Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1905-08-19
A LEGISLATURE
FOR RUSSIANS
The Long Awaited Manifesto
Creating National Assem-
bly, Published Today
AuTocRAcY is STILL RETAINED
People, However, Will Elect an AS
sembIy Of 412 Delegates Which Has
Limited Powers, Their Acts Being
Subject to the Approval Of the Gar
--Manifesto Outlines the Scheme.

X people Win the FlBnC OF DelnS CONSULTED
thru their chosen representatives in
the suggestion, preparation and repeal
OF legislation, today takes its place
among the fundamental institutions of
the empire.
In solemn manifesto Emperor
Nicholas announces to his subjects the
3ruition OF his plans summoning the
Representatives of the people, as out
lined by, him in rescript issued
on March last, and fixes the date
for the first convocation as mid-Jan-
vary, and in ukase addressed to the
senate formally orders that body to
register, as the imperial will, law
project formulating the nature, powers
and procedure Of the new governmental
organization.
The manifesto, ukase and project are
i published this morning in special edt-
tons of the Official Messenger, in St.
8 Petersburg, and Moscow. They will be
given out for publication at noon to all
the newspapers turnout the empire,
many Of which IRE preparing to issue
extra editions to signalize a momen-
tous historical event, overshadowing
in Importance the liberation of the
serfs in 1861.
BoGy Cannot Legislate.
The date Of the occasion has been
happily chosen with due regard to the
poetical symbolism SO dear to the
Russian heart, for on this day is cele-
brated the great: religious feast Of the
TRANSPORTATION of Christ, with the
bringing to the church Of the first
fruits of the new harvest.
The national assembly will be a con-
sultative organization in connection
with the council Of the empire, and not
a legislative body. The powers of the
emperor remain theoretically absolute.
AS the emperor Is the supreme law
giver and autocrat, the decisions OF the
douma have only recommendations
and not binding force. tho the re-
lection Of any legislative measures by
a two-thirds' majority Of both houses
is sufficient to prevent that measure
from becoming law.
The representatives of the people
will have not only the right to be heard
on any legislation proposed by the
government, but also can voice their
desires on new laws and will have the
right to exert a certain supervision
over budgetary expenditures.
The suffrage, tho wide, is not uni
versal. It is based on property quail
ifcation, the peasantry having a vote
thru membership in communal organ
izations.
A considerable portion of the resi-
dents Of the cities, possessing no lands,
together with women, soldiers, civil
functionaries, ETC., are without suf-
frage
cxar May Dissolve Body.
The paragraph of the first section of
the ukase following the manifesto sets
out the purpose Of the new legislative
body as follows: THE douma is es-
tablished for the preliminary study and
discussion Of legislative propositions
which, according to the fundamental
laws, go up through the council or the
empire to the supreme autocratic au-
thority.
Paragraphs and explain the COM
position and Organization Of the dou-
ma, which is to be formed of members
elected by the population Of the Rus
sian 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 be general ses-
sioJl, but the douma will also meet by
sections, the length Of the sessions be-
irg determined by the emperor. The
president and other officials are to be
elected by the members.
Paragraph 10 Of section provides
that Members of the douma shall en-
joy freedom In exchanging their opin-
Tors on matters within the competence
OF the body and are not to be RESPONSE
bile to the electors
Several sections are devoted to the
exemption to be enjoyed by the mem
bcrs ana the reasons for and the occa-
sions on which they can be deprived OF
their membership.
ministers and chiefs of departments
can not be members of the douma
but THY can attend its sessions and
make explanations or delegate that
right 20 others. The douma can de-
1nond explanations from the ministers.
Defines Douma's Power.
Section deals with the competence
Of the douma, which is as follows:
a. All questions relating to new
laws or to the modification, amplifica-
ton or temporary suspension or repeal
OF existing laws and. also Relating to
appointments made on the staff Of
ministers and the expenditures thereby
involved.
b. Departmental, ministerial and
national budgets; also other expendi-
lures not provided therein.
c.. The financial report of the comp
troller of the empire.
d. The appropriation of any portion
of the revenues or property of the
state.
9. The construction of railways by
the state.
f. Questions regarding the organiza-
ton of stock companies involving ex-
ceptions from existing legislation.
g. Matters submitted by imperial
decree.
The dou,na has jurisdiction in the
matter Of taxation in the provinces
where there are no zemstvos; also in
the raising of the rate above fixed by
the zernstyos and city councils.
The dou1na will have initiative in the
matter Of appeal or modification of old
and the adoption Of new laws, but the
fundamental laws Of administration are