The morning times., 1896-07-26
LEADER AMONG his PEOPLE
Career Of Japan's Representa-
tive to This Country.
ExILED AND IMPRISONED
Toru Hoshi Preached the Doctrine
of Popular Rights and Representa-
tive System of Government-Is q.
Lawyer of Ability and Posted on
Business and Current Affairs.


the duties of japanese minister TO this
country, Mr.. Toru nesni. has mai notaole
and uniquecare He has achievedsuccess
by methods hitherto unknown in Japanese
public life, ana has reached the Justine
tion he now enjoys by path which was
opened only yesterday to tue feet or as
plrants for popular favor In japan.
Formerly orficehoiding was almost the
sole means by wnicn an ambitious man in
Japan could rise to efninence. But Mr.
Hosni laid the foundation OF his reputa-
ton as a private citizen, and arterward
added to it in an Office which was dis
tinctively the gift of the people, and not of
the government. ON this account his career
is most interesting. afrording, as 1T Goes,
practical Illustration OF the growth OF
Japan from reudal to constitutional, nat onal
life, and of the development OF those wise
and far-sigted plans which have wrought
such marvellous changes in that country.
MI Hoshi was born in Toxic in 1850.
His father was physician. From boy
hood ne was fond OF study, and when about
fifteen, after completing the Japanese
studies pursued by lads of his age. he
entered the English school ut Yokonania,
presidedoverby Dr. Brownand Ar. HiIash,
both American missionaries. In this school,
he gaiped his knowledge Of the English
language.
In 1871 he published book called ..Iseki
Soden" tstores of great deedsD, in which
he collected stories OF great men, ancient
and modern, native and foreign. He also
translated into Japanese the first and
second books Of blackstoae's Commenta-
ries.
STUDIED LAW IN ENGLAND.
In 1873 he was made collector of Gus
toms at Yokohama, ana the next year was
sent TO England to investigate the system
Of foreign loans. During his stay in England
he studied law, and was admitted to the
Inns OF Court, and three years later be-
came barrister at law Of the Midd. Tenn
pie. He returned to Japan in 1877, after
travelling through the United States and
Europe, and entered at once upon the
practice Of his profession. He was also
appointed counsellor OF law to the gov
eminent.
Mr.. Hoshi shared the views of those who
had assisted in introducing the principles
OF modern civilization at tie time Of tie
great social and political upheaval OF 1868.
But after he had been in the service Of the
government about two years, it seemed to
Linn that the public policy was becoming
too conservative, and lie consequently re-
signed.
In 1881 he began publicly urging the
lishment OF q representative system of
government BE had become associated
with Count Itagaki, who was noted for
his liberal opinions and for the distin-
guished part be had played at the time
OF the restoration OF the imperial power, In
1868. Mr.. Hoshi co-operated with him
in establishing the Jiyuto tparty OF liberty,
which is today the most Important po-
litical organization in japan, with los
I
about one-third of the total membership.
PREACHED FOR POPULAR RIGHTS.
In advocacy OF the tenets Of this party,
Mr.. Hoshi Travelled in different parts of the Z
empire, criticizing the administration Of
The government, and arguing for the prin-
cIples CT popular rights, He also estab.
have since become both influential and n.
naneiaily successful, among them the JiyGto
dantern of Liberty; the Jiyu Shinibun
Liberal Newsl, and the KoroD Public
Opiniou)
Mr.. Hoshi's course naturally brought him
Into Opposition to the government, and
ahenated his friends in government circles.
In 1855 he wasimprisonedf for six monthson
the charge of defamiDg the prime munster
when criticising tie policy Of the govern
ment.
In 1887 he was expelled from Toxic and
forbidden for three years to come within
ten miles of the capital. He was subsequent
ly sentenced to imprisonment for one year
and half, but was released by special
act of grace upon the PRONUNCIATION OF the
constitution in 1889. Thereupon he again
visited the United States and Europe. de-
voting bis time to the study of constitu-
tional questions and representative forms
of government
In n nd n To naY NIL rx-u0
elected member of the House OF Repre-
sentatives. At the second session of the
Imperial Diet he was elected speaker of
the House After his retirement from tile