The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-09-03
Adverse Criticism Wearing Away.


 Adverse Criticism Wearing Away.
 The project, the provisions of which are difficult of comprehension by people not experienced in parliamentary institutions, is being taken up for careful study and consideration, and because much of this adverse criticism is wearing away, and the talk of boycott of the assembly by the liberals Is no longer heard. Public discussion of the assembly and the steps that are being taken to put 1t into ef- feet are bringing to light minor defects and impracticable provisions In the pro- ject, and the ministry of the interior Is busy answering questions and furnishing interpretations on doubtful points. It Is apparent that number of moditcations either by imperial direction or by the doumas itself, will be necessary before the assembly becomes a practical work ing body.
 Some of the complainants on the border provinces who were not represented In the asseN Nbly, have been removed by the prompt converting of the SolslSy commis- sion for elaborating a scheme for elec- tons in these directions. In which the system of local organization that prevails in the fifth governments of Russia proper and the machinery of which was appro- priated by the Bouligan commission for election purposes, Is non-existent.
 Must End by December IS.
 The election in the entire empire must be ended by December 15. Since the work of canvassing the vote and the journeys Of distant railroads to St. Petersburg Will occur the month before the date fixed by the Emperor for converting the as- sembly, the wcik of preparation of .ha electoral lists Is actively under way In t.,t Al. J frtn md telegraphic orders have been sont to the dilatory heads of a number of govern ments to proceed immediately with the work.
 Accusations which arc frequently cir culated fin many parliamentary states that the government intends to manipulate elections. are heard here concerning the douma, and indeed with numerical pre- dominance of peasant electors and the peasants awe of the projects and other local authorities the government Is in a position to do so.
 This undoubtedly will be the desire of many provincial Chinovnoks which have been accustomed to yielding arbitrary authority with little more reference to the wish of the central government, than to the desire of the people of this district. but tho provisions of the project and election regulations and special orders is- sued since SlOW tLut lut ID acting in good faith, and is doing It's best to make the elections independent A limit Is put on the activity of the provincial administrative authorities and the elections are placed In the control of authorities popularity elected or ap- pointive The bureaucracy has no voice in the arrangements, and no vote in elec- tions.
 Proqnostications Are Valueless.
 number of computations have been made by enemies of the project for the purpose of showing the peasants will be in the majority in the douma; but these congratulations are valueless. as 1t Is not known what combinations the three classes of electors will form among them selves In the various governments and if the inclination of the peasant electors is to use their plurality colleges to secure an undue share of representatives. 1t would force the city and nobility cleo tors to combine in self-defense
 The project is received with joy by tho Jews In Russia primarily because 1t Is the first general law promulgated in Rus sia in thirty years, not containing clause discriminating against Jews as race. This Is more than they had hoped for They are granted political rights under the douma, equal to those of all other races of the empire, but they are still without a large proportion of the civil rights enjoyed by other Russians.
 The logical outcome of this condition must be that in the course of time the civil rights of the Jews will be increased and broadened. and recognition of this also causes them satisfaction.
 Improved Conditions for Jews.
 It can be safely said that the establish ment of the douma means the dawn of an improved condition for the Jews, but to what extent this ameioration will be carried out. 1t Is impossible now to tell The settlement of many details of the Jewish problem will rest with the douma itself, but Jewish representation in the douma will be small. All the Jewish soldiers who fought In the war will be permitted upon muster1ng out to settle anywhere in Russia except Moscow and Caucasus This permits the settlement of about fifty thousand families outside the pale. The zone of residence is grad ually extending, and the authorities say that further extension Is completed.
 A te deum was sung yesterday at the synagogue in St. Peterburg for the grant Ing of political rights to the Jews. but there was no public attendance whatever Te deums were also sung in one or two other cities but with greater enthuiasm. The Jews exchanged congratulations among themselves on the granting of po-