Press and daily Dakotaian. (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1880-1889, 1888-06-26
RUSSIAN POLICE SYSTEM

Honest Folks Watched Like Criminals
a Terrible Instrument of a Dsspotic
AU'er.
The police OF Russia, seys q writer in
Harper's magezine, as ia eli absolute
msnarchies, Lave had to combine the
duty of preventing CRIME and watching
over the people with thai OF saperyis-
ing othclRls and protecting the govern
ment. Alexander l., in imitation of
Napoleon, made it q department of the
state. Nicholas, refining thereon, di.
Yldsd 1t into two sections-the oydinary
pollce, under the minister of the in
eerlor and the secret police, under the
emperor in person. The latter was a
privileged body, above all law, re-
sponsible only to the czar, and with al
most Unlimited authority. It head was
a 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
eye In the empire. This Institution was
preserved by Alexander H., with it's at
%trlbutions intact.
Although by Law subjects of the car
could no longer be arrested and con-
demned without legal process, the third
section would seize, ~incarcerats or de-
port ct will, and even secretly. BY a
lesuItio distinction il DID not pretend
to punish or to interfere with the courts
OF justice against crime; it merely cup
pressed indefinitely individuals who
were deemed a danger to public order.
Its existence after the Inauguration OF
the reign of law presents an anomaly
similar to that OF lettres de catchet in
France, at which the king could avail
at pleasure, despite the tribunals and
.ssstutas.
During the early years of Alexander
lis reign, when Russia seemed pre-
crossing toward g new and glorious fu-
ture, 1t was seldom resorted to, An at
tempt upon his life in 1866 restored 1t to
favor and activity. Notwithstanding it's
irresponsible character and its almost
unlimited powers, it was worsted in the
duel with nihilism from 1870 to 1873. OF
it's last chiefs, General Mezentsos was
assassinated. General DrenteIn, severely
wounded. resigned. Its efficiency caused
a change IN Its organization, o double
police led at tiaees to absurd results, and
the public agents of one department
often wasted their efforts in pursuing
the emisBarieR of the other acting in
secret.
After the explosion of the winter pal
ace in 1880 the third section was
abolished, but in name only; it vas re-
moved from the imperial c~hancellery
and united to the ordinary police; in
order, by giving the whole service O
single heed, to increase it's efficiency.
Both departments were placed under
General Loris Melikot. upon whom, as
minister OF tie interior, almost dicta-
torial powers we're conferred for the pre-
%sesvation of public order. While this
change made no alterations in the at
tributions OF the secret police it was a
slight gain in principle.
The third section was no longer under
the, personal direction OF the car. but
became n OF Che departments OF the
government, and as such was subject 10
administrative control.
The unreasoning violence and mon
strous atrocities Of the radical party not
only led to the revival of this tremen.
dous engine of depotism with increased
powers, but they have also turned the
wheel OF progress backward, deprived
the nation %ofliberties accorded, and des.
troyed the hope OF further concessions
for years to come,