A Russian Official on Siberia

South Canterbury Times, Issue 6244, 17 June 1890, Page 2

A Russian Official on Siberia

The Grashdanin, a journal well accredited at the Russian Court, publishes a letter from a superior official, who, at bis own request, was recently transferred to a post at Nertchinsk, in Siberia. After describing the great hardships of a journey to Siberia, even if made with every procurable comfort, the correspondent says Living is absurdly dear in this country. Everything is five or six times dearer than in Russia. The people are wicked and depraved, given to gossiping, slandering, spying, and secret denunciations. Everything which is good and honest is mercilessly persecuted, and baseness is triumphant, la order to live in the way in which I have been accustomed to in Russia, 1 should require 3000 roubles per annum; but my salary is only 1600. A wretched apartment costs 600 to 700 roubles. The servants are all bad characters and thieves. They are generally lodged in a building detached from tbe bouse occupied by the master, otherwise one , would risk being plundered or murdered, “Wego to bed at 9 o’clock in the evening, and after 10 nobody dare go without a revolver. The Government offices are in the same [disheartening condition. Every official, whatever his powers may be, ill-treats his subordinates, interferes with their private affairs, and inflicts every humiliation on them. The small officials who receive daily wages, are recruited from criminals awaiting judgment or already condemned. They are all thieves and drunkards. The high cost of living and the inadequate salaries make it almost impossible to find an honest man here. 1 shall thank Providence if I am not thrown into prison during the three years which 1 must now remain here.”