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The Soviet Constitution of 1918
by The Fifth All-Russia Congress of Soviets
Constitution (Fundamental Law) of the RSFSR
Adopted by the Fifth All-Russia Congress of Soviets
10 July 1918
PREAMBLE
The Declaration of Rights of the Working and Exploited People, approved
by the Third All-Russia Congress of Soviets in January 1918, together
with the constitution of the Soviet Republic approved by the Fifth
Congress, make up the single fundamental law of the Russian Socialist
Federative Soviet Republic.
This fundamental law becomes effective from the moment of its
publication in final form in Izvestia Vserossiiskogo Tsentralnogo
Ispolnitelnogo Komiteta. It shall be published by all local organs of
Soviet government and prominently displayed in all Soviet institutions.
The Fifth Congress instructs the People's Commissariat for Public
Education to introduce in all schools and other educational
establishments of the Russian Republic, without exception, the study of
the basic provisions of the present constitution, as well as their
explanation and interpretation.
Part One: Declaration of Rights of the Working and Exploited People
CHAPTER ONE
Article 1. Russia is hereby proclaimed a Republic of Soviets of
Workers', Soldiers' and Peasants' Deputies. All power, centrally and
locally, is vested in these Soviets.
Article 2. The Russian Soviet Republic is established on the principle
of a free union of free nations, as a federation of Soviet national
republics.
CHAPTER TWO
Article 3. Its fundamental aim being abolition of all exploitation of
man by man, complete elimination of the division of society into
classes, merciless suppression of the exploiters, socialist
organization of society, and victory of socialism in all countries, the
Third All-Russia Congress of Soviets of Workers', Soldiers' and
Peasants' Deputies further resolves:
Pursuant to the socialization of land, private land ownership is hereby
abolished, and all land is proclaimed the property of the entire people
and turned over to the working people without any redemption, on the
principles of egalitarian land tenure.
All forests, mineral wealth and waters of national importance, as well
as all live and dead stock, model estates and agricultural enterprises
are proclaimed the property of the nation.
The Soviet laws on workers' control and on the Supreme Economic Council
are hereby confirmed in order to guarantee the power of the working
people over the exploiters and as a first step towards the complete
conversion of factories, mines, railways and other means of production
and transportation into the property of the Soviet Workers' and
Peasants' Republic.
The Third Congress of Soviets regards as a first blow at international
banking, financial capital, the Soviet law on the annulment of loans
negotiated by the governments of the tsar, the landlords and the
bourgeoisie and expresses confidence that Soviet power will be
advancing steadfastly along this road until the complete victory of an
international workers' uprising against the rule of capital.
To ensure the sovereign power of the working people and to rule out any
possibility of restoration of the power of the exploiters, the arming
of the working people, the creation of a socialist Red Army of workers
and peasants, and the complete disarming of the propertied classes are
hereby decreed.
CHAPTER THREE
Article 4. Expressing firm determination to wrest mankind from the
clutches of finance capital and imperialism, which have in this most
criminal of wars drenched the world in blood, the Third Congress of
Soviets unreservedly endorses Soviet policy of denouncing the secret
treaties, organizing most extensive fraternization with the workers and
peasants of the combatant armies and achieving at all costs by
revolutionary means a democratic peace for the working people, without
annexations of indemnities, on the basis of free self-determination of
nations.
Article 5. With the same aim in view, the Third Congress of Soviets
insists on a complete break with the barbarous policy of bourgeois
civilization, which has built the prosperity of the exploiters in a few
chosen nations through the enslavement of hundreds of millions of
working people in Asia, in the colonies in general, and in small
countries.
Article 6. The Third Congress of Soviets supports the policy of the
Council of People's Commissars which has proclaimed the complete
independence of Finland, commenced the withdrawal of troops from
Persia, and proclaimed freedom of self-determination for Armenia.
CHAPTER FOUR
Article 7. The Third All-Russia Congress of Soviets holds that now, in
the hour of the people's resolute struggle against the exploiters,
there should be no room for exploiters in any governmental agency.
