The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1888-04-18
LIFE IN RUSSIA.
Tho RemOrseless Power Exercised by tn
Cars Police Officials.

Tho Kemorseless Power Exercised by tho
Cars Police Officials.
There is no power on earth so arbi.
trary. SO omnipotent so omniscient
and so remorseless rs the Russian po-
lice! ! shall have something more to
say about them in a future letter, but
stop here to advise every traveller
bound fol- Russia. of whatever age, sex
or nationality, TO take a passport
properly Endorsed by the representa-
tive Of the Russian Government at
New York or Washington. 1t will do
no harm, and it may be useful to have
both; for the Russian police are of an
inquiring frame Of mind and lack con-
fidence in human virtue. With pass
port properly visel. strict obedi-
ence to all the regulations that are
plain and unmistakablc.. a discreet
tongue, and decent behavior, one
can be as safe and comfortable as in
any country on the globe and see much
and enjoy much that can not be seen
or enjoyed elsewhere. 1t has few
picturesque landscapes, no mountains
and no springs; but the people and the
palaces, the churches and the customs,
will revivify the most blase traveller,
and the gayeties of both the summer
and winter seasons offer a treat to
those who have exhausted Paris and
other social centers of the world.
There need be no annoyance from
the tyranny that IS constantly exer-
cised over both citizens and strangers.
there need be no test of patience; tits
only necessary to submit, ami do it as
gracefully and politely as possible. A
visitor can see nothing without pass
or without police surveillance. He
may not look at q picture nor the
curiosities of the museum without hav-
ing y gendarme peering over his
shoulder. If he is an artist he must
obtain the permission of the police to
make sketches. and to 60 any where
he has got to have pass. But all
these obstacles are easily overcome
and all the objects of interest can be
thoroughly enjoyed by all observance
of the requirements and disposition
o acknowledge the sovereignty of tho
police Submission is all that is re-
quired, and the rigid rules have been
made necessary by nihilism and dyna-
mite.
Every citizen must have permit 20
live in the country. These permits
are issued annually upon the pay
ment of fee. If he wants to leave
the country or go from one town to
another he must notify the police. for
that branch of the Government must
know where each -inhahitant of the
vast empire sleeps every night. In
the provinces the rigid surveillance is
relaxed, but at st. Petersburg and
Moscow and other places visited by
tourists there is Il constant contact
between the sovereign and the subject
that is disagreeable to both. The po-
lice grant permission to 60 and come
readily. There is no interference
with travel nor with trade. Submits
sion! submission! that is all. No one
can get a ticket ut a railroad station
nor on a steamboat without showing
permit to leave; no hotel will enter
tain a guest till ne shows his passport
One can not 60 anywhere or do any
thing without the consent of the au.
thorities, but it is easily obtained.
and costs forty copccks for the stamp
that appears on the document-about
fifteen cents. w E. Curtis, in Chicago
Ne,US,