V. I.

Lenin

Note on P. Nikolayev’s Pamphlet The Revolution in Russia [1]

This pamphlet was written before August 6. The State Duma has now been set
up. The working class and all the poor have no right at all to elect Duma
members. The rich landlords and the merchants elect Duma members through
gubernia electors. The peasants elect even gubernia electors not directly, but
through uyezd delegates elected at volost meetings. Freedom of election, of the
press, and of assembly is non-existent. The police retain full power. The Duma
makes decisions that are not binding on the government, but are merely advisory,
i.e., the Duma has no power at all.

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Notes:
[1]
P. Nikolayev’s pamphlet The Revolution in Russia was published by the
Central Committee of the R.S.D.L.P. in 1905 in Geneva. Lenin wrote the present
note on the Bulygin Duma while he was amending the manuscript of the
pamphlet. The note refers to the passage that reads, “Minister for the
Interior Bulygin intends to set up a State Duma... etc.” Also extant is the
manuscript, written in Lenin’s hand, of the title page of the pamphlet, with the
inscription, “P. Nikolaew, Die Revolution in Russland. Workers of
All Countries, Unite! Published by the Central Committee” ( Lenin Miscellany XXVI , p. 345).