The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1914-07-31
.REFORMERS DEFEAT TOKIO'S TAMMANY
 AT CITY ELECTION
General Change Has Taken Place Tn Japan's Po-
 Iitical Life.

Tokio. July s1,-The political ma chine which for ten years has dornf- mated municipal government in Tokio was demolished by the reformers at the recent municipal Elections So serious was the reverse that the or ganizatiOn. which was known as the Tolziwakat. and which has been called ''Tokio's Tammany," has been dis solved altogether.
 The Good government party regards the overthrow of the organization as a signal victory ,ann indicative 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 muni- cipal assembly, but each successive attempt met with failure, until this year they have not only removed the obJecttonalb1e majority but also de- feated it's leader, s. Morikubo in whom they saw all of the party's cor ruption persontfied. The charges were similar to those which have characterized SO many municipal up heavals in America-harmfuI patron age, corruption in the distribution of contracts for public works and gener- al graft.
 The success this year was due largely to the younger element, which was organized into an anti-machine Yss almost every means Of political pub licity utilized to arouse the voters of the urgency of good government. The election continued for three days at the end of which the reformists had captured all but 21 of the 75 seats in the assembly. Morikubos the busted leader, thereupon invited his fellow victims to a meeting at which it was voted o dissolve the association. The new organization now in power is known as the Municipal Govern ment Club. They are not content with reforming municipal politics alone, however, and have already be thenhselves in the National House Of Representatives where the Seiyuka.ii has a large majority in the Diet, and since it was linked with the now de- feated Tokfwakai, it appears to be in danger of losing its power.
 The present Okun1a cabinet isl backed by groups hostile to the Sei-5 ylkaI If unable to carry through his program in the face of an oppos- ing majority, Count Olxuma would be likely to dissolve the Diet and give the pedple an opportunity to register their will at a new election.
 An interesting phase of the suf- frage question was seen in the recent municipal elections. The suffrage is very restricted, there being three classes of voters, classified according to the amount of tax they pay.
 Taking the city as a, whole about one householder in thirteen has a vote Each grade of voters elects 25 assemb1yTnen. The voters of tho first grade number onIx ,187. The second category has 6,136 electors. 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 citizen must pay 6. land tax or else an inn perial tax of yen yearly.
 The election of the Gssemblymen of the third grade was regarded as most closely expressing the popular will. In every street leading to the voting booth the candidates had established committee rooms where there was a great .deal Of smoking and talking. Formerly tea and refreshments were at the disposal of the thirsty or hum gry voter but today the government following the ideas of the West per nnits only moral suasion. sThe voter approached the outer office of the election hall, gave his name and ad- dress and was supplied with a ballot Another official checked and stamped the. ballot. The voter then passed upstairs 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 ficials.