Zemstvo

1 definition found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Zemstvo \Zem"stvo\, n. [Russ., fr. zemlya land.]
     In Russia, an elective local district and provincial
     administrative assembly. Originally it was composed of
     representatives elected by the peasantry, the householders of
     the towns, and the landed proprietors. In the reign of
     Alexander III. the power of the noble landowners was


     increased, the peasants allowed only to elect candidates from
     whom the governor of the province nominated the deputy, and
     all acts of the zemstvo subjected to the approval of the
     governor. Theoretically the zemstvo has large powers relating
     to taxation, education, public health, etc., but practically
     these powers are in most cases limited to the adjustment of
     the state taxation.
     [Webster 1913 Suppl.]