Power must belong fully and exclusively to the working people and their
plenipotentiary representatives - the Soviets of Workers', Soldiers'
and Peasants' Deputies.
Article 8. At the same time, endeavouring to create a genuinely free
and voluntary, and therefore all the more firm and stable, union of the
working classes of all the nations of Russia, the Third Congress of
Soviets confines itself to promulgating the fundamental principles of a
federation of Soviet republics of Russia, leaving it to the workers and
peasants of each nation to decide independently at their own
representative congresses of soviets whether they wish to participate
in the federal government and in the other federal Soviet institutions,
and on what terms.
Part Two: General Provisions of the Constitution of the RSFSR
CHAPTER FIVE
Article 9. The main objective of the constitution of the Russian
Socialist Federative Soviet Republic, designed for the present
transitional period, is to establish the dictatorship of the urban and
rural proletariat and the poorest peasantry in the form of a powerful
All-Russia Soviet Government, with a view to completely suppressing the
bourgeoisie, abolishing exploitation of man by man, and establishing
socialism, under which there will be neither division into classes nor
state power.
Article 10. The Russian Republic is a free socialist society of all the
working people of Russia. All power in the Russian Socialist Federative
Soviet Republic belongs to the entire working population of the country
united in urban and rural soviets.
Article 11. The soviets of regions with a distinct mode of living and
national composition can unite in autonomous regional unions at the
head of which, as at the head of all regional unions that can be
eventually formed, stand regional congresses of Soviets and their
executive agencies.
These autonomous regional unions form, on a federal basis, component
parts of the Russian Socialist Federative Soviet Republic.
Article 12. Supreme power in the Russian Socialist Federative Soviet
Republic is exercised by the All-Russia Congress of Soviets, and in the
intervals between Congresses by the All-Russia Central Executive
Committee.
Article 13. In order to ensure genuine freedom of conscience for the
working people, the church is separated from the State, and the school
from the church: and freedom of religious and anti-religious propaganda
is recognized for all citizens.
Article 14. In order to ensure genuine freedom of expression for the
working people, the Russian Socialist Federative Soviet Republic
abolishes the dependence of the press on capital, and places at the
disposal of the working class and the poor peasantry all the technical
and material requisites for the publication of newspapers, pamphlets,
books and all other printed matter, and guarantees their unhindered
circulation throughout the country.
Article 15. In order to ensure genuine freedom of assembly for the
working people, the Russian Socialist Federative Soviet Republic,
recognizing the right of citizens of the Soviet Republic freely to hold
assemblies, meetings, processions, etc., places at the disposal of the
working class and the poor peasantry all buildings suitable for the
holding of public gatherings, complete with furnishing, lighting and
heating.
Article 16. In order to ensure genuine freedom of association for the
working people, the Russian Socialist Federative Soviet Republic,
having destroyed the economic and political rule of the propertied
classes and thereby removed all the obstacles which heretofore, in
bourgeois society, prevented the workers and peasants from enjoying
freedom of organization and action, renders material and all other
assistance to the workers and poorest peasants for purposes of their
association and organization.
Article 17. In order to ensure access to knowledge for the working
people, the Russian Socialist Federative Soviet Republic makes its aim
to give the workers and poorest peasants complete all-round and free
education.
Article 18. The Russian Socialist Federative Soviet Republic declares
labour to be the duty of all citizens of the Republic, and proclaims
the slogan: 'He who does not work, neither shall he eat!'
Article 19. In order to safeguard the gains of the great workers' and
peasants' revolution, the Russian Socialist Federative Republic
declares defence of the socialist Fatherland to be the duty of all the
citizens of the Republic and introduces universal military service. The
honourable right of bearing arms in defence of the revolution is
granted only to working people; non-working elements are enlisted for
other military duties.
