Antonio R. Barceló
Encyclopedia
Antonio Rafael Barceló y Martinez (April 15, 1868 – October 15, 1938) was a lawyer, businessman and the patriarch of what was to become one of Puerto Rico's most prominent political families. Barceló, who in 1917 became the first President of the Senate of Puerto Rico, played an instrumental role in the introduction and passage of legislation which permitted the realization of a School of Tropical Medicine and a Capitol building in Puerto Rico.
to Jaime Barceló y Miralles and Josefa Martinez de Leon. He became an orphan by the age of three, his father had died in 1870 and his mother in 1871. He went to live with his aunt, Carmela de Leon and his grandmother Belen de Leon, both who raised. As a youngster, Barceló took an active interest in politics. He studied in the "Concillier Seminary" of San Juan
where he earned a law degree. He then joined the "Autonomist Party" (founded by José de Diego
and Román Baldorioty de Castro
in 1887) and soon became the party's Secretary. In 1897, he was named municipal judge of Fajardo and was allowed to remain in said position by the invading American forces after the Spanish-American War. On February 4, 1899, he married Maria Georgina "Josefina" Bird Aria, daughter of sugar baron Jorge Bird Leon.
, Rosendo Matienzo Cintrón
, Eduardo Georgetti
and José de Diego founded the "Union Party of Puerto Rico". The party, which believed in Puerto Rican independence, was presided by Muñoz Rivera with Barceló as the Secretary General. The party, won the election in 1904 and Muñoz Rivera was selected as a member the House of Delegates, while Barceló was elected to the Chamber of Delegates in 1905.
In 1910, Barceló founded the Association Puerto Rico, with the idea of protecting the main industries of the island, which at that time were the coffee
, tobacco
and sugar
industries, against imported brands. The legislature of Puerto Rico passed law number 52 in 1913, which officially established the Association of Puerto Rico and renamed it the Association of Products made in Puerto Rico. The law also incorporated and protected the official logo of the association which contains the phrase "Hecho en Puerto Rico" (Made in Puerto Rico).
In 1914, Barceló, Muñoz Rivera and de Diego were members of an executive council that attempted to form an alliance between the Union and Republican Parties. In 1917, after Luis Muñoz Rivera died, Barceló became the leading force behind the liberal ideas of the island. He took it upon himself to look after Luis Muñoz Marin
, Muñoz Rivera's son, and to continue the publication of "La Democracia", the political newspaper founded by Muñoz Rivera. He was elected to the Senate Puerto Rico and was named President of the Senate from 1917 to 1932. Barceló was against the creation of the Jones-Shafroth Act
which would impose United States citizenship
upon the citizens of Puerto Rico because the act represented an impediment to Puerto Rican independence as a final status solution and because the judicial and executive branches would still be controlled by the United States. The Jones-Shafroth Act, however was approved by the United States and signed into law by President Woodrow Wilson
on March 2, 1917. The Union Party under Barceló's leadership then resolved to adopt a different stance and to seek more autonomy which he believed would finally lead to independence. This move prompted de Diego's, who was a strong independence advocate, to depart from the party.
In 1921, President Warren G. Harding
appointed Emmet Montgomery Reily
, who was a strong supporter of "Americanism", as Governor of Puerto Rico. During his inauguration address, he insisted that the United States flag ("Old Glory") should be the only flag used over the island and denounced those who believed in Puerto Rican independence as Anti-American and traitors. Additionally, he placed several mainland politicians in prominent positions in the Puerto Rican government. Reily was an extremely unpopular governor, he was the subject of corruption allegations and an investigation by Puerto Rican local officials. Under pressure, Reily resigned as Governor in 1923. Due to the fact that Reily had convinced the American public that the independence advocates were enemies of the U.S., Barceló and his party opted for the creation of "El Estado Libre Associado" (a Free Associated State) asking for more autonomy in Puerto Rico instead of independence. He received the support of U.S. Representative Phillip Campbell who introduced a bill to the United States Congress to such respect. Among the many political changes which were included in the bill was that Puerto Ricans be allowed to elected their own governor. The Bill which was known as "Bill Campbell", however was not approved by the U.S. Government. This led to the departure of Jose Coll y Cuchi
from the party and his founding of the Puerto Rican Nationalist Party
.
