Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1896-12-18
A FEW HOURS IN RUSSIA.
A Pleasing Entertainment for the
Public school Library Fund.

Fubiic SChOOl Library fuuds
Two Of the most pleasant entertain
mcnt- of the season were DIR. De Kan
nets illustrated lectures on Russia, in
Olympia Thcatcr. on Tuesday and
Thur, day nights, of this week. The
doctor is a pleasing speaker, notwith
standing his English is Il little halty,
for he makes up i'll the traits of two
other nations lu>t the characteristics
to please a miscellaneous audience.
He had all the urbanity of his brother
who is said to dine on frogs legs and
all the humor and blarny of the sturdy
sons of the Emerald Isle. The views
presented of Russian scenery and Rus
sian public and domestic life were ex-
ceedingly instructive and entertaining,
and gave lear insight into the
characteristics of this to us little
known people. The extraordinary
friendship evinced by Russia for Amer
lea was made the subject OF graceful
tribute to our people for possession of
those qualities meriting such favor.
He alluded to the fact that the Car
sent over a feet during the war of re-
bcllion to cooperate with our govern
ment and keep other nations at pro-
per distance, and noted the preference
that is given to American engineers
and wOrkmen in railroad building and
other advanced improvements. He
likewise noted the fact that at one
time, when portion of the Russian
people were in need of the means of
subsistence, from inadequate means of
transportation, the United States sent
out several cargoes of provisions, which
were received with profound gratitude
by the Car and his people. To be an
American is to be near the heart of all
classes in Russia.
Since the liberation of the serfs,
about three decades ago, the govern
ment, while i'll name and some char
acteristics an autOcracy, is still very
republican in its fundamental forms
and principles. The local government
is by delegates elected by families
one for each five households-and
these constitute legislative body
which prescribes regulations for the
local constituency. Contrary to the
general impression in this country.
DIR. De kannett says there are no nj
hilists, no socialists and no organized
societies for Mountaineering and assas-
sination, in Russia. The Emperor is
not attended by q body guard when-
ever he leaves his palace, and his life
is in no more peril than the life of
any other distinguished man. In sup
port of this statement, reference was
made to the assassination of Presi-
dents in peaceful, republican America,
by fanatics, who are found every
where.
The proceeds of the two lectures
were considerably more than the
cost of the entertainment, and the
fund for the school library has been
considerably augmented by it. Great
credit is due Prof. Halves for his en-
terprising management, although he
was at times puzzled by the intrica-
cies of Sec, Row, r., L., and the thous-
and-and-One matters of detail which
require direction from the managers
office after the doors open, to keep an
entertainment smoothly running till
its close. He declares that his exper-
fence has been ample, and he is ready
to send substitute to the front the
| next time that duty calls in that line
of action.