Article 20. Proceeding from the principle of solidarity of the working
people of all nations, the Russian Socialist Federative Soviet Republic
grants full political rights of Russian citizens to foreigners residing
in the territory of the Russian Republic for purposes of employment,
and belonging to the working class or to the peasantry not employing
the labour of others: and it empowers the local Soviets to grant to
such foreigners, without any cumbersome formalities, Russian
citizenship rights.
Article 21. The Russian Socialist Federative Soviet Republic grants the
right of asylum to all foreigners subjected to persecution for
political and religious crimes.
Article 22. The Russian Socialist Federative Soviet Republic,
recognizing the equality of rights of all citizens, irrespective of
their race or nationality, declares the establishment or toleration on
this basis of any privileges or advantages, or any oppression of
national minorities or restriction of their equality, to be
contraventions of the fundamental laws of the Republic.
Article 23. Guided by the interests of the working class as a whole,
the Russian Socialist Federative Soviet Republic deprives individuals
and groups of rights which they utilize to the detriment of the
socialist revolution.
Part Three: The Structure of Soviet Government
A. Organization of the central authority
CHAPTER SIX
The All-Russia Congress of Soviets of Workers', Peasants, Cossacks' and
Red Army Soldiers' Deputies
Article 24. The All-Russia Congress of Soviets is the supreme authority
of the Russian Socialist Federative Soviet Republic.
Article 25. The All-Russia Congress of Soviets is composed of
representatives of urban Soviets on the basis of one deputy for every
25,000 electors, and representatives of gubernia congresses of Soviets
on the basis of one deputy for every 125,000 of the population.
NOTE 1. In the event of a gubernia congress of Soviets not preceding
the All-Russia Congress, delegates to the latter are sent directly by
uyezd congresses.
NOTE 2. In the event of a regional congress of Soviets directly
preceding the All-Russia Congress, delegates to the latter can be sent
by the regional congress.
Article 26. The All-Russia Congress of Soviets is convened by the
All-Russia Central Executive Committee at least twice a year.
Article 27. An extraordinary All-Russia Congress of Soviets is convened
by the All-Russia Central Executive Committee on its own initiative, or
on the demand of the Soviets of localities inhabited by at least
one-third of the population of the Republic.
Article 28. The All-Russia Congress of Soviets elects the All-Russia
Central Executive Committee, to consist of not more than 200 members.
Article 29. The All-Russia Central Executive Committee is fully
accountable to the All-Russia Congress of Soviets.
Article 30. In the intervals between Congresses the All-Russia Central
Executive Committee is the supreme authority of the Republic.
CHAPTER SEVEN
The All-Russia Central Executive Committee
Article 31. The All-Russia Central Executive Committee is the highest
legislative, administrative and supervisory body of the Russian
Socialist Federative Soviet Republic.
Article 32. The All-Russia Central Executive Committee gives general
directives for the activity of the Workers' and Peasants' Government
and all organs of Soviet power in the country; unites and co-ordinates
legislative and administrative activities, and supervises the
implementation of the Soviet constitution and of the decisions of
All-Russia Congresses of Soviets and the central bodies of Soviet
power.
Article 33. The All-Russia Central Executive Committee examines and
approves draft decrees and other proposals submitted by the Council of
People's Commissars or by separate departments, and issues its own
decrees and ordinances.
Article 34. The All-Russia Central Executive Committee convenes the
All-Russia Congress of Soviets, to which it submits an account of its
activity and reports on general policy and particular matters.
Article 35. The All-Russian Central Executive Committee appoints the
Council of People's Commissars for general management of the affairs of
the Russian Socialist Federative Soviet Republic, and departments
(People's Commissariats) to be in charge of particular branches of the
administration.
Article 36. The members of the All-Russia Central Executive Committee
work in the departments (People's Commissariats) or carry out special
commissions of the All-Russia Central Executive Committee.
CHAPTER EIGHT
The Council of People's Commissars
Article 37. The Council of People's Commissars exercises general
management of the affairs of the Russian Socialist Federative Soviet
Republic.
Article 38. In pursuance of this task the Council of People's
Commissars issues decrees, ordinances, instructions and generally takes
what measures are necessary to ensure the proper course of life of the
State.