As president of the Senate Barceló presented the necessary legislation that gave Governor Horace Towner and his cabinet,the economic resources to create the School of Tropical Medicine
, the Capitol building, the state penitentiary and healthy quarters for workers (said quarters became known as "Barrio Obrero"). He played an instrumental role in what resulted in the construction of buildings for the University of Puerto Rico and the development of an excellent native faculty.
In 1922, presiding Chief Justice of the United States
, William Howard Taft
made the following statement in regard to the :"Balzac v. Porto Rico
" case: "Puerto Rico belongs to the United States, but is not part of the United States. Puerto Rico is an unincorporated territory and even though Puerto Ricans have American citizenship, they do not have the same rights as the common American citizen".
Both Barceló and Jose Tous Soto, the president of the pro-statehood Republican Party of Puerto Rico, understood by Taft's statement that independence nor statehood would be considered for the time being and therefore in 1924, they formed an "Alliance" between their political party's which would concentrate in Puerto Rico's economic situation instead of its status quo. All this led to some differences in ideals between Georgetti and Barceló. Georgetti believed in the original ideal of the Union Party and that the "Alliance" coalition would not work because of their ideological differences. Barceló and a group of party delegates traveled to Washington to seek changes in the Jones Act
of 1917, by presenting their views that the economic situation in Puerto Rico was a good one and that Puerto Ricans were capable of electing their own governor. Georgetti traveled to Washington, D.C. in representation of various Puerto Rican organizations, among them the Agriculturist Association and the Association of Sugar Producers. The group which he represented became known by the press as the "Fuerzas Vivas" (Live Forces). Georgetti and the "Fuerzas Vivas" presented the Secretary of War a "Memorandum" which presented the economic situation of the island in the brink of ruins. His actions were viewed by Barceló and the "Alliance" as an attempt by Georgetti and the "Fuerzas Vivas" to discredit him and weaken the "Alliance". Georgetti denied it and quite the alliance. Barceló was also a victim of an assassination attempt, but this did not keep him from believing and pursuing his liberal ideas.
, the resident commissioner of Puerto Rico in Washington, as to the goals of the alliance became apparent. Barceló requested that Herbert Hoover
, the newly elected President of the United States, retain Horace Towner temporarily as governor of the island. Hoover, however consulted Córdova Dávila, instead of Barceló, in regard to his intentions of naming Theodore Roosevelt, Jr.
to the position. Córdova Dávila in turn notified Tous Soto, instead of Barceló, as to Hoover's decision. Barceló felt offended that he was not consulted and convinced his followers, in the Unionist sector of the alliance, to disaffiliate themselves from the "Alliance." Because of legal reasons Barceló was unable to use the name "Union Party" and in 1932, founded the "Puerto Rican Liberal Party
." The Liberal Party's political agenda was the same as the original Union Party's agenda and urged independence as a final political solution for Puerto Rico. Among those who joined him in the "new" party were Felisa Rincón de Gautier
and Ernesto Ramos Antonini
. By 1932, Barceló had nvited Luis Muñoz Marín, son of Luis Muñoz Rivera, to join the Liberal Party. During the elections of 32' the Liberal Party faced the Alliance which was now a coalition of the Republican Party of Puerto Rico and Santiago Iglesias Pantin's Socialist Party. Barceló and Muñoz Marín were both elected Senators. Even though the Liberal Party received more votes then the Republican Party and the Socialist Party did individually, it received less votes then their adversaries did as a coalition. Eventually, Muñoz Marín, who had different points of view as to how Puerto Rico should go about obtaining its independence, would collide with Barceló. Barceló believed that independence should be gradual process, first heralded by autonomous insular government. In 1936, a party assembly was held in San Juan. There Muñoz Marín stated that he was not interested in being considered for the position of Resident Commissioner and that Barceló should be the Commissioner. This move would leave the presidency of the party empty and open for Muñoz Marín. Barceló refused to be named Commissioner and to relinquish his presidency. Muñoz Marín and his followers founded a group within the party called "Accion Social Puertorriqueño" (Puerto Rican Social Action) who believed in the immediate independence of Puerto Rico. After the Liberal Party was defeated in 1936 elections, an assembly was held in Naranjales on May 31, 1937, in which Muñoz Marín presented his ideas as to how the party should be run, however the majority of the party members objected and blamed him for their defeat. Muñoz Marín considered this action the same as having been expelled from the party. Muñoz Marín and his followers, held an assembly in the town of Arecibo founded the Partido Liberal, Neto, Auténtico y Completo ("Clear, Authentic and Complete Liberal Party"), claiming to be the true Liberal Party. The Partido Liberal, Neto, Auténtico y Completo, an independence political party, later became the Popular Democratic Party
(PPD) which would ironically end up promoting the "Estado Libre Associado" (Free Associated State) status that Barceló, as president of Union Party, had asked for in 1923 under the Campbell Bill and which Muñoz Marín had always opposed, instead of independence.
