Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1904-12-29
EMPEROR NICHOLAS ISSUES
LONG EXPECTED UkAsE
ON REFORMS.
PRESS Ora NTEDLlBER
Promises Cover Full EquabIe Enforce
ment of Existing Laws-zemstvos
to Have Fullest Possible Measure of
Self Government.


to Have Fullest Possible Measure of
Self Government.
Moscow, Dec. 81. AT meeting
of the Moscow Zemstvo today in
the presence of great audience,
resolutions Of confidence and con-
gratulations were passed on the
appointment Of SviatopoIk-Mirsky,
as minister of the interior and at
the prospect of the closer relations
and the mutual confidence be-
tween the government and the
people.
st. Petersburg, Dec. 81. = Emperor
Nicholas long expected reform ukase
was issued last night. The document
deals with practically all subjects
brought to the emperor's attention by
the memorial of the congress of
zemstvos presidents held here last
month, and, while not specifically
the various reforms in their entirety as
demanded by the memorial promises
that each shall be referred to coun-
Gil of ministers with orders to report
promptly can be accorded on the vari-
Gus subjects on the fullest measures
Of relief which can be accorded on
the various subjects.
One question not touched by the
ukase is that of the constitutional as
sembly. Neither is the Jewish religion
specifically mentioned though freedom
for all creeds or sects. whether Chris
tian or otherwise, Is among the sub
jects which will be dealt with. The
various subjects will be referred to a
committee for an early report.
Liberties Are Extensive.
The ukase just issued makes decid-
eddy liberal promises under a number
of heads. 1t promises a full and eqult-
able enforcement of existing laws; as
sures the zemstvos of the fullest pos
sible measure of self-government and
enforcement of laws now existing IN
their behalf; promulgates scheme OF
wcrkmen's insurance; extends the
liberty of the press and promises full
legal trial of all persons accused. The
ukase says in part:
Surveying the wide domain OF the
peoples uttermost needs, We regard as
urgent in the interest of legal strength,
ening Of civic and public life.
Law Must Be obeyed.
'First-The adoption Of effective
measures for safeguarding law in its
full force as the most important pillar
of the throne of the autocratic empire
in order that it's inviolable fulfillment
for all alike shall be regarded as the
first duty by all authorities and in all
places subject to us, that its non-ful'
| fillment shall inevitably bring with it
legal responsibility for every arbitrary
act and that persons who have suffered
wrong by such acts shall be enacted to
secure legal redress.
| "Second-That local and municipal
institutions should be given as wide
scope as possible in the administration
of various matters affecting local wei
fare, and that they should have confer
red upon them necessary independence
within legal limitations, and that rep
/ resentatives of all sections of the pop
ulation interested in local matters
should be called upon under equable
conditions to take part in those insti
tutions with view to the most com
plete satisfaction possible of theil
1 needs.
To Extend Public Works.
Besides the government and Zemist
vos district institutions existing, there
should be also established in close con
nection with them public institutions
for the administration of local affairs
I, in localities of smaller extent
'Third-That in order to secure the
equality of persons of all classes be
fore the law, steps should be taken tc
bring about the necessary unifcatior
of judicial procedure through the EN-
pire. and to assure independence of the
courts.
4 "Fourth-That for further develop
ments of measures introduced by us
for the protection of workmen in fac
4 tories, workshops and commercial es
Establishments. attention is to be giver
to the question of the Introduction O.
state insurance for workmen."
More Rights for Jews.
4 The fifth paragraph suggests re
vision of the laws enacted "at thu
i time for the UNPARALLELED outbreaks n