Duma

a representative body of Russia. It corresponds to the lower house of Parliament and of the American Congress. Under a law promulgated by the czar August 6, 1905, the Duma consists of members representing the chief seven cities and the provinces. Deputies are elected for five years by conventions of delegates chosen by the votes of each province or city concerned. The ballot is confined chiefly to property holders. Working people may be represented at the polls by two voters for each village or peasant community, and one voter for each 1,000 factory operatives. Students, soldiers, and policemen may not vote away from home. Members of the Duma receive ten roubles, about $7.70 per day of actual session, and are allowed round trip expenses of travel once a year.

An upper house, known as the Council of the Empire, consists one-half of members appointed by the czar and one-half elected one by each provincial legislature, six by the synod of the Orthodox Church, six by the Academy of Sciences and the universities, twelve by city chambers of commerce, eighteen by the nobility, and six by the landed proprietors of Poland assembled in congress at Warsaw. The Council is summoned annually. Elective members must hold academical degrees.

The two houses have equal rank. Each house passes on the credentials of its own members. Sittings are public. Neither body may receive petitions. The assent of both houses is requisite to the passage of a bill. Members of both houses are exempt from arrest. A bill rejected by the czar may not be presented to him during the course of the same session. A bill rejected by either house may not be brought forward again without the consent of the czar. All revenue bills require the assent of both houses.

The first Duma sat from April 27 to July 9, 1906, and was sent home in displeasure. The second Duma sat from February 20, 1907, to June 3, 1907, and was dissolved. The third Duma began its session November 1, 1907.

The constitution is not what western Europe would call progressive. The Council is the servant of the czar, and the Duma is not a powerful body; but even a feeble beginning is encouraging. The popular assembly, as in other countries, will find ways of making its authority felt and will in time, as in England, force the upper house and the ruler to do its will.