on October 15, 1938 and was interred in Santa Maria Magdalena de Pazzis Cemetery
in Old San Juan. He was survived by his wife, Josefina Bird (1880–1940) and three children (his son Jaime died in 1928), Antonio Jr., Maria Antonia Josefina and Maria Angelica (1812–2004). With his passing, his daughter Maria Antonia Josefina, was elected president of the Liberal Party, thus becoming the first woman to preside a political party in Puerto Rico. The party ceased to exist in 1948. Ironically, his grandson Carlos Romero Barceló
(Maria Antonia Josefina's son) on January 2, 1977, was sworn in as Governor of Puerto Rico with a pro-statehood agenda, a political status which Antonio R. Barceló had opposed, as member of the Partido Nuevo Progresista de Puerto Rico (New Progressive Party of Puerto Rico).
, honored Barceló by bestowing upon him an Honorary Doctorate of Law.
His memory has been honored by Puerto Rico by naming public buildings and schools after him, including the Antonio R. Barceló Legislative Building which previously housed the School of Tropical Medicine and the Department of Natural Resources. His philosophy remains relevant nearly a century later, as evidenced by references to it in contemporary political and journalistic commentary.
Early years
Barceló was born in the City of Fajardo, Puerto RicoFajardo, Puerto Rico
Fajardo is a small city in Puerto Rico located in the east region of the island, bordering the Atlantic Ocean, north of Ceiba and east of Luquillo.Fajardo is spread over 7 wards and Downtown Fajardo , which serves as the administrative center of the city...
to Jaime Barceló y Miralles and Josefa Martinez de Leon. He became an orphan by the age of three, his father had died in 1870 and his mother in 1871. He went to live with his aunt, Carmela de Leon and his grandmother Belen de Leon, both who raised. As a youngster, Barceló took an active interest in politics. He studied in the "Concillier Seminary" of San Juan
San Juan, Puerto Rico
San Juan , officially Municipio de la Ciudad Capital San Juan Bautista , is the capital and most populous municipality in Puerto Rico, an unincorporated territory of the United States. As of the 2010 census, it had a population of 395,326 making it the 46th-largest city under the jurisdiction of...
where he earned a law degree. He then joined the "Autonomist Party" (founded by José de Diego
José de Diego
José de Diego y Martínez , known as "The Father of the Puerto Rican Independence Movement", was a statesman, journalist, poet, lawyer, and advocate for Puerto Rico's independence from Spain and from the United States....
and Román Baldorioty de Castro
Román Baldorioty de Castro
Román Baldorioty de Castro distinguished himself as one of Puerto Rico's foremost abolitionists and spokesman for the island's right to self-determination...
in 1887) and soon became the party's Secretary. In 1897, he was named municipal judge of Fajardo and was allowed to remain in said position by the invading American forces after the Spanish-American War. On February 4, 1899, he married Maria Georgina "Josefina" Bird Aria, daughter of sugar baron Jorge Bird Leon.
