Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1905-08-29
RUSSIA GETS PARLIAMENT.
Gear Publishes Manifesto Granting q
National Assembly

National Assembly,
The Car Friday night issued his
long expected manifesto, granting to
the Russian people DONNA, or nation
al assembly, TO which Az delegates
from all the fifty departments of Rus
STA and the military province of the
Don shall be chosen. The principle of
the autocracy is retained and the Gar
surrenders none of his prerogatiyes to
the people. The bureaucracy is not
abolished. Finland is not included in
the grant, the Car pledging himself TO
take measures in the future.
The first national assembly is to
meet not later than the middle of Jan
uary, 1906. The term of the douna,
or national assembly, is to be FIVE
years, although the Car may dissolve
it and call new election. The douma
will sit as the lower house of a legis-
lative body, the upper house being the
present council of the empire. After
passing the douma bills will go to the
council, and if there approved. be sent
to the Car
The powers of the douma are limited
when compared to those of the parlia-
ments of Germany or France, but they
are extensive when compared with any
rights ever granted to the people of
Russia. Here, for instance. is an out
line OF the legislative matters which
the douma may consider:
All 81, - .,,,,- I, -
or to the modification, application or
temporary suspension or repeal of exist
ing laws, and also relating to appoints
ments made on the staff of ministers
and the expenditures thereby involved.
OBJ Departmental, ministerial and ma,
tional budgets; also other expenditures
not provided therein.
Co The financial report of the CON
troller of the empire.
Cd The appropriation of any pOrtiCH
of the revenue or property of the State.
(El The construction of railways by
the State.
(F) Questions regarding the organiza-
ton of stock companies involving excep-
tons from existing legislation.
60 Matters submitted by imperial de-
cree.
The douma has Jurisdiction in the
matter of taxation in the provinces
where there are no zemstvos; also in
the raising of the rate above that fixed
by the zemstvos and city councils.
The douma will have initiative in
the matter of appeal or modification of
old and the adoption of new laws, but
the fundamental laws of administra-
ton are not to be touched by it.
Relating to the electoral system the
project states that elections are hold
able-frstly, in the provinces and ter
ritories; secondly, in principal towns,
which are named. In Poland, Siberia,
the Caucasus, Turkestan, and in some
provinces special regulations will gov
ern the elections
The total membership will be 412,
of which twenty eight will be returned
Ey the towns. The elections in the
provinces and territories will be effect
ed by a provincial electoral college,
chosen firstly by the land owners, sec
ondly by urban electors, and thirdly
by delegates of the peasantry.
Women, men under % years Of age,
students, sailors, bankrupts, and per-
sons convicted of crimes or desertion
shall not have the right to vote.
Governors and the police cannot vote
when they are exercising their func-
tons. Land owners, mine owners, and
owners of industrial establishments of
a minimum value of $500, and clergy
owning lands are qualified to vote in
the electoral assemblies.
In the urban electoral assemblies
owners of lands of a minimum value
of $3.50 and of owners of industrial
properties of the first category ale
qualified. The peasantry electoral as
sembly shall consist of two delegates
from each canton, chosen by the peas
ants belonging to the cantonal and
agricultural corporations.
In cities, which are named. owners
of real estate of the value of $1,000,
and owners of industries of the first
category, and persons paying taxes or
rent of the tenth category are qualified
to participate in the electoral assem-
blies