New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-03-22
RIGHTS OF DOUMA FEW.
AUTOCRACY PROTECTED.
Little Chance for Russians to Deer
ride VII of Gar.

Z
and the ukases OF March s. which incorporate in
the fundamental law of the empire the provisions
TOT national assembly In Russia. are disa ppoint-
ing IN many respects. They constitute neither a
constitution nor a bill Of rights for the Russian
people They do create a popular assembly, but
the powers granted to it are so hedged with re-
st1ctons and conditions that it Will be rather
parliament In name than in fact Nevertheless. by
the terms OF the manifesto. the Emperor himself
IL PoWerless TO revoke what he has given
Ihls constitutes the great victory which the people
nave won. They at last have medium through
which they make their voice heard. and II is
IN this assembly probably that the great struggle
against provocative and privilege Will be fought out
that their purpose has been to intreuch the gov
eminent at every point against the assaults Of the
people. The Council of the Empire. or upper cham
Der. as reorganized. provides for the election of
only half the members, and these are chosen by
the nobility. clergy, zenstvos and commercial in
terests. so that, with the other half directly nOm
mated by the crown. the government can always
interpose decision of the council buffer be
tween it and the representatives of the people I'm
the lower house. Certain important questions
notably. maIfeasance in Office of members of the
Council of the Empire. the Cabinet the provincial
governors and other officials Of the government be-
longing 10 the three highest rauks-are excluded
entirely from the jurisdiction Of Parliament and
consigned to committees of the Council Of the En-
pire. The composition Of such committees is
stricted to members appointed by the Emperor
Other questions which go to similar committees are
those relating the reports of the Minister Of
Finance the cash in the treasury and savings
banks, reports the state pawnshops and matters
relating TO the law of primogenitIe and 10 titles
conferred by the crown. These are all subjects
which the representatives Of the people will prob
ably want TO inquire into. The main weapon re-
tanned by the Emperor Is his power to dissolve Par
lament at will This coupled with the govern
ments ability 10 promulgate temporary laws
leaves the government master of the situation
v,1oy-r MS inca of z
itself Of Parliament when the latter has grown TOO
inqusitive troublesome.
Instead of leaving to the chambers the creation Of
the rules and questions Of procedure which are L"
govern them regulations are carefully prescribed III
the ukases, and perusal Of the documents makes
it apparent that the cumbersome and complicated
machinery devised is largely for the purpose Of
Gripping Parliament in its struggle 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 authority adjourn sessions order the closing
Of the doors and. in large measure. they control
the publication the reports OF the sittngs. They
also act as Intermediates for the transmission OF
reports to the Emperor.
All idea that the Cabinet would be responsible to
Parliament which freely ntmoted after the
publication Of the manifesto Of last fall. is aban-
doned Even the privilege of interpeuating the
ministers turns out TO be vague and perhaps n
effective. This right is specifically confined
Quiries relating alleged violations Of law by min
isters or their subordinates But such an inquiry
as in the Of the introduction Of bills must be
backed by thirty members, and adopted by a vote
OF the House before It becomes effective After that
the minister month within which to furnish
the information explanation demanded. cor to in
form the lower house Of the causes which make It
impossible for him 70 supply the Information re-
quested," clause which practically invaldates the
right Of Interpolation Explanations can only be
demanded upon subjects directly under considera-
ton. and ministers can refuse TO reply on the
ground that reasons OF state prevent them from so
doing a minister chooses to reply to interpella-
tons he also has the right demand the closing
OF the doors and the exclusion of the public A
majority in each House can close debate.
The right Of petition is specifically prohibited.
either verbally in writing
The following given the subjects within
the Jurisdiction Of Parliament:
First-Questions relating to the publication of
laws, their amendment, suspension or definite re-
Second-The budgets of the ministers and OF the
empire and the assignments TO the Crown not pro-
ciaI regulations relating TO this subject
Thrd-The report Of the Controller OF the empire
Fourth Matters relating 10 alienation Of any por-
curing the authorization OF the Emperor.
Fifth Matters relating TO the construction OF the
sixth-Matters relating to stock companies not
seveHth2Nat5eTs submitted TO the lower house
by imperial order.
Parliament also has the power to consider mat
ters ordinarily within the Jurisdiction OF
vos where no zemstvOs exist, and also TO decree
advances Of money TO the zemstvOs and munich
paties under certain conditions.
The members OF the council elected for nine
years and the members of the lower house for five
years but by imperial ukase. when the two houses
are dissolved the Emperor can order new elections.
The immunity enjoyed by members or the two
houses is rather vague. They are not responsible
for opinions expressed In Parliament, and incur
responsibility toward their electors They can be
deprived Of their liberty by a decision OF a court
only. and cannot be arrested for debt AT the same
time. members be deprived of their liberty with
the authorization of the body 10 which they be
long or for criminal acts committed in the dis
charge OF their duties, II they have been ar
rested "on the day the day after the
criminal act was committed
BY the terms of the ukase members OF the dipIo-
matte corps have the right TO attend all public
sittngs or both houses.
The following is the oath which members OF Par
lament must sign.
I the undersigned promise before Almighty God
to fulfil the best OF my ability the duties with
which I have been charged "a member Of the
IIis Majesty the Emperor and Autocrat 81 All the
RuesIas and striving only for the happiness and
welfare of Russia In token whereof ! hereto APP
pend my signature
VOTES RECORDED BY ELECTRICITY.
81 Petersburg March p The seats % he o-cu-
afr