The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-04-17
.DOUMA Chief MAN
OF GREAT R Re !. .
Petrunkcvitch, Candidate Of Con-
stitutjot1al Democrats, Idol OF
Russian Liberals.
HAD A REMARKABLE CAREER :'|lF e !
First Man Who Dared to- Use.
Word Constitution IL
Cars Empire.
HAD A REMARKABLE . CAREER {, Y e
lc,orresrondencc 81 Associated Press)

fcnrrespordence Of Associated Pfesso
s.r PErER March 26.-P etrunk-
eyltch, /" the famous Pctrunkevitch, rs ne
Il called In Russia, the man whose name
Tor a score Of years has bcen IN we
forefront Of Russian liberalism, and VINO
now, ny the accepted candidate OF INC
constitutional Democrats. will be presl-
dant of the Doun1a. does not look the
horn leader he undoubtedly Is. A bearded
nnn of fifty, OF medium stature, nc
uoild hardly attract a second glance IN
an ordinary assemblage. But upon closer
examination the deep lines ana piercing
eyes beneath shaggy brows lend 10 MS
otherwise ordinary countenance an inter
lEence and force which marks MIN as
nfHniamong men. :.
He comes from noble stock, an & old
family OF the Province OF Cherngon'
where he was reared. After having pril-
lantly finished his college career ut me
University OF Moscow he lived Tor ten
years upon his estate greatly interested
IN the peasnnts, studying thoir lie anu
habits and needs. At the same tune ne
served In the Zcmstvo OF the province,
ana there really began what m'snt ne
called his public career, but ms nht n.,a
inclination 10 liberalism ana MS oul-
spokcn declarations in favor OF measures
TO educate and lift UP the ignorant peas
antry aroused hostility among tho bureau
Gratis OF st. Petersburg, who were carry
apprised OF his growing influence. ana
he was dismissed from the zemstvo SER
vice, exilcd from his native prov'nCc'
and forbidden to live IN either OF t'e
two cnpitals, ST. Petersburg or Moscow.
ia then took IN his residence In tho
government OF Tvor, where nc acquired
an estate III tho district OF Torjok and at
once became active In the analrs OF INC
Zemstvo Of the province.
Asked for Constitution.
It was no, long before the Zcmstvo OF
rver under his inspiration, became re.
nowned as the most advanced OF all the
Zpmstvos in Russia. But It was hot
until after the death Of Alexander ~.
thai the incident occurred which mana
Pctrunkcvitch's name resound throughout
the country. Upon the accession OF Nlch-
olas H. all the zemstvos sent addresses,
with Fluctuations for the young ,Aonarci'
condolences for the loss OF the late EN-:
neror and best wishes for long and
PROSPEROUS reign. The address OF tho
Zenstyo OF Tver, however, was an eS:
traordinary document. While repeating
tho Fluctuations and formulas OF tha
other zemstvos. It added that for the
welfare OF Russia the new monarch
should give constitution to his people,
expressing the opinion tnat oniS l''u'
could Russia flourish.
5'i"A continuance OF the old regime, It
said. will lead the countryto perditlon.
This was the first time that the Word
constitution could be said TO have oeen
openly pronounced in Russia. and Pc
strunkevich with Fodcohof, were the
authors Of that historic document lt''
with tho other addresses. were formally
presented 10 tho Emperor Novenhner =.
1895. when he received the deputation Or
Mobiles and Zemstvolsts. although actu-
ally they had been sent to the Emperor
in November. 1891. month after the
death OF Alexander Ill
Amid grand ponlp, all those who had
presented addresses to the Emperor were
assembled In the magnificent Nicholas
Hall OF the Winter Palace. PetrunKe-
yich headed the deputation from Tvcr.
II was the youthful Emperor's first pub
10 appearance. He was plainly enlbnr-
raised. Surrounded by q brilliant suite,
he came forward attired In the smar.
uniform OF the Chevalier Guard. In his
left hand he held his helmet. and insidv
his helmet was a sheet OF paper, on which
was written the speech he was TO de-
liver.
TImid, pale with emotion, the Emperor,
with his eye constantly travelling 10 the
helmet In his hand. commenced his speech
OF thanks for The addresses which had
been presented His Majesty touched the
question OF his future policy lightly, say
Ing only that he would follow step by
step the policy OF his dead father. And
then he reached the phrase which WAS
to become historic. While thanking the
Zemstvos for their patriotism. tho Em-
peror added that one among-the Fem
stvo OF Tver-had not realized his con.
hdence.
1T has permitted ITSELF" said the En-
peror. his voice trembling and his eyes
ganclng furtively for support into the
cold. hard face OF Pobedonosteft, the
Procurator OF the Holy Synod, who stood
at his side and who was the real author