Palestine daily herald. [volume] (Palestine, Tex.) 1902-1949, 1906-05-05
RUSSIAN INTEREST
IN FIRST PARLIAMENT
PEOPLE GREATLY IMPRESSED
WITH COMING EVENT.-HIS-
TORY OF BUILDING.
Special to the Herald.

Special 10 the f1eTdlu-
St. Petersburg, May Sin all those
countries of the civilized world in
which the people know no other than
a constitutional form of government
is is difficult to comprehend the in
tense interest with which the people
of this country are looking forward to
the assembling of the first Russian
parliament next week.
A most elaborate program for the
opening of the parliament has been
prepared. The ceremony will be at
tended by the pomp and circumstance
benefitting the Importance of the
event Imeprial heralds will pass
through the streets summoning the
representatives of the people, and an
imposing military escort will accom-
pany the Car to the Tauride Palace,
where parliament will assemble.
Curiously enough, the old Tauride
Palace has always been most closely
connected with absolute autocracy. 1t
was constructed by Catherine II, and
bestowed upon Prince Potemkin, her
most enduring favorite. At this pal
ace Prince Potemkin gave the histor-
ic banquet at which the prodigality
and splendor rivalled the feasts of
Nero and the Roman emperors. Pc
temkin received the guests in uni
form blazing with diamonds and
headdress so heavy with gems and
gold that its weight had to be sup
ported by an aide-de-camp.
The palace was supposed to be
modelled after the Pantheon at Ath-
ems, but it is far from a pure classic
type, being in reality an odd mixture
of Greek and Pompeian architecture.
From the main building, the facade Of
which is Greek, with portico columns
and tympanum, project the wings
which sweep to the rear, inclosing a
garden with fountains and statuary.
The main entrance is through the
portico, which is supported by six
large granite pillars.
The hall, where the representative
assembly will be held, occupies the
major portion of the central wing, the
entry for members being opposite the
main portal and reached by passing
through two intervening Hobbies and
a long corridor. 1t is rectangular in
shape, with large semi-circular al
cove or bay, inclosed in glass, project
from .sne end of the garden in the
rear. Il is little more than half the
size of the hall of the House Of Rep
resentatiyes at Washington, or about
twice the size of the hall OF the
British House of Commons 1t is well
lighted from above, as well as from
the glass alcove, and the seats of the
564 members, somewhat cramped, rise
tier upon tier in a semi-circular form
upon steeply inclined floor.
The domed walls of the bay act as
an immense sounding board for the
tribune of the president, which stands
before it, flanked on one side by the
ministerial bench, with seats for
twelve members and as many assist
ants, and on the other side by the
desks for the official reporter and
newspaper correspondents The pub
lie gallery, over the last row Of seats,
is small and would seem to indicate
that the government has no desire to
have the mob" overawe the as
sembly.
The walls of the hall are panelled
in white. The furniture is of oak
The members are not provided with
individual desks, but sit behind
forms" built up in continuous semi
circles. The precautions that have
been taken to have everything firmly
fastened down would seem to indicate
that tumultous scenes in the new par
lament are anticipated Special
measures have been taken to deaden
the floor to prevent obstructionists
from stopping the proceedings by
stamping