The herald., 1894-08-25
BRAZILIAN MONEY.
THE VIEWS OF A RETURNED
UNITED STATES CONSUL.
Impressions Formed of Los Angeles
During Brief Stay Hore-A
General AIR of Pros
perity Apparent.

Edwin A, Berry, ex x.consul TO Santos,
Brazil, is at the Natick house. He came
out here several weeks ago from Wash
ington to recover his health after three
years. service in South America.
In brief interview with the gentle.
man Yesterday he said that he was in
duced to come out to Southern California
by Congressman Bowers, whom he met
in Washington.
Brazil, Mr.. Berry said. wac practically
over it's lest revolution, or waa when he
lett there in December last, but as revo-
lutions were OF such a transitory char
acter in tho South American republic it
wee either just getting over one or just
about ready to engage in another. The
people down there were extremely vari-
nble. 1t was either fight or feast.
Ono party was usually intriguing all tho
while to turn the other party out and
the country was in anything but @
stable or hourishing condition. 1t wsG.
in fact, in deplorable condition OF af-
fairs, with robbery and corruption by
tste officials most extremely rampant.
The city OF Santos has $4,000 inhsbit-
snts, and ia one of the chief aeaports in
Brazil. 1t ia located in the state of San
Pnulo, Of which the city of San Paulo is
the capital, detsnt 40 miles from
Ssnton. The chief export is coffee.
Nearly every article OF consumption 10
imported. The United States chips
-four, agricultural implements and ma
chinery; France, cloth and wearing ap-
pare, and Germany its butter and
cheese. Every article that ia imported
10 sold for about double what it could be
purchased for in this country.
This is largely due to the financial
condition under which tho republic is
struggling. The money is ali fiat with
no substantial credit to back it up.
When more money is needed decree 10
issued and the American Bank Note
company prints few millions more or
less OF millrae and they are then paid
out regardless OF obligations or other
consequences. These Brazilian notes
are exchanged for about rs to 40 per
cent of their face value, but 30 long ss
they will be taken at any discount it ia
satisfactory to the natives.
The country is very unhealthy. Dur
ing the period Mr.. Berry was stationed
there he lost four men out OF his Office
by yellow fever. He was the only ono
left. As consequences he does not bear
very pleasing recollection OF that FAR
away region.
He said that Los Angeles impressed
him most fsvorably. He had been in
mest of the cities of the United States,
but aside from just one city he thought
the appearance of this place bore q
more striking and pleasing appearance
than any other city he had ever eeen.
The style OF architecture, he said,
locked "a If pride had been manifest
that the people were proud OF what they
had done and the little acts toward en-
bellishment were in keeping with the
air Of prosperity everywhere apparent.
He eaid that he had been ever the
streets considerably, and he had bssn
particularly impressed with the absence
of class which usually chow them-
selves in all large citiea-the frayed.eut-
at-the-edge, needy looking individu.
ale. For the life OF him,
he said. he could not account for it.
The general air OF well-fed eontentment
observed wss most conspicuous. In
places in the east OF the same size, there
would bs seen, and always has been, q
class who one could pick out Go ia
needy circumstances. But here such q
condition did not appear to exist. 1t
must show that Southern California
people are able to live and keep up ap-
pearsnces with greater ease than else
where.
Mr.. Berry will remain here some days
yet, and may possibly spend short
time in Arizona.