Article 39. The Council of People's Commissars immediately notifies the
All-Russia Central Executive Committee of all its orders and decisions.
Article 40. The All-Russia Central Executive Committee has the right to
cancel or suspend any order or decision of the Council of People's
Commissars.
Article 41. All decisions and orders of the Council of People's
Commissars which are of major general political importance are
submitted to the All-Russia Central Executive Committee for
consideration and approval.
NOTE. Urgent measures can be taken by the Council of People's
Commissars directly.
Article 42. Members of the Council of People's Commissars head the
People's Commissariats.
Article 43. Eighteen People's Commissariats are formed:
Foreign Affairs;
Military Affairs;
Maritime Affairs;
Interior;
Justice;
Labour;
Social Security;
Public Education;
Post and Telegraph;
Nationalities Affairs;
Finance;
Transport;
Agriculture;
Trade and Industry;
Food Supply;
State Control;
the Supreme Economic Council;
Public Health.
Article 44. Under the chairmanship of every People's Commissar a board
is constituted whose members are confirmed by the Council of People's
Commissars.
Article 45. The People's Commissar has the right personally to take
decisions on all matters that come within the competence of his
commissariat. In the event of its disagreement with a decision of the
People's Commissar the board can, without suspending the implementation
of the decision, appeal against it to the Council of People's
Commissars or the Presidium of the All-Russia Central Executive
Committee.
The same right of appeal belongs to individual members of the board.
Article 46. The Council of People's Commissars is fully accountable to
the All-Russia Congress of Soviets and the All-Russia Central Executive
Committee.
Article 47. The People's Commissars and the boards of the People's
Commissariats are fully accountable to the Council of People's
Commissars and the All-Russia Central Executive Committee.
Article 48. The rank of People's Commissar is given exclusively to
members of the Council of People's Commissars, which manages the
general affairs of the Russian Socialist Federative Soviet Republic,
and cannot be conferred on any other representative of Soviet
government either in the centre or in the provinces.
CHAPTER NINE
The Jurisdiction of the All-Russia Congress of Soviets and the
All-Russia Central Executive Committee
Article 49. Within the jurisdiction of the All-Russia Congress of
Soviets and the Central Executive Committee come all matters of State
importance, viz:
Approval and amendment of the Constitution of the Russian Socialist
Federative Soviet Republic.
General guidance of the foreign and domestic policy of the Russian
Socialist Federative Soviet Republic.
Delimitation and modification of frontiers, as well as alienation of
parts of the territory of the Russian Socialist Federative Soviet
Republic or of rights belonging to it.
Delimitation of the boundaries and spheres of jurisdiction of the
regional unions of soviets forming part of the Russian Socialist
Federative Soviet Republic, as well as settlement of disputes between
them.
Admission of new members into the Russian Socialist Federative Soviet
Republic and confirmation of secession of parts of the Russian
Federation.
General determination of the administrative divisions of the territory
of the Russian Socialist Federative Soviet Republic, and confirmation
of regional formations.
Establishment and modification of the system of weights and measures
and the monetary system on the territory of the Russian Socialist
Federative Soviet Republic.
Relations with foreign states, declaration of war and conclusion of
peace.
Contracting and granting of loans, conclusion of customs and trade
treaties and financial agreements.
Determination of the fundamentals and the general plan of the national
economy and its branches on the territory of the Russian Socialist
Federative Soviet Republic.
Approval of the budget of the Russian Socialist Federative Soviet
Republic.
Establishment of federal taxes and duties.
Definition of the basic principles of organization of the armed forces
of the Russian Socialist Federative Soviet Republic.
Federal legislation, the judicial system and judicial procedure, civil
and criminal legislation, etc.
Appointment and dismissal of individual members of the Council of
People's Commissars and of the Council of People's Commissars as a
whole, as well as confirmation of the Chairman of the Council of
People's Commissars.
General regulations on the acquisition and loss of Russian citizenship
rights and on the rights of foreigners on the territory of the
Republic.
