Events of the Month

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966 IMPROVEMENT ERA.

Presidents of associations should make immediate arrangements to canvass their wards, and to get the per cent of subscribers (five per cent of the Church population) that will insure their association a return of twenty-five cents for each subscriber. A day now is worth a week in January. Get the matter off your hands, so that it will not interfere with your association work, and so that subscribers may have the benefit of the numbers as issued. All the officers are expected first to become subscribers. There will then be little trouble to induce others to take the magazine. The large and valuable Manual (worth fifty cents) is sent free to each subscriber. It has been observed that where the Era is well patronized and read, the associations are up-to-date in all their work. The magazine is popular with the readers and thinkers in the Church, and it is the design to make it a worthy representative of the most thoughtful, as well as the favorite with the boys and young men who love clean, entertaining and useful reading. Its pages are open for all who have ideas of value and interest to the youth. In closing the present volume, we are grateful to the Lord for the success the Bra has achieved, and to our friends for their loyal support, a continuation of which we kindly solicit. Here are a few sample comments on the Improvement Era, by some who have read it. We have only space for a few out of many: "They Say:" "I find its contents both interesting and elevating." George R. Williams, Jackson, Miss.

"I am a new subscriber, but from now on, I intend to be a faithful one." — W. R. Bullock, Salt Lake City.

"1 appreciate the efforts of the editors of the Era in behalf of the young. The talks to young men have been of the greatest value to me." — Shirley H. Johnson, Colonia Chuiachupa, Mexico.

"I have read some of the Eras. 1 find them very fine reading, and

although I am not a 'Mormon,' they are good enough for me." Clifford Van Hansen, Schuyler, Neb. "I have always prized the editorial department of the Era as worth many times the price of the magazine. A monthly chat with the President of the Church on what he thinks best for the young men, is a rare privilege, and a worthy feature." Newel K. Young, Colonia Pacheco, Mexico.

"I read the Era and enjoy it very much." Lorenzo Swenson, Montpelier, Idaho.

"Every article in the March number interests me very much. The Era is a fine paper, well worth the money." E. G. Whitwood, Spanish Fork, Utah.

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TALK ABOUT THE ERA. 967

"I am very much interested in the Era, especially do I like the talks to young men, and the editor's department."— Albert Zollinger, Marvsville, Idaho.

"It is surely what it professes to be— an Improvement Era, and a missionary. It has my best wishes."—,?. C. Young, blue Water, New Mexico.

"The Era is a welcome friend in the mission field, and is indispensable to the progressive and thinking Latter-day Saint."— 0. H. Bybee, W. M. Waddoups. "I consider the Era one of the best magazines I have ever had the privilege of reading. Its articles are good, grand, and of a high moral character." M. A. Stewart, Bisbee, Arizona. "Every story printed in the Era is elevating and educational. I always read the talks to young men. That department alone is worth the price to me."— John C. Jacobs, Torrey, Wayne Co., Utah.

"I think the Era is easily the first of our Church publications." Roy D. Thatcher, Logan, Utah.

"I consider the articles in the Era both pertinent and timely, embodying all the variety needed to satisfy every class of its numerous readers, and fully answering all the demands of the Y. M. M. I. A. Joseph E. Taylor, Salt Lake City.

"To me the Era is now 'the best in the land,' as almost every article contains some lesson that is valuable and interesting." Lafayette Orme, Tooele City, Utah.

"I can hardly wait for the next issue." Le Roy E. Cowles, Heber, Utah.

"I read the Era, and am very much interested in what it contains." — W. H. Petty, Logan, Utah.

"Permit me to take this opportunity to heartily compliment you on the excellency of our Era." — Richard T. Haag, Paris, Idaho. "The young man, or Latter-day Saint, who fails to read and digest the Era is losing that which cannot be gained by the reading of any other magazine." J. Lorin Hatch, Logan, Utah.

"The magazine is a perfect 'gem,' and reflects much credit upon those directly connected with its management. Not long since, the writer solicited a subscription for the Era from a brother who replied that his circumstances were such as to render it impossible for him to respond during the present year. I handed him a copy I had been reading, feeling if he was unable to subscribe, I should like him to enjoy with me the results of my subscription. The next day we met, and he thanked me greatly for the loan of the magazine, and stated one article which he had read was worth more than a year's subscription to him. He at once became a subscriber. Wishing you continued success, your brother in. the Gospel." Jos. W. Musser, Heber, Utah.

