Zemstvo

[Sarah]

In Russia, an elective local district and provincialadministrative assembly. Originally it was composed ofrepresentatives elected by the peasantry, the householders of thetowns, and the landed proprietors. In the reign of Alexander III. thepower of the noble landowners was increased, the peasants allowedonly to elect candidates from whom the governor of the provincenominated the deputy, and all acts of the zemstvo subjected to theapproval of the governor. Theoretically the zemstvo has large powersrelating to taxation, education, public health, etc., but practicallythese powers are in most cases limited to the adjustment of the statetaxation.