The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1902-05-29

nection with Plan Approved by
Alexander II. Just Before Hs was
Assassinated.
The Russian capital Is full OF rumors
regarding the cars attitude toward
the revolutionary movement which has
been spreading IN this eouatry at such
a rapid rate during the last few years
and which appears 20 be nearing .
crisis, writes the St Petersburg CORE
spondent Of the New York Commercial
Advertiser under date Of April IA. one
hears all sorts Of conflicting stories az
TO what the emperor expects 10 do. In.
formation from authoritative sources
points to important reforms The most
persistent reports have 1t that Nicholas
III. is inclined 70 grant the constitution
which Count Loris Nelikof. the favor
Ste OF his unfortunate grandfather,
drafted in 1851 This u known in Rus
sian revolutionary circles as the "un-
dersized constitution" being ndiculed
and yilined as sep calculated 70 BAN.
boozle the people and To dsaden the
movement for real reform
The story ot the Menksn reform
scheme r. full Of interesting detail
Loris NehkofI was an Armenian by
birth. He wss the sou Of a merchant
in Tifis and was dLsllked in higher
Russian circles as an upsttrt During
the last tive or three years of the reign
OF Alexander IL. when the Tsrrorists
were making attack after attack on the
monarch and some OF his highest oiii.
cials. Mehkoi. who had impressed the
emperor as a level headed statesman,
endowed with remarkable insight and
tact. was made minister of the interior.
In February, 1881. there was an explo.
sion In the dining hall II the Winter
palace. The ear bad a narrow escape.
A few days after that Loris Meukoi
became the head Of a supreme commits
sion organized with a view 10 'pacify.
ing the population" He was clothed
with almost unlimited power and was
generally regarded as a regent
Soon after Loris MelikOfHs appoint
ment to this lofty position he was shot
at by revolutionist named Molodetz-
Ky. The nihilist missed his aim. but the
attempt added 10 the sense OF inse-
curity which was growing on the czar
and Quickened his desire 70 see his peO-
pie "paclhed." as Melikof was fond OF
putting II. The latter then drew up his
famous constitution. IL called Tor the
convocation OF a general commission 10
examine into the general state of ar
fairs and consider questions OF reform.
The project was framed in the most
guarded terms. and great care was
taken 20 keep out OF IL anything which
might contain anything Ike a direct
suggestion regarding the granting OF q
constitution. Moreover. the plan rec
ommenied left all az the mercy OF the
throne. the representatives 20 be elect
ed being regarded as loyal subjects
commanded 10 express an opinion rath-
er than deputies or representative of
the people in the western sense OF the
term. In addition, the elections were
hedged about by all sorts OF provisions
aud were 20 be 50 conducted as 90 leave
everything in the hands Of the crown.
There was not the slightest hint at real
representation or at anything Ike an
honest, though rather limited, constitu-
ton.
suIl, Il IS quite possible that Loris
Mellkof meant well and that he chose
this "undersized constitution" Of his as
the best sort ot entering wedge. At al.
events, there IS some reason 20 believe
that II the party Of the "Will Of the
People" dhe underground organization
which was responsible FOR all the polit
ical assasSinations and attempts OF IN,
periodf had been aware OF the exist
ence of'such project the life Of Alex
Ander II. would have been spared. In
deed they had declared repeatedly 50
their pronunciamentos as well as Z,
the speeches Of their leaders az the bi.
political trials that they were pledge,
20 abandon the terror" the momen
the car granted the country IRE,
speech. Although the project OF Lori
Melikon did not contain the remotes
allusion 20 any reform IN that direction
yet certain privileges along the lines II
question would have followed, as
matter Of course, from the genera
trend OF the measure.
The project was returned 10 Lori
Melikod with the approval OF the cZa
At IL o'clock on March i3 1881. 10
further consideration by the cabinet
after which March l6l Il was 20 b.
published in the imperial Messenger
Two hV1rs after the cEar returned III
document he was killed by nihillst'
bomb on the Ekaterininsky canal.
Alexander III. read the same projec
with much interest and wrote on IN
margin Of the paper. Every good" 4
the meeting OF the cabinet az whic
the measure was read Pobiedonostset
the curator Of the holy synod, and se'
eral others took a firm stand agains
the innovation. insisting on even
more conservative and iron handed po
icy than heretofore. Loris Meliko1f wa
thus defeated, and things went frol
bad 10 worse.
Alexander III. proyed less Nher,