The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1891-12-27
Tho Causes of tho Crisis in Brazil.

In the January number Of the Forum there
y an article on the recent crisis In Brazil by
Mr.. CoURTNAY DE KALB. who has evidently
had unusual opportunities OF obtaining in
|formation. He shows that in the contro-
I(versy between the late President DEoDoRo
IDA FoNsEcA and the majority OF the Con-
Igress which he dissolved. therewere faults
6n both sides. but that the first distinct vio-
Nlntion Of the Constitution was committed
hot by the Executive. but by the Legisla-
ture.
VI The leaders OF the hostile majority in
|IICongress had formerly been Ministers
HINDER tho Provisional Government. but had
tesigned In consequence Of q quarrel with
|0preeldent DA FoNsEcA concerning questions
~ financial policy. Tho President desired
TO put an end to Government guarantees
cf interest upon sugar-mill concessions.
and to expend the money thus saved upon
harbor improvements in Rio Grande do
Sui. The quarrel eliminated in bitter
party warfare. In the course Of
(which the President, exercising o right
eiven him by tho Constitution. vetoed
the Incompatibility bill, which provided
That no one should hold State and q Fed
oral office ut the same time. Congress
occurred two thirds majority TO pass the
Ill over the veto by excluding tho vote OF
Beuator PEDRO DA FONsEoA, tho Presidents
brother. who. as Governor Of Alagoas. was
nd to DO too deeply interested In tho
result. Whether the Presidents brother
Mould have taken part In division
on this bill may have been q matter
cf good taste and proproty; but there
y no doubt that the majority exceeded
eAeir constitutional powers when they
deprived him of his vote. The result OF this
high-handed action was to break of the ne
VIOLATIONS for q reconciliation between Con-
Srses and the Executive which had been
pcnding. Nevertheless, had the Congress
6topped there. there Is no reason to suppose
that o coup G<tat would hhvo been attempt
"a by tho Executive. The majority. how
over. OF the Federal Legislature proceeded
- pass bill depriving the President Of the
light OF veto. This was o distinct violation
70 the Constitution. which expressly endows
tho Executive with this right and specifies
INT nm amendment to the Constitution
I'm DO made only In tho following way,
Wis: First. 1t must be proposed by fourth
bart of either House of Congress. or by
tWo.thirds OF the states Of the Union: next.
it must pass three readings; then 1t must
- held over until the following year; and.
upally. sfter again passing three readings.
must receive two-thirds majority OF the
otes OF the Chamber and Senate.
The Congress having thus VIGOROUSLY
exceededits powers. the President initiated
tAe example. and did. In his turn. what the
COnsitution gave him no right to do. That
= TO say. he dismissed the National Assem-
~. We need not recapitulate In detail
1nay followed. Theproyince Of Rio Grande
~ bui revolted. either because Its inhab-
ants deemed the maintenance Of republi-
N institutions fur more important than the
i(epft derivshle by them from local sppro-
gtations. or because the leaders of the Con.
arsss party promised to carry out the harbor
improvements which the President had pro
aonnced Indispensable. The Government
knowing unable to suppress the revolt, the
navy ultimately declined to support the
1resldent. who accordingly resigned.
Thereupon the ogice OF Chief Magistrate
dcsolvad undcr the Constitution upon Vice.
Preslient PElx0TTo. who forthwith recon
Sckcd tho disbandod Congress.
no so9uonce Of events soelns 70 prove
hat tho Braziliaas viii not tolersts stos
aston Of the Constitution BY tho Executive.