POLITICAL STATE OF BRAZIL. 87 
and the companion of degraded and depraved wretches. Before he 
could regain his liberty, he had to pay the amount found, the 
decision being the forfeiture of a like sum, together with the jailer's 
fees, &c. 
The justices of the peace for each district are elected by the 
people, four at a time, to serve as many years by turns, substituting 
one for the other, when sickness or other circumstances prevent 
either from serving. They have final judgments in amounts not 
exceeding sixteen milrees. In cases of civil process, they act as 
mediators to effect a compromise and reconcile difficulties. Their 
political attributes are to preserve the peace in case of riot or disorder 
among the people, and they have a right to call on the national 
guard or military police to aid them, who must act under their 
direction. There is no civil police, and no imprisonment for debt. 
Trial by jury was at first limited to political offences and violations of 
the liberty of the press, but it is now extended to criminal cases, and 
in some instances to civil suits. Sixty persons compose the jury, and 
forty are necessary to try causes. Juiz de decrito (judge of law) 
sits with them in court, acts as president, and applies the law to the 
cases the jury may decide. Jurymen serve for one year, and are 
chosen in the following manner. In each district the vigairo (vicar), 
a justice of the peace and a member of the municipality, select from 
a list of male parishioners, those qualified in their judgment for jury- 
men, and submit the names to the municipality, who, assisted by the 
vigairo and justice of the peace, purge the list of such as may be 
considered improper persons. It is then officially communicated by 
the municipality to the justice of the peace, and posted up for public 
inspection in the office, and on the doors of the parish churches 
throughout the district. 
To entitle any one to vote at an election, he must have an income 
of two hundred milrees per annum from property, trade, labour or 
employment of any kind. The vigairo sits with the judges at 
elections to decide on the qualifications of voters. Friars or 
members of religious fraternities are not entitled to a vote. Free 
blacks have all the civil rights, and vote at elections the same as 
white men. 
The attorney-general of the nation is the accuser in all criminal 
cases. Criminals have the right of counsel. 
It may be said that there is no standing army in Brazil, for the few 
troops do not merit that name. A military staff on a large scale is 
