Eduardo López de Romaña
Encyclopedia
Eduardo López de Romaña y Alvizuri (19 March 1847 – 26 May 1912) was President of Peru from 1899 to 1903. A respected member of the Peruvian Elite and López de Romaña Family, he was the first engineer to become President of the Republic, and one of several Presidents from the Civilista Party
during the era of the "Aristocratic Republic".
to a family representing the regional aristocracy of Peru
. He left to study in at the Jesuit Stonyhurst College
in Lancashire
, England and worked as an engineer. Upon his return to Peru in 1874, he worked in the fledgling agricultural development and engineering circles of the country.
He later came into contact with members of the Civilista Party
, which he eventually joined. When he took power in 1899, it was with the support of the National Coalition Party
, an alliance between the civilist and democratic parties that took place on November 24, 1898. Surprisingly, the support of both parties was initially offered to his brother, Alejandro López de Romaña, but he declined it in favor of Eduardo.
, was the majority leader of the Chamber of Deputies
, while Manuel Candamo
, a civilista party leader, presided over the Senate
. This division allowed for the prevalence of the democrats in the Chamber of Deputies, and for the civilistas in the Senate.
These differences, however, rapidly led to the democrats leading the opposition. López de Romaña reshuffled his cabinet almost exclusively with civilistas, a move which resulted in the majority democrats of the chamber of deputies to continuously censure. As a result there were various parliamentary discords concerning the non-dismissal of censured ministers.
The development in agriculture
also continued during López de Romaña's term, as well as that in the mining and other related industries. The code of mining was promulgated in 1901, as well as the Code of Trade and the Code of Waters in 1902. He also created the Nueva Compañia ("New Company") for the collection of the taxes of the state.
In 1901, the creation of Universidad Nacional Agraria La Molina took place under his sponsorship and that of a Belgian mission. López de Romaña faced various coups in favor of the former president Andrés Avelino Cáceres
, but he successfully completed his presidency in 1903.
It was under his term that Peruvians coined the term "Aristocratic Republic" which continued until the second government of Augusto B. Leguía
and the hegemony of the Civil Party in the government of the country.
He died in Lima in 1912.
Civilista Party
The Civilista Party was a conservative political party in Peru.Founded as a counter measure against the growing power of the military in Peru during the first half of the Republic, the party's sole purpose was to establish a civilian rule in the country...
during the era of the "Aristocratic Republic".
Early years
López de Romaña was born in ArequipaArequipa
Arequipa is the capital city of the Arequipa Region in southern Peru. With a population of 836,859 it is the second most populous city of the country...
to a family representing the regional aristocracy of Peru
Peru
Peru , officially the Republic of Peru , is a country in western South America. It is bordered on the north by Ecuador and Colombia, on the east by Brazil, on the southeast by Bolivia, on the south by Chile, and on the west by the Pacific Ocean....
. He left to study in at the Jesuit Stonyhurst College
Stonyhurst College
Stonyhurst College is a Roman Catholic independent school, adhering to the Jesuit tradition. It is located on the Stonyhurst Estate near the village of Hurst Green in the Ribble Valley area of Lancashire, England, and occupies a Grade I listed building...
in Lancashire
Lancashire
Lancashire is a non-metropolitan county of historic origin in the North West of England. It takes its name from the city of Lancaster, and is sometimes known as the County of Lancaster. Although Lancaster is still considered to be the county town, Lancashire County Council is based in Preston...
, England and worked as an engineer. Upon his return to Peru in 1874, he worked in the fledgling agricultural development and engineering circles of the country.
He later came into contact with members of the Civilista Party
Civilista Party
The Civilista Party was a conservative political party in Peru.Founded as a counter measure against the growing power of the military in Peru during the first half of the Republic, the party's sole purpose was to establish a civilian rule in the country...
, which he eventually joined. When he took power in 1899, it was with the support of the National Coalition Party
Civilista Party
The Civilista Party was a conservative political party in Peru.Founded as a counter measure against the growing power of the military in Peru during the first half of the Republic, the party's sole purpose was to establish a civilian rule in the country...
, an alliance between the civilist and democratic parties that took place on November 24, 1898. Surprisingly, the support of both parties was initially offered to his brother, Alejandro López de Romaña, but he declined it in favor of Eduardo.
President of the Republic (1899 – 1903)
During these years, Carlos de Piérola, brother of former president Nicolás de PiérolaNicolás de Piérola
H.E. Don Jose Nicolás Baltasar Fernández de Piérola y Villena was a prominent Peruvian politician, the Finance Minister and twice President of the Republic of Peru .-Early years:Nicolás de Piérola was born and educated in the southern Peruvian city of Arequipa...
, was the majority leader of the Chamber of Deputies
Chamber of Deputies
Chamber of deputies is the name given to a legislative body such as the lower house of a bicameral legislature, or can refer to a unicameral legislature.-Description:...
, while Manuel Candamo
Manuel Candamo
Manuel Cándamo Iriarte was President of Peru from September 8, 1903 until May 7, the following year, when he died in office.- Early life :...
, a civilista party leader, presided over the Senate
Upper house
An upper house, often called a senate, is one of two chambers of a bicameral legislature, the other chamber being the lower house; a legislature composed of only one house is described as unicameral.- Possible specific characteristics :...
. This division allowed for the prevalence of the democrats in the Chamber of Deputies, and for the civilistas in the Senate.
These differences, however, rapidly led to the democrats leading the opposition. López de Romaña reshuffled his cabinet almost exclusively with civilistas, a move which resulted in the majority democrats of the chamber of deputies to continuously censure. As a result there were various parliamentary discords concerning the non-dismissal of censured ministers.
The development in agriculture
Agricultural history of Peru
Much of the pre-history of Peru has been wrapped up in where the farmable land was located. The most populated coastal regions of Peru are the two parallel mountain ranges and the series of 20 to 30 rivers running through the coastal desert...
also continued during López de Romaña's term, as well as that in the mining and other related industries. The code of mining was promulgated in 1901, as well as the Code of Trade and the Code of Waters in 1902. He also created the Nueva Compañia ("New Company") for the collection of the taxes of the state.
In 1901, the creation of Universidad Nacional Agraria La Molina took place under his sponsorship and that of a Belgian mission. López de Romaña faced various coups in favor of the former president Andrés Avelino Cáceres
Andrés Avelino Cáceres
Andrés Avelino Cáceres Dorregaray was three times President of Peru during the 19th century, from 1884 to 1885, then from 1886 to 1890, and again from 1894 to 1895...
, but he successfully completed his presidency in 1903.
It was under his term that Peruvians coined the term "Aristocratic Republic" which continued until the second government of Augusto B. Leguía
Augusto B. Leguía
Augusto Bernardino Leguía y Salcedo was a Peruvian politician who twice occupied the Presidency of Peru, from 1908 to 1912 and from 1919 to 1930.-Early life:...
and the hegemony of the Civil Party in the government of the country.
He died in Lima in 1912.