The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-07-10

progress In the creation or parliamen-
tarH institutions, owing to their cx-
IRENE revolutionary, not to say mob
character. and disposition TO construe
liberty into the broadcast license. tre-
mendous pressure was brought upon
! the Gar by the rcactionaries to revoke
the douma concession, which had
been forced from him immediately fol-
lowing the Russo Japanese war. 1t
was pointed out that the proceedings
/ only acccntuated the fact that the
Russian people were utterly unfit for
even a smil'cism OF government
and that tho only safety for the
dynasty rested in the old autocratic
regime Of the iron hand
AT one time II appeared that these
roactonary advisers of the throne
would triumph but Stolypin, it will be
remembered, threw the weight OF his
power and influence and independence
against them, and induced Nicholas to
renew the experiment, and summon a
third Douma. under modified, re-
strictcd and restricting election law
He had faith that the people were cap
able OF progression towards constitu-
tionalism. at least. and the new Cleo
toral system was aimed at so CON
shutting the third Douma as to give
II such powers. exceedingly limited
though they might be. as would gradu-
ally bring it and the crown closer to-
gether. and cause the assembly 10 move
along the line of least resistencc
In the first place. he opened the
way FOR n guarded exercise of par
liamentary power Of the purse, and
how grat!fyingly and promisingly his
faith and his policy have been vindi-
Gated is shown In a recent speech OF
NJ. Kollovtsor, Minister o, Finance TO
the Chamber.
While admitting. we read, that on
many phases of the national life and
legislation the views Of the govern
ment have been directly opposed to
those OF the Chamber (of the third
DoumD. NJ KokovtsoT gave assurance
that in budGetary work strictly So
callcd-that is TO say, in estimating
the imperial revenue and expenditure,
and in determining the national re-
quiremcnts ana the means OF satisfy
ing thcm-there has been so little diff
ference of opinion that this work has
been carried on In a friendly spirit"
But that is not all.
NJ. Kokovtson was most hopeful
touching the fourth Douma, TO which |
many OF the members Of the third |
have been reelected. and in giving /
voice to that hope, he said: THE
Douma has got accustomed to work |
with the government. to work calmly, /
and, in most cases, with a feeling OF /
mutual respect, which IN many cases |
became one of full confidence"
And again, following a declaration |
exist between the government and the
fourth Douma that had existed be- !
tween the government and the third !
he affirmed, And now the govern
ment. in my person. speaking from
this rostrum in the general course
Of debate. expresses It's great willing
ness TO work calmly and in conjunc-
ton with YOU and It depends on you,
gentlemen, to meet us half way in !
the same spirit
In the London Timee's Second RUS
Sian Supplement-" the Introductory !
article in which is written by Sir d. !
Mackenzie Wallace, that high au-
thorty on Russian matters. reviews
c%haustively NJ. Kokovtsom's speech.
and predicts that II the Douma sue
ceeds in exercising a healthy control
oyer the finances OF the empire, ii will
not only Justify its existence. but will
establish strong claim for the
gradual extension OF It's influence to
other spheres of political activity: and
the day will come when the auto
cratic power will feel inclined to cede
to the national representatives, a
larger share of its multfarious duties
and onerous responsibilities
tnquestionably. the whole tone Of the
speech taken in connection with the
obvious gradual eTacement OF The
bureaucratic element in the conduct
OF Russian affairs, encourages conf
dence that the prediction will be vcrl-
fed
Indeed 1t is hardly going too far to
assert tina, it has already made most
material and significant strides IN the
progress of Notifications
Among The various reports Of state
officers. those OF the Governors col
onels are conspicuous by their absence /
why not have them report annually
their military activities and operations
hiong with recommendation for the
good OF the stam? They would inject