A "LOYAL" DUMA.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 47, 19 November 1907, Page 5

A "LOYAL" DUMA.

TSAR CHEERED.

FEWER PEASANTS,- MORE. CULTURE. PRIESTLY ELEMENT. " BY TEMJGBAPH—PRESS ASSOCIATION—COPTMGIIT. St. Petersburg, November 17. There was., an impressive, enthnaiastic, scene at the opening of the now in the Tauris Palace. A majority of the membora Bang the Russian National AnthtaY four times, and' then wildly cheered the Tsar., ' There are fow peasants in the Assembly, but tho number; of priestly delegates is con-, sidernblo. *' •• Most of tli'S" deputies are more cultural than those who .■ constituted the previous Duma.

In the abovo. cablegram is. plainly seen the working of the now electoral'law.' A Renter's message lately pointed out that "the main difference of the _n<?w law from the old one is that, under the former, each'of the classes into which the population is divided, namely, landowners, peaßanta, .citizens,, and.worlqnen,; is assured of a minimum number of members ' in' popular representation. It also gives the 'intelligent' clnsses and the classes, capablo of comprehension in social rcspectsv.an advantage in tho final elections,, inastnucli' as' it' increaleS the number of their electors in tho electoral, assembly, as , compared wijh . representatives of the 'non-intelligent', classes. :" Tho effect of tho present preponderance of "the'latter "over the former, it is declared, has been to fill tho Duma with Deputies" devoid of all training for a comprehension of the matters of State and of whom a very considerable portion aro without oven elomentary education." , ' So far, it would. appear that the objective aimed at hw beon.'.' Bained.* That the' Tsar sought a Duma more cultured, 'more loyal, and; therefore, moro prepared to aetdpt'J such measuro of reform ns the Government may: be prepared to dole out, is shown; by, the, terms of tho manifesto in which lie dissolved the last Duma, of whieli it has been said that "a large section had the avowed intention of using the Duma in all possible ways to prepare for revolution." In his manifesto, the Tsar points out that the second Duma was. called to -re l establish order in the realm—firstly, :by legislating; secondly, by assisting to restore to order the national finances; and, finally, by wiso use of interpellations of tho Government to prevent abuses in public service. • But, tho Tsar continues, he notes with sorrow that a considerable number of Deputies have-not fulfilled his expectations. They did not onter the Duma with clean hearts, nor,with the desiro of strengthening Russia and furthering her growth. Their intention was to augmont Russia's troubles and to-attempt- the dismemberment of the realm. The Tsar further Complains that his Mb wero' eitlien not discussed, or were, rejected., or; delayed, thus ; rendoring tho Government's exertions to ameliorate tho peoplo's conditions utterly, futile. ;. Therefore, he was forced to the step of'dissolution.