EVENTS OF THE MONTH.

Local —August, 1904. Severe Frost. — A severe frost wrought great damage in Cache, Morgan, Ogden, Bear Lake and other high valleys, on the night of the 21st. Potatoes, and tender vines, were destroyed, and in Morgan the potato crop is half ruined.

The Republican Ticket. — On the 25th, four hundred and sixty-

Republicans met in the Salt Lake Theatre and nominated the following state and national ticket.: For Governor, John C. Cutler; for Secretary of State, Charles S. Tingey, Salt Lake City; for Treasurer, James Christiansen, of Sevier; for Superintendent of Schools, A. C. Nelson, of Sanpete; for Attorney-General,M. A. Breeden, of Ogden; for Justice of the Supreme Court, Daniel Newton Straup, of Salt Lake; for Auditor, J. A Edwards, of Box Elder; for presidential electors: E. W. Wade, Weber, H. P. Myton, Salt Lake, D. H. Cannon, Washington; for Congress, Joseph Howell. There was a spirited contest for the nomination for governor between Heber M. Wells and John C. Cutler, the latter winning on the second ballot, after the withdrawal of James T. Hammond. First ballot: Wells 194, Hammond 52, Cutler 214; second ballot, Cutler 239, Wells 221. James A. Miner, Salt Lake, was later chosen, vice D. H. Cannon, resigned, as presidential elector. William Spry, was chosen chairman of the State Committee.

Mining Congress and "Mormons." —The American Mining Congress held its annual session at Portland, Oregon, this year. Among the questions to come up was the selection of permanent quarters. This was considered on the 25th, and an eloquent plea for Salt Lake had been made by Judge 0. W. Powers. Lafe Pence, of Idaho, a former Congressman from Colorado, then injected the "Mormon" question into the con-

EVENTS OF THE MONTH. 969

troversy, with the result that later the permanent quarters went to Denver. Judge Powers held his own in defense of Salt Lake, and declared that Utah will solve the "Mormon" problem in her own way, and to the satisfaction of the country. This sent ; ment was indorsed, judging by the applause of the largest assembly that has yet attended the sessions of the Congress. Dr. J. E. Talmage made a ten-minute eloquent defense of Utah, in which he fairly blistered Pence with a flow of invective that astonished all who heard him — in very polite language he practically called Pence a liar, coward and traducer of womanhood. On the 26th, the Utah delegation met and passed resolutions denouncing the vindictive and vicious insinuations of the Colorado delegation which cast a gratuitous insult upon the people of Utah; also the course of the Fortland Oregonian, which was characterized as "utterly despicable and wholly alien to the ethics of honest journalism." A telegram from Boise by prominent men repudiated the action of Pence, and stated that he does not represent the sentiment of the people of Boise. Judge Powers said that the Utah delegation did not mind the defeat, but objected to the way it was done. Pence's speech, and the way the Utah representatives were treated, was an insult to every woman in Utah. The Rose Club, composed of the responsible people in Oregon,presented Pence with a boquet for his "admirable defense of womanhood," but Judge Powers declared "we have as good women in Utah as in any part of the world." He said further that he would do all he could to keep tourists and strangers from Oregon, and Utah from doing anything financially for the Lewis and Clark fair.

Black Hawk War Veterans' Reunion. —This was held in Spring-

ville four days, closing on Friday, 26th. There was a parade each day, by the veterans who were camped on the Public square, and who had There were sham the free use of the general meetinghouse and grounds. battles on Wednesday and Thursday, programs at 10 a. m. and 2. p. m. f of song, recitation, speech and story, and a dance each night. Refreshments and lunches were served on the grounds. The camp was named Walker, for it was in Springville that the Walker war broke out. Commander-in-Chief J. M. Westwood; Adjt.,-General M. S. Pratt, Provo, and many others, with 2,000 people, were in attendance.

