The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1906-03-23
CONSTITUTION OF
RUSSIA A JOKE
Cars Manifesto Does Not
Grant People bill of
Rights
EMPEROR CAREFULLY TIES
POWERS OF PARLIAMENT
Government Always Master of
Situation by Power to Dis
solve InquisitOrs.

| ST. PETERSBURG. March 22-Thc Inn
perlal manifesto and the ulase Of March
g. which incorporate In the fundamental
law or the empire the provisions for a
national assembly In Russia, promised I'm
| the manifesto last fall, are disappointing
In many respects They constitute neither
a constitution nor bill OF rights for
| the Russian people.
They do create a popular assembly, but
| the powers granted to II are so hedged
| about with restrictions and conditions
| that 1t VIII be rather prcSentment In
| namc than In fact
Nevertheless, by tho terms of the mani
festo the Emperor himself is powerless to
revoke what he has now given This con-
stitutes the great victory which the peo-
| rlc have won, They at last have ON au-
| thoritntivo medium through which they
can make their voice heard, and Vt Is in
! this assembly probably that the great his
| torlcal struggle against prcrogatve and
| privilege Will be fought out
| Government Is Intrenched.
| An examination OF the documents show
| clearly that their purpose has been to
| intrench the government at every point
| against the assaults OF the people.
The Council Of the Empire or Upper
election of only half the members and
these are chosen by the nobility, clergy,
zemstVoS and commercial interests, so
that with the other half directly nominat-
ed by the Crown, the government can al
ways intSrpose a decision OF the council
as q buffer between II and the direct
representatives OF the people in the dou-
ma, or lower house.
Besides certain important questions,
notably malfeasance in office for members
OF the Council OF the Empire. the Cabinet.
the provincial general governments and
other functonaries OF the government be-
longing to three highest ranks in the Rus
sian hierarchy. are excluded entirely from
the jurisdiction OF the parliament and arc
Consigned TO committees, or commits
sions" as they are called. of the Council
of the Empire.
Emperor Holds the String.
But the composition of such commit
tees is restricted to the members ap-
pointed by the Emperor.
Other questions which go to similar
committees are those relating TO the re-
ports or the Minister of Finance on the
cash In the treasury and savings banks.
reports on the State Dawnshops and mat
tcrS relating to the law of primogeni-
turc and TO titles conferred by the crown.
These are all subjects which the repre-
sentatiyes Of the people win probably
want to Inquire into. The main weapon
retained by the Emperor iS his power to
dissolve Parliament at Will
This coupled with the Governments
ability to promulgate temporary laws"
leaves the Government master of the
situation whenever 1t cares TO employ
this means OF Kidding itself of Parliament
when the latter has grown too inqusi-
tive or troublesome
Parliament Will Be Powerless.
Instead of leaving to the chambers the
creation of the rules and questions of
procedure which are To govern them, they
are carefully prescribed in the ukases,
ments by the foreign student of parlia-
mentary institutions and procedure to
make It apparent that the cumbersome
and complicated ministry devised is large
ly for the purpose OF crippling Parlia-
ment in its struggle against the Govern-
ment.
Enormous power is concentrated I'm the
hands Of the presidents OF each house,
only the president OF the lower house
being elected They have the authority
to adjourn sessions, order the closing OF
large measure control the publication OF
the reports Of the sittngs. They also
act the intermediary for the transmits
sion of reports to the Emperor.
All Committees Secret.
The work OF all committees Is done in
secret Bills, instead of being introduced
on the initiative Of single member and
referred automatically to committees, as
in the American Congress. must be sup
ported by the signature of at least thirty
members and accompanied by an cX-
planatory statement. to compel the prcsl-
dent To start them on their way through
the legislative grist mill
All idea that the Cabinet would be re-
sponsible to Parliament, which was freely
intimated after the publication of the
manifesto last fall. is abandoned. Even
the privilege OIL lUteTpclldllUE tHc UlIll3-
ters turns out 10 be vague and perhaps
ineffective. This right Is specifically con-
fined to inquiries relating to alleged yio-
lations OF law by ministers. of their sub
ordinates
Jurisdiction of Parliament.
The following are the questions within
the jurisdiction of Parliament;
FirSt-Question5 relating to the publica~
tion of laws, their amendment, suspension
repeal.
Second-The budgets OF the ministers
and of the empire and the assignments to
the Crown not provided by the budget I'm
accordance with the special regulations
relating To the subject
Third-Thc reprt Of the Controller OF
the Empire upon the execution OF the
budget.
Fourth-Matters relating to alienation OF
any portion of the receipts property
OF the state requiring the authorization OF
the Emperor.
Fifth-Matters relating to tho construc-
tion of state railroads and their cost
Sixth-Matters relating TO stock COM
panics not covered by existing laws.
Seventh-Matters submitted to the lower
House by imperial order.