The right of amnesty, general and partial.
Article 50. In addition to the matters listed above, the All-Russian
Congress of Soviets and the All-Russia Central Executive Committee
decide all questions which they find coming within their competence.
Article 51. It is the exclusive prerogative of the All-Russian Congress
of Soviets to:
define and amend the basic principles of the Soviet constitution;
ratify peace treaties.
Article 52. The All-Russia Central Executive Committee may decide
matters indicated in paragraphs © and (h) of Article 49 only when
an All-Russian Congress of Soviets cannot be convened.
B. Organization of Local Soviet Authority
CHAPTER TEN
Congresses of Soviets
Article 53. Congresses of Soviets are composed as follows:
Oblast (regional) congresses- of representatives of city Soviets and
uyezd congresses, on the basis of one delegate per 25,000 residents,
and from cities, one delegate per 5,000 electors, with not more than
500 delegates from the region as a whole; or of representatives of
gubernia congresses of soviets, elected on the same basis, if such
congresses directly precede the regional congress.
Gubernia (area) congresses of representatives of city Soviets and
volost congresses, on the basis of one delegate per 10,000 residents
and from cities, one deputy per 2,000 electors, with not more than 300
delegates from the gubernia (area) as a whole. If uyezd congresses of
Soviets directly precede the gubernia congress, elections are conducted
on the same basis, by uyezd rather than volost congresses.
Uyezd (district) congresses of representatives of village soviets, on
the basis of one delegate per 1,000 residents, with not more than 300
delegates from the uyezd (district) as a whole.
Volost congresses of representatives of all village soviets of the
volost, on the basis of one delegate for every ten members of a soviet.
NOTE 1. Uyezd congresses are attended by representatives of the Soviets
of towns whose population does not exceed 10,000; village soviets of
localities with a population of less than 1,000 unite to elect
delegates to the uyezd congress.
NOTE 2. Village Soviets having less than ten members send to the volost
congress one representative each.
Article 54. Congresses of Soviets are convened by the respective local
executive bodies of Soviet authority (executive committees) at their
discretion, or on the demand of the Soviets of localities accounting
for not less than one-third of the population of the given territorial
unit: but in any event at least twice a year in a region, once in every
three months in a gubernia or uyezd, and once a month in a volost.
NOTE 1. Uyezd congresses are attended by representatives of the Soviets
of towns whose population does not exceed 10,000; village soviets of
localities with a population of less than 1,000 unite to elect
delegates to the uyezd congress.
NOTE 2. Village Soviets having less than ten members send to the volost
congress one representative each.
Article 55. The region, gubernia, uyezd or volost congress of Soviets
elects its executive committee, to consist of not more than: (a) 25
members in a region or gubernia; (b) 20 in an uyezd, and © 10 in a
volost. The executive committee is fully accountable to the congress of
Soviets that elected it.
Article 56. Within the boundaries of its region, gubernia, uyezd or
volost, the congress of Soviets is the highest authority; in the
intervals between congresses this authority is vested in the executive
committee.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
The Soviets of Deputies
Article 57. The soviets of deputies are composed as follows: In cities
- on the basis of one deputy per 1,000 of the population, but with not
less than 50 and not more than 1,000 members.
In rural localities (villages, Cossack settlements, towns with less
than 10,000 residents, auls, hamlets, etc.) - on the basis of one
deputy per 100 of the population, but with not less than three and not
more than 50 deputies per locality.
The term of office of deputies is three months.
Article 58. For day-to-day work, the Soviets of deputies elect, from
among their members, executive bodies (executive committees) consisting
of not more than five members in villages, and on the basis of one
member per fifty deputies, but with not less than three and not more
than fifteen members, in cities (not more than forty members in
Petersburg and Moscow). The executive committee is fully accountable to
the Soviet which elected it.
Article 59. Sessions of the soviet of deputies are convened by the
executive committee at its discretion, or on the demand of not less
than half of the deputies to the Soviet: but at least once a week in
cities and twice a week in rural areas.
