Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1891-11-08
Brazil,s Political History.

Nearly four centuries have elapsed since
the discovery of Brazil. 1t has had fewer
changes of government and less number
of revolts against its rulers than other
states of South America, but it has had its
share. The territory now known as Brazil
was given to the Portuguese by the pope to
settle the dispute between that people andthe
SpaniardS over newly discovered American
possessions Brazil remained dependency
of Portugal until 1907, when the two coun-
tries changed relations, Brazil becoming the
seat of empire and Portugal the colony,
Napoleon having driven the Dom Joao of
the Braganzas to South America y
After Napoleons disappearance from the
stage of the worlds affairs Dom Joao re-
turned to Portugal and left his son, Dom
Pedro l., upon the throne of Brazil. In 1881
this ruler was compelled to abdicate after
bloodless revolt and his son, Dom Pedro Il,
the present exiled emperor, assembled the
throne He was then boy of fifteen, and
until he attained his majority the govern
ment was conducted by a regent.
Dom Pedro IL, who is now living in Por-
tugal, was loved and revered by the people
as few monarchs ever have been. His
power was limited by constitution, and.
indeed, was far less autocratic than that of
many of the presidents of South and Cen
trail American republics. But one revolt of
any consequence occurred during his rule,
and that at a time when the emperor was
absent and the government was in the
hands of the emperor's daughter, Princess
Isabella. This was in 1877. The primary
cause of this attempt to overthrow the en-
pire was an imperial edict aboliShing slav-
cry, which was regarded with great dis
favor by the wealthy landed class.
During the last years of Dom Pedro's
rule there had been an increasing growth
of democratic sentiment, and desire to
emulate the example of the ''great republic
of the North" and in 1889 a successful eff
fort to change the form of government was
made. The emperor and his family were
exiled and pensioned. and the republic of
1889, with Gen. Theodore da Fonseca as its
president.
The Brazilian republic occupies nearly
half the territory of the South American
continent. 1t is 26O0 miles long, and has a
coast line of $500 miles to look after.
The pre- sident is, under the constitution,
elected for term of six years by electoral
colleges in the several states and Federal
districts, but cannot be reelected to sue
coed himself. He appoints the cabinet
ministers and exercises powers like those
vested in the president Of the United States.
The legislature Of the republic consists
of senate and house of representatives.
The representatives are elected by the peo-
pie of the states and the Federal district in
proportion of one to each 20, 900 population,
and serve q term Of three years. The sem
ate consists of three senators from each
state and three from the Federal district,
elected by an electoral college elected by
the people. The senators servo nine years,
one-third going out every three years.
The judiciary consists Of the Federal su-
preme court and subordinate tribunals pro-
vided for by the legislature. The supreme
kcourt consists Of fifteen members appointed
by the president There are twenty states
and the Federal district.
The public debt Is about $5S5, 00o, 900.
Tha army aud navy are under congress