The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-03-22
FREEDOM
LARGELY A FARCE

st. Petersburg, March A.-The imperial
manifesto and tho ullases of March s,
which incorporate in the fundamental law
of the empire the provisions for a ma
tional assembly In Russia, promised in
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
popular assembly, but the powers granted
to 1t are so hedged about with restrictions
and conditions that 1t will be rather
parliament in name than in fact.
Nevertheless by the terms of the mani
festo the emperor himself is powerless to
revoke what he has now given. This con-
sttutes the great victory which the peo-
pile have won. They at last have an au-
thoritative medium by which they can
make their voice heard, and it is in this
assembly probably that the great histori-
cal struggle against prerogative and priv
ilege will be fought out.
Government Is Entrenched.
An examination of the documents shows
clearly that their purpose has been to
entrench the government at every point
against the assaults of the people. The
council of the empire, or upper chamber
as reorganized, provides for the cleo
ton of only half the members. so that
with the other half directly nominated by
the crown. the government can always
interpose a decision of the council as
buffer between il and the direct represen-
tatves of the people in the douma, or
lever house.
Besides certain important questions,
tol 1faa eaf i'm of m 81 ~
of the council of the empire, the eabi
net, the provincial general governors.
and other functionaries of the govern
ment belonging to three highest ranks
in the Russian hierarchy, are excluded
entirely from the jurisdiction of the par
lament. and are consigned to commit
tees or commissions as they are called,
Of the council of the empire. But the
composition of such committees is re-
stricted TO the members appointed by
the emperor.
Other questions which go to similar
committees are those relating to the law
of primogeniture, and to titles conferred
by the crown. These are all subjects
which the representatives of the people
will probably want to inquire into
Dissoves Parliament at Will.
The main weapon retained by the en-
peror Is his power to dissolve parliament
at will This, coupled with the govern
ment's ability to promulgate temporary
laws leaves the government master of
the situation whenever it cares to em-
ploy this means of Kidding itself of parlia-
ment when the latter has grown too in
qusitive or troublesome. Instead of leav-
ing to the chambers the creation of the
rules and questions of procedure, (which
are to govern them, they are carefully
prescribed in the ukases and it only needs
a perusal of the documents by the for
eign student of parliamentary institu-
tions and procedure. to make it apparent
that the cumbersome and complicated ma
chinery devised. is largely for the pur-
pose of GRIPPING parliament In its strug-
gle against the government.
Enormous power is. concentrated in 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 the doors during a debate and TO a
large measure control the publication OF
the reports of the slttings. They also
act as the Intermediates for the trans
mission of reports to the emperor
Committees Work In Secret.
The work of all COMMITTEES is done in
secret. Bills instead OF being introduced
on the initiative of a single member and
referred automatically to Committees As
in the American Congress, must be sup
ported ~ the signature Of at least thirty
members, and accompanied by an ex-
planatory statement TO compel the Pres
ident to start them on their way through
the legislative grist mill.
All idea that the cabinet would be
responsible to Parliament which was
freely intmated after the publication of
the manifesto last fall. is abandoned.
Even the provision of interpellating the
ministers. turns out to be vague. and