The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-08-19

members of "elected by the population of the Russian empire in accordance with the election regulations" The term of the douma is 10 five years but it can be dissolved by the em- peror. There Is to be a general session but the douma will also meet by sec tions, the length of the session being determined by the emperor. The pres ident and upper officials are to be cleo ted by the members. Paragraph ls of Section 3 h svides that members of the Douma shA en- joy freedom in exchanging their spin- ions on matters within the compelence of the body and are not responsible to the electors.
 Several sections are devoted to the exemptions to be enjoined by the mem- bers and the reasons for and the occa- sions on which they can be deprived of their membership.
 Ministers and chiefs of departments cannot be members of the Douma but they can attend its sessions and make explanations or delegate that right to others. The Douma can demand ex- plantations from the ministers. Section | 5 deals with the competence of the Douma which is as follows: What the Douma Can Do. A. All questions relating to new laws or to eae modification, amplif- cation or temporary suspension or re- peal of existing laws. and also relat- | ing to appointments made on the stan | of ministers and the expenditures | thereby involved. B. Departmental, ministerial and national budgets also other expendit- ures not provided therein.
 c. The financial report of the con troller of the empire.
 l D. The appropriation of any portion of the revenues or property of the | state.
 E. The construction of railways by the state.
 F. Questions regarding the organ ization of stock companies involving exceptions from existing legislation. l G. Matters submitted by imperial decree.
 l The Douma has jurisdiction in the matter of taxation in the provinces where there are 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 admission are not to be touched by it. The ministers and chiefs of departments and the sec-
 retary of the empire will submit oues-
 tions to the Douma for discussion. Many sections are devoted to the | method of procedure. The public will not be admitted to the sessions. Rep | resentatives of the newspapers will De
 admitted by the president to open ses- | sions but not to closed ones. the latter being ordered by the general session. | or by the president or at the request of a minister. Reports of the meeting may be published by the president. | Emperor Acts Finally. | After passing the douma bills will go to the Council of the Empire, and then to the Emperor. Should the douma ana the Council of the Empire disagree. the question at issue will be submitted to a joint commission. Should this bring no
 conclusion the question again will be | submitted to the Council of the Empire.
 Should the Emperor call attention to
 delays in the consideration of any spe- cifc question, the Council of the Elm
 pire shall appoint date on which the
 Douma must reach conclusion, Falling
 which the Council of the Empire will
 act alone.
 Legislative bills may be introduced
 when endorsed by thirty members Should a minister differ with the Douma respecting a bill and the Douma. in gen
 eral session. pass the bill by two'
 thirds majority. the question will De | referred to the Emperor. Relating to
 the electoral system the project states
 that elections are holdable, firstly. In the provinces and territories; secondly in the principal towns. which are named In Poland, Siberia, The Cau-
 casus, Turkestan, and some provinces
 special regulations will govern the elec-
 tions. The total membership will be
 4I2, of which twenty-eight will be re-
 turned by the towns.
 The elections in the provinces and
 territories will be effected by provin'
 cial electoral college, chosen. firstly. by
 the land owners: secondly, by urban
 electors, and, thirdly. by delegates oi
 the peasantry. Women, men under 2t
 years of age, students, sailors, soldiers
 bankrupts and persons convicted oi
 crimes or dese.'tion shall not have the | right to vote.
 Governors and the police cannot vote
 when they are exercising their func'
 tions Land owners, mine owners and
 owners of industrial establishments oi | a minimum value of $7,500 and clergy
 owning lands are qualified to vote IT
 the electoral assemblies.
 In the urban electoral assemblie:
 owners of lands of a minimum value oi
 $750 and owners of industrial proper ties of the first category are qualified
 The peasantry electoxal assembly shal
 consist of two delegates from each can ton, chosen by the peasants belonging
 to the cantonal and agricultural cor
 porations. In cities. which are named owners of real estate of the value oi s1. 300 and owners of industries in the
 first category and persons paying taxes | or rent of the tenth category are quail
 fled to participate In the electoral as. semblies. The urban and provincial
 assemblies will vote for deputies to the Douma by secret ballot which also ap'
 plies to the subsidiary elections
 |