The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-12-27
HIS CHRISTMAS GIFT.
Gar Nicholas Issues a Ukase Promis-
ing Reforms.

ST. Petersburg, Dec. 27.-An i'm
peria1 ukase issued last night makes
decidedly liberal promises under a
number of heads. 1t promises a full
and eQuable enforcement of existing
laws; assures the zemstvos of the
fullest possible measure of self-gov-
eminent and the enforcement of the
laws now existing in their behalf;
promulgates a scheme of workman's
Insurance.; extends the liberty of the
press and promises a full legal trial
of all persons accused.
The imperial decree, which is en-
titled "a Scheme for the Improvement
of the Administration of the State is
addressed to the senate and is as fol-
lows:
I'm accordance with the revered
will of our crowned predecessor, and
thinking increasingly of the welfare of
the realm entrusted to us by God, we
regard it as our duty and the govern
ment'S duty in conjunction with I'M
deviating maintenance of the i'm
muta bility of the fundamental laws of
our empire, to have untiring care for
the cOuntry'S needs, distinguishing all
that is really in the interests of the
Russian people from tendencies not
seldom mistaken and Influenced by
transltory circumstances. When the
need of this or that change is proved
ripe, then we consider it necessary to
meet it, even though the TRANSFORMED
ton 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
well disposed section of our subjects,
VINO see the true prosperity of the
fatherland in the support of civil
tranquility and the uninterrupted sat-
fsfaction of the daily needs of the
people.
Placing in the forefront of our care
thought for the best ordering of the life
of the most numerous of our estates. the
peasant population, we may remark
that this matter is already under exam
ination.
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 amongst the
most experienced of the highest admin
1Strat1ve officials regarding the most
important questions of peasant life as
sisted in their investigation of the gen
eral needs of the agricultural industry
by the knowledge and experience of 10
cal committees. We commend those to
labor to bring the laws regarding peas
ants into unity with the general i'm
perial legislation, thereby facilitating
the task of attaining permanent secur-
ity of this estate, which, by decree of
the car liberator, is recognized as con-
sfSt1ng 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:
"F1rst-The adoption of effective meas
ures for safeguarding the law in it's full
force as the most important pillar of
the throne of the autocratic empire in
order that its inviolable fulfIlment for
all alike shall be regarded as the first
duty by all authorities and in all places
subject to US, that it's non-fulfillment
shall inevitably bring with it legal re-
sponsibility for every arbitrary act and
that persons who have suffered wrong
by such acts shall be enabled 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 well
fare, and that they should have con-
ferred upon them the necessary indie
pendence, within legal limitations, and
the population interested in local mat
tiers should be called upon, under equa-
bic conditions, to take part in those in
tsitutions with a view to the completest
satisfaction possible of their needs Be
sides the governments and zemStvos dis
trict institutions hitherto existing, there
should be also established in close con-
nection with them public institutions for
the administration of local affairs in
localities of smaller extent
"Third-That in order to secure
equality of persons of all classes before
the law, steps should be taken to bring
dicial procedure through the empire and
to assure independence of the courts.
''Fourth-That for the further deYel-