New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-02-25


IsTRATIvE REFORMS.
fyRoM A STAFF CORRESPONDENT OF THE rRIBUxE.I
Rio, January 1.
The bells rang out the year of Republican
jubilee at early hour last night. The streets
were thronged with lght-hcartcd men. gayly
dressed women and romping children. Military
bands were going about in open stlcct-carS, en-
tertanng the holiday crowds with snatches Of
discordaut music Army officers were conspicuous
in tie Streets conscious. perhaps, that they had
been making history hand over hand during the
last two months, and lottcry-tckct vendors
warmed in the public gardens and piled brisk
trade To drink strong native brew, TO listen
70 a noisy military band and 10 watch the draw
lngs from a lottery-whccl complete Brazilian
holiday recreation. ] watched motley throng
gathered about lOttery-stand, and fanclcd that
j understood the feeling of apathy ana frlNohty
with which the downfall of the Empire and the
establishment of a Provisional Government had
been received throughout Brazil LotteTy-gam-
bling has for many years been passion mere
The Church has sanctioned it as a legitimate
means of raising money Tor hospitals ana re-
ligious purposes. Some of the largest churchcs
in Rio have been built by lottery-drawmgs. Many
of the Oldest churches have been rebuilt anu
restored in this way. Lunatic asylums, rciOrma-
torres, hospitals ana OlpndudStS IdNc JUL ''''''
Ushcd by public lotteries Every year Govern
ment DEGREES have been issued authorizing lottery
schemes on a large scale, and there have been
provincial municipal and private lotteries WITHOUT
number. If the sanitary condition of u town IS
10 be improved if a statue is TO be erected, OF IL
n burdensomc floating debt is to be paid of,
lottery is brought in as a popular eNpedlent
The Brazilians seem TO be infatuated with a frenzy
for taking chances in these gaming wheels, ana
are constantly drawing their money out OF saw
ipcs-banks 10 fling away in the excitement OF
, lottery. The revolution burst upon people
who were accustomed to the theory OF blanks
and prizes The Emperor and his family drew
blanks President FOnseca won the first prize.
The new Ministers who had never been III puoHc
life carried of series of second prizes. Ihe
people had in the Republic something that might
prove either a blank or prize-they knew not
which: but it was great lottery, and they had
all drawn their numbers and must wait ana watch
their luck
This feeling that the Republic was n popular
lottery impressed Lie again to-day Whch sent
in my card with that of a fellow American core
spondent for an interview with the cmei p'l@c-
winner the Provisional President. An old
fashioned handsome residence has been purchase"
as the Executive mansion. and General FonScca
surrounded the building, and in the garden tail
palms stood. like sentrcs, with their green helmet
plumes waving. There short consultation
of the guards in the lower corridor, the way was
led upstairs, and then the cards were hahde" u
the Presidents military secretary 1t was
general reception day-tle first day OF the new
year. and the apartments on the second moor
were crowded with visitors, who hid caIieu 10
congratulate their chief upon his improved he"i'h
There was a second consultation, ana Inc tIeSl-
dent was informed that American CONGRATULATIONS
were awaiting him. He came at once INTO t0e
dining room. shook hands warmly with his Nlsltor'
and with the aid of an Interpretation ne spe'AS
neither English nor French-he replied 10 Inc
questions which were asked. The interview WIS
n brief one because he was evidently TOO sick
and weary 10 continue it at any length he mas
q soldierly figure, erect and commanding, and a
genial face. without marked intellectual power
His complexion was sallow and sickly HIS eyes
,rore vitbout mstre He seemed feeble and list
less. His whole bearing was that Of fatally
sick man. lie had drawn the first prize IN the
lottery of revolution, but seemed to have va
cant look on his benevolent face, as though the
honors of his l6gh station would speedily become
a long series of blanks. General fonseca does
not look like a man who had many weeks Of lle
in reserve He is said to be In the last stages
Of a complicated heart disease, which may end
his career at any moment. This may be an cX-
srcerated report, but his feeblenesS ana WuIor
betoken an inirm state Of health which cannot
be disguised. The Ministers were prudent wien
they appointed a Vice-President two days ago
and virtually provided for the succession 10 me
executive Office Death may lay cold hand upon
the wheel of revolution any day ana DlahR may
fall TO the lot of the prize-winner
talked with him, emphaticaly disclaimcd the
idea of being at the head of a military Govern
ment II was national movement win mo
army and navy in sympathy with II, ana 10 {"
certain extent in control Of 1t for the puDhc
good Why had the army been increased il
the Government were not military in its char
acter? That was nothing 1t was wise pre-
caution for the maintenance OF puDhc oT"eI'
IT, was necessary to educate the people In TepnD-
Ncan institutions. There was much ignorance
in Brazil. There were classes which required
TO be controlled. Had the army been increased
for tbe purpose of controlling elections? no;
that was not the purpose. There would pc no
trouble when the elections came TO be held III
September. There would be general acquiescenc'
in the revolution then as there is now. There
would be peace and harmony Had the army
been STRENGTHENED for the sake OF oVeIaWhg inc
Monarchsts and to prevent counJeI-IcE l i. .
No: that was not in any one nlhu. IHcIc WI
no Nonarchists in Brazil. The RepuDhc had Den
universally accepted. There could be no counter
revolution There was only one party IN me
Republic Were not the leading members OF thc
Government military men Yes, some OF llchl
were: but that was an accident. The army had
become converted TO repubicansm some oi thc
leaders of the revolution happened to DE mill'di|
officers. That fortunate for the peace OF the
country - - -,
This was tie spirit of the Provisional President 5
replies 10 ncisive questions which were pun 10
i'm lint showed
animation confidence, and was in marked con
trast with that Of Minister Barboza, whose faith
in the new political order shone out from a
sincere face, and was emphasized by deep
earnest voice and vigorous gestures. The PrcsI-
dent seemed to be physically unequal 70 the re-
quiements of his office, and the throng Of visit
I'm his Lnuse cAilonllN lLIlnL.IL,.. HMM II is