The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-07-25

IUI NuSSld. luc COuuCll VI tuc- eul-
pire, the Russian upper house, has been
entirely overshadowed by the lower
house. The sensational develop
ments of the past few days, and
their probable consequences, give the
following facts in relation to the two
houses, as outlined by William E. Cur
tbs in the Chicago Record Herald, in a
letter from st, Petersburg, special in
terest:
Council Of Empire.
The composition of the Russian coun-
ell Of empire is believed by it's defend
| usually offered to similar bodies In 9th
er European countries. In England
membership in the house of lords is
! hereditary, and no other can enter it
except additional members Of the no.
bility as they may be created by the
king. The same is true of the herren-
h s in Prussia In Fo ast the upper
elected by the largest taxpayers, the
chambers Of commerce and certain high
functionaries. In France the senate is
elected indirectly by the municipal
ties and departments, and in Austria
the upper house is composed Of rich
landed proprietors, representatives Of
commercial and industrial institutions,
|
conservatism of the upper house fur
nishes necessary balance to the pro-
gressive and radical spirits Of the di-
rect representatives Of the people.
An "Old Mems Home.''
The Russian council of empire con-
sists of ninety-eight members, whose
terms are nine years. One-half of
them are appointed by the emperor and
are his only representatives in the i'm
perial parliament Most of his selec.
tions are retired ministers of state
generals of the army and admirals OF
the navy, who for various reasons must
shelvea from setiys Pa1tsipat9pn aj il
Home" The other members are elect
ed as follows. Eighteen by the nobili
ty, SIX BY the holy synod, six by the
faculties of the universities. six by the
commercial and Industrial organization:
Of the empire, and the balance by the
zeInstvos Of the various provinces
lures. e.
The council Of the empire has ex
elusive jurisdiction over all charges Of
malfeasance made. against cabinet min
listers, governors. generals of provinces
and other high officials, very much lik'
the jurisdiction Of the United StateI
!; senate in impeachment cases. It als'
has exclusive control of the auditing
Of the finance department of the EN-
shops, and matters referring to2primo
geniture and titles conferred by tn
r crown.
+ The Lower House. -
The douma or lower house of parlia
!, ment, is composed of 400 members a
present, but viii probably be increase,
. soon to something over 800 members
: who are elected for five. years. but bot
branches of the parliament can be dis
= solved at any time by the emperor an
, new elections ordered, as u the presen
from arrest; they cannot be held r.
sponsible for language uttered in dc
!, bate, and cannot be deprived of thei
liberty except by order Of the house
: They are required to take the followin
: oath: -,
~, the undersigned, swear before Al
!. Emighty God to perform. to the best o
!, my ability, the duties with which
have been charged as member Of th1
to remain loyal to his majesty, the en-
: peror and autocrat Of all the Russians
and striving only for the welfare an
happiness Of Russia - ~
Douma's Powers.
The douma has much wider jurisdit
! tion and much greater power than
generally supposed. Bills and petition
lcannot be introduced by individual
but. require the Endorsement Of .thirt
members, and must be accompanied b
p an explanatory brief as to their pu1
pose and the necessity for action upo
i them for the information of the con
q mittee. Some such rule would be
$ good thing for the American congress
=, and would save a large. amount c
! money that Is now wasted in unnece
time spent by committees upon mea
- ures that never can pass.
" A majority. Of the douma can close
,. debate at any time.
:. Its duty is to enact the laws Of tt
- empire, to adopt an annual budget, ar
y upon it's failure to do so the latest pr
y vious appropriations will be continue
W indefinitely. and will be available at tt
u rate of one-twelfth Of the full amour
- 1 state property and the application
the revenues received therefrom, tt
construction and management of sta
q railways and other public utilities, 8
matters relating to stock companies al
. corporations, commercial and industri
regulations, laws for the government
IS provinces and territories where. ]
,s zemstvos exist, and statutes for civ
l. and criminal jurisdiction. The doun
e can have nothing whatsyer to do wi
It authority to make temporary laws dr
10 ing the intervals between session
= which are effective two months aft
N the reassembling Of the douma, wheth
l. they are ratified or not. ..
... Council Must Ratify.