New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-09-02

per mines besides all sorts % other mineral
wealth. of which only portion Is now being
developed. These lands are the private prop
erty OF the imperial famiy-have been so. in
fact. from the beginning OF Russian history
being increased OF course, during every reign
by means OF purchase. II is the colossal reve-
nues derived from these Crown lands and min
inS properties which furnish tho very large al
lowances thar nre paid to the various members
Of the imperial family by order OF the Gar the
ratio being in proportion TO their respective
proximity 20 the throne. the Euperors brother
and uncles receiving. Of course. very much
larger annutiss than remote cousins. In fact
the grand dukes and grand duchesses DO not
draw a cent from the national treasury as such.
except. Of course. the pay for the military or
naval offices which they may hold, and which
is scarcely worth mentioning. So It &. not Alto
gethsr Just TO describe the imperial family as a
burden upon the people. except IN the isolated
cases where princes such the late Grand
Duke Nicholas Nicoia!owitch. generalissimo IN
the war Of 1877. took advantage OF his COM
mand TO perpstrate gross frauds IN connection
with army contracts II IS perfectly true that
tho so-Callcd Department Of the Imperial
House figures FOR about s5.ooo0H in the Treas
ury returns Of national expenditures each year
But this particular department embraces gil
tine philsnthropio institutions asyiums hospi-
tails. etc. maintained by the state throughout
the empire also the state horse breeding estab-
nshments and quantity OF other state enter
prises. IL Is 20 the administration OF all these
that The 100000 annually paid 90 the Do
rartneat Of the Imperial House is applied, and
# may safely be asserted that neither the En-
peror nor any member OF his family eyer sees a
penny piece thereof.
Similar msconception prevails with regard
TO the revenues q: the other reigning houses %
the OLD World. IL some Of them, IL Is true.
the monarchy Is a burden upon the taxpayer.
as for instance. in Belgium. Sweden Ru-
mania. Bulgaria, Seryia and Greece Blu: in
England in Germany. Austria and italy. the In
come ~ the sovereign and OF the members Of
his family is either derived directly from tho
Crown lands is betrayed thereby indirectly:
as. for Instance. IN Great Britain In fact.
neither King Edward tho princes pria-
Of his house cost the English taxpayer
a single cent. and Professor Masterman was
perfectly justified In declaring the other day
at Cambridge that John Bull got his monarchy
below cost. and even made profit IT" The
fact Of the matter rs that the British sovereign
possesses by right 90 inheritance an immense
amount Of very valuable property. known by the
name OF the Crown lands" which belongs 20
him er officio species OF life tenant much
in the same way that the territorial nagnates in
England hold their ancestral estates That is 10
say the Crown lands cannot bs allenated bv
the sovereign for any period beyond the length
OF his reign. Just the owner OF an enrailed
country place cannot lease IL or otherwise dis
pose Of il for any term beyond that IF his own
lirs. rave with the legal consent y his I'm
mediate heirs. Following the example Of his