No. 75.
Mr. Billiard to Mr. Evarts.
Rio de Janeiro, November 15, 1879. (Received December 27.)
Sir: In my last dispatch, dated November 3, I stated that His Majesty the Emperor had opened an extraordinary session of the General Assembly, and that it had been called to secure the adoption of the electoral reform bill, a measure that had passed the Chamber of Deputies, but which the Senate had not acted on. The measure was urged by the ministry with much force and earnestness, but without success. The Senate took up the measure, and after a vigorous discussion the bill was rejected by a large majority. The ministry could not command the support of their own party.
In the Senate but ten votes could be brought to the support of a measure regarded as so important. Liberal and conservative statesmen combined in opposition to the electoral reform bill, and it was hopelessly defeated.
It was supposed that the rejection of the bill would be immediately followed by an imperial decree dissolving the General Assembly. But it seems that, at a meeting of the ministry held the same day at the palace, it was decided not to adopt that extreme measure at this time, but merely to adjourn the session. The Emperor, therefore, signed a decree, on the 12th instant, adjourning the Legislature to the 15th of April next. Nothing more serious has yet followed the rejection of an important measure recommended by the Emperor and urged by the ministry.
* * * * * * *
Mr. de Sinimbu is an able man, has large experience, an acquaintance with foreign countries, of fine temper, and of thorough integrity, an important quality in all statesmen and certainly not to be undervalued here. His administration has involved him in great labors, and exposed him to severe criticism. He has encountered opposition not only in the body of conservative statesmen whom he must confront, but some of the ablest men of his own party have refused to be led by him. His measures have met with resistance at every step, still he has borne himself well) he has never descended to a quarrel with his friends, he has treated his opponents with respect, he has defended the measures of the ministry with ability, and has at all times imparted a fine moral tone to his treatment of public questions. He entertains a profound respect for the institutions of our country and for our people, and he has expressed to me his sincere regard for the President as a statesman and his approval of the measures of the administration.
* * * * * * *
The senators hold their places for life, and would not be affected by a [Page 90] decree of dissolution. In that permanent body the great measure of the ministry was defeated.
The Chamber of Deputies, an elective body, is thoroughly liberal. It passed the electoral reform bill by an overwhelming majority; why, then, should the Chamber be dissolved, and the seats of the liberal members be imperiled? Would this punish a refractory conservative Senate? Would it strengten the position of the ministry’? Still, it is said in political circles that upon the reassembling of the Legislature, in April, an imperial decree of dissolution will be read.
It is supposed that an appeal to the country would result in such a decided liberal triumph that the ministry would be able to press the electoral reform bill upon the Chambers with increased advantages. They might claim to have not only the sanction of the Emperor, but a popular indorsement of the measure. It seems to me, however, more probable that when the session of the General Assembly is opened, in April, another effort will be made to pass an electoral reform bill in some shape. The bill which was rejected in the Senate may be so modified as to make it acceptable to the majority of that body.
In the event of failure, then a decree of dissolution would certainly follow. The ministry could then go before the country and gain time to strengthen their position. I still think that the liberal party will continue to hold power for some time to come. It must be borne in mind that the electoral reform bill owes its defeat not to conservatives alone; it was vigorously opposed by several leading liberal senators. There are other important measures of the ministry which I propose to examine in a future dispatch. The affairs of Brazil are unsettled and the condition of the country requires wise and comprehensive statesmanship. Its financial condition is improved. Its industrial state is far from satisfactory; the labor question is a difficult problem, and is at this time attracting the anxious attention of the Government.
I have, &c.,