East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1919-07-16
BOLsAfNK MACHINE
BECOMES OPPRESSIVE
Middle Class Does Not Have
Right of Suffrage; Gla-
NOR Surrounds Few.
BY FRANK j. TAYLOR

| NEW YORK, July 1.-THE Russian
/ ibolshevik political machine has be-
icome as oppressive as the old Car re-
gime organization. The political struc-
llture built by the bolshevilxs has been
cleverly designed. 1t, is intended not
only to maintain order. but also stifle
political opposition.
The government rests upon the local
soviet as basis. The local soviets
are elected by the workmen and pea
SAINTS. Bourgeoisie do not have the
right of suffrage. Small shopkeepeds
and what corresponds TO the American
middle class are included among the
ibourgcoisie.
The local soyiets elect delegates to
the national or All-Russian Soviet
Congress, meeting in Moscow at least
three times a year. One delegate is
elected from every one hundred and
twenty thousand inhabitants of the
lcountry and one from every twenty
five thousand in the cities. Soviet is
simply the Russian word for council or
assembly.
The workmen thus has several times
as much representation in the central
soviet Congress as the peasant on the
land. This is provided by the constitu-
ton. 1t might be added that the work
man is far more communistic in his
ideas than the peasant. Bolshevik
supporters are far more numerous in
cities than in the country.
The national Ali-Russian soviet con-
gress elects from its members Cen
trail Executive Committee of about one
hundred and fifty which stays in ses-
sion and conducts the legislative busi-
~ jot.
mostly from its members, the cabinet
of eighteen members.
Supreme Council of Six
At present the most powerful body
in Russia is the Extraordinary Su-
Legislative bodies to exercise dicta-
torship over Russia as long as military
enemies oppose the bolsheviks. Lem
inc. Trotsky and Tchitcherin are the
principal members of this council OF
six. The others are Melnitenangley la
Dor leader. Rikoff, an industry expert
and Kalenin.
The President of Russia, theoretical
ly. is the chairman of the Central Ike
cutive Committee. At present he is
Michael Kalenin. a peasant. The Boil
shevik leaders are capitalizing the fact
that Kalenin is a peasant to win the
support of the peasants. AS matter
of fact. Lenine as head of the cabinet
of eighteen. is actual head of Russia.
His position is similar to that of min
ister-president or prime minister.
The bolsheviks boast that they now
have a constitutional republic with
one chamber legislature and that their
form of government is not so radical
as people suppose. The constitution
was adopted by the third All-Russian
Central Soviet. 1t is claimed this con-
gress is a representative body, though
the indirect system of election does not |
allow the people to say much regard |
ing its membership.
Members are Agitators
People of Moscow familiar with the
personnel of the Soviet Congress say |
hat at least fifty per cent of the men, /
oers are professional agitators or po-
iticaI labor leaders. The percentage
S even higher in the Executive Com
nittee and there are no real workmen |,
n the actual government itself. Writ
srs and so-called leaders compose the u
,abinet.
The form of the Russian govern Il
nent would not be so bad were ii not I;
or the way 1t is operated. No opposi-
ion to the party in power is tolerated, '
and no other party can get into power. {
No other party is recognized but the
These are divided into (
fensheviks and Bolsheviks, and most s
# the Menshevik leaders have been '
riven from the country. The Men
heviks in theory are opposed to force I
o bring about revolution. They would
ely oil evolution. The bolsheviks say Ii
is justified in fighting capi- s
al. L
Most of the remaining Mensheviks |,
ave joined the Bolsheviks and hold
fficss. No one but communists can Il
old offices of political importance. II !
his is not true by law. 1t is by rrac. u
ice. II this is. not true to stack the
sts of candidates for election so that K
Ione but communists run for election
o soViets.
Everything is done through the me
ium Of the communist party. No