Lewiston evening teller. [volume] (Lewiston, Idaho) 1903-1911, 1906-05-08
PARLIAMENT
IN RUSSIA
Great Interest Centers
Ia Coming
Meeting

81 petersburg, May Sin all those
countries Of the civilized world in
which the people know no other than
constitutional form of government 1t
Is different to comprehend the intense
Interest with which the people of this
country are looking forward to the
assembling OF the first Russian par
Lament Thursday of this week.
most elaborate program for the
opening of the parliament has been
prepared. The ceremony wifi be at
tended by the pomp and circumstance
betting the important of the event.
Imperial heralds viii pass through the
streets summoning the representatives
OF the people. and an imposing mill !,
tary escort win accompany the car
to the Tauride Palace. where pariia-
ment will assemble.
Curiously enough, the old Tauride
Palace has always been most closely
connected with absolute autocracy. It
was constructed by Catherin II. and
bestowed upon Prince Potemkin, her
most enduring favorite. In this palace
Prince Potemkin gave the historic
banquet at which the prodigality and
splendor rivalled the feasts Of Nero
and the Roman emperors. Potemkin
received the guests in a uniform blaz-
ing with diamonds and headdress SO
heavy with gems and gold that ite
weight had to be supported by an
aide -de-camp.
The palace was supposed to be mod.
elled after the Pantheon at Athens.
but 1t Is far from pure classic type.
being in reality a 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
which is supported by six large granite
pillars.
Place Of Meeting.
The hall, where the representative
assembly will be held, occupies the
major portion of the central wing, the
GIltTy IOT ItIcHlOCT6 Uclu6 OPPOSllC llC
main portal and reached by passing
through two intervening Hobbies and a
long corridor It is rectangular in
shape, with a large semi circular al
cove or bay, inclosed in glass, project
from one end OF the garden In the rear
1t is little more than half the size Of
the hall Of the house Of representa-
tives, at Washington, or about twice
the size OF the hall of the British
| house of Commons. It Is well lighted
from above. as well as from the glass
alcove, and the seats of the 564 MEM
bers somewhat cramped, rise tier upon
tier in a semi circular form upon a
! steeply inclined floor.
! The domed walls Of the bay act as
an immense sounding board for the
| tribune of the president. which stands
| before 1t, fianked on one side by the
ministerial bench. with seats for
twelve members and as many assist
ants, and on the other by the desks
for the official reporter and newspa-
per correspondents. The public gall
cry, over the last row Of seats. IL small
and would aeen to indicate that the
4 government has no desire to have the
"mob~ overawe tho assembly. II N W
The wallis Of the han are paneiled
| IN white. The furniture u Of oak Tho
members are not provided with indi-
vidual desks. but sit behind fofms, !
buiit Up in continuous serui-circles
The precautions that have been taken
to have everything firmly fastened
down would seem to indicate that tu-
lmultuous scenes in the new parliament
are anticipated. Special measures
have been taken to deaden the floor to
iprevent obstructionists from stopping
- =. fAlrasn hu afamN1lfl. 81