The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-08-20
FRUIT Of L0NGAND
BITTER STRUGGLE
Russia's National Assem-
bly, is Born.
A MANIFESTO ISSUED
The Gar Informs His People That a
Certain Measure Of Representa-
ton in the Legislation Has at
Last Been Accorded
Them.
Them.
(By the Associated Press.)

ST. Petersburg, Aug. 19.-Russia's
of stress and striving for reform,
which endows the Russian people with
the right of being consulted through
their chosen representatives In the
suggestion, preparation and repeal of
legislation, today takes it's place among
the fundamental institutions of the
empire.
In a solemn manifesto Emperor
Nicholas announces this morning to
his subjects the fruition of his plans
summoning the representatives OF the
people as outlined by him in rescript
issued on March third, last, and fixes
the date for the first convocation as
January, and in ukase, address
ed to the senate, formally orders that
body to register as the imperial will
a law project, formulating the nature,
powers and procedure of the new gov
ernmental organization.
The manifesto, ukase and project are
published this morning in special edi-
tons of the Official Messenger in ST.
Petersburg and Moscow. They will be
given out for publication at noon to all
the newspapers throughout the en-
pire, many of which are preparing to
mentous historical event, overshadow-
ing in importance the liberation of the
serfs in 1861.
The National Assembly will be a
consultative organization in connec-
ton with the council of the empire,
and not a legislative body. The
powers of the Emperor remain theOre
tically absolute. AS the Emperor is
the supreme law giver and autocrat,
Ia "A ..rtxN l,n ,lx
a recommendations and not a binding
force. through the rejection of any
legislative measures by q two-thirds
majority of both houses is sufficient
to prevent that measure from becom.
ing law.
The representatives of the people
viii 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 sup
ervision over budgetary expenditures.
The suffrage, though wide. is not
universal. 1t is based on property
qualification. the peasantry having a
vote through membership in COM
munal organizations.
A considerable portion of the resi-
dents of the cities, possessing no lands.
together with women. soldiers. civil
functionaries. etc. are without suf-
fra~e.
Text OF the Manifesto.
The imperial manifesto says in part:
I'VE reserve to ourselves entirely
the care of perfecting the organization
of the Douma: and when the course of
events shall have shown the necessity
for changes corresponding completely
to the needs of the times and the well
fare of the Empire, We shall not fail
to give at the proper moment the
necessary directions.
I'VE are convinced that those who
shall have been elected by the conf
dence of the whole people, and who
Will thus be called upon to participate
in the legislative work of the govern
ment will show themselves in the eyes
of all Russia to be worthy Of the i'm
perial trust and that. in perfect har-
mony with other institutions and au-
thorities of the state established by
us. they will contribute probably 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 tranquility and pros
perity of the people,
The manifesto concludes by express
ing the hope that Russia will emerge
triumphant from the trying ordeals
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. .