The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1906-06-26

S"eePSh'h coats ana strange IrfDal
Costumes In the Hermitage Hall
Made the MOmentous Gathering an
Picturesque as 1t Was Thrilling.
DR.. E. j. Dillon describes as follows
in the London Telegraph the momen-
tous gathering in the douma, or parlia-
ment at st. Petersburg of the car and
his councillors with the peasants who
will act as his co-rulers in the govern
ment of the Russian empire:
The members Of the council of the
empire. mostly elderly gentlemen,
drove up in silence, entered the portals
Of the imperial hostelry and took their
places in the Hermitage hall. Long,
shaggy bearded peasants, priests, ru-
raj teachers and the rank and file Of
the nations representatives were con-
Quoted to the Nicholas hall. The other
day for the first time in history peas
ants were admitted as cO-rulerS of the
car to govern the mighty empire, and
one may declare without claiming the
gift of prophecy that their power will
go on increasing until Russia, like Ser
via. has become peasant state.
Sightseers who could catch glimpse
of the carriage inmates craned their
necks and strained their eyes to iden-
tify the members of the new cabinet
The indolent looking premier, NJ. Go
remykin, was revealed by his lOlling
attitude and outlet whiskers as he lay
back in his carriage, gazing YEARLY
now through the right, now through
the left window. NJ. Stishinsky, the
reactionary minister of agriculture
whose name and presence would ruin
the most liberal cabinet Russia could
get together, appeared for moment,
as usual, slightly disdainful, with de-
gree of exquisite elegance which will
probably not fOrsake him on the day of
judgment in the valley Of JehOshaphat.
Entering the Winter palace by a
modest little door near the Hermitage.
l soon found myself in the midst of
military uniforms. The staircases,
rooms, corridors. passages and gardens
all literally bristled with bayOnets, RI
fies and SaberS.
This unpleasant impression was
somewhat softened by the gorgeous
uniforms. bewitching smiles and cOur-
teous demeanOr of the army chiefs.
The throne room, in the gallery of
which the press representatives were
accommodated with places, was still
quite empty. AS in most great apart
ments of Russian palaces, the princi-
pal colors in this magnificent room
were white and gold, the white of the
fluted marble pillars, the gold Of the
balustrades and the vast gilded electro
liers An imperial mantle of ermine
and purple was thrown negligently
over the seat reserved for the car,
while in front of the throne. but not In
the center of the hall, stood a little
square table covered with heavy gold
brocade 1t was an imprOvised altar,
at which monarch and the people were
to unite in fervent prayer that their CO.
operation may rebound to the glory Of
the nation. Very soon a considerable
sprinkling of gold splashed uniforms
and flaming red sashes broke the same
ness of the spectacle. Then came about
seventy little boys attired in Bordeaux
colOred gowns, all members of the
court choir.
AS the minutes passed the great hall
rapidly filed. senators, members of the
council of the empire, chamberlains
and other officers entering at first by
ones and twos and then in continuous
lines. Suddenly three men without
wedding garments-that is, In common
workman's garb-were seen hObnob-
bling at the lower end Of the hall, one Of
them in a blouse devoid of starched
collar. and all three looking utterly out
Of keeping with the place and with the
visitors But not for long.
A few minutes later others followed,
and vet others, many neatly dressed
several untidy, few in very slOvenly
fashion. Then the peasants dropped
in slowly and circumspectly. with O.
look of surprise in some cases border
ing upon awe. Among them were long
haired priests and a dignified Polish
prelate of the Roman Catholic church.
attired in purple, and some other pas.
tors of the same faith in long black
sOutanes.
Ten bishops. literally swathed IN
heavy gold brocade, looking like great
Russian or Byzantine icons galvanized
into life. passed into the throne room,
and six wax candles on the temporary
altar were lighted just as Count White,
towering above his colleagues, took his
place in the hall.
It was a quarter to 2 when the bish-
OBS. stiffened with gold, turned awk-
wardly toward the door at the end of
the room opposite the throne, antici-
patfng the arrival of the car.
The commoners on the left hand side
Of the throne closed up all the spaces
between individuals, coalescing into
one black mass, the white sheepskin
tunics Of the Polish peasants and the
purple robes of the Polish prelate be-
ing swallowed up in the somber hue
of frock coats. The Russian mujiks, In
their long tunics and high and often
evil smelling boots. moved forward to-
ward the passage down the middle Of
the hail. eager to get glimpse Of the
little father"