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9 The Russian government in conquered countries never immediately

overthrows their laws and civil institutions, but by its edicts

it slowly undermines and saps them. For example, in Little Russia

the Lithuanian Statute, modified by edicts, was maintained until

the most recent times. Lithuania was allowed to retain its

ancient organisation of civil and criminal courts. So, as of old,

rural and town judges are elected in the districts, and superior

judges in the provinces. But since there is an appeal to St.

Petersburg, to many institutions of various rank, the local

courts are left with hardly a shadow of their traditional

dignity.