Page:The Marriage Laws of Soviet Russia (1921).pdf/7



This first Code of Laws of the Russian Soviet Republic relating to Civil Status and Domestic Relations was adopted by the All-Russian Central Executive Committee on September 16, 1918. It follows out the principles expressed in two decrees on marriage and divorce of December 18, 1917, and a decree of April 27, 1918, abolishing the right of inheritance.

The editor in chief of the Collegium of Laws, A. G. Hoichbarg, in preface to an edition of the Code published by the People's Commissariat of Justice at Moscow, writes:

"It is to be understood that in publishing its codes the government of the proletariat engaged in establishing Socialism in Russia does not aim to make them of long duration. It does not desire to establish 'eternal codes'. It would not emulate the bourgeoisie, who have always sought to strengthen their position with the help of such eternal codes. … The proletarian government constructs its laws so that each day of their existence should make their continuance less necessary. … For example, the Soviet Constitution, based upon the principle of the political supremacy and dictatorship