The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-03-07
PLANS OF RUSSIAN REFORM.
DRAFT OF A CONSTITUTION is
SUBMITTED TO THE CZAR.
VI. Ycrmoion's Scheme Includes Granting
81 Absolute Freedom Of Conscience
More Liberal Treatment for Jews and
FInns-Better Conditions for Workmen.
speetai cable Ds,paiea0 10 THE SUN.

Speclll CdOf DeSpdEeNss 10 NE ouHs
PARIS March e.-The Mdtin says that the
following are the principal points In a con-
sttution submitted by Minister Of Agri-
culture Yermoloff TO the Gar:
The assembling of delegates from all
the provincial 7emstvos 10 formulate
constitution which, while maintaining the
autocratc rights and supreme powers
OF the Car, will aim at satisfying the needs,
whether more or less urgent Of the people
This assembly will not be called the
Zemsh Sober but will be chamber COM
posed 81 representative and legislative
elements.
The laws voted by this chamber will
have to receive the sanction OF the Gar
before coming into force.
The budget Of the imperial house and the
acts of the Emperor or OF members OF his
family must not form the subject OF debate
in the chamber.
The question Of the liberty OF the press
will be definitely examined, as well as that
OF the abolition Of the censorship.
The regulation Of the duties and rights OF
students
The opening OF school In every village,
and compulsory education.
The expense OF maintaining these schools,
which has hitherto been borne by the people
alone, will be shared between the people
and other classes.
A reduction OF the taxes which have en-
numbered landed property.
Assistance to peasants to enable them TO
acquire land, and reduction Of certain
direct and indirect Ia xes.
Laws to ameliorate the lot OF workmen:
insurance for workmen In case OF accident.
and approximation fund for workmen
who had suffered in following their calling.
Inspectors TO be commissioned TO inves-
tigate several times year the condition
of workmen.
Schools for workmen's children, TO be
maintained at the expense of employers
Permission FOR Jews TO follow any trade
and TO live without restriction in any part
Of Russia.
Jews to be admitted much more freely
to the higher schools. and Jews Poles.
Finna and Armenians to have their rights
without regard to nationality or religion.
fxiles 20 be brought back by admins
tratiye means
Absolute liberty of conscience. The open
ing Of chapels and synagogues and the free
practice of any form II worship.
The organization Of medical attendance
for the poor and an increase in the number
Of hospitals
The St Petersburg correspondent OF
the Echo ne Paris sends the follow
ing account of the circumstances under
which the Cars rescript of last Friday,
promising certain degree Of representa-
tive government was published
The Ministers arrived at Tsarskoe-Selo
in a state Of CONSERVATION at the tone of the
Cars manifesto which had been issued
that morning. A Cabinet meeting had
been summoned under the Car presidency
TO discuss the rescript The VI insters,
when the Cabinet met, expressed 10 the
Car their astonishment at the manifesto.
They said il was eXpedicnt 10 finish and
issue the resoript, in view Of possible event
ualties NEXT dav. the anniversary Of the
emancipation OF the Serfs. The Emperor,
however. thought the manifesto would be
sun cient 10 calm public feeling
VI. BoulygtIine, the Minister Of the
Interior. declared tina, the rescnpt must
be published Otherwise serious occur
rences were inevitable.
After Minister BouIygune had spoken
Finance Minister Kokovtsor again urged
the publication Of the rescript.
The Car said. Very we'll I'll sign IT.
Then. looking at the table. he pointed ont
that neither pen nor ink had been provided.
When pen and ink had been brought the
Gar took UP the pen and reflected hesi-
tatinRly The Ministers. who had risen
from their seats, watched their sovereign
in silence The Emperor bent his eyes
upon the document and then slowly in
scribed his signature.
The Cabinet Council then hastily dis
persed and the Ministers, huTying to
ST Petersburg ran 70 the office OF the
Official Messenger and gave 1t tho docu
ment for publication
person who was present al the Cabinet
meeting sal 10 the Echo's correspondent:
TIP 10 the last moment ! was afraid that
the Car would stop the publication of
the rescript by telephone. ] breathed
freely only when the first copies Of the
Ohcial Messenger containing it had been
sold
ST. PETvRsBrRd. March ct il an
nounced that the commission Of which
Senator Chidlovsky IL president, and which
was to have inquired into the grievances of
the workingnen will be annulled IL the
election OF the workingmcn's delegates is
not completed within three days.
The representative assembly sanctioned
by the rescript Of March will consist of the
members of the Council Of the Empire and
OF deputies 10 be elected by the zemstvos-
In the rescript the Gar announced his in
tention as 70 the assembly as follows: am
resolved henceforth. with tho help OF God,
to convene the worthest men possessing
the confidence OF the people and elected by
them TO participate in the elaboration and
consideration OF legislative measures