The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1905-08-23
RUssIA's CONGRESS.

Convene i'm January-Eyent Over.
Shadows the Liberation OF
the Serfs.
st. Petersburg, Aug. 19.-In SOL
e1nn manifesto Emperor Nicholas an
nounces this morning to his subjects
the fruition of his plans summoning
the representatives of the people, as
outline6 " him in a rescript issued
on Maj 3rd last and fixes the date
for the first convocation as indian
uary, and in a ukase addressed to the
senate formally orders that body to
register as the imperial will a law
project formulating the nature, pow
ers and procedure Of the new govern
mental organization.
The manifesto, ukase and project
are published this morning in special
editions of the Official Messenger in
st. Petersburg and Moscow. They will
be given out for publication at noon
to all the newspapers throughout the
empire, many Of which are preparing
to issue extra editions to signalize
momentous historical event, over
shadowing in importance the liberia
ton Of the serfs in 1861.
The national assembly will be
consultative organization in connec-
ton with the council Of the empire
and not a legislative body. The pow
ers of the emperor remain theoreti-
cally absolute. AS the emperor is the
supreme lawgiver and autocrat, the
decisions Of the douma have only
recommendatory and not a binding
force, though the rejection of any
legislative measures by a two-thirds
majority of both houses is sufficient
to prevent that measure from becom-
ing law.
The representative 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 certain sup
ervision over budgetary expendi-
lures.
The suffrage though wide is not
universal. 1t is based on property
qualification, the peasantry having
vote through membership in COM
munal organization.
A considerable portion of the resi-
dents of the cities, possessing no
lands, together with women, soldiers,
civil functionaries, ETC., are without
suffrage.
The imperial manifesto says in
part:
eve reserve to ourselves entirely
the care of perfecting the organiza-.
ton of the douma and when the
course of events shall have shown
the necessity for changes correspond
ing completely to the needs Of the
times and the welfare of the empire,
we shall not fail to give at the prop
er moment the necessary directions.
eve are convinced that those who
shall have been elected by the con-
fdence of the whole people, and who
will thus be called upon to partici-
pate in the legislative work of the
government will show themselves in
the eyes of all Russia to be worthy
of the imperial trust and that, in per-
feet harmony with other institutions
and authorities of the state estab-
lished by US, they will contribute
proftably and zealously to our labors
for the strengthening Of the unity,
the security and the greatness of the
empire, as we'll as for the tranquil
ity and prosperity of the people"
The manifesto concludes by ex-
pressing the hope that Russia will
emerge triumphant from the trying
ordeaIs through which she is now
passing and will be born again in the
strength, the greatness and the glory
of her history, extending through
thousand years.
Former Intendent McCombs, Of
New Brookland, and two accessories
were convicted at Lexington on Fri
day of committing fraud in the town
election They were sentenced TO the