
for the arduous duties of statecraft.
As gold and silver ceased to exist, there
was no further demand for jewelry,
ornaments, etc., the people as whole,
as far as OstentatiOn was concerned,
were on common plane. Commerce
between Sparta and other countries
was suddenly interrupted, for no one
was willing to accept debased COIN
age for valuable merchandise. This
was forseen by Lycurgus; he hoped to
bring about the very result that tram
spired, and was contented at the sue
cessful turn of events.
Not satisfied with the social equality
that the reformed currency ushered H.,
the great lawgiver proceeded unswerv-
ingly to still further reduce the people
to a common level. He established
public eating houses at which the rich
and poor received the same fare. This
ordinance, as was to be expected, in
furiated the rich. They were used to
living on all the luxuries that money
could buy, and were loath to. discharge
their well-trained cooks. They almost
killed their courageous lawmaker for
instituting this measure, but it prevailed
and the trusting SpartaDs accepted the
inevitable. Each contributed his share
toward the maintenance of these pub
lic-eating places. At these places the
Spartans discussed affairs of state, in
tertained each other, and practiced
whatour modern philosophers call the
brotherhood of man. Instead of &C.
cumulafing wealth and property and
an iuordinate amount of selfishness
their sole thought was to promote the
interests of all; the government 6rst
and then the individual. Collectivism
and not individualism, was the under
lying and central idea that Lycurgus
took exceptional pains to promote. All
forms of luxury was discountenanced
even the homes were devoid of orna.
mentation and everything that ap.
preached ease and comfort.
i This radical change went q long ways
. toward obllterating envy and covstous
ness. Each had what the other pos
sessed, and each had the same kind o1
/ broth. No one looked down upor
, another because he owned more
commodious mansion, possessed mor'
> land, and wore better clothes and costl!
. jewelry. In fact, even the king Of
> Sparta lived as humbly as his subjects
t 1t is related that, many years afte
T Lycurgus' laws were put into operation
This constitution lasted about five hun
Q dred years. one of the kings of Spart;
> visited neighboring kingdom. HI
2 was assigned to a room c0ntainin,
: many beautiful designs in wood carv
4 ing. His astonishment was great as b
: looked about and observed the mag
o nificent works of art. Turning to hi
9 host the amazed king of Sparta in
2 quired If such wonderful trees grew il
n that country This story seems absurd
but no doubt it is true. Alcibiadel
!. the famous Athenian and who had tn
o reputation of being great wag, ono
!. said in speaking OF the Spartans: an
9 man dares expectorate further tina
{ his neighbor for fear of arousing hi
s envy
Lycurgus advised the people to liv