Died. —In Deseret, Millard Co., Wednesday, 3d, Susan B. Wright, a pioneer of 1847, was found dead in her home. She was born in Clay County, Mo., June 15, 1830.— In Salt Lake City, Friday 5th, Jane R. Hocking, a pioneer of 1852. She was born in Cornwall, England, in 1820; received the gospel in 1850, and came to Utah in 1852.— In Lo-

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970 IMPROVEMENT ERA.

gan, Monday, 8th, Robert H. Williams, a patriarch in the Cache Stake, and a pioneer of the county. — In Springville, Monday, 8th, Thomas Tew, a pioneer of Springville. He was born June 23, 1833, and received the gospel in 1849, settling in Springville the following year. —At Sweet Springs, Missouri, Tuesday 9th, George G. Vest, who defended the "Mormon" people in the U. S. Senate, while representing the State of Missouri in that body. — In Charleston, Wasatch Co., 10th, Sophia Noakes, a pioneer of Utah, and first woman settler in Charleston, age 86 years. In Hooper, 11th, Anthony Haynes, born England, Sep. 27, 1827, joined the Church in 1851, came to Utah in 1864.— In West Weber, 13th, Charlotte I. Mills, wife of Richard I. Mills, who came to Utah in 1861. She — was 65 years and four months old. In Salt Lake City, Sunday, 14th, Lucinda Clark Angell, who came to Utah with the second company of pioneers. She was born in Clark county, Indiana, January 15, 1822, — and was baptized at the age of 11 years. In Smithfield, Sunday, 14th, Alonzo P. Raymond, a member of the Mormon Battalion and a pioneer. — He was born in Vermont, February 14, 85 years ago. In Spring City, Sanpete county, Thursday, 18th, James W. Crisp, one of the oldest inhabitants of the county, was accidentally killed by being run over by a frightened team harnessed to a self-binder. —In Springville, Thursday, 18th, Lyman S. Wood, a pioneer of Utah county. He was born in Ohio, April 11, 1832, and was an active worker in the Church. — On the same date, in Panguitch, Mark J. Burgess was killed by being struck by lightning. — In Coalville,18th, Lucy Stevenson, 86 years old, a first settler of Coalville and Summit county, who came to Echo from Nova Scotia, in 1860. —In Provo, 19th, Joseph E. Page, county attorney of Utah county, born Payson, February 23, 1866. He was a graduate law department University of Michigan —In Provo, L9th,Samuel Harding, born England, July 29, 1828, joined the Church, March 10, 1847, was married to Janet Stowe, Nov. 14, 1849, and came to Utah in Oct., 1852. He was a policeman 30 years ago in Provo. He leaves 12 children and 108 grandchildren —In Salt Lake City, 21st, Daniel Stuart, born England, May 3, 1820, came to Missouri in 1847, and to Utah in 1850. He was a staunch Church member, and was a veteran of the Black Hawk Indian War. —In Salt Lake, 24th, Isaac Adams Hancock, of Payson, born Missouri,August 14, 1837, came to Utah in 1849. He was a pioneer of — Payson, to which place he moved in 1857. In Huntsville, 28th, Morgan Powell, a pioneer of Ogden Valley, 85 years of age. — In Salt Lake, 29th, Henry Reiser, a High Priest of the Pioneer Stake, born Zurich, Switzerland, July 29, 1832, baptized May 16, 1859, arrived in Utah, October 5, 1860, was for 44 years connected with the presidency of the German

EVENTS OF THE MONTH. 971

meetings in Salt Lake. He was a watchmaker by trade, and a man of

faith and good works. — In the hospital for the insane, Elgin, Illinois,

29th, David H. Smith, youngest son of the Prophet Joseph Smith, born Nauvoo, Hancock Co., 111., Nov. 17, 1844. The death will cause sadness in all the Church, as it was hoped he would recover, and come to a full appreciation of the work of his father.— In Salt Lake City, 30th, Samuel Stringfellow, one of Utah's early settlers, born England, 1831, joined the Church in 1856, and came to Utah in 1862.

September, 1904.

Vandals at the Tabernacle.— During the recital at the Taber-

nacle Thursday afternoon, September 1, some fifty or more visiting tourists left their seats in the gallery and tried to leave the building with-

out waiting for the end of the program. The doors, as is the custom during recitals, were locked; the ill-mannered throng swarmed down the broke north stairway, at the east end of the building, and deliberately through the double doors, destroying the lock and bolts. The noise at- south entrance tracted the attention of the doorkeeper who was at the way north and during his of the gallery, who then made his to the side,

impatient throng, which had gathered on the stairway on absence, the rushed down and broke open the doors at that place. So much the south, an end. confusion was created that the recital was brought to

The President's Trip South.—Friday, 2nd, Presidents Joseph F.

