Rensselaer Union, Volume 8, Number 44, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 20 July 1876 — Tire Russian Village Cemmune. [ARTICLE]

Tire Russian Village Cemmune.

Ab an organ of local administration, the rural Commune in Russia is very simple and primitive. There is commonly but one office-bearer, the Village *' Elder" (Starnsta frftm story old); but In the larger (Communes there is also a Communal taxgatherer. The office-bearers arc simple peasants, chosen by their fellow-villagers for one, two or thixfc years, according to local custom. Their salaries are fixed by the Commune, and are so small that “office" in these village democracies is regarded rather as a burden than as an honor; but a peasant, when once chosen, must serve, whether he desires it or not. If he can show good and sufficient reason —such as ill-health or frequent absence—why he should be exempted, the Commune will generally free him from the burden on condition that he treats the members present with vodka (rye-spirit); but the simple desire to escape trouble and annoyance is not considered a valid ground for exemption. The chief duties of the Elder arc to preserve order, and to act as a connecting link between the Commune and tire higher authorities. Beyond this he has very little power, for all the real authority resides in the “ Village Assembly." The Village Assembly (•eMi sktod), in tlie wider sense of the term, comprises nil the adult members of the Commune. When matters of great importance are under consideration, the heads erf houses alone take an active part in the discussion. I say the heads of bouses, and not the fathers of families, because the Russian term Uumain (head of tlie household) does not indicate blood relationship; and it frequently happens that the pnfria poteeta is in the hands of tlie oldest brother or of tlie mother. Thus, strictly speaking, the Assembly is composed of the representatives of families, and when the head of a family hapi>ens to be absent from tlie village, his place is taken by some other member of the household, male or female. In the Northern Provinces, where a large part of the adult male population annually leaves home in search of work, the female representatives sometimes compose the majority. The meetings are held in the open air bv tlieside of the church’, oriu front or the Elder’s house, or in some other convenient place where there is plenty of room and little mud; and, except in the case of matters w hich will not admit of delay, they take place on Sunday or on a holiday. Toward afternoon, when all have enjoyed their after-dinner siesta—or, it may be. immediately after the morning senice—the villagers may be seen strolling leisurely toward a common point. Arrived at the village Forum, they cluster together in little groups, and talk in homely fashion about the matter they have met to consider. The various groups pay no attention to each other till gradually one particular group, containing some of tlie more intelligent and influential members, begins to exercise an attractive force, ami tlie others’gravitate toward the center of energy. In tins way tlie meeting isoonstituted.or, more strictly speaking, spontaneously constitutes itself; and the . same absence of formality continues all through the proceedings. Two, three or more peasants often speak at once,and when t the discussion waxes hot the disputants probably use freely such unparliamentary expressions as "Burak!” “Iwton/” (babbler), “Arfwm.*’ (scarecrow); sometimes even stronger expressions, unsuited to ears polite. Strange to say, these strong terms never raffle the good nature of those to whom they arc addressed, and at most evoke a retort of the tv quoqve kind, which, if well put, produces roars -of laughter. If we hear a shrill female voice rising above the general hum, we may be sure it is that of a widow, or a wife whose husband is absent. Some of these female members possess great volubility, and a considerable power of pungent invective; unfortunately. their dialectical eflbrts are in part counteracted by a tendency to wander from the subject, and to make indelicate, irrelevant allusions to the private life and domestic concerns of their opponents. In general there are no attemjds al " speech-making, but occasionally some young “ village Hampden/* who has been to Moscow or St. Petersburg, and has brought back with him a jaunty air and a large dose of selfconceit. makes something like a speech, and enjoys die sound of his own voice. Eloquence of thia kind is. of course, apjpreciatal only by the younger members, jmd makes no impression iip the bulk of the audience. Veiy soon it Is sure to lie interrupted by some older member with a laconic" Mottehi kratndW!” (hold your tongue, fine talker), and the abashed orator,hearing the Utttff of his former applauders, uiumbleis out a retort, or hides - his diminished head behind the broad shoulders of a comrade.. The subjects brought before these meetings are of the most varied kind, for the Village Assembly has no idea of law limiting its competence, and is ever ready to discuss anything affecting directly or indirectly the communal welfare. It may be that an order has been received from the higher authorities, or a recruit has to bfi given for the conscription, or a herd-boy has to be hired, or a day sos the commencement of the plowing has to be fixed, or the drain across the stream is in need of repairs. Such are a few examples of matters discussed. The manner of deciding them is quite as informal as the mode of discussion. Rarely, if ever, is it necessa ry to put the question to the vote. As soon as it has liecome evident what the general opinion is, the Elder says to tlie crowd: "Well, Orthodox I you have decided so?" “ Ladno! Ladno!" (agreed!) replies the crowd, and the proceedings terminate, unless where the decision re fees to some future contingency, in which case it is committed to writing and duly signed by all present.— MaemiUan't Magazine. ~