The Afro-American advance., 1900-03-31
CHANGE OF GOVERNORS
The queer Way II Wa. Enected in
the ProVtnce OF AmnHonnH,
BrREIl.


said that the people of the interior
states, especially along the upper Ann
Rxon, We're SO far removed from the
central authority at Rio that they paid
little attention To the federal govern
mcnt and we're almost independent
states or provinces, Politics In this re-
gion means simply n contest between
the "ins" and the "outs," and as soon
az one set of politicians is installed In
office all the others combine against
them to force them out of office. IL is
a constant warfare. with Turn the
rascals out" as II battle cry.
Sometimes this procedure gives rise
To amusing complications. one 81 which
came under his notice. The province OF
Anazonas recently had as governor a
very enterprising and popular stntes-
man, who lined his pockets with gold,
and hN his business ability aud acu.
men accumulated large fortune His
political followers and associates, how
ever. did not share his fortunes 90 n
satisfactory extent, and limited NJ him,
rather broadly, perhaps, that he should
retire and give some of the others a
chance
This did not appeal strongly To the
governor" said the traveller. "who was
well satisfied with his corner on the
public crib aud did not intend ia re-
linqpish his place 10 anyone. Finding
their appeals Of no aVnil. most ln-
gcnious plan was finally evolved, hav-
ing for It's object the retirement of the
governor and the selection OF the lieu.
tenant governor rs his successor.
"Nt n meeting of the legislature. or
congress. as Il is called. of the state
of Amazonas bill was passed pro,id.
ing that the governor should make a
years tour of Europe for the purpose ot
interesting European capitalists In the
| industrial and agricultural enterprises
of Amnzonas and tu study the condi.
tions OF commerce, banking. etc, In
| Europe.
| ut was believed such n trip would
| greatly benefit the state. and In order
/ To provide the governor with funds suf-
| ilcicut Tor him 20 make suitable im-
preston ON the monnrchs of Europe
fund ot $4,000 wap allotted to him for
! travelling expenses. So carefully did
the conspirntorr guard their plans that
the governor did not for moment sus.
pect their intention to ouRt him, hut
he did fear that II he started out with
out his money they might forget TO
hand over the $4,000.
"The conscientious scruplrs of tho
Rutcrnor were overcome. however. by
his friends. who Informed him that to
make certain he would receive his tray.
cling expenses they were prepared 30
hand them over in advance. Al objec.
! tipus Ia his departure being thus re-
moved, the governor prepared To sull
without delay and arrangements were
made for his departure amid pomp aud
ceremony Just before hc sailing the
lieutenant governor rushed to the gov.
ernor aud pressed him to sign some i'm.
portant papers.
The governor hastily scrnwlcd his
signature ON the papers aud was about
to rise, when the lieutenant governor
bcthuupht himself Of one more docu.
mcnt which II WIS absolutely necessary
the governor should sign probably a
receipt for the S70,O0O lie suggested
! that the governor write his signature
~ the bottom of a blank sheet. aud he
would fill ia the paper later The scheme
met with the approval of the govern.
ar. who wrote his name. As requested,
~ the bottom Of ~ blank sheet of paper.
Amid the wild huyzna ot The admir-.
| ing populaCe, the governor set sail, and
n fcw months aficrwRrd word was re-.
cciyed Of his safe arrival IN Europe. On
receipt Of this information the licutru.
ant governor. who was acting ~ chief
| magistrate. summoned M extra session
Of the congress and laid before them
| tho resignation of the governor. The
willy lieutenant governor had filled In
the blank sheet Of paper with the
| formal resignation of the governor At
| this astounding piece Of Information
| the members Of the congress ~ first ~.
| fused to believe their own eyes. bat,
| after considering tho matter aud yrrl.
| Tying the HRninure ~ the bottom uf
the resignation. they came to the con.
! clusion II was genuine and accepted n.
The lieutenant governor succeeded
io the ,acnacy and assumed the reina
of office Immediately. The intelligence
~ his deposition was conveyed 90 the
ex-governor In Europe. and his tour
was eat short
He h8steprd hnmewArd with the
avowed purpose ~ taking vengeance on
the new governor aud all his friends
The ex-governor landed ~ Rio aud was
about "a proceed up the Amazon 20
his former capital when he WIS met
with the polite message chat N he at
tempted 20 ascend the river the
steamer which carried him would be
met by gunboni from Ama1onas
and be sent 10 he bottom with sll on
board This not only tended 10 cool
his ard0r but made cold rbilis run up
and down the back ~ the steamers
captain, "a whom he applied for trans
portaiion. Consequently he did not
succeed in getting away irDn Rio and
the last ! heard NJ him he was cool.
ing his heels In the auierootu 0f ihe
federal administration. impiorinR its
assistance 10 regain the Royernorship
0f AmalonaA.