Morris Fidanque de Castro
Encyclopedia
Morris Fidanque de Castro (1902–December 9, 1966) was the first native Governor of the United States Virgin Islands and a life-time government servant for the territory.
, de Castro obtained a job working as a clerk in the island's sanitation
office. Over the years, de Castro remained in government and gradually rose through the ranks until he was appointed as the Commissioner of Finance in 1934.
In 1939, de Castro was briefly made acting-Governor while Lawrence William Cramer
was attending hearings in Washington, D.C.
. This role usually fell to the Government Secretary, such as Robert Herrick
in 1935, but de Castro given the position instead. During his brief tenure, the United States Virgin Islands was honored by an "unofficial" state visit by Frederick IX of Denmark
, then still the Crown Prince
, and his wife, Ingrid of Sweden
. Over the years, de Castro continued to be a prominent choice whenever an acting-Governor was necessary.
In 1944, he was promoted from Commissioner of Finance to an Assistant to Governor Charles A. Harwood. In 1945, he was made Government Secretary and held that position until he was appointed full Governor by President
Harry S. Truman
on February 28, 1950. (He was inaugurated March 4.) Though he was aware that he was under consideration for the position (he had been again made acting-Governor in the interim), he did not campaign for it though he indicated that he would take it, if offered. De Castro's appointment was considered by many as a symbol that the United States
wanted increased self-government for its territories.
. Previously, this had been collected by the Federal government to offset the territory's old debts. He also sought to allow the territory to elect its own Governor.
However, during his term, de Castro was forced to make concessions which were not universally popular. In 1953, he rescinded his previous remarks that the territory should elect its own governor. Instead, he clarified that it should only elect its own governors when they were self-sufficient, and not sooner. De Castro also worked to revamp the territorial's treasury. Under the old system, taxes collected in Saint Thomas could not be used to help those in Saint Croix, and vice-versa. He pushed for a single unified treasury that could benefit all of the islands. This position was unpopular due to the locals not wanting the wealth of Saint Thomas being used to shore-up the poorer islands.
De Castro also worked to boost tourism and industries on the island. During his term, he passed an 8-year property tax
exemption for manufacturers and hotel
owners, to allow industry to grow.
In 1954, de Castro resigned as Governor. He was given the Department of the Interior's Distinguished Service Medal
in recognition of his efforts. However, instead of retirement, he returned to work in the financial department of the territory for subsequent governors. At his death in 1966, he was the Budget Director for Governor Ralph M. Paiewonsky
.
Early life
De Castro was born in Saint Thomas and attended Roman Catholic High School of St. Thomas, despite the fact that he was Jewish. His father was a merchant. Immediately after graduating high schoolHigh school
High school is a term used in parts of the English speaking world to describe institutions which provide all or part of secondary education. The term is often incorporated into the name of such institutions....
, de Castro obtained a job working as a clerk in the island's sanitation
Sanitation
Sanitation is the hygienic means of promoting health through prevention of human contact with the hazards of wastes. Hazards can be either physical, microbiological, biological or chemical agents of disease. Wastes that can cause health problems are human and animal feces, solid wastes, domestic...
office. Over the years, de Castro remained in government and gradually rose through the ranks until he was appointed as the Commissioner of Finance in 1934.
In 1939, de Castro was briefly made acting-Governor while Lawrence William Cramer
Lawrence William Cramer
Lawrence William Cramer was the second civilian Governor of the United States Virgin Islands.Cramer was born in New Orleans, Louisiana. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin–Madison and obtained a master's degree from Columbia University. He then spent two years in the United States...
was attending hearings in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
. This role usually fell to the Government Secretary, such as Robert Herrick
Robert Herrick (novelist)
Robert Welch Herrick was a novelist who was part of a new generation of American realists. His novels deal with the turbulence of industrialized society and the turmoil it can create in sensitive, isolated people...
in 1935, but de Castro given the position instead. During his brief tenure, the United States Virgin Islands was honored by an "unofficial" state visit by Frederick IX of Denmark
Frederick IX of Denmark
Frederick IX was King of Denmark from 20 April 1947 until his death on 14 January 1972....
