The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1906-03-07
NEW ASSEMBLY
CLOTHED WITH
LITTLE POWER

St. Petersburg. March THE full text
of an imperial manifesto and laws rela-
tive 10 the national assembly and the
reorganized council Of the empire, which
was published yesterday throws a flood
OF light on the purpose or the govern
ment to keep a fir mcheck on the new
Russian parliament and 10 exclude Ger
tain subjects from consideration by the
peoples representatives.
The composition of the council Of the
empire, or upper house of the national
assembly with one-half the membership
appoionted by the emperor and 26 elected
from the nobility and clergy. not counting
scattering supporters from other classes
seems to insure a conservative. non pill
able majority in the council to block the
national assembly should the majority
of the latter be in opposition 10 the
crown,
The government carefully retains the
power TO promulgate temporary laws
during recesses OF the parliament" and
as the parliament Is subject 10 dlssolu-
ton by imperial ukase. the government is
thus in a position in time Of stress to
rid itself of an obnoxious legislature and
proclaim such laws as 1t deems necessary
to meet the emergency.
A feature Of the law which seems to
bar Reds" effectually from membership
I'm the national assembly is provision
exactng from persons elected an oath OF
fidelity TO Emperor, autocrat and holy
Russia" The most significant article,
however, is one retaining certain provi-
sons of an existing law which is men
toned only by number.
This Innocent looking provision is far
reaching. placing beyond the Jurisdiction
o. the parliament and consigning TO ex-
istlng commissions OF the council OF the
empire. composed solely of members ap-
Dointed by the crown, the following range
Of matters:
1. Reports from the minister Of finance
upon the state of the treasury.
. Charges of malfcasance against
members of the council of the empire,
ministers. governor general and com
manders in chief of land or sea forces.
g. The establishment OF stock COM
panies with special privileges.
T. Questions relating to entalled es-
tates and titles Of nobility
The ukases published yesterday declare
that the elective members Of the coup
ell of the empire are eligible for a period
OF nine years One-third Of them will
be reelected tricnnially
Each aemstvo is privileged to elect a
member Six members will be returned
by the holy synod of the orthodox
church. six by the Academy of Sciences
and Universities 10 by the houses OF
commerce and industry. Is by the no.
bility and six by the landed proprletors
OF Poland.
All the members OF the council must
be 40 years old and baccalaureates The
president and vice president will be ap-
pointed by the emperor. Elective mem
bers will receive Si2 so daily during the
session.
The sittiugs Of both the national as
sembly and the council of the empire
will be public. and the closure Of de-
| bate may be voted by a majority.
Ministers will be eligible to election TO
| the national assembly.
The members of both bodies are i'm
mune fron\ arrest during the session, ex-
cept by PERMISSION Of the bodies to which
they belong unless guilty of fragrant
| offences.
The ukases further point out that bills
rejected by the emperor cannot he
| brought forward against the course Of
| the same session. Bills rejected by one
| Of the legislative bodies shall not be
reintroduced without imperial consent.