Elite provincial, agentes da administração imperial e diretórios partidários

Abstract

The article researches the appearance of dissent in the Conservative Party in the state of Santa Catarina in the early 1870s, and aims to advance the knowledge about the motives behind the disputes that had arisen within the monarchist parties in Brazil. The following arguments will be discussed: firstly, we point out that low-profile politicians led such dissent. The dissidents sought to remove from the local command of the party those members who had long held decisive positions therein. Secondly, we highlight that, at the time of the disputes, the conservative leaders of Santa Catarina were politically distanced from the president of the province. Such estrangement prevented these leaders from interfering in appointments for public positions. Thirdly, we stress that the end of conflict was made possible only after the interference of the Cabinet of ministers. During that time, it was thus not uncommon for agents of the imperial administration to participate in the internal life of the Conservative Party ofSanta Catarina.