But under the benumbing pressure of autocratic influences, and with his characteristic infirmity of purpose, the Tsar almost immediately removed M.de Witte, replacing him with M.Von Plehve, in whose hands the reforming edict became practically inoperative, and in fact all reforms impossible.
On June 15, 1904, General Bobrikov, the recently appointed Russian Governor of Finland, was assassinated by the son of a Finnish Senator within the walls of the Senate.

Quickly following this, July 28th, M.
Von Plehve was killed on the streets of St.Petersburg by the explosion of a dynamite bomb.

The Tsar, recognized the meaning of these events, and quickly appointed Prince Mirski, known by his liberal tendencies, to Von Plehve's place in the Ministry of the Interior.

One of the first acts of the new minister was the authorizing of a meeting of all the Presidents of the _Zemstvos_ for consultation over national conditions.

When it is recalled that the _Zemstvo_ is a Peasants' Court, that it is a representative assembly of the humblest class in the Empire, and a gift which accompanied emancipation bestowed for their own protection--when this is remembered, we realize the full significance of this act of M.Von Plehve's successor.