\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.