Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 309, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 4 January 1918 — A Parliament of Seven [ARTICLE]

A Parliament of Seven

Excelling even the Scottish St Kilda in loneliness is Pitcairn Island, a British possession in the Pacific, almost midway between Australia and South America. About two square miles in area, the island has a population of 169; including three Americans. The people are half-castes of Tahitian blood, but English is the only language spoken." A parliament consisting of seven members, and boasting a president a vice president and a judge, conducts the affairs of the community. All persons above the age of eighteen can vote, and voting is done verbally. The natives are great music layers, and take much pride in an organ presented to them by Queen Victoria. Sometimes a year passes without the arrival of a mail. It once happened that only two vessels called there during a period of 25 years.