The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1889-11-21
BRAZIL'S BIG UPHEAVAL.
THR ABOLITION OF THE SENATE A
LIBERAL MOVEMENT.

Under the Old Regime the Members
Held once for Life-Rxtension of the
Right of Suffrage Expected-Read-
justment of the Boundaries or Rep
resentation OF the States Probable.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 20-Dr. Valente, the
Brazilian minister, has not yet been
officially requested to ask the United States
government to recognize the United States
of Brazil He believes such a request will
not be made Immediately, but that the new
government will wait a reasonable length
OF time in order to satisfy the
world Of its stability before seeking
formal recognition. The minister regards
the views Of the dominant republicans set
forth in their manifesto as most reasonable
In all respects, and as they have assumed
all of the obligations and debts of the enl-
pire, and have guaranteed the fullest meas
ure Of protection and personal liberty to
the citizens Of other nations residing in Bra
zik as well as security TO their vested
interests, he cannot see any excuse for dis
satisfaction abroad at the recent change.
In his view a constitutional convention
must be assembled in Brazil at the earliest
BN11AOAV
readjust the boundaries or the representa-
tion OF the twenty existing provinces, which
vary largely In size and density Of popula-
ton.
ABOLITION OF THE SENATE.
The Senate will also have to be recon-
structed. Its abolition as the first act of
the revolutionists has been misunderstood
as tending toward despotism. As matter
OF fact, said Dr. Valente, it was a liberal
movement, as will be understood when it is
generally known that the senators under
the old regime were elected for life, and, it
has been asserted, did not always continue
to reflect the views of their constituents.
The minister also looks forward to tho
extension of the right of suffrage by a con-
stitutional convention. At present, in addi-
tion to the ordinary requirements Of age.
citizenship, ETC., the voter must be possessed
of an income of not less than 5000 per
annum. This requirement has been literally
construed, yet there Is a demand for
its abolition because Of the mixed character
of the population of Brazil. The minister
believes that it would hardly be wise to
have unrestricted suffrage at present, but
favors the imposition of requirements that
after period of four years from the date
Of the adoption of the new constitution,
voters must at least be able to write their
names, or read. This, he believes, would
stimulate popular education and cause edu-
Gated people to avail themselves of free
schools, which already abound in Brazil.
Altogether, DIR. Valente takes a most hope
full view Of the situation.
WAR SHIPS ORDERED TO THE SCENE.
BALTIMORE, MD, Nov. 20.-A Washing
ton special to the Sun says: Secretary
Tracy has telegraphed Rear Admiral Gillis,
commanding tne South American suadron,
that his presence with the Richmond and
Tallapoosa at Brazil, is highly desirable for
the protection of American interests. Ad-
miral Gillis is Informed that yellow fever
prevails in many Brazilian ports, and great
care must be taken to prevent the disease
coming aboard the vessels"