Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1906-05-10
PRoeRessIvEs WIN RUSSIA.

After all that has been said by
Russian correspondents to the effect
that people generally were abstaining
from voting and allowing the reac-
tionaries to have things their own
way at the elections 1t now appears
that at the final elections the pro
gresdves" have been winning almost
everywhere and will have large ma
jority In the popular assembly.
How the correspondents could have
been so mistaken Is a mystery, as
the political affiliations OF those chos-
en- to the electoral colleges must
have been well known. They may
have been deceived By government
officials who no doubt were disposed
to suppress returns unfavorable to-
the reactionaries and to make the
most OF returns favorable to them.
However that may have been, the
fact as 1t now appears is that the
progressives were generally winners
at what may be called the primaries
the elections of electors to choose
members of the douma 1t does not
necessarily follow that the statements
which have been made as to the pro-
found popular distrust of the govern
ment promises were untrue.
The people may not have much
faith In the creation of the douma by
the government as a bona fide repre-
sentative assembly with real legis-
lative power. but the result OF the
final elections justifies the conclusion
that they were willing to do their
part in good faith and take the
chance of securing some political pow.
er through the douma.
II they find that the whole scheme
is mockery they will probably be in
a better position than they have ever
yet been in to demand real participa-
ton in the making of laws. The use
of the electoral machinery provided
by the government will have given
them political experience and some
measure of organization as parties
and groups which win be of great
service in carrying on the struggle.
/ 1t viii be to their advantage not to
be too sanguine as to the genuineness
OF the ionma as representative
body with real legislative power Ii
they expect little they will be less
likely to be paralyzed by disappoint-
ment and they will be more likely to
maintain and perfect their organiza-
tons for service in future contin-
gencies
To what extent the douma will in
huence legislation will depend great
ly on the pleasure of the car. He
has laid much stress from the begin.
ming upon the reservation to himself
Of the power of final veto. At first
the popular assembly. according to
his plan. was to have no legislative
power at all. II was TO be a repre-
sentative body merely Cor the AGA
demic discussion of such measures as
might be brought bec,re it, and no
others. 1t was accorded, therefore
only limited right Of petition. but
no right Of legislation.
Then the car yielded the privilege
of originating measures of certain
kinds and finally he conceded some
thing like true parliamentary priv
leges. but reserved to himself an alb
solute negative
Besides. the scheme provides for an
, aristooratic chamber which can vote
down or smother any measure passed
, by the popular assembly. Halt OF
the members of this chamber the
car himself viii appoint. Twelve
will represent the principal cham
bers of commerce and industry, ST,
; viii represent the Academy OF Sci
ences and the universities and ST,
| will be elected by the synod Of the
! state church. of which the emperol
himself Is the head
Thus the emperor will be sure o
clear majority of this body, as b,
: win practically name the ecclesias
; tics as well as the onehaf whom h,