Tensas gazette., 1915-07-30

practically no political rights. They
had nominal representation in the
chamber of &c out of $50 members.
though constituting four-fifths of the
population. These members were
not elected directly. but so peasants
voted for an elector, who, with his
colleagues and with the state-named
teachers and priests. chose the mem
bers of parliament.
Such a system resulted in much cor
ruption and in the preponderant con-
troll of elections by the government,
which often put up candidates in dis
tricts where these candidates were ut
terly unknown and elected them
through it's superiority of power.
The land owners controlled, and the
government was only a change from
faction to faction of land owners
with the peasant left out of any con.
sideration which was not charitably
bestowed upon him.
Little Change Since Revolution.
Such was the Roumanian peasantry
in and preceding 1907. What is ii
today? What did the revolution ac
complish? For what did $4,000 peas
ants lay down their lives?
The revolution did much to attract
the attention of intelligent Rouman
ians to the conditions. Two reforms
were soon afterward instituted. A
system of communal pasture lands
was introduced, and these had bene-
fetal effect in increasing the owner
ship of live stock among small peas
ants. which under the former system
was impossible. A law passed by
which districts were established in
which land owners. middlemen and
peasants fixed the minimum wage for
farm labor. The law has not been in
force long enough to show whether
it will be a success.
The conditions of labor are practi
cally as before. The housing is with
out improvement. The unequal dis
tribution of land is much as ever. IL
literacy is still very high. probably
about 80 per cent. though convincing
statistics are lacking. The holding oi
elementary schools for army recruits
is still necessary. but these schools
are rapidly reducing illiteracy among
young men.
The political system of 1907 is still
existent and the peasant still has M
proportional voice In his own affairs
~ N {
through the small representation thai
is allowed him. Roumania is gov
erned by and for the rich. even to
day.
Reforms Interrupted by War.
But one still has no right to impugr
Roumania's good will in this matter
The war interrupted reforms. as it has
interrupted much else. The weight!
machinery which amends the Rou
manian constitution had been set II
motion last year and a constitution
| al convention had been called, which
was to consider and draft an amend
ment permitting the government t.
confiscate and partition large estates
This needed legislation it has beer
necessary to postpone.
Reform of the electoral system alst
was intended. The present libera
government is pledged to carry ou
these reforms and can be counte'
upon to do 1t best when the war Il
over. But even these reforms dit
not include the giving of rights t
the Jew, who was destined to remail
without franchise and the permission
to own land.
Whether the participation Of Rou
mania in the war on behalf Of Rou
manians in Pennsylvania would b.
justifiable is an unfair question a
this time. States. no more than In
dividuals, can put 'the house in OF
der" always at the time and in tn
way they like.
1t may be that the self-consciousnes
which the nationalist movement ha
given to Roumania will spur her ol
to a worthy solution of internal prot
lens. Perhaps Roumania will emerg
from the war, whether she activel
participates or not, stronger. finel
more sober state, facing her dutie
with deeper sense of obligation.