Union Party of Puerto Rico
Barceló left the Party and together with Luis Muñoz RiveraLuis Muñoz Rivera
Luis Muñoz Rivera was a Puerto Rican poet, journalist and politician. He was a major figure in the struggle for political autonomy of Puerto Rico....
, Rosendo Matienzo Cintrón
Rosendo Matienzo Cintrón
Rosendo Matienzo Cintrón was a lawyer, a member of the Puerto Rican House of Representatives, and a lifelong political contrarian. He favored Puerto Rican autonomy when Puerto Rico was a Spanish colony. After the Spanish-American War, when the island was ceded to the United States, he advocated...
, Eduardo Georgetti
Eduardo Georgetti
Eduardo Georgetti , was an agriculturist, businessman, philanthropist, and politician. Georgetti, who came from a family of prosperous land owners, became one of Puerto Rico's wealthiest sugar barons and benefactors...
and José de Diego founded the "Union Party of Puerto Rico". The party, which believed in Puerto Rican independence, was presided by Muñoz Rivera with Barceló as the Secretary General. The party, won the election in 1904 and Muñoz Rivera was selected as a member the House of Delegates, while Barceló was elected to the Chamber of Delegates in 1905.
In 1910, Barceló founded the Association Puerto Rico, with the idea of protecting the main industries of the island, which at that time were the coffee
Coffee
Coffee is a brewed beverage with a dark,init brooo acidic flavor prepared from the roasted seeds of the coffee plant, colloquially called coffee beans. The beans are found in coffee cherries, which grow on trees cultivated in over 70 countries, primarily in equatorial Latin America, Southeast Asia,...
, tobacco
Tobacco
Tobacco is an agricultural product processed from the leaves of plants in the genus Nicotiana. It can be consumed, used as a pesticide and, in the form of nicotine tartrate, used in some medicines...
and sugar
Sugar
Sugar is a class of edible crystalline carbohydrates, mainly sucrose, lactose, and fructose, characterized by a sweet flavor.Sucrose in its refined form primarily comes from sugar cane and sugar beet...
industries, against imported brands. The legislature of Puerto Rico passed law number 52 in 1913, which officially established the Association of Puerto Rico and renamed it the Association of Products made in Puerto Rico. The law also incorporated and protected the official logo of the association which contains the phrase "Hecho en Puerto Rico" (Made in Puerto Rico).
In 1914, Barceló, Muñoz Rivera and de Diego were members of an executive council that attempted to form an alliance between the Union and Republican Parties. In 1917, after Luis Muñoz Rivera died, Barceló became the leading force behind the liberal ideas of the island. He took it upon himself to look after Luis Muñoz Marin
Luis Muñoz Marín
Don José Luis Alberto Muñoz Marín was a Puerto Rican poet, journalist, and politician. Regarded as the "father of modern Puerto Rico," he was the first democratically elected Governor of Puerto Rico. Muñoz Marín was the son of Luis Muñoz Rivera, a renowned autonomist leader...
, Muñoz Rivera's son, and to continue the publication of "La Democracia", the political newspaper founded by Muñoz Rivera. He was elected to the Senate Puerto Rico and was named President of the Senate from 1917 to 1932. Barceló was against the creation of the Jones-Shafroth Act
Jones-Shafroth Act
The Jones–Shafroth Act was a 1917 Act of the United States Congress by which Puerto Ricans were collectively made U.S. citizens, the people of Puerto Rico were empowered to have a popularly-elected Senate, established a bill of rights, and authorized the election of a Resident Commissioner to a...
which would impose United States citizenship
Citizenship
Citizenship is the state of being a citizen of a particular social, political, national, or human resource community. Citizenship status, under social contract theory, carries with it both rights and responsibilities...
upon the citizens of Puerto Rico because the act represented an impediment to Puerto Rican independence as a final status solution and because the judicial and executive branches would still be controlled by the United States. The Jones-Shafroth Act, however was approved by the United States and signed into law by President Woodrow Wilson
Woodrow Wilson
Thomas Woodrow Wilson was the 28th President of the United States, from 1913 to 1921. A leader of the Progressive Movement, he served as President of Princeton University from 1902 to 1910, and then as the Governor of New Jersey from 1911 to 1913...
on March 2, 1917. The Union Party under Barceló's leadership then resolved to adopt a different stance and to seek more autonomy which he believed would finally lead to independence. This move prompted de Diego's, who was a strong independence advocate, to depart from the party.