Anthon H. Lund, of the Presidency, accompanied by a number Smith and of elders, left Salt Lake City for the purpose of visiting with the Saints Utah, and meeting with them in their regular quarterly and of Southern specially arranged conferences.

Death of Bishop Empey.— Bishop Nelson A. Empey, of the Thir- afternoon, 4th, after a slight teenth ward, Salt Lake City, died Sunday days. Bishop Empey, who was one of the illness of some two or three most active men in the community, was born in Preston, best known and Province, Canada, May 7, 1837. In 1840 he went to Nauvoo Ontario until the exodus in 1846, when he with his parents, where he remained journeyed westward, arriving in Salt Lake Valley in 1848. In 1855 he and exploring mission to the White Mountains. was called on an Indian years he held the commission of Captain in Company For a number of During the Buchanan war, he "A" (cavalry) in the Nauvoo Legion. messenger between the Echo army an 1

took an active part, serving as a he performed a mission to the Muddy, in Governor Young. In 1867-68, return he worked as a contractor on the Union Nevada and after his

972 IMPROVEMENT ERA.

Pacific railroad. For many years he was one of the presidents of the thirteenth quorum of Seventy, and filled missions to Canada and Great Britain. December 31, 1881, he was ordained a High Priest and set apart as a counselor to Bishop Millen Atwood, of the Thirteenth ward, and after the death of the latter, Elder Empey was ordained to succeed him as bishop of that ward. For many years he had been a member of the Old Folks' Committee, and also was connected with the Deseret Agriculture and Manufacturing Society, first as director, then as vice-president, and later, upon the retirement of President John R. Winder, as president of that Society. The funeral was held in the Assembly Hall, September 7, 1904. In the November number of the Era will appear a character sketch of Bishop Empey, by Elder John Nicholson, giving some thrilling incidents in his busy career. Still Another Cause. —At the Baptist State Convention, held 6th, in Salt Lake City, N. D. Corser, in an address, made an attack on the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, saying that he favored upholding the standard of Christ in Utah, but there was another standard to be worked for, the standard of American citizenship, and the separation of church and state. He further stated that the great power of the "Mormon"Church lies in its commercialism. "If any person in this convention wished to go into the boot and shoe business, the grocery business, sugar, furniture, hardware, stoves, harnesses, farming implements of any kind, clothing, banking, both saving or national, he would have to meet the competition of the 'Mormon' Church. This is the greatest trouble, and until we can break down the commercialism of the 'Mormon' Church, we need not expect to break it down any other way, for that is the power that holds it together." On the last day of their convention, 8th, the following resolution was passed, which may well be classed as interfering in politics: Resolved, that we view with great satisfaction the announcement that a political party is to be organized looking towards the emancipation of Utah from the hierarchy of the "Mormon" Church. The separation of church and state is one of the principles of the Baptist faith, a principle that was first enunciated into American life by the staunch Baptist, Roger Williams. In so far as this new party shall serve the ends of righteousness, in our state, and in so far as it shall be free from political greed and corruption, we do most earnestly assert our belief in the Americanism of this old Baptist principle, and assure them of our hearty sympathy and support.

— Anti-Mormon Political Party. Wednesday evening, 7th, some two score anti-Mormon, disgruntled politicians met in Auerbach hall, Salt Lake City,and discussed the prospects for an anti-Mormon political party

EVENTS OF THE MONTH. 973

in Utah. Several speeches, in which the Church was accused of interfering in politics, were made. The principal speakers were: Joseph Lippman and William Nelson, of the Salt Lake Tribune; Judge Samuel McDowell, Willard F. Snyder and others. Resolutions, to which all who were present pledged themselves, were adopted as follows:

Whereas, an experience of fourteen years since the first material sign of ihe abatement of troubled conditions here was seen in the promulgation of the Woodruff manifesto, has shown that the promises made were crafty and insincere; that the sought for division of the people on party lines was not carried out in good faith; that both party organizations have been dominated and used for the double purpose of maintaining an ecclesiastical control which had no regard for either, and of preventing remonstrance or opposition by those who favor the free exercise of individual judgment and preference in political affairs; and, Whereas, the repeated experience, emphasized by events just past, have fully proved this ecclesiastical dominance is all powerful and persistent, and that it cannot be shaken off so long as those who oppose it are divided into hostile camps, but, on the contrary, since such division of the friends and supporters of American institutions, their voices are stifled and their hands are strengthened of the crafty manipulators of the church power and its application to political affairs; therefore, be it resolved; 1. That we will no longer play into the hands of the church leaders by division which simply panders to their desires and purposes. 2. That we will repel with every means at our command the intrusion of ecclesiasticism into politics or the affairs of state. 3. That we refuse to merge Utah affairs in any national party action, since the division thus created paralyzes every effort to Americanize the state. 4. That so far as the affairs here are concerned, any division on party lines is a sham and a farce, every pledge of the ecclesiastical power to refrain from direction in the political affairs of the people,

