The Decree on Soviet Tribunals is, in my opinion, completely incorrect and requires fundamental revision.

It is incorrect to repeal the decree on press tribunals{80} without preliminary compilation (and discussion) of the results of their work.

It is incorrect to establish the position of a sole "tribune" standing outside the collegium of the Commissariat of Justice. This amounts to something like the worst precedents of "procurator-general."

Instead of directing attention to institutional reforms—reforms that are trivial or almost merely verbal (the "tribune")—attention must be directed toward the practical results of the work of the collegium of justice in the creation of a genuinely revolutionary, swift, and mercilessly severe court toward counterrevolutionaries, hooligans, shirkers, and disorganizers.

30/III. 1918.