The article addresses the Zemstvo Reform of 1864 and the Zemstvo Counterreform of 1890 in Russian Empire, in particular, the features and conditions of zemstvo introduction and implementation, including population density and educational requirements, remoteness of territories from central cities and their proximity to the state borders. It is shown that Siberia received zemstvo neither during the reform period, nor during the counter-reform period due to the lack of population that would want a compensation for the losses incurred by the abolition of serfdom. Particular attention was paid to the analysis of the movement for introduction of zemstvo in the Tobolsk governorate. The law-making activity of the State Duma deputies was closely considered since Siberian deputies stirred the zemstvo question. Proposals on introduction of zemstvos by prominent deputies of the Tobolsk governorate N.L. Skalozubov, N.A. Ushakov, I.Ya. Ufimtsev and Governor A.P. Lappa-Starzhenetsky are given for reference. Today, the historical experience in local self-government in the conditions of constantly evolving local authority setup is interesting to historians, office holders, public servants and analysts alike, which explains the relevance of the study.