The Government of Russia has taken a very short first
stop towards municipal institutions. An Imperial ukase orders the election of a Council for St. Petersburg, whose vote, if confirmed by the Czar, will be final and executive. The members will num- ber 228, will bo elected by all householders, and will assemble at once. Unfortunately, this ukase, which in itself establishes a good deliberative municipality, is spoiled by the addition of a clause which forbids the members to take up any business not placed before them by the Town Commandant, and by the absence of any proviso that debate shall be public. There is no objection, in the present position of the Empire, to require the Emperor's sanction to any municipal regulation ; but St. Peters- burg, like Russia, requires before all things a voice. She will not get one under this ukase, unless it is very liberally worked.
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