Article 60. Within the boundaries of the given locality the soviet or,
in the event envisaged in Article 57 (Note), the general meeting of
electors, is the highest authority.
CHAPTER TWELVE
The Jurisdiction of Local Bodies of Soviet Rule
Article 61. The regional, gubernia, uyezd and volost bodies of Soviet
rule and the soviets of deputies:
Put into effect all decisions of the corresponding higher bodies of
soviet rule;
Take all measures to promote the cultural and economic development of
the given territory;
Decide all questions of purely local importance (for the given
territory);
Co-ordinate all soviet activity within the boundaries of the given
territory.
Article 62. The congress of soviets and their executive bodies have the
right of control over the activities of the local soviets (i.e. those
of regions have the right of control over all the soviets of the given
region; those of gubernias, over all the soviets of the given gubernia,
with the exception of city soviets not forming parts of uyezd
congresses, etc.); the regional and gubernia congresses and their
executive committees have, in addition, the right to cancel decisions
of the soviets functioning in their localities, notifying, in the most
important instances, the central Soviet authority.
Article 63. To ensure fulfillment of the tasks devolving on the organs
of Soviet authority, city and village soviets and regional, gubernia,
uyezd and volost executive committees set up corresponding departments
and appoint their heads.
Part Four: Active and Passive Suffrage
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
ARTICLE 64. The right to elect and to be elected to soviets is enjoyed,
irrespective of religion, nationality, sex, domicile, etc. by the
following citizens of the Russian Socialist Federative Soviet Republic
who have reached the age of eighteen by polling day:
All those who earn a living by productive and socially useful labour
(as well as persons engaged in housekeeping which enables the former to
work productively), viz. wage and salaried workers of all groups and
categories engaged in industry, trade, agriculture, etc. and peasants
and Cossack farmers who do not employ hired labour for profit;
Soldiers of the Soviet army and navy;
Citizens belonging to categories listed in Paragraphs (a) and (b) of
the present article who have been to any degree incapacitated.
NOTE 1. The local soviets may, subject to approval by the central
authority, lower the age limit established in the present article.
NOTE 2. As far as resident foreigners are concerned, active and passive
suffrage is enjoyed by persons indicated in Article 20 (Part Two,
Chapter V).
ARTICLE 65. The right to elect and to be elected is denied to the
following persons, even if they belong to one of the categories listed
above:
Persons who employ hired labour for profit;
Persons living on unearned income, such as interest on capital, profits
from enterprises, receipts from property, etc.;
Private traders and commercial middle-men;
Monks and ministers of religion;
Employees and agents of the former police, the special corps of
gendarmerie and the secret political police department, as well as
members of the former imperial family;
Persons declared insane by legal proceeding, as well as persons in
ward;
Persons condemned for pecuniary and infamous crimes to terms
established by law or by a court decision.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
The Conduct of Elections
ARTICLE 66. Elections are held, according to established customs, on
days appointed by local Soviets.
ARTICLE 67. Elections are conducted in the presence of an electoral
commission and a representative of the local soviet.
ARTICLE 68. In instances when the presence of a representative of
Soviet authority is technically impossible, he is replaced by the
electoral commission chairman or, in the absence of the latter, by the
chairman of the electoral assembly.
ARTICLE 69. The proceedings and results of the election are recorded in
a minute signed by the members of the electoral commission and the
representative of the soviet.
ARTICLE 70. The detailed procedure for the conduct of elections, and
for the participation in them of trade unions and other workers'
organizations, is determined by the local soviets in keeping with
instructions issued by the All-Russia Central Executive Committee.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Verification and Revocation of Election Returns
Recall of Deputies
ARTICLE 71. All material pertaining to the conduct of elections is
forwarded to the respective soviet.
ARTICLE 72. The soviet appoints a credentials committee to verify the
results of the elections.
ARTICLE 73. The credentials committee reports to the soviet on its
findings.
ARTICLE 74. The soviet decides the question of confirming disputed
candidates.
