Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1914-07-31
ONE JAP POLITI-
CAL POWER FALLS
ANOTHER APPEARS

TOXIC, July 3o.-The political machine
which for ten years has dominated
municipal government in Toxic was
ueinonshed by the reformers at the
recent municipal elections. So serious
was the reverse that the organization.
which was known as the Tokiwakai
and which has been called ''Tokio's
Tammany, has been dissolved alto
gether
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 Toki-
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 an of the party's corruption per-
sonified. The charges Were similar to
those which have characterized so
many municipal upheavals in America
harmful patronage, corruption in the
distribution of contracts for public
WINS anu general grant.
The success this year was due
largely to the younger element, which
was organized into an anti-machine
body. Public meetings were held and
almost every means of political pub
hcity 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 p of the 70 seats in
the assembly. Morikubo the ousted
leader, thereupon invited his fellow
victims to a meeting at which it was
voted to dissolve the association.
The new organization now in power
is known as the Municipal Government
Club. They are not content with re-
forming municipal politics alone, how
ever, and have already begun a Wig
orous campaign TO establish them
selves in the National House of Rep
resentatives. where the Seiyukai or
Conservative party win be the object
of its attack. The Seiyukai has a large
majority in the Diet, and since it was
linked with the now defeated Toki-
wakai, it appears to be in danger Of
losing its power.
The present Okuma cabinet is
backed by groups hostile to the Sci
yukai. If unable to carry through his
program in the face of an opposing
majority. Count Okuma would be like
ly to dissolve the Diet and give the
people an opportunity TO register their
will at a new election.
An interesting phase of the suffrage
question was seen in the recent NUM-
eipal 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 Is assem-
blymen. The voters of the first grade
number only 1,1S7. The second cate
CORY has 6.136 electors. The great ma
jority of voters, namely 4s,s4s. out OF
the total of 57,271, are found in the
third grade. To be qualified for this
grade the citizens must pay a land tax
or else an imperial tax to the amount
of 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
booth the candidates had established
committee rooms where there was a
good deal of smoking and talking.
Formerly tea and refreshments were
at the disposal of the thirsty or mum
CRY voter but today the government
following the ideas of the West per
mits only moral suasion. The voter
approached the outer office of the cleo
ton hall, gave his name and address
mad was supplied with ballot. An
other official checked and stamped the
ballot. The voter then passed up
stairs to the voting room where MS
ballot was again supervised. Finally
he wrote the name of his candidate
and handed over his ballot to the ON
Gals