Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-06-22

~ peaceful Spring night last
September q United States
diplomatic officer and I were
~ having dinner at the Jockey
Club In Rio de Janeiro. We
had talked Of such things as Brazilian
foods, novelists, wild animals and many
other unrelated topics, when my friend
suddenly remembered that an impor-
tant meeting, a national political con-
vention, was scheduled to take place
that very evening. He suggested that
we might look in on it. Maybe there
would be something of interest.
As we hurried along the beautiful
Avenida Rio Branco toward the Monroe
Palace, where the gathering was being
held, a stranger would never have
guessed that the Grand Old Party-the
party of tradition, conservatism and big
business, the party that had been in
power ever since the founding of the
republicans meeting q few blocks
away to nominate Its candidate for the
presidency of the land. The city was
perfectly normal; the same gay but
leisurely promenaders, the same groups
lolling in the comfortable chairs Of the
sidewalk cafes slipping their after dinner
coffee. There were no electioneering
delegations, no groups parading with
banners. badges and fancy hats, no
brass bands.
Such is the Brazilian way.
The convention itself was Just as
much reversal of North American
tradition. Imagine a national party
convention with the delegates in eve
ming dress. Imagine such a gathering
that was not yelling its head of, where,
when the gavel sounded, there was i'm
mediate order and attention. I could
scarcely believe my eyes and ears.
Prelin1inaries were beautifully brief;
business and debate began without de-
after midnight, the convention having
completed its work In less than four
hours. And we think our South
American friends are slow. We've
heard that manana dictates their hab-
its and activities. Nominating speeches
were eloquent and fervid, but short
and to the point, delivered with few in
| terruptions. Delegates and speakers
showed the greatest difference to one
another, bowling and smiling at oppon-
ent or colleague at the mere reference
| to his name or position-the word "his''
is entirely accurate, as women do not
participate as yet in political conven-
tons in Brazil.
Greeted With Applause.
The nomination was greeted by wave
AFTER wave OF oea1enng applause. The
name Of DR.. Julio Prestes de Albu-
querque, the successful candidate
brought forth the first evidence Of I'M
restrained enthusiasm. Several unofn-
cial visitors led Hip, hip, hoorays.'
Some one in an upper gallery turned
loose a deluge OF rose petals. For g
moment the place took on the appear.
ance of an indoor carnival. But 1t all
| seemed so fitting, so natural And ]
had to remember that these people
were Latins, that on such occasion.
| they express their feelings and senti-
ments enthusiastically, but POLITICALLY
| Finally the delegates embraced one an
other and went home, and the @. o
p. was ready for another nationwide
| battle.
| DR.. Julio Prestes, as he is popularl,
| known, was at the time the Presiden,
| (heads Of states in Brazil are caIlee
presidents) OF Sac PAulo, the riches
and most powerful Of the 40 states O
the United States Of Brazil, state pro.
| ducing more than half the world
breakfast coffee. And while his wa
the dominant 0oliticai party Of thl