Omaha daily bee., 1888-06-24
THE RUSSIAN POLICE SYSTEM.
Honest Folks Watched Like Crimi
nals-A Terrible instrument OF
n DeSDOtic Ruler

The police of Russia, says a writer in
Harper's Magazine, as in all absolute
monarchies, have had to combine the
duty OF preventing crime and watching
over the people with that of supervising
officials and protecting the government.
Alexander l., in imitation of Napoleon,
made 1t n department of the state.
Nicholas, refining thereon, divided it
into two sections-the ordinary police,
under the minister of the interior and
the secret police, under the emperor in
person. The latter was a privileged
body, above all law, responsible only to
the car, and with almost unlimited
authority. Its head was IA member of
the committee of ministers, and, by his
intimate relations with the sovereign
and freedom from other control, be-
came the most powerful parsonage in
the empire. This institution was pre-
served by Alexander H., with its attrl-
buttons intact.
Although by law subjects OF the ear
could no longer be arrested and con-
demned without legal process, the Third
section could seize, incarcerate or de-
port at will, and even secretly. BY
jesuitica distinction it did not pretend
to punish or to interfere with the courts
of justice against crime; it merely sup
pressed indefinitely individuals who
hcI' uttlllIh a. htlllStI W pubic OfutF.
Its existence after the Inauguration of
the reign Of law presents an anomaly
similar TO that of lettrcs de cachet in
France, at which the king could avail
at pleasure, despite the tribunals and
statutes.
During the early years Of Alexander
f. Is reign, when Russia seemed pro-
crossing toward Il new and glorious fu-
ture, it was seldom ,resorted to. An at
tempt upon his life in 1866 restored il to
favor and activity. Notwithstanding
its irresponsible character and its al
most unlimited powers, it was worsted
in the duel with nihilism from 1870 to
1878. OF its last chiefs, General Me-
zentsof was assassinated, General
Drenteln, severely wounded, resigned.
It's ineiiiciency caused a change in its
organization, double police led at
times to absurd results, and the public
agents Of one department often wasted
their efforts in pursuing the emissaries
ol the other acting in secret.
After the explosion of the winter pal
ace in 1850 the third section was abol-
ished, but IN name only; IL was removed
from the imperial chancellery and
united TO the ordinary police, in order,
by giving the whole service single
head, to increase its efficiency. Both
departments were placed under General
Loris Melikot, upon whom, as minister
of the interior, almost dictatorial powers
were conferred for the preservation of
public order. While this change made
no Attenuation in the attributions of the
secret police it was II slight gain in
principle.
The third section was no longer
under the personal direction of the
czar, but became one of the depart
ments of the government and as such
was subject TO administrative control.
The unreasoning violence and mon
strous atrocities of the radical party not
only led to the revival of this tre-
mendous engine Of despOtism with in
creased powers, but they have also
turned the wheel OF progress backward,
deprived the nation of liberties accord
ed, and destroyed the hope of further
concessions for years 10 come.