Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-06-16
History of the Duma.

The dissolution Of the Russian duma,
arising directly out Of the refusal Of that
body to consent to the demand upon it
by Premier Sto1ypin that 1t permit the.
arrest of a number of its members on the,
charge of conspiring against the state. does
not come as a surprise. In fact, 1t had
been freely predicted ever since the lower
house first met on March Of this year
that it's dissolution was only a question
OF time, and the many official denials that
the duma would not be dissolved never
The history of this duma, like its pre-
decessor, has been one of almost constant
clashes with the government. This, in
spite of the fact that a consistent effort
was made in some quarters to make the
duma an effective legislative body. and
that the government program for legisla-
ton contained number OF real reforms.
The cabinet declared 1t would give parlia-
ment every chance to justify its existence.
The deputies, however, were insistent on
radical changes. and their persistence in
this course resulted in what amounts to a
charge by the government that the duma
was a shelter for conspiracy and treason
against the state.
Beginning of the End.
The situation entered upon its final
phase when the revolutionary members
of the lower house went over to London
and took part in a congress which had
for its avowed purpose the upset:,ng of
the throne of the emperor.
From the very beginning the sessions
of the second duma have been character
lied by bitterness, recrimination and dis
content and there have been countless
evidences of hostility between the house
and the administration. While this duma
passed more legislation than did its
predecessor, the measures that became
laws under its hands were of cCmpara-
lively minor Importance
The president of the duma was Feodor
A. Golivine.
Russia's Experiment.
Russia's first experiment in parliament
tary government came to an end July
D. 1906 with the PRONUNCIATION of two
imperial ukases, the first dissoIving the
parliament and providing for the con-
vocation of its successor on March :,
1907 tthis was the parliament that was
dissolved today, and the second pro-
claiming the capital of Russia and the
surrounding province to be in a state of
extraordinary security. This measure of
safety was to provide for the uutburst
which was expected as a result of the
daring measure.
The momentous orders putting an end to
the first parliament were promulgated at
o'clock in the morning. They were ad-
dressed to the ruling senate and recited
that according to the fundamental laws
the imperial parliament was ordered dis
solved.
First Parliament.
The first Russian parliament was opened
May 10, 1906, by the emperor. The lower
house showed its temper May 26 when the
premier read the emperor's reply to Its de-
mands. few days before that time the
emperor had refused to receive an address
from the president of the duma, and this
marked the beginning of the breach be-
tween the lower house and the ministry.
which eliminated June % in a demand for
the resignation of the cabinet.
The only piece of Legislation by the first
parliament which became a law a bill
appropriating s7,50O0O0 for the relief of
ADMINISTRATOR peasants.
AS the sessions advanced 1t was appar-
ent that breach was inevitable.
Fight With the Throne.
The conflict between the government and
the lower house of parliament has been
extended to the upper house, or council of