Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 38, Number 2, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 11 August 1905 — IN THE PUBLIC EYE [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

IN THE PUBLIC EYE

The Shah of Persia, now In Paris, who is being bothered by persons who wish to sell him quaint and curious

things, is the fifth monarch of the dynasty of the Kajars. His name is Muzaffer-ed-din, and he succeeded his father, who was assassinated on May 1, 1896. The Shah, was born* March 25, 1853. His official title is '“Shahinsbah,” or King of Kings, and

he is absolute master of the lives and goods of all his subjects. The entire revenue of the country Is at his disposal. Most of his personal possessions are represented by diamonds, two of which weigh, respectively, 186 and 146 carats. The precious* stones forming the crown jewels are millions. The Shah has six sons, twelve daughters and six brothers. The heir apparent is the eldest son, Mohammed All Mirza, but the Shah has the power to leave the crown to any member of his family. Generally, however, preference is given to a son whose mother was a Kajar princess.

Constantine P. Pobiedonostseff, the Procurator General of the Holy Synod, who narrowly escaped death

at the hands of assassins, is regnrded as the power behind the Russian throne. Pobiedonostseff is a belated survivor from the days of the Spanish inquisition. He was born in 1827. While acting as professor of civil law in Moscow in 1860 he was appointed tutor to

the Grand Dukes Nicholas. Alexander and Vladimir, and from the moment of his appointment he began to exercise a remarkable influence upon the pupil who was afterward Alexander 111 and whose most intimate adviser he became in the end. As the years went by M. Pobiedonostseff rose la power until he was appointed Procurator General of the Holy Synod in 1880. In that high office he ha* had full scope to indulge himself in a succession of callous bigotry, blind superstition and willful ignorance of the real needs of the people.

United States Senator Chauncey Mitchell Depew, who is being sharply criticised throughout the country for

his dealings with the Equitable grafjt, is perhaps more Intimately known to the people of the country than any other man, excepting only those who have been elected President. Even his name, twisted by the Bowery contingent of his native state Into

“Chauncey M. De Peach,” stands for a smile, while his genial good humor and his ever ready stories have made for him the heartiest welcome at the banquet tables of this generation. His broad, sunny expression has always seemed to the people to be merely the echo of his own sentiment that “everything is all right all the time and everywhere.” Senator Depew, before his election to the Senate in 1899, had represented the Vanderbilts In the huge financial affairs of that opulent family for many years, nnd was president of the New York Central Road for a long time.

Francis E. McGovern, who is energetically pushing the fight on graft In Milwaukee, and who has just succeed-

ed in procuring twenty-four ne w Indictments a & jl 1 n st fourteen persons, was elected District Attorney last year, and previous ly had served as Assistant District Attorney. He was educated in the University of Wisconsin, graduating in both let-

ters and law, and Is described ns an active Republican of the energetic La Follette school. He began his antigraft campaign when he first became connected with the District Attorney’s office, and the manner in which be Is continuing the work Is causing dismay among corrupt officials. More sensational disclosures and additional Indictments are expected before Mr. McGovern completes his task. Dr. Joseph Spencer Kennard of Tarrytown, N. Y., receives larger royalties from his tjovels published in Italian than any other author with the exception of Gabrielle D’Annunzio. He is to ba knighted by the King of Italy In January. Major J. H. Stine, president of tho United State* Historical Society, I* soon to establish branches in ell the States, and believes it will eventually become one of the greatest historical bodies ever formed In the United States.

SHAH OF PERSIA.

POBIEDONOSTSEFF.

SENATOR DEPEW.

F. E. M'COVERN.