Tor-tu.
After I had finished my interesting tour of Stazza I visited in quick
succession a score or more of worlds that also revolve around Polaris at
varying distances. I found the majority of these planets barren of all
life, owing principally to their molten condition.
Some unthinkable types of human existence are occupying the worlds that
can be inhabited. I marveled aloud as I viewed a few more links of the
endless chain of intelligent creation. On one of these worlds, which I
have christened Tor-tu, I found human beings that resemble us more than
any others in the entire solar bounds of Polaris.
Tor-tu dashes along in its unceasing course at a distance of eight
hundred millions of miles from Polaris. It is much larger than our
world, and is accompanied by three moons and a set of rings which
faintly suggested our picturesque Saturn.
The poles of Tor-tu are inclined at an angle of thirty-three degrees to
the plane of its orbit. This accounts for its temperature being quite
similar to ours, although its year is eight times longer.
When I first reached this world I was impressed with its wealth of
natural scenery. Flowers of charming texture and color grew abundantly
over the wide expanses. The cultivated gardens contained specimens of
unusual beauty, surpassing the finest products of our Earth.
When I examined the leaves of the many kinds of trees, I found none
similar to the foliage of our planet, except in one or two fruit-bearing
trees. The sky, instead of appearing blue, wears a greenish tinge, and
the birds are robed in a variety of colors that would put to naught our
arching rainbows.
In fine, it must be admitted that Tor-tu is a much more beautiful world
than ours. I saw colors there that we could not produce because we have
not the proper elements.
This delightful world is densely populated. Its history is much older
than ours. Sin is firmly rooted in the whole planet and its curse is
just as blighting and withering as it is in our world, although it is
fought more successfully and overcome more effectually in the home and
in the nation.
I observed that the ecclesiastical system is similar to ours, and there
is a great profusion of creeds. To my surprise I noted, in my long
journey, that such a variety did not interfere with true progress, but
was compatible with the purest kind of life and the highest order of
civilization. The people are deeply devoted to their unseen God, and
their sacrifices are astonishing. Their places of worship are the finest
structures of the world. They believe it to be wrong to construct any
building greater in beauty and value than the temples of God. Their
music would sound quite weird to us, although it is sweet harmony to the
people of Tor-tu.
The home life of Tor-tu is most beautiful. The moral life of the home
and of the nations is the cleanest of any world in the whole system of
Polaris. Naturally I investigated to learn the secret of this happy
condition. Then I found to my joy that the relation between parents and
children is very noteworthy. The fine respect manifested by the latter
for the former evoked the blush of shame as I thought of the prevailing
conditions in my own world.
You may think it absurd when I describe a certain system that was a
stepping stone to such splendid results. Were this peculiar system to be
named, we should likely call it: "The Human Seal System."
Each person born into the world of Tor-tu is officially sealed or
tattooed on the forehead and on the arm. It is done by the township
book-keeper, whose duty it is to keep a correct record of all births,
devoting a new ledger page to each infant.
This seal is a life-long mark, and must not be interfered with under any
circumstances. In case the stamp is disturbed by accident, the person
must report to the township book-keeper either in person or by proxy,
and the stamp must be replaced on some conspicuous part of the head.
There are eighteen governments of Tor-tu that united on this scheme. It
is so arranged that no two persons of all these millions have identical
marks. Each government has its seal of different designs from all the
others.
Circles, ellipses and rectangles, with various modifications, compose
the eighteen forms in use. The most powerful of the eighteen governments
has for its seal the following design, which I have filled out as
completely as I could, using our own figures instead of their numerals
which would, of course, be unintelligible to us.
[Illustration: Tor-tu seal]
This is the actual size of the design as it appears on the forehead.
13 represents the number of the state.
21 represents the number of the county.
10 represents the number of the township.
12 represents the color of the person.
352, in the center, represents the individual's number.
This same mark is the individual's signature for life. It cannot be
changed, although the person is allowed to have a metallic or rubber cut
of his own design, provided he writes the individual number by hand, for
any one else doing this would be a forger.
The township clerk is also the collector of the public funds. To him
each person born in that township is compelled to render an annual
report of his residence, occupation, and certain other facts relating to
his life in general.
If any minor or adult commits a criminal act upon which the civil court
has passed, this finding is recorded in the township record on the
individual's page and, when the criminal has served his sentence, this
fact is also recorded. This is a severe law for the criminal, but it is
a great stimulus to a law-abiding career.
It is also customary for public courts to confer on worthy persons
special marks of honor for extraordinary deeds or acts. A record of such
rendering is also kept.
In presenting annual reports to the clerk each father reports for his
minor children. This puts the father on a rightful plane of dignity
before his children, and the parent who makes a wise use of these
provisions can and does reach far better results than can otherwise be
done.
No child can run away from home without falling into much more trouble
then he imagined he had before. At once his seal number is sent to all
the countries and into every sub-division. Any one aiding or abetting
such a person is severely punished. When the runaway is captured, the
system of reprimand is of such a nature that the minor will be glad to
remain under the directions of his parents until his maturity.
If it can be shown that a parent or guardian uses inhuman methods of
punishing children, the act is criminal and is dealt with accordingly.
