The Washington times., 1903-01-06
.SAGASTA, EIGHT TINES
PREMIER OF SPAIN, DEAD
Liberal Statesman a Victim
Of Bronchitis

MADRID. Jan. G.-DOn PTaXedeS Mateo
SaEasta. former prime minister of Spain,
died at CSC O'Clock last night.
He had been suffering for some time
from bronchitis. Yesterday morning his
condition became perceptibIy worse. and
by afternoon II was evident that his
end was approaching His heart aud
lungs were becoming affected.
King Alfonso sent twice to inquire as
10 Senior Sagasta's condition His maj
csty had expressed ms intention OF going
30 the bedside TO bid farewell to the
country's old servant but high officials
objected on the ground that it would be
contrary TO court etiquette. and the
King regretfuIly abandoned his purpose
For more than thirty years in and out
OF office as a cabinet minister eight
times as prime minister. Senior Sagasta
was entitled 10 be called the old par
Iiamentary hand" Of Spain His poliJi-
cal dexteri5y enabled him to maintain
for years an unrtvaled asceudancy over
factions of The cortes. but though his
intellect remained uuimpaired 10 the
last the burden Of old age, added TO the
growing djsscnsiOns among the liberal
chiefs eager Tor the succession of the
leadership. compelled him only q month
ego 10 give up the task OF carving On
ire government.
Sagasta was born at TorreciIla July
Il, 1927. and though trained at Madrid
TOR the engineering precision he en-
barEed on a lifelong pc. al career
when he vas twenty-seveu. on his eIec-
ton to the cortcs- He took part in the
fnsurTectcn of 1885 and was compelled
10 spend some time in France. On the
amnesty being declared he returned. TO
Madrid and became chief editor Of the
ProgTessist party's chief organ After
the revolution Of 1856 General Prim
made him minister OF the interior.
and he gradually broke with Gorilla and
his former revolutionary companions
He pronounced for The monarchy. and
taking an active part in the political
combinations of the time. was foreign
minister under Marshal SeTrano and in
1874 became prime minister. In the fol
lowing year he rallied his followers 10
she support of Alfonso XII and set him
self 10 form a constitutional liberal
party. When Alfonso XII died. Sagasta
took the helm and rendered valuable
services 10 the dynasty. which were not
forgotten by either Queen Christina OF
her son. the present king. who was
born po5thumously- queen Christina
during her regency. followed his advice
as constitutional monarch. At many
critical turns in Spanish affairs he
proved himself the best friend OF the
monarchy. Welding together the liberal
factions into ore party TO give 1t sup
port
Wnen Canovas del Castillo was assas-
sfuated IN 1897 It IVES Sagasta who was
called to take Office and mis- cabinet was
thus in Office through the Spanish Amer
lean var. and conducted the peace neEo-
JatiCns II was Sagasta. also. who was
induced 10 remain in Office last spring
during the transition of actual power
TO the young King on attaining his ma
joTity He resigned a few weeks ago.
but after pressure from the King sue
ceeded in reconstructfnE his ministry in
N~veoher This last government Of his.
however, lasted q fortnight. as a vote or
insure U44 passed on ore of his pro-
posaIs. and he then definitely retired
from public life, Senior SilveIa succeed
ing him as premier