Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1916-07-27
HEAD OF REPUBLIC
GETS $40 YEARLY
PRESIDENT OF ANDoRRA, FARM
Err, EARNS HIS LIVING BY
TILLING SOIL
Capital Of Country Has 500 People;
Neutrality Stand Announced

"The strangest Republic in the
world" Is what writer in the New
York Sun calls Andorra, which has
5000 inhabitants, and which lies in
the Pyrenees, between France and
Spain. 1t is about eighteen miles wido
and sixteen miles long, from north to
south, and it is so difficult of access
that no railroad runs near it.
The early history of this small
country is unknown. In 1906 Louis
the Debonair laid siege to a city sit
uated to the south of Andorra and
the Andorrans, under Marc Almu.
gayer, aided the French. AS a re-
ward a charter was given them and
they were allowed to work out their
own destiny unmolested by their more
powerful neighbors.
The age of the country as a repub-
lie is thus fixed at LILO years. 1t is
seldom visited by travellers, but those
who have been there say that, as far
as appearances are concerned, there
is nothing to indicate that the customs
Of the people have ever changed. 1t
Is republic which has never achiev-
ed anything in its long and vague his
tory; republic which has never pro-
duced a page Of literature, nor a bar
of music, nor painting; a republic
which has never had a place in the
councils OF Europe and has never ask
ed for one; nation which has never
produced an ambitious man.
The form of government is unique.
There is no nobility, and there are no
class distinctions, legal or other. Tho
president of the country is q farmer
who depends on his own labor for his
living. Every four years the people
elect twenty four representatives,
whose business it is to govern the
country whenever there is any govern
sng to be done. These representa-
tives choose one of their number for
president. His salary is so pesotas a
year, or about SO. Representatives
get $3.50 year.
Although as a rule the people are
honest, and theft is practically un-
known, there is a disposition on the
part of the poorly paid government Of
ficials to take advantage of the nu-
merous opportunities for graft. In.
deed, very unscrupulous representa-
tive sometimes acquires $3.50 through
a single years grating, thus doubling
his income. The school system is reg
Hlated by the French, and French Is
taught in the schools, but the people
speak their own language, Andorran.
The total cost OF the national school
system is $3.50 a year, which Andorra
lays to the French government.
The capital is Andorra la Viena,
with a population of 500, a city in
which is located the house of repre-
sentatiyes. which is also used for
school hoase, jail, town hail. court
house and hotel. There are no police,
every citizen having the right to ar
rest. Aside from farming the main
occupation of the Andorrans Is
smuggling, which is not regarded as
crime, though the French and Span
ish governments think differently.
Owing to tho mountainous nature
of the country there are very few
prosperous farms, but since the for
ests have been cut away there is
much land suitable for grazing The
only roads are bride paths. One
main highway leads from Andorra
to the high road to SEQ de Urgel.
The main characteristic of the peo
pie, aside from their dense ignorance,
Is their lack of ambition. They refuse
to use tools which were not used by
their ancestors and they have No idea
cf what is commonly called progress
A man who tries to get ahead Is look
ed upon as mentally unbalanced. One
native, who had Travelled in France,
undertook to attract visitors to Andor-
ra by opening hotel near fine
spring. but he could get no assistance
for the people do not welcome visl'