The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1914-08-03
called "Tokio's Tammany. = has been
dissolved altogether.
SIGNAL Victory

Slgna V1CLOry.
The good government party re-
CARDS the overthrow of the organiza-
tfon as signal victory, and indlca-
tive Of the general reform movement
which is sweeping over Japan in all
branches Of political life. For the
last ten years they had fought to
eliminate the Tokiwakai majority in
the municipal assembly. but each
successive attempt met with failure,
until this year they have not only re-
moved the Objectionable majority but
also defeated its leader, S. Morikubo.
in whom they saw ali of the party's
corruption personified. The charges
were similar to those which have
characterized SO many municipal up
heavals In America-harmful pat
ronage. corruption In the distribution
of contracts for public works and
general graft.
The success this year was due
largely to the younger element.
which was organized into an anti
machine body. Public meetings
we're held and almost every means of
political publicity utilized to arouse
the voters to the urgency of good
government. The election continued
for three days at the end of which
the reformists had captured all bu;
81. of the rs seats in the assembly.
Morikubo. the ousted leader, there
upon invited his fellow victims to a
meeting at which it was voted to dis
solve the association.
Want National Reform.
The new organization now in pow
er is known as the Municipal Govern
ment Club. They are not content
with reforming municipal politics
alone, however, and have already be-
gun a vigorous campaign to establish
themselves in the national house of
or Conservative party will be the OBJ
large majority in the Diet, and
since 1t was linked with the now de-
feated Tokiwakai, 1t appears to be in
danger Of losing its power.
The present okuma cabinet Is back
ed by groups hostile to the Seiyukat.
II unable to carry through his pro-
gram in the face of an opposing ma
Jority, Count Okuma would be likely
to dissolve the Diet and give the peo-
pie an opportunity to register their
will at a new election.
An interesting phase of the suffrage
question was seen In the recent mu-
nicipal elections. The suffrage is
very restricted, there being three
classes of voters. classified according
to the amount of tax they pay.
Popular Will.
Taking the city as a whole about
one householder in thirteen has a
vote. Each grade OF voters elects
twenty-five assemblymen. The voters
of; the first grade number only 1.178.
The second category has 6,136 cleo
tors. The great majority Of voters.
namely, 49,948, out of the total OF
57,271, are found in the third grade.
To be qualified for this grade the cit
lien must pay land tax or else an
imperial tax to the amount OF two
yen yearly.
The ELECTION OF the assemblymen OF
the third grade was regarded as most
closely expressing the popular will.
In. every street leading to the voting
booths the candidates had establish
ed committee rooms where there was
a good deal of smoking and talking.
Formerly tea and refreshments were
atthe disposal of the thirty OF hungry
voter but today the government fol-
lowing the ideas of the West permits
only moral suasion.. The voter ar-
preached the outer office of the cleo
ton hall, gave his name and address
and was supplied with a ballot. An-
other official checked and stamped
the ballot. The voter then passed up
stairs to the voting. room, where his
ballot was again supervised. Finally
he wrote the name OF his candidate
and handed over his ballot to the Of
fcials.
HoTTon 70 TAKE DlPosITIoNs.