New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-03-07
PARLIAMENT In BONDS
Glars POWER SUPREME.
Russian assembly Ham pered By
Many Regulations.

st. Petersburg March 6-The full text of an
imperial manifesto and laws relative to the Ma
tional Assembly and the reorganized Council of
the Empire throws flood of light on the pur-
pose of the government to keep firm check on
the new Russian parliament, and to exclude
certain subjects from consideration by the peo-
ples representatives The composition of the
Council of the Empire. upper house. one-half
appointed by the Emperor and twenty-six elect
ed from the nobility and clergy. not counting
scattering supporters from other classes. seems
TO insure a conservative, If not a pliable. ma
Jorty in the council to block the National As
sembly should the majority of the latter be in
opposition TO the Crown.
= The government carefully retasns Tie power
to promulgate temporary laws during
cesses of the parliament. and as the parliament
is subject to dissolution by imperial ukase the
government is thus In a position in time of
stress 10 rid itself OF obnoxious legislature
and proclaim such laws 1t deems necessary
TO meet the emergency.
A feature of the law which seems effectually
TO bar Reds" from membership in the National
Assembly Is a provision exactlng from persons
elected an oath Of fidelity TO Emperor autocrat
and Holy Russia" The most significant arti-
cle however. is one retaining certain provisions
OF an existing law which is mentioned only by
number. This innocent looking provision is far
reaching. placing beyond the jurisdiction of the
parliament. and consigning for consideration to
existing commissions of the Council of the En-
pire, composed solely of members appointed by
the Crown. the following:
Reports of the Minister of Finance on the
state of the treasury.
Charges of malfeasance against members of
the Council of the Empire. ministers, governors
general and commanders in chief of land or sea
forces
The establishment of stock companies with
special privileges.
Questions relating to entailed estates titles or
nobility. etc.
The manifesto announces that the two bodies
composing the Parliament (he Council of the
Empire and the Assembly, will be convoked and
prorogued annually by imperial ukase. The
Council of the Empire will consist OF equal
number of elected members and members nomi-
mated by thu Emperor. Both bodies will have
equal legislative powers in introducing egisla-
ton and In other matters. and only measures
passed by both bodies may be submitted for i'm
perial sanction. Both bodies may annul the
election of any Of their members.
The manifesto also provides that during
pension Of sittings Of the National Assembly,
should extraordinary circumstances arise call
ing for legislative action the Council of Minis
tors may refer to the Emperor for his decision
such measures as do not involve a change in the
fundamental laws OF the empire, regulations
governing the procedure of the Council of the
Empire or the National Assembly. or the conduct
of elections to membership in those bodies. The
power OF such a measure ceases if. two months
after the National Assembly has resumed its
sittngs no bill embodying the provisions therein
contained be brought forward or if such bill be
rejected by the National Assembly or the Coun-
ell of the Empire.
The manifesto concludes with saying that the
Emperor firmly hopes that the participation of
representatives of the people in the government
,,iu contribute TO the economic welfare of the
empire and strengthen the unity of Russia.
The ukases declare that the elective members
Of the Council of the Empire are eligible for a
period of nine years. One-third of them will be
reelected triennialy.
Each zemstvo Is privileged to elect member
six members will be returned by the Holy Synod
OF the Orthodox Church, six by the Academy of
Sciences and Universities. twelve by the Bourses
of Commerce and Industry. eighteen by the no
bility and six by the landed proprietors of Po-
land.
All the members OF the council must be forty
wears old and baccalaureates. The President
and ytce-President will be appointed by the
Tcmperor Elective members VIII receive S12 30
daily during the session
The sittings OF both the National Assembly
and the Council of the Empire will be public
and the closure OF debate may be voted by a
ma ajority.
Ministers will be eligible to election to the Ma
tional Assembly.
Laws voted by the two bodies will be submit
Contiaued second 3@.e.