having been shamelessly violated; every pretense of letting politics alone a shameful and shallow mockery. 5. That we will never cease to demand the complete freedom in political affairs, untouched by any taint of apostolic control; that we de-

mand the complete separation of church and state, in fact as well as in name, and that we will repel to the utmost all efforts to perpetuate the ecclesiastical control of public affairs in Utah. 6. That the public schools are the especial pride of the American ecclesiastical power people- we resent the grasping domination of the therein, and pledge ourselves to shake it off at the earliest possible moment. Church control of the schools must go. We disclaim most emphatically and positively any desire or purpose religious sentiments or church to attack any church or assail any one's affairs; our purpose is as set forth herein, and no other. all fairminded citizens of Utah to sustain us in this Appealing to to separate church our righteous purpose, definitely, surely and forever

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974 IMPROVEMENT ERA. and state, and asking in this the support of every lover of American institutions,we declare the occasion tor this to be timely, and the provocation repeated and extreme. Come with us, and let us redeem the State.

Those who were present were: Joseph Lippman, Willard F. Snyder, William Nelson, David Keith, W. Mont. Ferry, H. J. Dinniny, J. D. Wood, W. P. Noble, H. G. McMillan, Charles E. Bell, E. B. Critchlow, Dan Dunne, Isaac Hazelgrove, A. H. Kelley, S. P. Armstrong, W. B. Allen, Rudolph Alf, George R. Hancock, James Black, B. B. Heywood, James Kennedy, J. R. Morris, John A. Street, J. J. Stewart, A. R. Carter, J. W. Cahoon, D. Elliot Kelly, George L. Nye, J. E. Darmer, Samuel Mc-

Dowell, Frank A. Swenson, A. C. Reese, E. W. Kelly, Henry LaMotte, C. E. Offanbach, G. R. Cleveland, Henry F. Heath, J. J. Myers, Archibald Stewart, and Maurice Stifel.

At a mass meeting of the new party — the "American Party" which Truth characterizes as "a snake in the grass, a mean, crawling, despicable thing, a sneak, one of those thiDgs which strike in the back and in the dark" —held in the Grand theatre, Salt Lake, Wednesday right, 16th, there was a large number of curious people. Addresses were made by Senator Dubois of Idaho, Judge Ogden Hiles, Hon. E. B. Critchlow and Judge Samuel McDowall, and the movement was officially launched, the party named "American," the nomination of a full ticket decided upon, exclusive of the Judiciary, and it was decided to have an organization effected in every county.

Democratic Ticket. —The democratic State Convention, composed of 524 delegates, was held in the Salt Lake Theatre, Thursday, September 8, and the following nominated: Governor — James H. Moyle, ticket of Salt — Lake City; Congressman Orlando W. Powers, of Salt Lake; — Secretary of State Levi N. Harmon, of Price; Attorney-General — Grant C. Bagley, of Provo; Auditor J. W. Geiger, of Park City; Treasurer —W. B. Wilson, of Ogden; Superintendent of Public instruction Nathan T. Porter, of Centerville; Justice of Supreme Court Charles S.— Varian, of Salt Lake; Presidential Electors — Samuel Newhouse, of Salt Lake; Edward H. Snow, of St. George; Fred J. Kiesel, of Ogden. Simon Bamberger was chosen chairman of the State Central Committee. Died. —In Farmington, Davis county, Saturday, September 3, Elmira Pond Miller, a Nauvoo veteran and Utah pioneer, born Feb. 14, 1811, in Ohio. — In American Fork, Tuesday, 6th, the funeral of Ann Rowley was held. She was born in Huddersfield, Yorkshire, England, March 22, 1827; joined the Church in 1847, and for many years was an active worker in the Relief Society, Primary and Y. L. M. I. A. of the stake

EVENTS OF THE MONTH. 975

—In Manti, Friday, 9th, Marian Nielsen, one of the early workers of Sanpete county. She was born Feb. 2, 1871.— In Salt Lake City, Monday, September 5, Marion Thankful Beatie, a pioneer of 1849.She was the daughter of Edward and Hannah Crosby Mumford, and was born T. April 12, 1831, near Salem, Chautauqua county, New York.

