Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-07-31
DEATH BLOW FOR
TOXIC TAMMANY
Reformers Put to Rout Machine
Which Had Controlled the
City for Ten Years.

Toxic, Japan. July 31-The political
machine which for ten years has DOM
mated municipal government in Toxic
was demolished by the reformers at
the recent municipal elections. So Sc
rious was the reverse that the organi-
/ cation, which was known as the Toki-
wakai. and which has been called TO
KOS Tammany," has been dissolved
altogether.
The good government party regards
the overthrow of the organization as
signal victory, and 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 Tokt.
wakai majority in the municipal as
sembly, but each successive attempt
met with failure. until this year they
have not only removed the objection
able majority but also defeated its
leader, S. Morikubo, in whom they
saw all of the party's corruption per-
sonified. The charges were similar to
those which have characterized so
many municipal upheavals in Ameri-
ca-harmful patronage. corruption in
the distribution of contracts for public
works and general graft.
The success this year was due large
ly to the younger element, which was
organized into an anti-machine body.
Public meetings were held and almost
every means of political publicity uti-
lized to arouse the voters of the ur-
gency OF good government. The cleo
ton continued for three days, at the
end of which the reformists had cap
tured all but 81 of the 10 seats in the
assembly. MOrikubo, the ousted lead
er. thereupon invited his fellow vic
tins to a meeting at which it was vot-
ed to 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 begun a
vigorous campaign TO establish them
selves in the national house of repre- |
sentatives, where the Seiyukai, or con-
servative party will be the object of |
its attack The Selyukai has large |
ajority in the diet. and since it was
linked with the now defeated Toki- |
wakai it appears to be in danger of !
losing it's power.
The present Okuma cabinet is
backed by groups hostile to the Stiyu-
kai. If unable to carry through his
program in the face of an opposing
w to dissolve the diet and give the peo-
pie an opportunity to register their
will at a new election.
An interesting phase OF the suf-
frage question was seen in the recent
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 elect %
assemblymen. The voters OF the first
grade number only 1.1S7. The second
category has 6,136 electors. The great
of voters. namely 49,94s, out
Of the total of 57,271, are found in the
bird grade. To be qualified for this
grade the citizen must pay a land
AK or else an imperial tax to the
mount OF 2 yen yearly.
The election of the assemblymen OF
he third grade was regarded as most
loosely expressing the popular will. In
,very street leading to the voting
booth the candidates had established
committee rooms where there was
rood deal OF smoking and talking. For
nerly tea and refreshments were at
he disposal OF the thirsty or hungry
,oter. but today the government FOL
owing the ideas OF the west permits
,nly moral suasion. The voter ap-
preached the outer office of the cleo
ion hall. gave his name and address
md was supplied with ballot. An
,ther official checked and stamped
he ballot The voter then passed up
stairs to the voting room where hisl