Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1890-01-24
MORE FROM BRAZIL.
LATER NEWS FROM THE GREAT REPUBLIC.
BAHIA, Dec. 81, 1889.

Since my last the provisional govern
ment has had no disturbance to quell any
where. Everything is quiet throughout
the different States. Ugly rumors have
been afloat of trouble in Rio and else
where, but when traced they were found
to be only rumors. General Deodoro
Fonseca has been reported dying. Sew
eral asprants were looking for his place.
Ruy Barbosa, minister of finance, was
said to be installed as President. So
spread the news the early part of the
week, making the horizon of the new re-
public black looking, indeed. For three
days this news was cabled from Rio.
Then the truth became known. The
dark clouds vanished and the Respondent
republicans looked again at the bright
blue of the sky. Gen. Deodoro, though
not very strong, is not as bad as pictured.
And even should he die, there are other
men who could guide the new ship of
State as well as he-abler men, in fact,
than he.
The danger to the new republic will
not come from the death of any promi-
nent man enlisted in the cause, but if it
comes, it will come from discord, discord
among the States. States rights will be
the rock on which the republic, now pro-
visionally established, will go to pieces
unless the highest wisdom shall prevail.
The monarchistic element in the State of
Bahia wants complete control of all those
departments which in the United States
are under the control of the general gov
eminent. This element wants control of
the custom house, that all dues collected,
whether import or export, should be used
by the State and for the State. The post
Office and the treasury department shall
come under State control also. Some of
the advocates of the republic are also in
favor of the same,-they fall in, in this
respect, with those whose sentiments are
for monarchy. And yet hardly for a
monarchy either, but for the continuance
of Dom Pedro H., eX-emperor, on the
throne, had he remained in the country.
Had he not left the country as he did,
and when he did, there is no doubt an eff
fort would be made, even at the cost of
bloodshed, to restore him to the throne
and to continue the empire. But as he is
gone it is morally certain the empire will
never again he re-established in Brazil.
Therefore | say, Judging from the feeling
of those who favored the empire, the
great question will be, whether this coun-
try shall be a Union or a confederation,
such as the United States were during
and subsequent to the revolutionary war
up to the time of the adoption of the con-
stitution. Many of the States hold the
same view-many of the leading men |
mean-as Bahia has, in relation to the in
dependence of the State.
However, opinions bearing on this
question can only be known at such time
as the constitutions is submitted to the
people or to a convention representing
the electors of the different States. A
committee has already been appointed
by the provisional government to draft a
national constitution. The different States
have also had a committee appointed by
the governors of the respective States to
draft constitution for the several States.
The chairman of the committee named by
Governor Pereira of Bahia is eX-Sena-
) tor Laraiva, one of the most eminent
statesmen throughout all Brazil; in
fact he is looked upon as the most
/ eminent by all classes. He is thorough
; ly honest man; knows better than any
other, perhaps, the needs, the wants, the
requirements of the people. He is trusted
alike by the prominent men of all parties.
He is Bahama. Ruy Barbosa, the minis
ter of finance under the provisional
government, is G Bahama also. Benia-
, min Constant, the new minister of war,
is another Bahama. Senior Bocaguva, an
other Bahama, is minister of foreign
; affairs. Both Senores Constant and
: Bocaguva are journalists. Upwards of
fifteen years ago both were engaged in
spreading democratic principles here in
, Bahia, through newspaper they pub
lished called "A Republica Federal"
Senator Laraiva is in favor of waiting
| from one and a half to two years before
submitting any constitution, national or
State, to the people. Let the provisional
government hold till them, he says, and
the people will better be able to vote in
diligently. By that time they will have
had an opportunity to have studied the
constitution of the United States and
some of the different States and know
better what is here required. Others
, want constitution submitted at once, to
the people, or not later than April or May
next. This question of when consti-
tuition shall be submitted is creating a
great deal of discussion.
; According to decree of the govern
ment, the right of franchise is extended TO