ARTICLE 75. Should the Soviet reject a candidate, it appoints
re-elections.
ARTICLE 76. Should the elections as a whole be found faulty, the
question of annuling them is decided by the higher body of soviet rule.
ARTICLE 77. The final instance for annuling elections to soviets is the
All-Russia Central Executive Committee.
ARTICLE 78. The electors who have sent a deputy to the Soviet have the
right to recall him at any time, and to hold new elections, in keeping
with the general rules.
Part Five: Budgetary Law
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
ARTICLE 79. The main objective of the fiscal policy of the Russian
Socialist Federative Soviet Republic in the current transitional period
of the dictatorship of the working people is expropriation of the
bourgeoisie and preparation of conditions for the universal equality of
the citizens of the Republic in the sphere of production and
distribution of values. It is therefore aimed at placing at the
disposal of the organs of Soviet power all the means necessary for
satisfying the local and national needs of the Soviet Republic, in the
pursuit of which tasks it will not stop at invading the sphere of the
right of private ownership.
ARTICLE 80. The state revenues and expenditures of the Russian
Socialist Federative Soviet Republic are united in the state budget.
ARTICLE 81. The All-Russian Congress of Soviets or the All-Russia
Central Executive Committee determine which revenues and duties accrue
to the state budget and which are placed at the disposal of the local
soviets, and establish the limits of taxation.
ARTICLE 82. The soviets collect taxes and rates for exclusively local
economic needs. The requirements of the state as a whole are met out of
resources allocated by the State Treasury.
ARTICLE 83. No expenditures can be made out of the resources of the
State Treasury unless provided for in the state budget, or without a
special decision of the central authority.
ARTICLE 84. To meet needs of national importance, local soviets are
allotted credits by the appropriate People's Commissariats out of State
Treasury funds.
ARTICLE 85. All State Treasury credits, and credits approved for local
needs, are expanded by soviets strictly as provided for in their
budgets, and cannot be used for other purposes without a special
decision of the All-Russian Central Executive Committee and the Council
of People's Commissars.
ARTICLE 86. Local soviets draw up half-yearly and yearly estimates of
revenues and expenditures for local needs. The estimates of village and
volost soviets and soviets of cities participating in uyezd congresses,
and those of the uyezd organs of Soviet power, are approved by the
respective gubernia and oblast congresses or their executive committees
the estimates of city, gubernia and regional bodies of Soviet power are
approved by the All-Russia Central Executive Committee and the Council
of People's Commissars.
ARTICLE 87. Should the need arise for expenditures insufficiently
provided for in the estimates, or not provided for at all, the soviets
apply for additional allocations to the respective People's
Commissariats.
ARTICLE 88. In the event of local resources proving insufficient to
satisfy local needs, the issue of subsidies or loans to local soviets
necessary to cover urgent expenditures is authorized by the All-Russia
Central Executive Committee and the Council of People's Commissars.
Part Six: The Arms and the Flag of the Russian Socialist Federative
Soviet Republic
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
ARTICLE 89. The Arms of the Russian Socialist Federative Soviet
Republic consist of a sickle and a hammer with their handles crossed,
pointing downwards, gold upon a red field in the sun's rays, and
surrounded by a wreath of ears of grain, with the inscriptions:
'Russian Socialist Federative Soviet Republic', and
'Proletarians of all Countries, Unite!'
ARTICLE 90. The flag and ensign of the Russian Socialist Federative
Soviet Republic is of red cloth with the gold letters 'RSFSR' or the
words 'Russian Socialist Federative Soviet Republic' in the left upper
corner near the staff.
Chairman of the Fifth All-Russia Congress of Soviets and of the
All-Russia Central Executive Committee, Y. A. SVERDLOV.
Members of the Presidium of the All-Russia Central Executive Committee,
G. I. TEODOROVICH, F. A. ROZIN, A. K. MITROFANOV, K. G. MAXIMOV.
Secretary of the All-Russia Central Executive Committee, V. A.
AVANESOV.
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