Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1903-03-19
AuTocRAT OF EUROPE MAKES
A FAR-REAcRlNa DECREE,
IN MEMORY OF HIS FATHER
HonorS Him Who Emanetpated the
Serfs-Many Reforms IN Rural
Laws and Systems Of Administra.
ton Also contemplated--Jews Sup.
posed 10 be Included in the Decree.

St Petersburg, March l$--The
ear has issued decree providing for
religtous freedom throughout his do,
mtnionS. estahlishiuG to some degree
local sen,govenmout, aud making
ether concessions to the village com.
mittCcs,
After referring 10 the efforts OF hts
predecessors, particularly his father.
to add To the welfare of the Russian
people, the czar announces his deci.
sinu TO grant religious freedom to all
his subjects who profess onorthodoN
crccds and to improve the conditions
Of village life and those OF the local
nobility and peasantry,
Amoug the measures outlined by the
ear tor the attninments of these ends
Is reform of the rural laws, which Is
to be effected with the advice of per.
sons who possess the confidence of the
people. The system OF administration
in tho various governments and dis.
tricts Is to he examined by reproseu,
tativcs of the different localities con-
eernod with the view OF effectng the
necessary amendments. Measures are
| also to be taken to relieve the peas
autry of the burdens OF forced labor,
The decree, which was issued III
commemorative Of the anniversary of
the birthday of Alexander Ill, Is con,
! s'dored To he the most Significant act
OF state since the emancipation of the
scrls, The public halls It as the proc.
/ lamation of n new era opening up
bright prospects Of the early improve
mont Of Russian internal admtnistrn.
| ton.
Although the Jewish faith is not
specifically mentioned IN the car :
lecroe. il is believed that the liberty
granted to "all crreds' Is intended to
include the Jews,
Tho extension OF self government to
smaller communities, corresponding
with the township organizations OF
! the United states, is regarded as II
great victory for district and proVn,
cial a semhica, while tho retention
Of the communal system with greater
freedom of Withdrawal thorettom
meets the wishes of the peasants and
landowners
The ears desire for tho CORPORA
ton of The educated public closely fol
lows the action of Alexander II at the
time OF the emancipation movement,
Dawn OF a New Era,
ST Petersburg. March ~, Tho pub.
Hcation Of the ears decree has pro
ducod a universal feeling Of Joyful OK.
element and Is the chief topic OF
conversation ir every public resort.
1t Is generally attributed to the en-.
lperurs earnest desire TO remove the
causes which recently produced such
doplorable outbreaks among the work
mon aud students Fears however
arc expressed that powerful party Of
reaction led by the minister of the In
terror, HlohyC. may delay or Illustrate
the realization Of the cars aspirin
lions. but great hopes are haeed on
the known fact that Finance Minister
Wlttc Is a strong advocate Of what.
Ieycr reforms he considers the country
ripe for. In any case months must
eIapsa before the projected reforms
can be put into execution,
The paragraph proposing to refer
the reforms to the provincial govern,
ment councils Is by many regarded as
pointing in the direction Of constltu.
tiOnal government.
| It Is conJcctured the car Is willing
to enlarge the spheres Of The elective
district assemblies by permitting
them to deliberate on matters Of local
administration. II is remarked the de.
cree does not mention the removal Of
restrictions on the press. For the mo-
ment, however, the possible ulflicul.
ties in the realization Of the proposed
reforms are forgotten In the spirit Of
thankfulncss at the prospect OF the
dawn OF a new era