The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-08-19

English method Of disposing Of political prison
ers. How many lrishmen have lsnguished and
died. or were broken in health and spirit ID
great outcry against England. The si~tustios
In Russia to-day is certainly preferable 10 thai
created by English coercion IN Ireland.
The passport system, which 10 said to be 50
obnoxious to American and European merchants
and tourists, is really an absolute necessity az
an agency for the suppression OF crime. The
police aud detective systems have not attained
anything like the perfection enjoyed ia America
and elsewhere, while the demand for them ID
much greater. The wonderful skiu by which
the names and careers OF criminals are all re-
corded. and their movements watched is almost
unknown in Russia Every town and hamlet
is not connected with its neighbors and with the
case here. By the systeniatic use Of
all these advantages america and
other equally favored nations are enabled "a
maintain law and order and the security OF lifs
and property without resort TO the repressivs
measures needed in Russia The best substt<
tute for these advantages is the passport systernl
and it 10 not only a necessity, but IL demanded by
the educated and law-abiding people Of the em-
pire as q means Of self-preservation- Under its
operation q thief or law-breaker of any descrip-
ton, or q band Of them. cannot commit crime
with impunity in one locality and then emierats
TO another. Before getting the necessary pass
port. the antecedents OF every applicant are as
certained; and the good are distinguished from
the Udu auQ lfcdlcI hCStl4luSles
ally the law-breakers and a~gitat0rs regard this
as q hardship; but their fellow-citizens demand
il as o safeguard against the Vaccinations or
both. The fee charged for the passport is mads
necessary by the system. which is expensive. It
is Justly regarded as one of the sources OF rev.
enue.
True. there is no compulsory education in
Russia, and no adequate provision Is made Tor
the education of the masses; but the facilities
afforded are fully as good as could be expected
under the circumstances. Russia is a new ma
ton, comparatively speaking. She is not up to
the age in educational matters, but is constantly
striving to that end; and even now every young
man, be no rich or poor. can be educated at the
public expense by making application TO the To-
cal representative of the government. according
to custom. Free education is but a new departs
ure. Ii originated in the West. and is moving
eastward. We know that for many years after
the American war OF the rebellion the educa-
tional system of the Southern States was de-
plorabIy defective and inadequate; and even at
this day some OF the States make but feeble at
tempts to provide free education. or course
the liberation Of the slaves was the reason
Theref ore, before criticising the Russian edu-
~catiopal system. il is but fair to recall the fact
that she is dealing with 10000, 600 OF recently
liberated serfs.
''The utter righteousness OF Stepniaks attempt
to pose as the spokesman of the Russian peo<
pie needs Just q passing comment Bakounin
and Krapotkine, the originators OF snarc2ism
and nihilism, whose disciple he il. were ban
ished from the Swiss republic, and Krapotkins
was imprisoned 10 France for advocating the
form of government they desire in Russia
Then, the theories and doctrines which Step
MAX would promulgate have been condemned
by the tribunals Of both the republics last
named, as dangerous to society and the security
of life and property"