New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-02-03
THE NEW REPUBLIC.
A BRAZILIAN MINISTER'S PATRIOTIC VIEWS
AN INTERVIEW WITH SENIOR BARBOZA, MIN
IsTER OF FINANCE GREAT ISSUES
FRANKLY DIscUssED-A MES.
SAGE FOR AMERICANS.
tvRox A STAFF CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRIBUNE,
SAGE FOR AMERICANS

SA0E FUN hNEhlCANSs
trRox STAFF CORRESPONDENT rRrBuSE.l
Rio, December %.
English opinion here is hostile TO the Repun'
lie Americans do not share this prejudice
against the new institutions, but they are largely
outnumbered by the English. j have felt since
my arrival that the impressions Of any American
entering the town and investigating the con-
ditions under which the Republic has seen eslao
lished would inevitably be colored 10y Engiish
sentiment here On this account | was most
anxious to meet a representative OF tile MN
istry and to have a prolonged conversation with
him Senior Ruy Barboza is the master nlnu
of the Ministry. He represented Bahia In the
Chamber of Deputies for several years, and made
n great renptation as q man Of broad ideas, pro-
oressive tendencies and administrative capacity
Tie remained a Liberal until his republcanlsm
was so strongly developed that he could not con-
sistently continue TO act with his party lie
had made his mark in the Chamber; his talents
were recognized great future seemed 10 DE
oneninp for him in the service of his party; but
he abandoned everything for the sake of prin-
eiple. High official places were freely placed
at his disposal but he would not accept any
favors involving a sacrifice of his manhood lie
retired from political life founded daily jour
nal in Rio devoted TO the Republican cause and
luton occurred he was at once consulted by the
leaders and urged to accept the portfolio of
Finance He became one OF the most influential
Ministers of the Provisional Government. His
abilities command universal recognition in Bra
gil His political authority is very great. His
record is untaned with corruption or suspicion
He is popularity known here as the brains OF the
Republic.
Senior Ruy Barboza was the statesman Of all
others whom | bent upon seeing, and after
some delay rendered necessary by the engage
ments of so busy public man, l succeeded In
Securing an appointment with him, through
the kind offices of w P. Tisdel, of Washington,
one of the best informed Americans now in Brazil,
whose business energy is only equalled by his
courtesy TO fellow-Americans. This morning
was conducted to the Minister'S house on the
Praia do Flamengo, a fine residence street on
the waterfront overlooking the outer bay, the
massive cone of Sugar Loaf and the entrance to
the harbor The Minister lives in modest man
sion three stories in height and simple in decora-
ton and design. There official in the
lower corridor, who Immediately led us upstairs
and to a reception parlor, furnished with ex-
treme simplicity, like all Brazilian parlors in
the fashionable quarter. 1t was a square room
with three windows curtained with lace looking
out upon the bay. On one side were two tall
ebony cabinets filled with bric-a-brac, with a
mirror 1anked with small pictures in the centre
On the opposite side were two rattan setees, with
q marine painting and bronze medallion framed
in plush Three doors faced the windows and
a fourth entrance opened the way to private
parlor. With the exception of the settees and
two or three rattan chairs all the remaining
furniture of the room was heavily covered with
summer wrappings. graceful crystal chande
lier hung from the centre of the ceiling and there
were decorative effects indicating the taste of
the hostess of the mansion. large and hand
some PLAGUE was suspended between the win
dows; a snowy bunch of ostrich plumes and
feathers hung over a cabinet; there three
rugs, one a South American tiger-skn, on the
floor, and rack contained photographs of the
Minister and his handsome wife.
Senior BarboZa met me with marked cOrdiality.
When ] had thanked him for his courtesy in
sending customs boat TO the steamer to take
off the American correspondents upon their ar
rival, he expressed the sincere desire of all mem
bers OF the Ministry TO facilitate my investiga-
ton of Brazilian institutions He remarked that
while be was Overrun with engagements and po-
litica cares, he esteemed it a privilege TO make
any explanations of the condition of affairs which
might be needed for the American public. We
desire" he said, to be understood Alright in
the United States, and / shall answer any ques-
tons which you may be pleased TO put to me.
Acting upon so frank invitation, asked him
whether the present Administration not to
be considered military Government. Only
in the sense that there are three military
naval officers connected with it, was the reply.
"The army has been of the greatest possible
service in bringing about the revolution, and it
is most useful now in maintaining public order,
but there were general causes outside Of military
dissatisfaction which made the establishment of
the Republic necessity"
The Minister then proceeded to outline for me
the causes of the revolution. The most promi-
nent ground of dissatisfaction with the Empire
was Capitalization, with the absence of any real
federal system. The people of Brazil had grad
ually lost all interest in the Empire. The En-
peror might have had amiable intentions, but
the system Of administration was highly cen
tralized and thoroughly corrupt and incompe-
tent The Provinces were oppressed. They had
no rights as members Of confederation of
States They longed for autonomy and independ-
ent action in local administration. The En-
peror had grown DID, his mind had failed him and
he was suffering from incurable disease. In
his dotage the Princess Isabel was the real head
of the State. Surrounded by Jesuits, she had no
will of her own. Priests were always about her
and Clericalism was threatening TO become a
direct menace TO Brazilian liberty The Empire
had served its purpose and was out of date. 1t
retarded national progress. 1t was absolutely
necessary 10 assmilate the institutions of the
country with those of the liberal and progress
sive Republics on the North and South American
continents. Every thoughtful Brazilian had been
conscious that the revolution was imminent. The
military revolt would not have amounted TO any
thing if the country had not been gradually pre-
paring for a change of political order. The revo-
luton seemed sudden and unexpected to those
who were not familiar with the conditions of
public thought in Brazil but all intelligent citi-
zens had for q long time accepted il as q FOREGOING