4. GOVERNMENT OF BRAZIL. The system of government established after the bloodless revolution of 1889, and under the constitution of 1891, has already been men tioned and in part characterized (see HISTORY). The official title of the nation, The States of Brazil (Estados-Unidos do Brazil), conveys at a glance the correct impression that we are dealing with a Federal rather than a centralized republic; but its constitution re sembles that of the United States of America, and the rights of the states of Brazil are em phasized, probably somewhat over-emphasized; so a situation ha.s been created similar to that which would be found in the United States of America if the question of broad or strict construction of the constitution, that dividing line between political parties, had been deter mined chiefly in favor of the states' rights.
The President and Vice-President are elected by direct vote for a term of four years, and may not be re-elected for the term immediately fol lowing. The President's salary is 120,000 tnilreis (or about $38,000). He is assisted by a cabinet of eight ministers whom he appoints. The ministries correspond to the departments of Justice, Interior and Public Instruction, Foreign Relations, the Navy, War, Communications and Public Works, Finance and Agriculture, In dustry and Commerce. The legislative power is vested in the National Congress, which em braces the Senate (63 members, three for each state and three for the Federal district, elected by district vote for nine-year terms: member ship renewed by thirds every three years) and the Chamber of Deputies (elected in the same manner as the senators, but for terms of only three years, and in the proportion of one for every 70,000 inhabitants, no state, however, being represented by less than four deputies). Congress meets annually on 3 May for four months, but may be prorogued or called in extra session by the President. The franchise extends to all male citizens over 21 years of age, duly enrolled, except beggars, illiterates, soldiers actually serving and members of mo nastic orders under vows of obedience. The
President must be a native of Brazil over 35 years of age. In legislation relating to taxes, the initiative belongs to the Chamber of Deputies. There is a Supreme Federal Court of Justice at Rio de Janeiro, and a Federal judge in each state. The former consists of 15 justices appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate; the Federal judges are appointed upon the Supreme Court's recommendation, justices and judges alike hold ing office for life. There are also, for purely local or unimportant matters, municipal magis trates and justices of the peace who are elected for four years.
State governments resemble the Federal in having separate administrative, legislative and judicial branches; and the design has been to prevent loss of independence by any one of these, or the subordination of all to the national executive. The latter, accordingly, has not the extensive powers of appointment and control which are exercised by presidents of some of the more centralized South American republics. Governors of states and members of state leg islatures hold elective offices, and to the former is assigned the appointment of magistrates who are not removable from office save by judicial sentence. Each state is governed in accord ance with its own constitution and laws. These must, of course, never conflict with the constitutional principles of the Union; and it is provided that, in case of such infringement by state authorities, the Federal government shall, by force of arms if necessary, intervene to con trol the offending state. But not otherwise is intervention conceded as a Federal right. The Federal district is administered by a council elected by qualified voters, and the municipal executive authority there is exercised by a pre fect appointed for four years by the President of the republic.