The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-02-16


president of the republic. In what pur-
ports to be Deocleciano Martyrs tes-
timony 1t is stated that Glycerio on one
occasion asked Deocleciano TO sus-
pend operations, since 1t was expected
that the murder would be rendered
unnecessary by a military insurrec-
tion in Bahia, which would overthrow
first the president of the state and af-
terward President Prudente de Moraes.
Vice-President Manoel Victorino has
not admitted that he was aware of the
plot. The evidence against him rests
principally upon the alleged testimony
of Deoclecano Martyr which is
thought to be corroborated by a letter
in which the vice. president is repre-
sented to have said that he could not
be candidate for the presidency of
the republic, since he would thereby
be disqualified from taking charge Of
the government in "any critical emer-
gency that may occur during the pres
ent presidential term" He has not
been arrested, but is reported to be
closely watched, and it is asserted that
he never leaves his house.
A FEROCIOUS SENATOR.
still another prominent politician ac-
cused of being implicated in the plots
is Senator Joas Cordeiro, who is re-
ported to have said, on being inform
ed of one conspiracy, that he heartily
approved Of IL as a rapid and practical
solution of the situation. The remark
attributed to him is in keeping with
his antecedents. In the beginning of
his public career he made himself
known by the violent, INSCRIPTIONS,
and lawless methods which he eu-
ployed In making war on slavery and
slave holders. On being informed that
the Emperor Dom Pedro H., who de-
sired emancipation, deprecated all IL
legal action, he complained that the
emperor's scruptes lrritated his nerves.
He was at that time poor man, but
is now rich, having made a fortune by
means of a contract with the govern
nent for furnishing supplies to the
furnishing population of the state of
Ceara, of which he is native and
which he now represents in the senate.
Jealous partisan of Marshal F'loriano
Peixoto, he was, at least morally, re-
sronsiblc for the hideous crimes COM
mitted during the latter's administra-
tion. In February, 1894 he suggested
through the press that agencies of for
eign banks, political prisoners, and enc
mics OF the republic in general should
he eXterminated with dynamite. In
curious contrast with the ferocious ma
ture of this man, his name, Cordeiro,
is the Portuguese for lamb. Cordeiro
was arrested few days after the mtlr-
Ger of the ministry of war; Another
prisoner accused of being implicated
IN the muder is Captain Barbora Lima,
eX-GovernOr of Pernambuco and con-
Grcssman from that state.
OF the twenty persons whom the po-
lice official in charge of the investiga-
ton holds responsible for the minister's
murder there is perhaps not one on
whose reputation there is not some
stain. And yet many of them may he
gulltless of the crime with which they
are charged. The evidence against
them is not of nature to inspire con-
fdence, and it is only after testimony
has been heard in open court that one
can safely venture to form an opinion
in regard to the culpability of any of
the accused except the soldier who was
taken in the act.
FOILED.
The difficulty referred to of assassin
ating without risk to themselves kept
the conspirators from overt acts. They
made several attempts to incite mill
tary instructions, but these failed.
Their inactivity in regard to their orig
inal programme might perhaps have
continued il Deocleciano had not met
Marcellino Bispo de Mello, a soldier of
the Tenth Battalion of infantry. The
soldier, having read and admired Deo-
cleciano's violent articles in the Jaco-
blno, was seized with an earnest desire
TO make the acquaintance of their
author, and did so. The editor of the
Jacobino seems to have comprehended
that he had at last found the man he
needed. He took charge of the soldier
and began to prepare him for his work,
making him swear fidelity by the mem
ory of Marshal Fioriano Peixoto. When
Marcellino was supposed to be suffic-
iently trained he was instigated to per-
form his task. To facilitate the work
every precaution was taken, even that
of surrounding the president with
guards in the confidence of the con-
spirators. But in spite of all favor
able circumstances. every attempt
proved fruitless.
FINAL PREPARATIONS.
On Nov. last at Z O'Clock in the
morning Deocleciano. Marcellino, and a
third man met at the office of the ia
coblno. On that day General Barbora
and two battalions of infantry Zone of
which mad been commanded by Nor
eira Cesar, the sinister idol of the ia
cobins) were to arrive from Bahia,
where the insurrection had finally been
suppressed, and elaborate preparations
mad been made for their reception.
They were to be met and welcomed by
the president of the republic, by the
vice president, by the minister of war,
by n congressional committee, and by
many other citizens of high official
rank Afterward they We're to march
in triumph through the city amid the
accl1mations of the Florianistas, who
had made arrangements for distribut-
ing thousand medals with Floriano's
portrait. What else might happen no
one could foresee
Deocleciano had decided that one of
the events of the day should be the
Of the object for which
he had 80 long labored. His friend and
disciple, Marcellino, was to avail him
self OF the opportunity which the day
Noulu oler lor attempting the grand |
stroke that was to save the army and |
place him securely on the path that |
was 10 lead To the Marshals baton |
awaiting the grasp of a second Flori- |
ano. He and his tool had accordingly |
met at the office of the Jacobino to ar |
range the final details of the days |
work. The person with them was of |
minor but still essential Importance.
He was to take charge of the box con- |
lainins the weapons and hand them at |