The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1896-12-27
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riety Of being one of the most talked OF men
in Russia. His volume of essays, touching
on a wide range of topics. religious. historical,
political, and ethical, has not commanded
agreement in all quarters, as q recent article
in the Vestnfk Erropy bears witness. but it
has nowhere failed to provoke discussion. Mr..
Pobedonostzeff Is q man of convictions, deep
and strong even to the point where they might
on q stretch be called prejudices. and he has the
courage to express himself in a style which dis
plays a rare combination OF lucidity and vigor.
But II the critics have disagreed as to the ideas
advanced In the Moscow Collection they have
agreed to a man In lauding the distinguished
mans services to the empire. 1t may be said
that from q muzzled press, as that of Russia is
supposed to be, in a large measure enormously.
nothing different could be expected: but to any
one familiar, even specifically. with the tone of
the native newspapers and periodicals 1t is
patent that in writing of Mr.. Pobedonostzed's
career. the compliments were born of a
sincere appreciation of the value Of his
life, and the debt of gratitude which
Russia owes to him-not merely eccle-
~siastical Russia. but the empire as a whole.
II Russia is indebted to the genius Of the late
Prince Lobanoff- Rostofsky for the advancement
vi 10 pASobtbo NM ~ AANN
who recently visited this country, for joining
the four corners OF the mighty empire by means
OF an elaborate system of railways, 1t Is to
Konstantine Petrovitch Pobedonost2eff that
she owes the formation of a national spirit
adequate to uphold the foreign prestige OF q
Lobanoff and to stimulate q Hilkof to new
endeavor. How highly these qualities are
valued In his native land may be seen from this
extract from the Emperor's rescript issued on
&ha oyapt nf NJ DhaIn,oakoaT Is aar,i ,ap,aa
ial celebration: I'm addition to your own
duties.'' wrote the young Gear. You have al
ways taken a Jealous part in the activity OF the
supreme State departments. to which your
wide scientific knowledge in all the branches OF
sLatecraft. your long experience. as well as your
distinguished e~ndowments. have ever been and
are Of substantial value. ! cordially wish that
It has been given to me to retain you for many
years to come among my nearest councillors"
Konstantine Petrovitch Pobedonostzeff WAS
born In Moscow In 1927. His father. Peter
Vacilievitch PobedonostzeH, occupied at the
time of his birth the important chair OF Rus
sian literature In the University Of Mos
COW The boys studies were carried on under
his fathers supervision until the time arrived
for him to enter the Imperial School OF Law.
From this admirable institution he was Rradu-
ated with high honors, anu Immediately entered
the Chancellor's office of the eighth depart
ment OF the Governing Senate. This was in
1916. and Pobedonostzef was In his nineteenth
year. In March of the following year lie was
advanced to tho seventh department. where
for the first time his knowledge of juris-
prudence attracted the attention OF his SUI
periors. and in the following September he
was named Over Secretary. His next advance
was TO the Over Secretaryship OF the General
Assembly of the Moscow department of the
Denate. In 1851 he became Over Procurator
in the eighth department OF the Senate:
n 1863 q councillor to the Minister or
Justice. and :.lree years later was advanced
To the second department OF the Senate. and In
tia same year was also assigned to the depart
ment of the Supreme Civil Court. Here again
he gave new evidence of his extraordinary legal
learning, which for the first time in his career
he was now able TO apply practically. In 1879
he was made q member OF the Council OF State,
in 1870 a member OF the Council for Prisons.
and in 1880 was appointed to the post which he
now holds, and probably will continue to hold
throughout his life-to tho -Procurator-
ship of the Holy Synod. He succeeded in this
Office Count Dmitri A.. Tolstoi. who was a
cousin of the distinguished novelist and theo-
logical innovator, Count Lyof n. Tolstoi.
Mr.. Pobedonostzcf's activities were not,
however, circumscribed by the duties of the
Offices to which he was successfully attached
during the period just mentioned. Having
given evidence of his deep learning and
executive skill, he was at different times
required to serve on commissions charged
with the reform OF important admlnistra-
tive departments ana the revision of laws.
Thus in 1851 we find him, on the invitation OF
the Secretary of State, buslly engaged in reOr-
ganizing the judiciary Department. In 1875 he
was examining the report Of the Minister OF
Public Education. Two years later no was
q member of u commission for tho re-
form OF the Prisons Department.. and
still later of another tor the revision of the
Penal Code. In 1860, at the invitation
Of the Emperor Alexander IL. PobedonostEeff