Mr. Thompson to Mr. Gresham.
Petropolis , June 28, 1894 . (Received July 26, 1894.)
Sir: The conclusions of the congressional committee appointed to examine the returns and report upon the legality of the presidential election were adopted in joint session June 22, and Prudente de Moraes and Victorino Pereira recognized as President and Vice-President during the period from 1894 to 1898. The term of the newly elected officers commences on November 15 of this year.
The total vote only reaches 350,795, which is small considering the committee estimates the number of electors at 800,000. But as there was no organized opposition, and this is the first election by the people, it is not surprising to find it small. The fact also that the States of Santa Catharina, Parana, and Rio Grande do Sul did not participate materially reduced the total vote.
It has been urged that the failure of these States to take part invalidated the election, but the committee in their report dispose of the question in a very reasonable manner.
This was the only opposition which the adoption of the committee’s report met with in Congress, but it only had the support of three members, who withdrew their opposition before a vote was reached.
I have, etc.,