New-York tribune., 1890-05-04
VOTING IN JAPAN.
CURIOUS ELECTION LAWS-A REVIVAL OF
CHESS PLAYING.
,fRos y. ccAsIoNAL CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRIBUNE:


ifRoa ~ OCCASIONAL CORRESPONDENT OF TRIBUNE:
Toxic, April 2.
The first Parliamentary elections under Japans
new Constitution have been set for July 1, and
the world will then see the curious spectacle Of
this conservative and aesthetic people exercising
for the first time the right OF popular suffrage.
An elaborate code of regulations has been pro-
mulgated for the management of the elections.
which in these days of ballot-reform agitation
may be of interest TO the electors Of other lands.
This code is supplementary to one issued sinful
taneousy with the Constitution. in which the
general scheme was laid down, the details being
reserved for the subsequent law 1t was provided
by the former that, for the purpose OF RETURN
ing members, the administrative divisions OF the
Empire into cities and prefcctures should be taken
as basis, each city and prefecture being SUD-
divided into election districts on the principle OF
equal representation, as far as possible, for equal
numbers of the population. Thus, Toxic returns
twelve members and Osaka ten out Of 800. The
qualifications for electors are that they must be
japanese subjects and have attained the full age
Of twenty-five years before the day of voting;
also that they must have their permanent resi-
dcnce in the electoral district, and have actually
resided there for not less than one year previous
TO the date of preparing the register. The prop
erty qualification is high. An eiector must pay
in land or income taX at least Sl5 year. SO that
to exercise the franchise man must possess either
land of the taxable value of 5000 or an annual
income Of 81 900. In the OF land, the voter
must have been paying the tax for a full period
of one year, and in the of income for a full
period Of three years. before the day on which
the register is made up.
The most interesting features Of the system,
however, the arrangements provided for Sc
curing free and orderly voting and honest returns.
Entrance 10 the polling-places will be granted only
to qualified voters who have previously obtained
tickets indicating their right. Should there be
considerable crowd at any place, the electors will
be required to vote in regular order according 70
the numbers on their entrance tickets. There
will be no baotboXes in the ordinary sense of the
term Each clcctor will give his name to the
presiding official, the headman of the district, with
whom to be associated not less than two and
rot more than five witnesses, nominated by him.
Having compared the name with the electoral
list, the headman will hand voting paper to
the elecor, who will he required to inscribc
thereon the name of the person he votes for, to-
gethcr with his own name and residence, and to
ati.x his stamp. The voting paper will then be
placed in receptacle having two lids, each
fitted with different Key che key
being in the custody Of the headman,
tnc Otncr IN tllab OF tne witnesses. Inc polling
being over, the box will be shut and forwarded,
in charge of one or more of the witnesses, to the
district office of the place of polling There it is
to be opened by the chairman of election, with
whom will be associated committee OF not less
than three and not more than seven, chosen from
among the witnesses assembled from the different
voting places. The chairmen like the superintend-
ing officers at the various voting booths, are TO
he local officials who owe their offices TO the
votes of the people themselves under the regular
tsfa l.pnl nov Nat no nrnDs
of the persons elected communicated by the
Chairman to the Governor prefect will the
officials of the central Government have any con-
nectlOn with the business. The greatest interest
IN these arrangements is taken by the japanese,
who manifest an almost childlike delight at tho
prospect OF voting.
4 great revival of chess is promised. This is
game in which the japanese greatly excel, and
which has been played here more than in almost
any other country. There many who claim
that it was invented in Japan. At any rate. chess
boards and chess men of great antiquity Ire found
here, and the chess literature OF Japan is volumin
During the rule of the Shoguns the game
greatly rhburished. Once every year. on the
seventeenth day of the eleventh month, the masters
of the game met in leddO and fought grand
tourney in an appointed place within the pre-
cincts Of the palace. Judges. umpires. and strict
rules, and all things necessary 10 the combat,
were provided, and after the fight over
the ranks Of the various cOmbatants were officially
fixed. The number of ranks was seven in all. tho
seventh being the highest Rarely did any player
attain the distinction OF reaching this. but the
sixth generally had one or two representatives.
There appears 10 have been certain element Of
heredity in the game as played in Japan. for
certain families took the lead for many genera
tious. and the contests between their champions
were salient feature Of every tourney.
TO this tm.-honored custom, as 10 many
another of even greater merit, the Revolution Of
S61 put stop. A long era Of neglect ensued
for chess players. But ii did not fall into disuse
because court patronage was wanting. Its votaties
still studied their gambits and elaborated their
variations. and now once more the science prom
scs 10 resume its place OF importance. In October
last a grand meeting of all the principal chess.
players in Japan was organized in Toxic. Over
200 players assembled, all boastng greater or less
degree of skill. from the first up 10 the sixth.
Count Todo. the former Daimo of Tsl. who has
the honor of belonging to the sixth rank is among
the chief promoters Of the revival. Another
meeting took place January Is. when cere-
monial in honor of the revival of chess was pers
formed.