The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-05-07
Hope Of Russias Future Rests
on Resu|tof Meeting
FORECAST OF WEEKS NEWS
1t Is Practically Agreed that the Pres
ent Week will See the End
of Railroad Rate Discus
sion In Senate.

The national asse ably of Russia, to
which so many hop, for the future of
that country are pinned, 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 assembage which,
with the sanction and approval of the
government, has represented the people.
II would, therefore, appear to be an ex-
pertinent upon the outcome of which will
depend the future of Russia.
The national assembly or douma was
granted by the Emperor August 10, 1906.
and according to the official announce
ment. "is established for the preliminary
study and discussion of legislative propo-
sitions, which according to the funda-
mental laws go up through the council
of the empire to the supreme autocratic
authority
The composition of the council of the
empire, or upper house. one-half appoint
ed by the Emperor and one-half elected
from the nobility and clergy. would seem
sufficiently pliable to block the douma,
should it be in opposition to the crown.
In tbe manifesto issued on March
1905 vas an ipnooen+ lool.ing nroviso,
placing beyond the jurisdiction of parlia-
ment and consigning for consideration to
commissions of the council of the empire
reports of the minister of finance, charges
of malfeasance against officials of the
government, the establishment of stock
companies with special privileges and
guarantees relating TO entalied estates'
titles of nobility, etc.
The government retains the power to
nronulgata temnorarv laws during the
recesses of parliament, and as the parlia-
ment is subject to dissolution by i'm
perial ulase the government is In a posi-
t,on In time of stress to rid itself of any
-, <3.;a,,. ,o,,,s,at ,s,,s ,,r,a,.ivo s,o,,
,-'f = :.
laws as II oeeins necessary.
Democrats Have Majoritv
r. ,.,suo, 80 a,,.,' 49,,
ipiee Auiiuieu anu se'en's -one mem
bers have been elected to the assembly
of which the constitutional democrats
have a clear working majority. The oath
10 he taken by the members is I'VE prom
a.. - norfo,.n, ON. a,,+ies 70 tho best Of
ise - .,,,t, -
our hhowieuse anu "oiii's III aii iosai's
to his majesty, and mindful only Oh the
welfare of Russia"
The first and all-important matter to
.an,a ~, will ha tho agra,iap nroblam
,,-.., -. g. De.-
anu ieoen'
burg seem TO lnolcate that the govern
ment will work in accord with the assem-
hly in this matter by proposing the for
r,a+ion of a parliamentary commission to
alahorate nlans for an agrarian project.
rhis ,,,iu ,,racticaIlv mean the aeceptance
of tho decision of the constitutional DEM
ocrats II was first announced that the
donna would be opened by the Emperor,
but this plan has been abandoned.
Hate D'scuss'on TO Emu
Practically all the members OF the
United States Senate agree in predicting
that present week Will see the END Oh
the discussion on the railroad rate Dill.
There Is among republican senators some
disposition to antagonlze the compromise
provision Tor a. Judlciai review Oh the
findings of the interstate commerce COM
mission, but the fact that this provision
is accepted by the conservative senatorial
leaders on the one hand, and by the Pres
ident on the other, renders 1t practically
certain that the amendment will, In the
enc ,st pe a. acuepr UiI, receSe most f not all the
votes of the 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 1t is not probable that they will carry
their opposition to the extent of trying
to postpone the final vote on the bill for
any great length of time The democrats
will probably content themselves with ex-
pressing surprise that the bill should be
transformed into party measure and
then after chatting their opponents will
let the votes be taken, each man voting
according to his own personal views.
There is no agreement among republi-
cans as to whether the bill shall be other
wise amended and 1t is probable that a
d.v or two will elapse before any policy
on that point can be determined The
CONSIDERATION of the bill will proceed in
accordance with the unanimous agree
ment the measure being considered Sec
,jon hv section. and each section dis
nosed ~ IN order.
At this time It seems probable that
cha NAV he made giving the commits
sio,, mower IN compel trunk lines to make
Connection with other lines and prohibit
ing RECONSIDERATION companies from engag-