The Saint Paul globe., 1904-12-27

mistaken and influenced by transitory
circumstances. When the need of this
or that change is proved ripe. then we
consider it necessary to meet it, even
though the transformation to which
this leads involves the introduction of
essential innovations in legislation. We
do not doubt that the realization of
such an undertaking will meet with
the sympathy of the we'll disposed sec
ton of our subjects who see the real
prosperity of the fatherland in internal
tranquility and the uninterrupted
people.
Peasants Come First
Placing in the forefront of our care
thought for the best ordering of the life
of the most numerous of our estate,
the peasant population, we may remark
that this matter is already under ex-
animation
simultaneously with a detailed in
vestigation of the initial proposals of
the ministry of the interior, which are
being carried out locally, conferences
are now being held by commissioners
specially selected from among the most
experienced of the highest administra-
tive officials regarding the most impor-
tant questions of peasant life, assisted
in their investigation of the general
needs of the agricultural industry
by the knowledge and experience of
local committees. We command those
to labor to bring the laws regarding
peasants into unity with the general
imperial legislation, thereby facilitat-
ing the task of attaining permanent
security of this estate, which, by de-
cree of the czar liberator, is recognized
as consisting of free citizens possessing
full rights.
Surveying the wide domain of the
peoples uttermost needs, We regard as
urgent in the interest of the legal
Strengthening of civic and public life
''First-The adoption Of effective
measures for safeguarding the law in
its full force as the most important
pillar of the throne of the, autocratic
empire, in order that it's inviolable
fulfllment for all alike shall be re-
garded as the first duty by all the au-
thorities and in all places subject to us,
that it's nom -fulfillment shall inevitably
bring with it legal responsibility for
every arbitrary act, and that persons
who have suffered wrong by such acts
shall be enabled to secure legal re-
dress.
Increases Power of Zemstvos
"Second-That local and municipal
institutions should be given as wide
scope as possible in the administration
of various matters affecting local well
fare, and that they should have con-
ferred upon them the necessary inde-
pendence, within legal limitations, and
that representatives of all sections of
the population interested in local mat
ters should be called upon, under
equable conditions, to take part in those
institutions with view to the com
pletest satisfaction possible of their
needs. Besides the governments and
zemstvos, district institutions hitherto
existing, there should be also estab-
lished in close connection with them
public institutions for the administra-
tion of local affairs in localities of
smaller extent.
"Third-That in order to secure
the law, steps should be taken to bring
about the necessary unifcation of ju-
dicial procedure through the empire
and to assure independence of the
courts.
Insurance for Workmen
"Fourth-That for the further devel-
opment of measures introduced by US
for the protection of workmen in fac
tories, workshops and commercial es-
tablishments, attention is to be given
to the question of the introduction of
state insurance for worlNnen.
.Fffth-That there should be a re-
vision of the exceptional laws decreed
at the time of an unparalleled out
break of criminal activity on the part
of enemies of public order, and the ap-
plication of which was attended with
grave extension of the discretionary
power of the administrative authorl-
ties. and that at the same time steps
should be taken for circumscr1bing
their application within the narrowest
possible limits and for assuring that
limitation of the rights of private per-
sons involved in that application shall
be permitted only in cases where the
actual safety of the state is threat
ened.
.eSixth-That in confirmation of my
undertaking hearts desire as expressed
in the imperial manifesto of March 8,
1903, for the protection by the funda-
mental laws of the empire Of tolerance
in matters of faith, the laws dealing
with the rights Of communities and
persons belonging to heterodox ana
Christian confessions should be
submitted to revision; and that inde-
pendently of this measures should De
taken for the removal of all limitations
on the exercise of their religions not
directly mentioned in the law.
.Seyenth@That there should be
sueh revision of existing ordinances
limiting the rights of foreigners and
measures in certain territories of the
empire that in future there shall re-
main only such of them as are required
bv the present interests of the empire
and the manifest needs of the Russian
people.
More Freedom for the Press
0Eighth-That all unnecessary re-
str;ctions should be removed from the
existing press laws, and that printed
speech should be placed within clearly
defined legal limits; that the native
press, in accordance with the progress
of education and the importance there
by accruing to it, should be left to the
possibility of worthily fulfilling its
high calling. namely, to be the true