Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1888-07-13
RUSSI1N POLICE,

The police in Russia, as in all abso-
lutte monarchies, has had to combine
the duty of preventing crime and watch
ing over the people with that of super
vising officials and protecting the gov
eminent. Alexander l., in imitation of
Napoleon, made it department of the
State. Nicholas, refining thereon, di-
vided it into two sections-the ordinary
police, under the Minister of the Inte-
rior, and the secret police, under the
Emperor in person. The latter was
privileged body, above all law, respon-
sible only to the .Tsar, and with almost
unlimited authority. Its head was
member of the Committee Of Ministers,
and by his intimate relations with the
sovereign and freedom from other con-
troll became the most powerful person
age in the Empire. This institution
was preserved by Alexander II. with it's
attributions intact. Although by law
subjects of the Tsar could no longer be
arrested and condemned without legal
process, the Third Section could seize,
incarcerate, or deport at will, and even
secretely. By a jesuitical distinction it
did not pretend to punish OF to inter-
fere with the course Of justice against
crime; it merely suppressed indefinitely
individuals who We're deemed danger
to public order. Its existence after the
Inauguration of the reign of law pre-
sents an anomaly similar to that Of lett,'es
de cGchet in France, Of which the King
could avail at pleasure, despite tribunals
and statutes.
During the early years of Alexander
H. IS reign, when Russia seemed pro-
crossing toward q new and glorious
future it was seldom resorted to. An
attempt upon his life in 1866 restored it
to favor and activity. Notwithstanding
it's irresponsible character and it's almost
unlimited powers, it was worsted in the
duel with nihilism from 1870 to 1878.
OF it's last chiefs, Gen. Mezentsof was
assassinated, and Gen. Drenteln, Sc
verely wounded, resigned. It's ineffi-
cheney caused a change in it's organiza
ton; a double police led at times to
absurd results, and the public agents
of one department often wasted their
efforts in pursuing the emissaries Of the
other, acting in secret. After the eX-
plosion of the Winter Palace, in 1880,
the Third Section was abolished, but in
name only; it 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 We're
placed under Gen. Loris Melikof, upon
whom, as Minister of the Interior, al
most dictatorial powers were conferred
for the preservation of public order.
While this change made no alteration
in the attributions of the secret police,
it was a slight gain in principle. The
Third Section was no longer under the
personal direction of the Tsar, but be-
came one Of the departments Of govern
ment, and as such was subject to adj
ministrative control.
The unreasoning violence and mon
strous atrocities Of the radical party not
only to led the revival of this tremendous
engine Of despotism with increased
powers, they have also turned the
wheel Of progress backward, deprived
the nation Of liberties accorded, and lie
stroyed the hope OF future concessions
for years to come.-.l!bcyt f. Heard,
i71 H07pe1''s lN0gOgil1e.