The news & observer., 1905-08-22
Grim, Terrific, WELDING
God Like Power.
THE PEOPLE SILENT
Looking Through This Spectral Pres
ence, Which The Gar Has Named
Popular Representation, at the
Grinning Giant Autocracy,
What Can They Say?
What Can They Say?
CBx the Associated Press.D


st. Petersburg, Aug. 19.-The En-
peror's manifesto pIomulgating the
national assembly and the details of
the project as published in the Official
Messenger this morning were read to
the ruling Senate, which met in special
session at noon today.
These important documents were not
given to the morning papers. but spe-
cial editions of the afternoon papers
copied them from The Official MesSen-
ger. These editions were soon bought
up and eagerly perused. The Feast of
The TransfiC CuTatiOn is being celebrated
today. All the shops are closed and
the city wears holiday aspect. The
manifesto was not read in the
churches today. This will be done to-
morrow.
The Emperor's gift of popular rep
TesentatiOn was received quietly and
without special manifestation by the
uudemonstrdtive Russian public. A
stranger in st. Petersburg would only
have noticed that the crowds in the
streets were carefully reading in the
newspapers the long columns of the
manifesto and the details of the pro-
ject as they walked home from
church.
The newspapers, which published
the full text of the manifesto and the
project, as we'll as tables fixing the
number of representatives, had little
room for comment. Except among the
extreme radicals who had made up
their minds in advance to be diSSatis-
fed and in the reaCtionist camp and
among others of extreme views who
believe the Emperor has surrendered
far TOO much in creating an assem-
bly,. public opinion is slow to crystal
lie, as the outlines of the new iusti-
ton are too broad and too complex To
bc graSped and understood on a first
survey. but the indications are that
the project will be popular. The
manifesto had an extremely good ef-
feet, as the reVolutiOniStS and other
agitatOrs had been declaring that the
Emperor had no intention of carrying
out the promised reforms.
The principal comment heard today
concerned the omission of Poland
from the electoral scheme, but it was
explained that this was owing to the
differences in local organization on
which the scheme of suffrage rests
The Emperor has entrusted the elab-
Grafton of measures to supply the de-
fCienCy in this and other provinces of
the empire, where the system of local
organization is irregular to a special
committee of ministers with instruc-
tions to have report ready in time
to permit the participation of all parts
of the empire in the first elections.
He Can Exercise the Ghost.
The text of the document cOnsti-
tuting a Russian parliament discloses
many points of special interest to for
eiguers enjoying constitutional gov
ernmeut. Safeguards for the main
tenancc of the autOcratic power of
the Emperor crop out continually in
the course of the lengthy document.
Although the members are to be elect
ed for a five year term, paragraph
three provides that the Douma "can
be dissolved by the Emperor before
the expiration of the term of five
years and new elections ordered by
imperial ukase." Paragraph four
sets forth that the length of the ses-
sions Of the DOuma and its adjourn
ments during the year shall be de-
termined by the Emperor. Para
graph 10 provides that the president
Of the DOuma shall report to the EN-
pcrOr. Other paragraphs provide
that in case of dispute between the
cabinet ministers and the DOuma in
regard to bills, the Emperor shall
have the final word as to the DISPOSE
ton thereof.
Members of the DOuma can only be
deprived of their liberty or limited
therein by order of the judicial power
and they may not be arrested for debt.
Their payment is provided for at the
rate Of ten roubles (about 5000 per
day during the session and members
will receive for travelling expenses
five kopecks per verst twice yearly to
and from st. Petersburg. The usual
provisions are made for the removal
or suspension Of disOrderly members
spd for holding executive sessions.
Paragraph Al debars the public from
admission to either the general or sec
tt"uaI sessions, but gives the presi-
dent OF the DOuma the right to admit
representatives of the press to the
en- sessions