New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-03-13
7FF OF THE PEASANTS OF THE RUSSIAN EMPIRE.
rpFFDOM Has ROBBED SERFS OF SERTTTUDE CHAR
4CTERISTTCS.
4CTERISTICS.

order to find property that has disappeared or
4 to learn II he is getting his proper share. II
1 he finds a stolen article or sacks Of cabbage
which should have been divided with him he IS
wont 10 break forth in fury. In true Russian
/ style ne will kin his with words" on the
/ other hand. the peasant viii get down on his
knees. kiss the boots Of the nobleman and ask
/ forgiveness. In an hour all evidences OF the
quarrel have disappeared. Each has apparently
/ forgotten what has been done or said.
This same disregard for property rights rem
Gers the rights Of privacy also Of little conse-
Quence i'm Russia. Should an American remain
overnight I'm p peasants home he need not he
surprised 20 see the wife or the grown daugh-
tiers walk through his room II IT were n hall
way. The idea Of trespass." says Mr. Palmer.
lis practically unknown. II the route through
the garden chance to be the easiest way to the
village peasants with their carts will continu-
ally pass through H. When caught and called
hack scolded and threatened. they VIII meekly
kiss the hand Of the khazyaeen. or ldowner.
and beg for forgiveness" Mr.. Palmer also tells
how peasant women and girls. in choosing
swimming place for the summer season. will as
likely as not select a pool in one corner Of a
nobleman's garden. where they are as difficult
10 dislodGe as birds that have taken fancy to
building their nests in a letter box"
Another relic Of Russian serfdom Is the
noblemans estate and become a trader in a
city. on condition that he sent the "obrok" OF
annual allowance. to his master. Many OF the
present day hnanciers OF st. Petersburg are of
the peasant class. who settled there before the
emancipation Strange as II may seem. not
few Of them stil pay their "obrok" 70 noble
men far less wealthy than themselves.
Two noblewomen and their daughters
known 10 me-" says Alr Palmer. who have been
completely ruined. stu receive a very liberal
allowance. voluntarily paid 20 them as 'obrok.'
with the utmost delicacy and good feeling. by
descendants OF their former serfs, now the
wealthiest men OF Moscow"
Many noble families were impoverished by
the emancipation Of the serfs although they
were paid by the government for the lands
given 10 the peasants. Instead OF using
the money In improving their estates, they
went 20 81. Petersburg OF Paris and spent
their substance IN furnishing great drawing
rooms. maintaining splendid equipages. and IN
dressing themselves IN gorgeous uniforms. a
Russian noblernan IS likely 10 speak conternptu-
ously Of his estate. He seeks 70 make the world
think that he never sees his lands. His acres
are many. but he says they are managed by
land agent and he only spends the income IN
the gay life of the capital
Although the Car rules without parla-
nlent or constitution. nevertheless the Russian
peasant VIII tell the visitor that Russia is tho
most democratic country IN the world. Nicholas
may reign at St Petersburg. but the peasant
rules IN his own home hamlet.
Does he not he asks. elect HIS own local Of
fcers, the mayor. or "starshina." as head Of tho
"volost" or township? and sub-mayOrs. or sta
restas" in charge Of the subdivisions OF the
'.volost''7 and 'sotnils.' officials chosen by
hundred households. and "desiatnilzs." TO rule
over ten householder
Should peasant steal a pig. his fellow VII
layers would settle the case themselves. The
Communal Council. composed OF from three TO
twelve magistrates, elected by the peasants.
would meet and question whatever witnesses
the unlucly owner OF the pig might have at
court. Each magistrate pulls out brass medal,
emblematic OF his Office. from his pocket. and
hangs Il around his neck At that moment he
assumes a dignity equal 10 that Of a Judge Of
the highest tribunal. Nine times out OF ten he
cannot read; but what OF that? He is a Judge
Should the council find the prisoner guilty. it is
! likely 10 sentence him 10 a certain number OF
blows OF the llnout
one OF the miEhtiest men OF a Russian mir"
or village. is the "pisar.' secretary 10 the
"starshina-" The ''pisar." unlike the greater
proportion Of his townsmen. can read and write
The magistrates revere him for his learning, and
. generally accept his advice as law. In cescTlo-
Ing the courtroom n a Russian village MI
Palmer says.
The babel Of voices IS incessant and IN the
midst Of all this uprOar I'm which everybody
present is a self-constiruted juryman giving his
verdict the secretary leans forward. and with
Uplifted finger endeavors 10 convince the solemn
looking Judges I'm sheepskn Of the direful con-
sequences that viii result II his advice Is not
taken The moment the verdict IS given the
court quickly empties: the judges put their
medals in their pockets and become ordinary