“MONSTROUS AND ILLEGAL PROCEEDINGS”: LAW ...
“MONSTROUS AND ILLEGAL PROCEEDINGS”: LAW ... “MONSTROUS AND ILLEGAL PROCEEDINGS”: LAW ...
management form for Brazilian politics.” 62 Within the imperial political structure, however, a host of centrifugal forces aligned against the centralizing pull of the executive branch. Most prominently, the provincial legislature, along with the provincial vice-president that served in the president’s (often-frequent) absence, worked to check executive initiatives and preserve local autonomy. In Rio Grande do Sul, the legislature served as the focal point for the “regional reaction” against imperial officials. It acted as a site where regional elites could articulate their own political power and negotiate the conditions of their continued loyalty to the empire. 63 The broader structural conflicts between the provincial president and legislature came to a head in 1859. President Ângelo Muniz da Silva Ferraz’s close relationship with the provincial conservative party led a group of liberals to reject the old Liga and Contra-Liga coalitions. They fashioned a new, exclusively liberal party. They named the new entity the Partido Liberal Histórico (Historic Liberal Party or later simply the Liberal Party) in order to assert its place as the “authentic” heir to the liberal revolutionary tradition. The new party’s first test was in the 1860 elections. These tensions between the conservative Ferraz and the Liberals equally played out in Alegrete’s local political divisions. With the Ribeiros progressively more associated with the executive branch of the provincial government through the judiciary, Canabarro sought to further stoke the political tensions between the provincial legislature and the president to assist his efforts to secure his own faction’s power in the comarca. The frontier commander quickly allied himself with the Liberals, using his influence in the borderlands to support their slate of candidates in the areas under his 62 Ibid., 142. 63 Ibid., 144. 178
military control. By engaging in these provincial level debates, Canabarro could blunt the Ribeiro faction’s control of the judiciary. 64 The 1860 elections constituted a critical moment in the ongoing struggle between the Ribeiros and Canabarro for control over Alegrete. As the elections approached, Teixeira made a formal appeal on behalf of the town council to the provincial government to remove Vital from his judicial post. 65 Although ostensibly concerning Vital’s misconduct, the letter focused much more on the dangers to public order resulting from his factional allies who had secured his original election. Teixeira wrote: [B]eginning in December [of 1859], two parties had formed to contest elections; one being created by the Superior Commander of the National Guard and of the Frontier David Canabarro . . . and the other consisting of the vast majority of the enlightened and cultured persons in the town. 66 The letter noted that the Ribeiros and their local allies had supported various provincial governments based on a shared belief in order, regardless of political persuasion. In exchange for its “moderation,” the faction had consistently enjoyed the support of the town’s elites. Now, however, through his ability to coerce the support of National Guard, Canabarro and “his electoral agents” threatened public order. 67 The letter continued: In this City, Bach. Geminiano Antonio Vital de Oliveira, juiz municipal, who has become one of the most visible leaders of [Canabarro’s] party, has, in addition to writing virulent accusations that have been profusely published in the Echo do Sul against his adversaries, used his authority and all other means at his disposal to triumph in the electoral conflict. 68 The letter pointed out that judicial officials associated with Canabarro were openly manipulating the law. This was clear evidence of the lengths to which the faction would go 64 Ibid. 65 AHRGS. Câmara de Alegrete: Correspondência Expedida. Letter to Illmo. Exmo. Senhor Conselheiro Joaquim Antão Fernandes Leão, Digmo Presidente d’esta Provincia (August 25, 1860). 66 Ibid. 67 Ibid. 68 Ibid. 179
- Page 137 and 138: funds, the imperial government took
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military control. By engaging in these provincial level debates, Canabarro could blunt the<br />
Ribeiro faction’s control of the judiciary. 64<br />
The 1860 elections constituted a critical moment in the ongoing struggle between the<br />
Ribeiros and Canabarro for control over Alegrete. As the elections approached, Teixeira<br />
made a formal appeal on behalf of the town council to the provincial government to remove<br />
Vital from his judicial post. 65 Although ostensibly concerning Vital’s misconduct, the letter<br />
focused much more on the dangers to public order resulting from his factional allies who<br />
had secured his original election. Teixeira wrote:<br />
[B]eginning in December [of 1859], two parties had formed to contest elections; one<br />
being created by the Superior Commander of the National Guard and of the<br />
Frontier David Canabarro . . . and the other consisting of the vast majority of the<br />
enlightened and cultured persons in the town. 66<br />
The letter noted that the Ribeiros and their local allies had supported various provincial<br />
governments based on a shared belief in order, regardless of political persuasion. In<br />
exchange for its “moderation,” the faction had consistently enjoyed the support of the<br />
town’s elites. Now, however, through his ability to coerce the support of National Guard,<br />
Canabarro and “his electoral agents” threatened public order. 67 The letter continued:<br />
In this City, Bach. Geminiano Antonio Vital de Oliveira, juiz municipal, who<br />
has become one of the most visible leaders of [Canabarro’s] party, has, in<br />
addition to writing virulent accusations that have been profusely published in<br />
the Echo do Sul against his adversaries, used his authority and all other means<br />
at his disposal to triumph in the electoral conflict. 68<br />
The letter pointed out that judicial officials associated with Canabarro were openly<br />
manipulating the law. This was clear evidence of the lengths to which the faction would go<br />
<br />
64 Ibid.<br />
65 AHRGS. Câmara de Alegrete: Correspondência Expedida. Letter to Illmo. Exmo.<br />
Senhor Conselheiro Joaquim Antão Fernandes Leão, Digmo Presidente d’esta Provincia (August 25,<br />
1860).<br />
66 Ibid.<br />
67 Ibid.<br />
68 Ibid.<br />
179 <br />
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