"Each race has its own schools of all types, cultural, professional and trade.
"There is equal representation in our Supreme Government Council. The President of our Council, or of Mars, can be either male or female and of any race. In fact, quite often our President is not of the white race.
"Our other races are just as careful and as proud to maintain their purity of race as we are. Our laws in that respect are very strict all over Mars. All of us up to the tenth grade degree, including adult children of Sun-Rank members, on this globe have the same standard of living, and we are happy together; difference in race is no problem to us."
"I certainly am impressed," I answered, "you people certainly solved that problem easily. You have done away with intolerance, and all the grievances of discrimination. Tell me more about your governing class."
"We have no class or racial distinction, no titled nobility, no high and low castes of society, no dollar aristocracies, no so-called upper classes, and no retired rich idlers nor jobless poor ones.
"We have one governing upper class, our aged citizens. They have the intelligence and wisdom that come from maturity and experience. They act on committees of conciliation and arbitration between workers, foremen and executives. If their physical and mental abilities show a natural decline with age, they apply and are elected to the more easy government and municipal offices, according to their capabilities. Our factories have separate apprentice craft training and finishing school shops, where productive speed is non-existent. The shops are staffed by our qualified aged, as teachers. Skilled aged workers are frequently used for precision work.
"By this method, we are able to keep our older people busy and contented. They give us the best of their experience as long as they feel able to do so. They keep their self-respect as useful citizens.
"They are our government elected executives, and officials. They are selected and nominated by their parties, and elected by the people, as an honor, and as a duty. But only of those who have not reached the Sun-Rank degrees. Sun-Rank degree members do not and are not allowed to occupy these offices. A government office with us in an honorary position without any extra emoluments. Whereas on your earth very often loyal party members and those who liberally contribute to its political campaigns reach and get lucrative offices, and favors."
"How about political parties?" I asked.
"In every one of our races we have sometimes as many as five political parties, although we don't make a career of politics. Government executives and officials are not allowed to influence or bring pressure in favor of or against candidates.