There are no tramps parading periodically over the countries of Tor-tu.
There is an international law that each township must care for its own
paupers. Every man's forehead seal tells his birthplace and there is no
escaping from it.
When a person is suspected of crime in a foreign land, the foreign
officials can tell not only where the individual was born, but they can
also obtain an official record of his life by applying officially to the
clerk and paying a nominal fee.
Any stranger making a serious effort to cover his forehead is looked
upon with suspicion. It is a current phrase of honor among the
Tor-tuites: "I am not ashamed to show my forehead."
A few hundred years after this "Human Seal Law" went into operation, no
one, except the criminally inclined, would think of returning to the old
reckless way, although the system was scorned and ridiculed by many
Tor-tuites for about fifty years after its advent.
In considering the character of an individual, the courts and the people
place tremendous stress upon the township record. Each son and daughter
early learns the value of a stainless page and strives to keep his
record clean.
The township, through the state, gives to each child at maturity a civil
inheritance, provided his record meets the requirements of the law.
All these customs and regulations are powerful incentives to the youth
to lead a good moral life and naturally tend to a respectful demeanor of
children toward their parents.
This world is not only notable for its moral atmosphere, but for the
remarkable progress its inhabitants have made in political economy.
They know a few things about laws, but not enough to make them so
complicated that no one can understand their meaning. In law, the poor
man usually has the same chance as the rich. Money has no weight in the
Tor-tu scale of justice. The facts in the case are the only things that
have weight, although bribery is possible and is sometimes practiced.
The laws of Tor-tu relating to deeds and titles are the most simple and
yet the most effective that have yet come to my attention.
All the land in each county of Tor-tu is divided into lots, and each lot
is numbered on an immense diagram at the county seat. This diagram is a
miniature relief outline of the county with each lot and plot in the
county designated, and, according to our measurements, it averages
almost eighteen by twenty-four feet, varying according to the size of
the county.
When you buy land you buy from the county only. If you wish to purchase
a lot or plot from another party who is willing to sell, the two parties
concerned go to the chief real estate agent who is an official of the
county and has charge of the county diagram. The former owner or
title-holder, upon establishing his identity, releases to the county his
claims and surrenders his title on condition that he receives the sum
agreed upon between the two parties.
The county agent then issues a new title to the new purchaser. It is a
simple common-sense document completely describing the new owner, his
relatives and his station. Thus each purchaser has his own title from
the county and it is guaranteed. Under this admirably simple system
disputes as to titles are rare and can scarcely occur; but if any should
arise, the county takes the defense and bears all expense of litigation.
No counter claim is even heard after a title is five years old. Thus it
is impossible to resurrect an old buried claim and rob an innocent owner
who purchased and paid for his ground in good faith.
In transferring real estate no lawyers are required. Several persons,
however, must witness the execution of the deed.
The county publishes a journal, monthly, stating the owner of each lot
or plot number in the county. This is furnished free to each land owner.
All credit to Tor-tu for these common-sense regulations! Our laws
covering this field are heathenish compared with the statutes of this
far distant world. There no man loses his real estate by the awakening
of a sleeping title, and if this could happen he would be fully
reimbursed by the county.
In our world some titles are as clear as mud. Often we pay a large sum
to have the records examined and even then a purchaser has no assurance
of non-interference. Here it is even possible to buy a lot, build a
home, and five or fifty years afterward have it sold by some one who
proves a prior claim on the land. No such foolishness, or child-play in
the guise of legal dignity, is countenanced in Tor-tu.
The whole civil system of this sphere is superior to ours. A person who
violates the law is not treated to free boarding and lodging in a well
heated and lighted building, as is quite prevalent in our world, but is
compelled to enter profitable labor under strict surveillance. Any
prisoner becoming rebellious and refusing to work is dealt with
severely. If he is still insubordinate, he is placed on the revolving
wheel of death until his stubborn will is broken, or he falls fatigued
into the jaws of steel.
This convict labor does not compete with the regular ranks of honest
toil. The main work of criminals is farming, and the products of these
farms support not only the criminals, but their families as well. What
is produced beyond that is sold at market price and the proceeds are
applied to current expenses of the county.
In our world the honest man must pay to support the dishonest; the
law-abiding must care for the law breaker. How much longer this will
continue no one has prophesied.
The manner of choosing officials in Tor-tu is both new and surprising.
All the officers, from the highest to lowest, are chosen by lot instead
of by popular ballot or hereditary claim. They who are thus elected
remain in office during competency and good behavior.
1. Their record must be stainless during the preceding ten years.
2. They must have been graduated from the law department of the public
schools.
3. They must be at least thirty-one years old.
For the highest officials the conditions are more rigid.
The teachers in all public schools are selected in the same manner from
among the number who apply, and who have been graduated in rank high
enough for the school in question.
At first this lot system seemed very foolish to me indeed, bordering
upon absurdity, but the more I studied its simplicity and observed its
results, the more I became impressed with its good sense and
efficiency. There are no political parties fomenting discord in a
country under a spoils system; no upheavals every few years and
hilarious campaigns; and no idiotic caricatures of public officials to
work unbridled mischief in the hearts of the most dangerous citizens.