Domestic— August, 1904.

Bishop Potter and "The Subway Tavern."— An event that has caused a great deal of excitement throughout the religious world was the dedication, Tuesday August 2nd, of "The Subway Tavern," at the corner of Bleeker and Mullburry streets, New York. The dedication was under the direction of Bishop Henry Codman Potter, of the Episcopal Church of New York, who made an address of welcome, and led in the singing of "Praise God from whom all blessings flow." The opening of the tavern is an effort to decrease drunkenness in New York City, by giving to the public a new kind of drinking place, where a man — or a woman for that matter — who drinks, may go without being under the necessity of visiting a place of vice like the ordinary saloon. The idea has been advocated for some time in England, by Earl Gray, and was adopted in the United States by Bishop Potter and others. The tavern is a sort of semi-religious saloon; but, nevertheless, a saloon where all

kinds of intoxicating drinks are sold as well as soda-water, tea, coffee, and milk. Under this system, the manager gets a percentage on all the tea, coffee and milk which is sold, but not on the liquors which are to be the best of their kind, (i. e. full strength and not diluted with water) and at a moderate price. By the giving of this percentage, it is thought the encouragement of the milder drinks will tend to decrease the sale of intoxicants; but the price of liquor being low, and there being no rule provided against treating, nor against excessive drinking, this is

doubtful. If a man becomes drunk, he is not permitted to remain, but even children in their "teens" have been permitted to enter, and have been supplied with liquor. The opening of the tavern, and especially the part taken by Bishop Potter, has called forth a great deal of adverse criticism from his fellow ministers, and from the public press. The stand taken by them being that instead of decreasing the sale of liquor and drunkenness, it will tend to increase it, since many will resort there on account of the relig-

ious sanction given the place, who would not frequent the ordinary saloon. One minister stated, "That a Other objections also are raised. saloon may be conducted in an orderly manner does not reduce the effect of alcohol on the human body, nor its ultimate effects on the mental and

976 IMPROVEMENT ERA moral nature;" while another stigmatizes the movement as an effort "to put out a fire by adding fuel."

The Statesboro Lynching.— On Tuesday the 16th, Georgia added another to the many revolting crimes of lynching which are so prevalent in certain sections of the nation. According to the press dispaches, eleven negroes were on trial at Statesboro, Bullock county, charged with the murder of the Hodges family, in the latter part of July. Two negroes had been found guilty and had been sentenced to be hanged, on September 9. After the sentence, the crowd, aided by the deputy sheriffs, attacked the court-house, and in spite of the judge's plea that the testimony of these two men was needed for the conviction of the rest, and in spite of the plea of Rev. Mr. Hodges, brother of the murdered man, they overpowered the militia, (who were armed with unloaded rifles and made little resistance) and captured the two condemned men. The two negroes were then taken out of town about two miles, were saturated with ten gallons of kerosene ?nd burned at the stake, a local photographer taking pictures of the horrible scene. After this diabolical act, the party that same night shot and killed three more negroes, one of whom had lived in the settlement for seventy years, and commanded the respect of all law abiding citizens.

Foreign, August, 1904.

Christening of the Russian Heir. — On the morning of the 24tb, at the Peterhof Palace, in St. Petersburg, the new 12-day old heir to the Russian throne was christened; he received the sacrament, and was invested by the Czar with the insigna of the order of St. Andrew. Then the bells rang.and 101 guns were fired as a completion of the ceremony. The Czar issued a manifesto in which he addresses the people as follows:

"By the will of God, we, the Czar and autocrat of all the Russias, Czar of Poland, Grand Duke of Finland, etc., announce to our faithful subjects that on this, the day of the christening of our son and heir, the Grand Duke Alexis Nicholaievitch, following the promptings of our heart, we turn to our great family of the Empire, and with the deepest and most heartfelt pleasure, even amidst these times of national struggle and difficulties, bestow upon them some gifts of our royal favor for their greater enjoyment in their daily lives."

Then follows a long list of benefits bestowed upon many classes of the people. The abolition of corporal punishment among the rural classes, and its curtailment in the army and navy, is among the provisions of the official proclamation.