Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-08-21

ing short Of the unconditional surrender OF
the autocracy would be accepted by them.
Whereupon the talk about dissolution be-
came louder than ever and the liberal adj
visers Of the czar were very much discour-
aged.
while It is true that the members Of the
duma, as the car asserts In his manifesto.
have not displayed a practical capacity for
productive legislation" 1t is the judy
ment Of all impartial observers who have
had the opportunity of knowing other par
liaments that the Russian deputies con-
Quoted themselves during their brief ex-
perience with a moderation, self-restraint
and dignity that is highly commendable
and equal to that of any other legislative
body in the world. It Is true that they
have done what they should not do and
that they have omitted to do what they
should have done. 1t 10 true that their pro-
gram was impracticable and preposterous.
and that the leaders demanded reforms and
privileges which were impossible but at
the same time and in these Identical re-
spects the duma represented the views OF
the nation. and was as much OF repre-
sentative body as Is possible In Russia IL
did as much practical business as could
most entirely without legislative experience.
in a country where such legislation had
never been possible and where. until re-
Gently the expression Of an opinion on pol
itics was a crime.
Naturally, there Is a good deal Of re-
elimination among the members. who are
compelled to go home without accomplish
ing anything or realizing any of their
expected to find fault. and the first Rus
sian parliament was not composed entirely
Of saints. There has been the same amount
Of personal Jealousy envy and prejudice as
would be found in any assembly Of 400 men
in any part Of the world. large percent
age Of the members are eager to hold ONCE
and exercise authority under the govern
ment. large number Of impecunious men,
bers are disgr,Intled because-their compen-
sation Of 3 day has been cut on. and
MANY sincere and conscientious men believe
that II their advice had not been disre-
garded everything would have gone on in a
proper way.
Peasants Indignant.
The peasants are particularly disappoint-
ed and indignant that nothing has been
done to secure them land. They are ex-
tremely bitter in their criticisms Of their
leaders for permitting so much time to be
wasted in long debates when some sort of
action was so necessary to the welfare and
happiness Of their people.
The Jews are equally severe in their crit
icisms Of the management of the, parlia-
mentary leaders. while almost everybody
has some fault to find with somebody else.
It Is true that the duma has wasted pre-
cious time. It has been in session seventy
two days and has passed but two laws, one
to abolish capital punishment and the other
to appropriate money for the famine-strick-
en- people OF the Xolga valley. That is the
record.
Instead of considering the land bill, bills
for the emancipation of the Jews. and other
practical measures for the benefit of the
people, the members have devoted nearly
all the time to abusing the ministers and
devising means to drive them from Office.
Everything that has been done has been
for political reasons. No bill OF any prac-
ticai Importance except the land bill has
No n1ar ~ =
duma has even suggested plan for the
extension OF the schools. or the improve