Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1906-06-15
Scene in Russian Douma.

The lower house OF the Russian par
lament was swsyed yesterday afternoon
by successive waves Of passion evoked by
series of government communications,
including Military PrOcurator PavlotfS
rejection of the appeal of the house for a
cessation of the executions in the Baltic
provinces and the cool request of the
procurator of the district court that the
house expel NJ. UlianOt, who has been
indicted, although member OF parlia-
medt, in order that he may be arrested
pending his trial for press offenses. SO
fierce was the storm that President
Mouromtsef announced that he would
be compelled to adjourn the session if
the demonstration was continued.
The district procurator's letter inform
ed the house that the trial of NJ. UlinOfl
was sci for June 27, but that he was pro-
lected from arrest by the constitutional
privilege OF the house, and that accord
ing 10 prOyisO of the statute the right
of expulsion was asked FOR This vas
read, after a number OF speeches asssiling
the courts action as being tn e most bare
faced efirontery.
M. KokOskine's resolution that the
house saw no reason TO utilize the right
of expulsion and would proceed with the
order of the day was adopted.
Procurator Payloff then ascended the
rostum in the face of the already
sngered house aud declared that until
the military laws were changed the
courts martial hal no option but 10
pose death sentences for such Otienses
as those committed at Riga and Sevasto-
pol. The right OfrevisiOn, he explained,
rested solely with the governor generals,
6h0 could reject appeals or confirm
sentences. The minister of war could
not interfere and could not decide wheth-
er culprits should be judged by military
or civil courts
Procurator Payloff, after reading his
communication in a hurried, sgtated
voice, Immediately lett the hall, but not
too soon to escape cries of Murderer"
Assassin aud Dog" from the radi'
Gals.
At this point President Mouromtsefi
threatened TO suspend the session un-
less order was restored. He recognized
Professor Kusmn- karavitti, who tlatly
gave PaylCf the lie. He cited case after
case, with which he was familiar from
his former connection with the Academy
OF Military Law, in which the Minister
of War threw the influence of the courts
martial against accused persons.
NJ. Lednisky, Polish representative,
who followed, resented, without word
of rebuke from the chair, the charge
that PAyloii had deliberately delayed the
orders su-pending the sentences of the
eight workmen executed at Riga, the re-
prieve arriving al hour after the execu-
liOns. he speaker declared that the
minister of war, instead of answering,
tossed away the appeal oflhe house with
sEarl at red tape, laying the response.
bility on the regulations of the court
martial.
The only justification for The use Of
military procedure was TO secure speedy
action in times Of stress. But the men
executed al Riga were arrested in De-
sember and condemned in May.
Furthermore, their trials were illegal,
as the Ofienses we're committed before
martial law WAS proclaimed.
NJ Lednilsky concluded with saying:
'rThese are murders aud not sentences
aud you are murderers instead OF full
filters of the law"
Father Akhanatief, of Uia, brought
the house to its feet with reference to
the Holy SynOd's prohibition Of prayers
for the repose OF the soul of Lieutenar t
Schmidt, who was executed for partici-
patton in the naval mutiny al Sebss-
lopol. He said the ministry was mark
ed with the brand OF Cain and was ripe
for divine vengeance.
A vehement speech by NJ. Alladiu,
the leader of the peasant workmen
group, was stopped by President Mour-
omtseff when NJ. Alladin called the min.
listers traitors and urged the conversion
of the ministerial benches into prison
er's dock.
The House adjourned after adopting a
resolution expressing profound discOn'
tent with the answer of the ministry on
the subject of the death sentences.
Mr.. w. J. Bryan was present during
| the exciting scenes.