The Saint Paul globe., 1905-02-27
EXPLAINS STATUS OF
z[MSTVO IN RUSSIA
Russian Political Writer Treats
of Political Condition
of Empire

er review of the present political situ-
alton In Russia is contributed to the.
Associated Press by a prominent Rus
sian writer. Alexander Stolypin, who
has made special study of questions
OF local self-government and has him
self taken conspicuous part in the
work OF the Zemstvo. Mr.. Stolypin
was formerly editor OF Prince Ouk-
tomsky's paper, the Petersburg Vie
domosu, and is now political editor OF
the Novoe Vremya. Mr.. StoIypin at
taches the greatest Importance to "the
part played by the zemstvo in the po-
lftical development of Russia" under
which heading he writes as follows:
In discussing the political development
or Russia with especial reference to self
government. 1 propose to devote myself
exclusively to the zemstvo or land coun-
ell. The significance of the provincial in
stitutions or Zemstvos as factors of great
political Importance Is proven by forty
years OF struggle for a predominance
which the state has never been willing
to grant.
AS a matter of fact, the establishment
OF the zemstvo on Jan. l C1S). 1864.
brought the germ OF conflict in the vague
ness OF the organic legislation. which.
fearing "unrealizable expectations and
liberal tendencies among the various
cultural sphere of activity. but. at the
same time, yielding TO the spirit OF the
time, allowed the zemstvo almost unlim-
Clash Soon Follows
The inevitable consequence was that the
administration and the free zemstvo
placed side by side. began TO trespass on
each others ground. II was not TO be
expected that the administration would
voluntarily surrender a part OF its po-
litical rights to the zemstvo and thereby
extend this latters powers and il was
equally difficult to expect that the zeus-
two would allow this administration free
nin hand In the matters which had been
event justified these apprehensions; no
sooner had the zemstvo begun it's work
than accusations came from all sides that
1t was arrogating to itself political char
acter; on the other hand. the zemstvo
retorted with sincerity and Justice that
its work was being interfered with.
The most striking example of this was
given in connection with its efforts for
national education. The zemstvo had been
empowered to deal with this question,
viso within the limits of the law" Now
the law. not having been drafted with
prophetic provision OF the newly created
Institution. was mute on the subject of
limits. But when the zemstvos began
TO build schools and seminaries, organize
libraries. etc. the satisfaction which the
ministry or public instruction should have
felt on seeing a great share OF its work
assumed by other shoulders quickly gave
place to dread lest the ministerial progress
OF education might be disregarded. and
chiefly lest such a powerful weapon for
political evolution as the education OF the
younger generation might fall into other
hands. Restrictions followed. With the
aid OF legislative measures and circulars,
public and secret. the ministry of public
instruction brought matters to such a
money and building the schools we're
forced TO surrender them to the ministry.
AS a slight concession they were. how
ever, permitted to conduct primary schools
including, not more than two classes
(standards); providing the teaching ad
hered strictly to the government pro-
gramme, using only schoolbooks author
lied by the ministry and under the most
stringent control Of the government. all
OF which involved enormous expenditure
OF energy and money.
School Evolution
1t is of interest to follow the course OF
school evolution in Russia. which is OF
such special Importance for this country.
since Ii is the lack OF education that keeps
Russia a laggard among the European ma
tions. Every peasant instinctively feels
the necessity of education. Neither veX-
atious restrictions nor Draconian laws
could discourage the villagers from at
tending school Plenty of devoted school
endure the government yoke. were willing
to serve the Zemstvos, however humble
and narrow might be the sphere or the
Zemstvo school. But the zemstvo budget
is modest. 1t could pay the teacher not
more than an average of twenty, some
times thirty. fifty. more often fifteen
roubles month. For this sum the teach
er was content to live in remote village,
often IN a cold lodging, and give lessons
under the most trying conditions. in small
clasSrooms crowded TO suffocation and few
II any class books.
The mortality among the teachers is
enormous. still more become incurable in
valids. They receive no pensions. Yet
there is never vacancy open. Students.
both in the capitals and in the provinces.
consider il an honor and sacred duty to
take the places of those who drop out of
the ranks, and enthusiastically forsake
their chances OF a brilliant career I'm order
to teach the children of Russia to prepare
the coming generation for better times
than the present. II is natural that these
self lf-imposed martyrs are not prone to
superiors. Indeed, II may be said that the
government does not find in them the
pliable material il seeks for its pur-
poses. Latterly their efforts to unite
themselves into an organization have
caused great apprehension TO the gov
ernment, and. il may be added, the appre-
hension was not unfounded. ImpriSon-
ment, exile, police surveillance and the
widest encouragement to informers have
been resorted to. but have only served TO
intensity the fanaticism of class which
Is likely to figure in Russian history.
Different Organizations
In concluding this review of the
OF Russia, / think ii OF interest to give a
few facts regarding its organization The
ZemStVo institution exists in thirty-four
provinces or governments of European
Russia. The members of the provincial
zemstvos are elected by the members of
the district zemstvos, which number 3ls:
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