This monograph presents an attempt to solve the key issue of the Russian Empire - the peasantry at the turn of XIX-XX centuries. The book examines the interaction of the most important ministries - the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Finance in the second half of the 19th - early 20th century, as well as their local bodies - the Local Committees of the Special Meeting headed by S. Witte and the Editorial Commission of the Ministry of Internal Affairs headed by A. Stishinsky.