The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1906-05-28
LEADER OF LOWER HOUSE BlT.
TERLY DENouNcEs czAR,l
REPLY TO DEMANDS.
CONFLICT NOW SEEMS INEVITABLE
ALL REQUESTS MADE IN REPLY
70 SPEECH FROM THRONE
ARE REJECTED.


reply Of the lower house of parlia-
ment to the speech from the throne
was unexpectedly firm in tone and
produced such a vivid impression that
h conflict is now considered inevitable.
To the demands made in the address
of the lower house in reply to the
speech from the throne it was almost
a complete non possimus. It reiter
ated that general amnesty was impos-
sible, but promised the release as rap
idly as possible of those who had been
arrested by administrative order.
There could be no question, it was
pointed out, of the abolition Of the
council of the empire, or upper house,
as that is an institution covered by
the fundamental law and is beyond
the competence of parliament.
Most important of all the premier
declared that the basis for solution
of the agrarian problem proposed by
the lower house was completely i'm:
possible. There could be no forced
appropriation of land. He promised,
however, the distribution of some Of
the appanages Of the state domains
and outlined broad programme for
popular education, the revision of the
tax laws and the institution of polit-
ical liberty. ~"
r. Speech Heard in Silence.
Premier Goremykin evidently was
10 ha
labored under Il considerable strain
and spoke in a low, weak voice, which
at times, though death]y silence pre-
vailed, failed to reach the rear OF the
great hall except as an indistinct NUT
tering. The reading, which was
rapid, as if the premier had been in
a hurry to get through with a disa
greeable task, lasted eighteen minutes
The members in the meanwhile sat
stolidly silent and when the premier
had finished and bowed to the assem-
bly, not a murmur of approval was
heard throughout the house. $751;.
A wonderful scene followed when
NJ Poditcheff, the leader of the Con-
stitutional Democrats, mounted to the
rostrum to reject in behalf of his
party the governments reply. With
burning words he flung down the
gauntlet to the government, thunders
Of applause -gHeetingzhis sallies of de-
fiance.
Grand Duke Nicholas Nicholaievitch,
who occupied the imperial box, shrank
back into a corner as the orator f1ayed
the administration and the premier
and the other members of the cabinet
seemed to shrink lower down in their
chairs.
Members Wildly Enthusiastic.
When M. Roditcheff turned toward
the benches occupied by the ministry
and With arm outstretched menacing-
ly declared that lit is not the govern
ment but the representatives OF the
people here assembled who must de
eide what is best for the welfare OF
the country" the members were Wild
with enthusiasm. ...-.-
Time and again the house roared
with ironical laughter at the orators
sarcastic denunciatiOns Of the policy
of the government. >,
NJ Roditcheff concluded with de-
mand for the retirement of the bu-
reaucratic cabinet and the creation Of
a responsible ministry from the peo-
pies chosen representatives He said:
"The government can destroy the
country alone, but it is impossible for
it to restore it without the co-opera-
tion OF the people and we call upon
you,'' turning again to the ministerial
benches. ito obey the dictates of your
conscience and give way to a min.
istry in which the nation can have
confidence"
AS NJ Roditcheff ended the mem
bers sprang to their feet and for
three minutes wildly cheered him and
his speech