Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1905-03-02
Gather at the People.
Palace in St. Petersburg
Freedom Of Speech and Assem-.
blage Were Guaranteed
And Several Speakers Move Assembly
to Great Enthusiasm.

st. Petersburg, March 1.-The PEG.
pies Palace here. was the scene OF n
remarkable convention today when
workingmen representing 100 factories
of this city met for the first time in
their lives with freedom Of speech and
dssemblage guarant end them. These
.vorkingmen ara 250 urinary electors
VINO on March will select so of their
number as members Of the mixed econ.
onic commission of which NJ. Schid.
lorski is president. The convention
unanimously adopted a resolution to
refuse TO participate m proceedings on
March unless the government pledged
the release Of the workmen who have
heen arrested since Jan. o. that the
members of :h- commission be given
absolute freedom of speech and i'm.
munity from arrest on account of the
expression of opinion. and the proceed
ings OF the commission TO be published
uncenSored
Prior to meeting in the Peoples Pal
ace. delegates representing seven
groups met in seven different halls
and for four hours disc used the situa-
TON. The meetings everywhere were
marked by the olderlines and the alb
sehre of incentia.y speeches. Outsiders
who were present were struck by the
Intelligent grasp of the subject display
cd by the speakers and the quiet de-
neanor and respectable appearance of
the workmen.
The massed convention heran AZ
y. NJ. One of the earliest sneakers a
wheelwright. moved the assembly to
great enthusiasm when he insisted that
before proceeding TO elect representa-
t;ves to the commission they insist an
on the liberation Of over 5000 Working
men who have bTen arrested since Sun.
lay. Jan. 30. i'm CORRECTION with the
strike movement. Continuing, the
speaker demanded liberty of the press
to publish reports of the commission.
The same rights. he said must be ac-
corded to workingmen in the provinces.
These demands were recorded by the
secretary of the Schidlovski commits
sion, who was present. and then draft
ed as resolution and unanimously
carried. The resolution concludes with
the statement that unless the demands
are granted by O'Clock p. NJ. on
March 3. they will refuse to elect SO
representatives and that if granted ac-
ceptance of the conditions is to be
placarded on the factory walls.
The President of the convention re-
viewed with remarkable lucidity the
POSITION Of st. Petersburg worlsmen.
lie said they must have the right to
strike. which is the most important
weapon of the prolctariat. Under the
present laws woikingmen are power
less. He demanded the adjustment Of
the Russian passport system whereby.
he said. men were practically reduced
10 slavery. He pointed out that ont of
his earnings of S3.c5 per week. work.
nan is forced to pay 1857 annually for
il passport.
In the course Of his speech, the presi.
:'ent referred to the necessity for free
dom of religion. This refe renee caused
ferment. and for an hour
the hall was a babel Of confusion. It was
Impossible for the chairman to dO5any-
Thing. as h" was entirely ignorant Of
l ules OF procedure and allowed every
one to talk at once: but as the business
of the meeting was really over adjourn
ment was finally secured ard the dele
gates flied out ~ the hall still disput-
ing over the religious phase OF their
demands