The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1890-04-13
A Constitution for Rrazl..

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This few military men who overthrow the
monarchy in Brazil and set up what they
call provisional government may be sin
cere, and may be doing Whist they believe
to be for the best interests OF that country.
but at this distance it locks vecy much as
if they were preparing the way ID establish
themselves in power permanently. When
they had driven Dom Pedro out Of the
country they see mel to bs satisfied TO enjoy
the power they possessed for awhile before
consulting the people with respecs to con-
stitutiOn for the republic. 1t was only
when signs OF discomfort began to appear
that they fixed the da.e for the election Of
delegates to constitutional convention.
since they have been in power they have
done just as they pleasei /, and many OF their
DEGREES show that they have very lutte
respect for the people. They are responsible
10 nobody, and DO not act as if they felt any
great responsibility. There has not been
since Dom Pedro was depcsed, and there is
not now anything worthy of the name of
liberty in Brazil The ministry. the parlia-
ment, and the local legislatures and local
governments of the different provinces
have all disappeared. The will of the pro-
visional government is law everywhere
throughout the country. As yet, there
fore. nothing has been gained by the revolu-
ton for which the paople have any reason
to be thankful.
Bat constitution is promised, and the
constitutional convention Is called to meet
in September. VIII it represent the people,
or will it be the creature of the provisional
government! IL looks now as il there were
schemes to prevent the adoption Of consti-
tuition that would permit the people to con-
troll the country. II our dispatches the
other day it was. STATED that a number of
scientific experts lad boen chosen to frame
constitution. II was also stated
that the constitution thus framed was
to bs submitted TO tine people at
the time of thaelectioh of delegates to the
constitutional convention, and that IL it
we're rejected the convention would frame
another, but if it were adopted the conyen-
ton would become a legislative body. As
the men who are to frame the constitution
were appointed by the provisional govern
ment they viii drawup an instrument, doubt
less, that will be In harmony with the wishes
of that government. The number of voters
is linn tied, and the government will have
little, if any, difficulty in having it adopted.
Having the army under its control, it could
dictate to the convention, if the duty of
making constitution should devolve upon
that body, or it could control the conven-
ton If that body should have the making
of laws under the constitution framed by
the provisional government AMI approved
by the the people.
The action of the provisional government
in preparing a constitution in advance of
the meeting Of the constitutional conven-
ton certainly looks as if the members of
that government. having had a
taste of power, had determined to retain
control OF affairs. This view may be unjust
TO the provisional government Whether it
is or not events IN Brazil, during the next
six months, will determine. Brazil may be
in the hands Of good men, who will give
the people constitutional liberty aud retire
to private life, unless further public service
from them is demanded, but there are not
at present any very hopeful signs Of such
an outcome OF the revolution.