Age, Wealth, and Votes

Mass meetings everywhere have raised once more the issue of universal manhood suffrage. It is a question of age and income.

Suffrage now is limited to male taxpayers of not less than 25 years of age. The press almost without exception supports the people in their demand that younger and poorer men be allowed to vote. The Kato government has opposed the demand, but has yielded to the extent of appointing a commission.

Meanwhile Tokyo is aroused by loud clashes between the Ken-Sie-Kai party (pro manhood suffrage) and the Taisho Red Heart League (anti). And the people are at odds with the police.