New-York tribune., 1905-08-19
CAR GRANTS ASSEMBLY.
Continued from first psse.


sembIy) and to approve the regulations for eiec-
tions this Douma EXTENDING 'ns ss"uss -
these laws to the whole territory OF the empire,
with such exceptions only as may be CONSIDERED
necessary I'm the case OF some rekiohs III "hieh
special conditions obtain
the c,osIidarstvennaia Douma of delegates from
the Grand Duchy OF Finland on ques,ons con,
oernjne the empire in general and the grand
duchv in particular. we will take special meas
ureS .
A. the same time we have ordered the Minis
,ar of the Interior to submit immediately for our
appreciation regulations for the elections to the
Douma go that Deputies from fifty governments
and from the Military Province of the Don may
be abl. to assemble not later than the rnidote OF
We reserve TO ourselves entirely the care Of
perfecting the organzation of the GosudarstNeh~
naia Douma and when the course OF evehts
shall have shown the necessity for changes cor
responding completely to the needs or the tunes
and the welfare of the empire we shall not faii
to give at the proper momen. the necessary d.
rections
We are convinced that those who shall have
been elected by the confidence OF the whole peo-
pie and will thus he called upon to participate
in the legislative work of the government. VIII
show themselves in the eyes of all Russia TO DC
worthy Of the imperial trust. in the virtue OF
which they have been invited TO cooperate In
this great work. and that, in perfect harmony
with other institutions and authorities OF the
state esta blished by they will contribute
pro1tably and zealously to our iabors for tne
welbeing of our common mother Russia and
and the greatness OF the empire. as well as for
the tranquility and prosperity of the people
In invoking the blessing of the Lord on the
la bors of the institution established by U.S. and
with unshakabe confidence in the grace OF GOD
and in the infallibility of the great historical
destinies reserved by divine Providence for our
beloved Fatherland. we firmly hope that. with
the help of God Almighty and with the com
bned efforts of all her sons. Russia will emerge
triumphant from the trying ordeals through
which she is passing. and Will be porn
again in the strength, the grea tness ana the
1Ich a
Given at Peterhof this 10Th day of August. in
the year Of grace 1905. and the eleventh year OF
our reign NICHOLAS.
The paragraph of the first section OF the plan
for the assembly sets out the purpose of the
new legislative body as follows.
The Douma is established for the preliminary
study and discussion of legislative propositions
which according To the fundamental laws, so
up through the Council OF the Empire 10 tho
supreme autocratiC authority
Paragraphs and explain the composition
and Organization of the Doura. which is to be
formed of members elected by the population
of the Russian Empire in accordance with the
election regulations"
The term of the Douma is to be five years,
but it can be dissolved by the Emperor. There
is to he a general session. but the Dourna will
also meet by sections. The length of the
sions v'ilI he determined by ~ Emperor. The
the members.
Paragraph Il of Section 3 provides that mem
bers Of the Douma shall enjoy freedom in ex-
pressing their opinions matters within the
competence of the body and ave not to be re-
sponsbe tn the electors"
Several sections arc devoted TO the exemptions
10 be enjoyed ny the members the occasions on
which they be deprived Of their membership
and the reasons for such action
MINISTERS and chiefs Of departments cannot be
members of the Doums, but they can attend its
sessions and make explanations delegate that
right To others The Douma demand
plantations from the Ministers
Section deals with the competence of the
Douma as follows:
A-Au questions relating TO new laws or TO
the modification, aniplihcation temporary sus-
pension repeal of existing laws and also
lating to appointments made on the staff of Min
listers and the expenditures thereby involved.
B-Departmental. ministerial and national
budgets; also other expenditures not provided
therein
C-The financial report of the Controller of
the Empire.
D-The appropriation of any portion of the
revenues property Of the state.
E-The construction of railways by the state
F-Questions regarding the organization of
stock companies involving exceptions from ex-
listing legislation.
G-Matters submitted by imperial decree.
The Douina has Jurisdiction in the matter of
taxation in the provinces where there no
zemstvos and in the raising of the te above
that fixed by the zemstvos and city councils.
The Dcuma will have initiative in the mat
ter of appeal for modification of old laws and
the adoption of new, but the fundamental laws
of administration not TO be touched ny 1t.
The Ministers chiefs of departments and
+ the Secretary of the Empire will submit ques-
tions 10 the Douma for discussion.
Many sections are devoted TO the method Of
procedure The public will not be admitted to
the sessions. Representatives OF the newspapers
will he admitted by the President TO open ses-
sions. but NOT TO the closed sessions the latter
being ordered by the general session or by the
President. o. a. the request of Minister when
he has a question to submit involving a national
secret Reports OF the meetings may be pub
shed by the President
After passing the Douma bills will go 10 the
Council OF the Empire and then TO the EN-
peror. Should the Douma and the Council of
the Empire disagree the question at issue will
be submitted to a Joint commission Should
this bring no conclusion the question will again
be submitted to the Council or the Empire
Should the Emperor cali attention TO delays in
! the consideration of any specific question the
| Council of the Empire shall appoint date on
| which tie Douma must reach conclusion II
the Douma fails to do So the Council OF the
! Empire will act alone
| Legislative bills may be introduced when in
dOrsed by thirty members. Should a Minister
! differ from the Douma respecting bill and the
| Douma in general session pass the biI by two
thirds majority the question will be referred TO
| the Emperor
! Relating TO the electoral system, the scheme
provides that elections may be held. first. in the