, then still the Crown Prince
Crown Prince
A crown prince or crown princess is the heir or heiress apparent to the throne in a royal or imperial monarchy. The wife of a crown prince is also titled crown princess....
, and his wife, Ingrid of Sweden
Ingrid of Sweden
Ingrid of Sweden was a Swedish princess and the queen consort of King Frederick IX of Denmark.-Background:...
. Over the years, de Castro continued to be a prominent choice whenever an acting-Governor was necessary.
In 1944, he was promoted from Commissioner of Finance to an Assistant to Governor Charles A. Harwood. In 1945, he was made Government Secretary and held that position until he was appointed full Governor by President
President of the United States
The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
Harry S. Truman
Harry S. Truman
Harry S. Truman was the 33rd President of the United States . As President Franklin D. Roosevelt's third vice president and the 34th Vice President of the United States , he succeeded to the presidency on April 12, 1945, when President Roosevelt died less than three months after beginning his...
on February 28, 1950. (He was inaugurated March 4.) Though he was aware that he was under consideration for the position (he had been again made acting-Governor in the interim), he did not campaign for it though he indicated that he would take it, if offered. De Castro's appointment was considered by many as a symbol that the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
wanted increased self-government for its territories.
Governor of the United States Virgin Islands
As Governor, de Castro worked to increase the self-sufficiency of the islands. Almost immediately after his appointment, he signed a law that stiffened penalties and enforcement for discrimination in the territory, largely in response to a growing problem of private "clubs" and resorts which increasingly catered exclusively to mainland whites, rather than locals. He also campaigned with the Federal government to allow the territory to keep the tax revenue collected on the export of rumRum
Rum is a distilled alcoholic beverage made from sugarcane by-products such as molasses, or directly from sugarcane juice, by a process of fermentation and distillation. The distillate, a clear liquid, is then usually aged in oak barrels...
. Previously, this had been collected by the Federal government to offset the territory's old debts. He also sought to allow the territory to elect its own Governor.
However, during his term, de Castro was forced to make concessions which were not universally popular. In 1953, he rescinded his previous remarks that the territory should elect its own governor. Instead, he clarified that it should only elect its own governors when they were self-sufficient, and not sooner. De Castro also worked to revamp the territorial's treasury. Under the old system, taxes collected in Saint Thomas could not be used to help those in Saint Croix, and vice-versa. He pushed for a single unified treasury that could benefit all of the islands. This position was unpopular due to the locals not wanting the wealth of Saint Thomas being used to shore-up the poorer islands.
De Castro also worked to boost tourism and industries on the island. During his term, he passed an 8-year property tax
Property tax
A property tax is an ad valorem levy on the value of property that the owner is required to pay. The tax is levied by the governing authority of the jurisdiction in which the property is located; it may be paid to a national government, a federated state or a municipality...
exemption for manufacturers and hotel
Hotel
A hotel is an establishment that provides paid lodging on a short-term basis. The provision of basic accommodation, in times past, consisting only of a room with a bed, a cupboard, a small table and a washstand has largely been replaced by rooms with modern facilities, including en-suite bathrooms...
owners, to allow industry to grow.
In 1954, de Castro resigned as Governor. He was given the Department of the Interior's Distinguished Service Medal
Distinguished Service Medal (United States)
The Distinguished Service Medal is the highest non-valorous military and civilian decoration of the United States military which is issued for exceptionally meritorious service to the government of the United States in either a senior government service position or as a senior officer of the United...
in recognition of his efforts. However, instead of retirement, he returned to work in the financial department of the territory for subsequent governors. At his death in 1966, he was the Budget Director for Governor Ralph M. Paiewonsky
Ralph Moses Paiewonsky
Ralph Moses Paiewonsky was a businessman and politician who served as the ninth civilian governor of the United States Virgin Islands from 1961-1969....
.