Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-07-05
JAPANESE GoVERNMENr.
What 1t is since Its Latest Recon
struction.

StruCtiOn.
The structure OF Japanese government
as now reconstructed consists, says Lon
don Times correspondent, OF the Emperor,
the Minister President of State, the Cabi-
net and the Senate. OF its new features,
the most important and radical is well
defined partition of legislative and execu-
tive authority, hitherto combined, theo-
retically at least, in the person OF the
MlkadO, but now, by his own decree, sepa-
rated in such manner that, while eX-
ecutlve power remains in the hands OF
the crow n, the initiative in all legislation
is handed over to the Cabinet, the soYe-
reIgn's share under the latter head eX.
tending only to the power of sanction.
HencefOrward the head OF the state will
take an active part in public affairs. In
the Cabinet, whose members are appointed
or dismissed by himself, he will person
ally give direction TO all matters OF state
He Will "hold each OF his ministers in the
strictest responsibility to himself" so
that they may Gin very truth serve as his
maiesty's Instruments" and he will aftix
the sign-manual to all principal enact
ments and DEGREES.
Next in Importance to the Emperor
comes the Minister President of State,
who, indeed, is vested with very wide
range Of power. Not only does be lead
the Cabinet and fill the office of chief adj
wiser to the crown, but he also exercises
ii large measure OF authority over the
whole executive. With him lies the
power, under the EmperOr's will,
to "glve general directions concern
ing every branch of administration,
and have the supervision of control
over every department.; to require
from each and every one OF the different
departments information regarding any
affair under its management, and to de-
mand an account of its operations; to Or
der, in case of necessity, the suspension
Of execution OF any order or measure Of
any Of the departments tor the purpose of
obtaining his majesty's instructions in
reference thereto; and to control and SUI
perVlse the commissions upon the differ
ent branches OF law.t
In the Cabinet, consisting, beside the
President, OF the nine ministers of eXecu-
tive departments, the most significant de-
Walton from the old system is that which
makes each minister directly responsible
to the Emperor for all matters within the
limits OF his competence. No Parliament
yet exists in Japan; none can exist be-
fore the year 1890. But the above princi-
pie is now enumerated with degree of
emphasis which suggests the inference
that 1t is not purpOsed in the future, for
some time at least, to suffer the policy
and life OF a cabinet to depend upon the
retention of parliamentary ma
jority. In the same change
may also be recognized
practical affirmation of the ancient doc
trine of safeguarding the supremacy and
personal rule of the Mikado. Among
other important provisions in the new ar
engagements are those which assign to
individual ministers increased powers
and wider sphere of action In their own
departments, along with a certain discre.
ton in the choice of matters to be sub
mitted to the Cabinet, and the right TO
communicate personally with the Emper-
or in council on questions IN which they
are individually responsible.
The fourth factor in the government
the Gen Ro In. or Senate, created IN 1873
may be briefly dealt with. 1t possesses
little or no real power. 1t is purely
consultative body, consisting of forty
members nominated by the crown and
mostly chosen tor special attachments or
past experience in the public service. 1t
is powerless either TO originate measures
or to veto them.