New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-12-29
THE NEW REPUBLIC.
WORK BEFORE THE REv0LUTlONARH
LEADERS.
POLITICAL REORGANIZATION OF BRAZIL
CHARACTERISTICS OF THE PEoPLE-A
COMPETENT BUT SECTIONAL
MINISTRY.
IrRox A srArr coRREspoYoEyr oF rnE rRIDuNE.l

Para received here show that the political sltua-
tion in Brazil unchanged week ago. Inc
provinces have accepted the results OF the re'ou-
tion with mingled feelings OF enthusiasm DEVIL
derment and cynicism. There was greater en-
element year ago when an unprecedented
drouth in January, ordinarily a rainy month,
converted the southern towns into hotbeds OF yell
low fever. The Brazilians understood the terrible
consequences of an outbreak Of pestilence under
the most favorable conditions for its rapid prop
agation They do not as yet comprehend the
far-reaching results of TIE revolution which has
been effected without bloodshed or excitement.
With that nil admirari spirit characteristic OF all
Southern races they accept the Republic as one
of those foregone conclusions which every thought
full mind had foreseen. 1t was only question OF
time and, one day being good as another, whas
has been done cannot be undone. This seems 10
be the prevailing tone of public feeling in the
northern provinces, where there is tendency 10
ridcule and deplore the pretensons and activity
of doctrinare Republicans in Rio and San Paulo.
The country remains in unbroken peace and tran
qulity, and ordinary business is proceeding with
out interruption. Every Brazilian knows that a
great deal of difficult and harassing work VIII
have to be done before the republican institutions
can be said to be in smooth running order; but he
consoles himself with the reflection that there
will be time enough for everything.
THE TASK OF THE REVOLUTIONARY LEADERS
The revolutionary leaders have undertaken
work of vast proportions. 1t is nothing less than
the political reorganization of Brazil BY few
strokes of the pen everything that was character
istc of the old order of government has been
abolished The highly centralized Imperial sys-
TEN, with the presidents of twenty federated
provinces, the cog-wheels of the administrative
at hos baan smaehed Those
inces have been converted into twenty autonomous
States with power to elect their own Governors
and to conduct their own administrations like
States in the American Union. This change i'm
plies the reconstruction OF the conditions OF local
government and provincial administration. 1t in
wolves also the necessity of readJusting the rea-
tions and connections between the National and
State administrations The central Government
must continue to draw its financial supplies from
the provinces, but without exerting that despotio
control over local administration and taxation
which was one of the most potent causes of the
revolution. There must be redistribution of ad-
mnstratve powers and fiscal burdens so equitable
as to prevent outbreaks of sectional jealousy and
resentment. and efficient withal as TO maintain
the supremacy of the National Government and
its financial resources unimpaired. No more for
mdable task than this undertaken by
craftsmanship of a creative order. The entire
judiciary system. moreover must be recast and
adjusted TO the conditions Of republican govern
ment. The old Council of State cannot be re-
vived in any form, but the Senate. with members
elected either by the Legislatures people Of
the States may have its own functions in the new
federal Republic. Universal suffrage, expert
ment fraught with momentOus consequences has
created electorate, whose first work will he
the choice of Deputies armed with power TO sane
ton the rough-shod methods Of revolutOnists
and to revise the Constitution and laws. Never
was more important duty intrusted to a more
ignorant body of newly appointed citizens. The
Provisional Ministry itself must be succeeded by
a Constitutional Administration, whose relations
to the President and to the Legislative Chambers
will have to be Getermined-a problem which even
the French, with their lucidity of political in
telligence, have not Yet succeeded in working out.
These ale few among the many constitutional
questions with which the leaders of the revolution
will now be called upon to grapple. II is not
work upon which the most enlightened and ex-
perienced statesmen could enter with light
heart.
TWO TRAITS OF BRAZILIAN CHARACTER.
Tie new Constitution makers, however, are
fortunate in representing a country that is never
| in haste to do anything and is content to bide
| its time A resident of twenty years standing
has said to me: There are two phrases heard
every day that reveal Brazilian character. One is
| Wait little and the other is BE patient =
| SO long as the Provisional Government maintains
| public order it will be allowed ample time for
the development of republican institutions. The
more deliberately it acts, the more confidence will
| it inspire. The Brazilian in his private life and
| in his business concerns always acts upon the
theory that there is surplus of time. He is
| IN NAL L,a loSta or IN bo undulV
licitoIs about the affairs of the morrow. lie will
| think better of the Government if it goes about
| its work quietly or even mdoently, and grants
| the country leisure for adapting itself TO the
altered political conditions. To nation which
! from race instincts and climatic influences is pre-.
disposed to be slow and mechanical in its pro-
cesses Of thought, the revolution has brought a
sudden, paralyzing shock. In its present dazed
and bewildered condition it will only be harassed
| by premature attempts TO revise the Constitu-
ton and to adapt the Imperial system with its
statutebooks of antiquated laws to the progressive
conditions of sef-government under the Republic.
QUALIFICATIONS OF THE NEW MINISTER'S
Evidence is not wanting that the leaders OF
the revolution understand the temper Of tho
people with whom they have to deal The Pro-
visonal Ministry. while composed of new men. IN
experienced in the practical details of administra-
| ton, is Of creative force and pre-emlnenS
ability. President Fonseca has been described in
American journals as Brazilian Boulanger, who
had industriously solicited popularity oy
riding handsome horse at military reviews ano
appealing by vulgar arts to the imagination on
| ,ho donocro,c masses. This is pronounced by
| thoso fomiliar with his character TO
ho most erroneous estimate of the man.
| i,o Roulanger' he is a successful general, who
has excited the jealousy and resentment Of tho
| War OAicc: but there the resemblance ends.
As the organizer of the Military Club he has
heen the most popular and influential General in
the army; but he is neither political advcnturer
nor demagogue. The same high courage that
won for him rapid promotion for gallantry in the