The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1897-08-13
sketch of Senior Cnnnvas.

course in philosophy and law at the
University of Madrid and began his
career as a journalist. In 1851 he made
, his debut under the patronage of Seniors
Rios, Rosas and Pacheco as chief editor
of The Patria, in which he defended
Conservative ideas. About this time
| he published a volume of lyric poems
, and series of historical papers. He
was in doubt whether to follow a lit
erary or political career, but soon
found himself turned to politics by the
course of events
In 1852 he was named deputy for
Malaga, and from that time to his death
he had never ceased to occupy a seat
in the cortes. In 1856 he was charge
d'affaires at Rome and prepared the
, historical memoranda on the relations
of Spain with the holy see which serv-
ed rs basis for the corcordant.
After serving TIE crown as governor
of Cadiz in 1855. director general Of the
administration from 1858 to 1861 and
| lastly in that vame year as undersec-
rotary of state for the interior the queen
called him to the ministry as a mem
her Of the Mon cabinetS In 1865 he held
the portfolio of finance and the colonies
In the O'Donnell cabinet. and it de-
veloped upon him to draw up the law
for the abolition of the slave trade
Shortly before the revolution of 1868
he became especially conspicuous as
one Of the last to defend with energy
in the cortes the principle of blending
liberal and conciliatory ideas with the
constitutional monarchy. when all the
parties that had supported this political
doctrine had deserted the parliament.
He was banished a short time before
the revolution occurred and took no
part in it.
Became President of the Council.
In the face of the triumphant revo-
luton after his return from exile and
In the full constituent assembly of 1868,
supported by Seniors Elduayem, Bugal-
lal and two others he hoisted the
standard of legitimate and constitu-
tional monarchy This is his greatest
title to fame. His fidelity and ability
finally secured for him the supreme d.
rection of the Alfonsist party, and on
the proclamation of Alfonso II as king
on Dec. 81, 1874, Senior Canovas del Cas-
tillo became president of the council
and chief of the new cabinet, called the
cabinet of Cancellation.
lie TeIlTeu III september, 1919, Ue-
cause of the demands of the Extreme
Conservative party, but he was called
back to the presidency of the council
on Dec. of the same year and charged
particularly with the direction of the
first legislative elections of the new re-
gime He was himself elected to the
cortes from the city of Madrid in Janu-
airy, 1876. It devolved upon him then
to repress the second attempt of the
Carlists to bring on civil war and to
deal with the first instruction in Cuba.
With the exception of an interval of
a few months he continued to hold the
premiership down to 1879 when, on the
return of MarshSl Martinez Campos
from Cuba, he retired from the premier
ship and was succeeded by Campos,
who accepted as his colleagues the
principal associates of Senior Canovas.
The opposition raised to the policy Of
Campos soon forced him to retire.
Senior Canovas skilfully resisted, de-
layed and finally defeated the free trade
and emancipation projects of Campos.
On the reassembling of the cortes in
December, 1879. Campos gave up the at
tempt to conduct the government, and
Senior Canovas formed a new cabinet
on Dec. 10 with a second Cuban insur-
rection to be dealt with.
He charged General Blanco with this
task. but the reactionary tendencies of
his home policy became more and more
marked until the financial projects in
which he wished to embark drew upon
him the bitter attacks not only of
CASTELAR, and the Republicans, but also
those of Campos and of Sagasta. and he
was compelled to resign. In 1881 he re-
turned again to power but his conserv-
alive cabinet was speedily overthrow,
and a coalition government, with Sa-
gasta and Campos at it's head, took the
reins of affairs.
At the general elections of the same
year he was returned to the cortes from
Madrid and became the chief and
spokesman of the intermediate party,
known as the party of Conservative
Liberals. On jan is, 1884, he was call
ed upon to form a Conservative min
istry.
In order to secure a majority devot-
ed, like himself, to ideas of order and
of liberty in harmony with the mon
archical principle he dissolved the
cortes, and the new elections resulted
favorably. But on Nov. 26, 1885. on the
question of the occupation Of the Car
oline islands by Germany, he was again
compelled to resign, being succeeded bs
Senior Sagasta.
Elected President of Chamber.
The same day he was elected presi.
dent of the chamber by 300 votes against
112 cast for Senior Romero Robledo. an6
he signalized his entrance upon his
new functions by funeral euogy of
King Alfonso XII, who had died the
previous day. In 1890 another reversal
brought him back into power, and on
July he took the presidency of a Con-
servativ" cabinet. replacing the Liberal
ministry of Sagasta. Two years later
Aho NON d,,ln,,,n r,,.,,-,.. a. -. .-----,4-