Omaha daily bee., 1906-05-07
New Legislative Body Great Advance
from Present Autooratic Rule,
IANY CHECKS ARE THROWN AROUND IT
Agrarian Legislation the First Thing to
Come Up for Discussion.
CLOSING DEBATE on THE RATE BILL
United states senate VIII Conclude
Discussion ana Vote on the
Measure some Time Dur
ing the Week.

WASHINGTON, May Sine nuuOnai as
sembly Of Russia, to which so many hopes
for the future Of that country are anchored,
will be convened at the Tauride palace in
ST. Petersburg on Thursday, May 10. Never
before in the history of Russia has there
been an assemblage which. with the sane
ton and approval Of the government. has
represented the people II would therefore
appear to be an experiment upon the out
come. Of which will depend the future OF
Russia The national assembly or douma
was granted by the emperor August l9,
1906. and according to the oficial announce
ment is established for the preliminary
study and discussion of legislative prop
ostions, which, according to the funda-
mental laws, gc up through the council OF
the empire to the supreme autocratic au-
thority The composition Of the council of
the empire or upper house-one-half APP
pointed by the emperor and one-half elected
from the nobility and elergy-would seem
suf1ciently pliable TO block the douma
should II be in opposition to the crown.
In the manifesto Issued on March s, 1905
was an innocent-Iooking provision, placing
beyond the jurisdiction Of Parliament and
consiRping for consideration to commits
sions Of the council Of the empire the re-
ports Of the minister OF finance. charges
OF maIfeasance against ofdcials OF the gov
ernment, the establishment of stock COM
panies. with special privileges and dues-
tions relating to entailed estates, titles OF
nobility, etc The government retains the
power 10 promulgate temporary laws
during the recesses of Parliament, and as
the Parliament is subject TO dissolution
by imperial ulxase the government Is in
position in time OF stress to rid itself o.
any obnoxious legislation and proclaim
such laws as II deems necessary. Three
hundred and seyenty-one members have
been elected to the assembly, Of which
the constitutional democrats have clear
working majority. The oath to be taken
by the members Is 1--WE promise TO perform
our duties 20 the best OF our knowledge
and ability in all loyalty TO his majesty
and mindful only Of the welfare of Rus
sia."
The nrst and all important matter 10
come up win be the agrarian problem. ana
recent dispatches from St. Petersburg seem
20 indicate that the government Will work
IN accord with the assembly in this matter
by proposing the information of a parlia-
n1entary commission to elaborate plans for
an agrarian project.
End OF Rate Discussion.
Practically all the members OF the United
states senate agree in predicting that the
present week win see the end of the dis
cussIon on the railroad rate bill There is
among republican senator's some dispo-
sition to antagonize the compromise. pro-
vision for a judicial review OF the findings
Of the Interstate Commerce commission,
but the fact that this proposition is ac-
cepted by the conservative senatorial lead
ers on the one hand and by the president
on the other. renders 1t practically certain
A.t tha will n fba and hR
cepted as a party measure and that it will
receive most, II not all, Of the votes Of
republican senators,
II remains to be seen what effect the
consolidation OF the republican party will
have upon the democratic senator's. There
is little doubt that they will criticise the
course Of their political antagonists, but II
is not probable that they will carry their
opposition TO the extent Of trying to post
pOne the hnAl vote on the bill for any
great length of time. The democrats will
probably content themselves with express
ing surprise that the bill should be trans
formed into a party measure and then,
after chafinE their opponents, will let the
votes be taken, each man voting according
to hts own personal views.
Chances for Amendments.
There Is no agreement among republicans
amended and IL is probable that a day OF
two viii elapse before any policy on that
point can be determined. The consideration
Of the bill win proceed IN accordance with
the unanimous agreement. the measure
being considered section by section, and
each section being disposed Of In order
The procsedings OF last Friday, the only
day on which the senate has been in ses-
eion under the agreement, indicates thai
there Is little prospect Of any genera
change In the measure. At this time Il
seams probable that changes may be made
giving the commission power 10 compe
trunk lines to make connection with othei
lines and prohibiting transportation com
panies from engaging in the production oi
commodities,
Amendments for the accomplishment o.
both these purposes will be urged and 81
far comparatively little opposition to then
haa been developed.
Opinions differ to the length OF tim,
that may be required for the conclusion o.
the work on the bill and estimates vary al
the way from Wednesday until Saturday
The principal debate will be on the ques
lion OF court review. which will probabl,
Be reached by Tuesday. After that Is dis
posed Of, there viii be little heart left fol
anything else. and whatever may be OF
NGNt4 Will hAeeA AAhNAF hr atArQ upon aILel
comparatively little discussion.
work of the House.
The national house OF representatives viii
compiote the naval appropriation bill thi
week. II the foreign affairs committee esl
set ths diplomatic and consular appropria
ton bill ready in time. action also may b
taken on that measure.
Aside from this legislation. Monday 3
70 be devoted to the passage Of bills unde
Suspension Of the rules, and Friday is 4
be devoted 10 the passage Of private pen
sion bills.
the reading OF the naval bill Is expecte
70 occupy the house Tuesday, wednesda!
ana possibly Thursday. should there b
any unoceupied time, however, there ar
two special orders already on the calenda
and the immigration bill is TO eOnstitut
the third, II the present plan succeeds. G
Sive Il that stAtuE -