The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1891-12-23

LONDON, Dec. 22.-Tho Tdegrcph's cor
respondent Mt st. Petersburg says that
there has been enormous falling off in
the government revenues from tho fam.
inc stricken provinces.
In the province of Voronozh alone the
deficit for September was 10000 rou-
bles; for October it WAS 100000 roubles;
for November it was 100000 roublcs.
1t is calculated that by the end Of De-
ccmber the arrears will reach the sum
OF 100000 roubles. Similar conditions
prevail in the other provinces affected
by tho famine and tho prospects arc
just as gloomy. The passport, labor
and other restricting laws have been
removed go as to enable the peasants TO
migrate. Reports OF tho merciiess re-
preston OF outlawry are continually
being received. The civil authorities
do not depend upon themselves alone
TO put down brigandage and other law
less acts, but upon the mercst prctcxt
they summon the military. with tho in
tention OF overawing the people.
Three, men who We're convicted OF
robbery at Simbers':, capitol OF the gov
ernment OF that name, were condemned
to undergo punishment with the knout.
So well did tho official ply his dreadful
weapon that the poor wretchcs, who had
probably stolen only to keep life in their
miserable bodies, died under the lash.
The correspondent OF tho Telegraph
tells story oil the famine that does not
agree with the reports hitherto received
regarding tho feeling OF the Russian
people as 4 whole toward tho faminc
sufferers. 1t is known beyond question
that the officers Of many regiments have
forcgono their usual regimental ban
qucts III order to devote the money
which would thus have been spent to
relieve the poor and distressed. This
action was also followed by the mem
bcrs OF the order OF st. George upon
the occasion OF that saints name
day. Others have followed the
example thus set and largo sums have
been turned over to the relief commit
tee, and it was believed that the GOV
crnment was looking closely into ali the
expenditures for the relief Of the suffer
ers. 1t is fact that number OF grain
dealers who were detected in aduiter-
ating their products were sentenced TO
terms OF imprisonment, and it was then
stated that tho government would pros
ccuto anyone who WAS found to be trad
ing in an Unfair or dishonest manner
with the peasants.
The 1eiegrGphs correspondent says
that the distress has not touched the
hearts OF the rich merchants OF St.,
Petersburg and they refuse to subscribe
anything to the relief OF their suffering
countrvmen. lie cites as IN illustra-
ton OF the apathy with which the ap-
peals for help have been received tile
feet that the collection boxes which had
been placed about the corn exchange
were found, when removed, TO be filled
with bits OF tin and pieces OF paper.
That i'll numerous cases dealers after
receiving exorbitant prices ior their
grain, sent to the famine stricken prov
inccs bags, the contents OF which we're
mostly grass, sand and bran.
The correspondent says that corrup.
ton is widespread among the Office hol-
dcrs, and that they are little atlcctedby
the sights OF distress, sickness and death
which are. visible on every hand. Many
town officials, ho says, reiuso to enroll
the starving peasants on the relief list
unless they first pay Il bribc to them at
the rate OF ten copecks for every pood
oil rye given.