In 1921, President Warren G. Harding
Warren G. Harding
Warren Gamaliel Harding was the 29th President of the United States . A Republican from Ohio, Harding was an influential self-made newspaper publisher. He served in the Ohio Senate , as the 28th Lieutenant Governor of Ohio and as a U.S. Senator...
appointed Emmet Montgomery Reily
Emmet Montgomery Reily
Emmet Montgomery Reily , sometimes E. Mont Reily, was a Texas and, later, Missouri politician who served a number of local offices, especially in Fort Worth and Kansas City. He was active in the Republican Party. He was later appointed as Governor of Puerto Rico by President Warren G...
, who was a strong supporter of "Americanism", as Governor of Puerto Rico. During his inauguration address, he insisted that the United States flag ("Old Glory") should be the only flag used over the island and denounced those who believed in Puerto Rican independence as Anti-American and traitors. Additionally, he placed several mainland politicians in prominent positions in the Puerto Rican government. Reily was an extremely unpopular governor, he was the subject of corruption allegations and an investigation by Puerto Rican local officials. Under pressure, Reily resigned as Governor in 1923. Due to the fact that Reily had convinced the American public that the independence advocates were enemies of the U.S., Barceló and his party opted for the creation of "El Estado Libre Associado" (a Free Associated State) asking for more autonomy in Puerto Rico instead of independence. He received the support of U.S. Representative Phillip Campbell who introduced a bill to the United States Congress to such respect. Among the many political changes which were included in the bill was that Puerto Ricans be allowed to elected their own governor. The Bill which was known as "Bill Campbell", however was not approved by the U.S. Government. This led to the departure of Jose Coll y Cuchi
José Coll y Cuchí
José Coll y Cuchi was a lawyer, writer and the founder of the Puerto Rican Nationalist Party. He was a member of a prominent Puerto Rican family of politicians, educators and writers See: "Notable family members" section .-Early years:Coll y Cuchi was born in Arecibo, Puerto Rico...
from the party and his founding of the Puerto Rican Nationalist Party
Puerto Rican Nationalist Party
The Puerto Rican Nationalist Party was founded on September 17, 1922. Its main objective is to work for Puerto Rican Independence.In 1919, José Coll y Cuchí, a member of the Union Party of Puerto Rico, felt that the Union Party was not doing enough for the cause of Puerto Rican independence and he...
.
As president of the Senate Barceló presented the necessary legislation that gave Governor Horace Towner and his cabinet,the economic resources to create the School of Tropical Medicine
School of Tropical Medicine (Puerto Rico)
The School of Tropical Medicine , was an educational institution created in 1926 by an act of the Puerto Rican Legislature, to further the research initiated by the Anemia Commissions and the Institute of Tropical Medicine on anemia and its causes...
, the Capitol building, the state penitentiary and healthy quarters for workers (said quarters became known as "Barrio Obrero"). He played an instrumental role in what resulted in the construction of buildings for the University of Puerto Rico and the development of an excellent native faculty.
In 1922, presiding Chief Justice of the United States
Chief Justice of the United States
The Chief Justice of the United States is the head of the United States federal court system and the chief judge of the Supreme Court of the United States. The Chief Justice is one of nine Supreme Court justices; the other eight are the Associate Justices of the Supreme Court of the United States...
, William Howard Taft
William Howard Taft
William Howard Taft was the 27th President of the United States and later the tenth Chief Justice of the United States...
made the following statement in regard to the :"Balzac v. Porto Rico
Balzac v. Porto Rico
Balzac v. Porto Rico, , was a case in which the Supreme Court of the United States held that certain provisions of the U.S. Constitution did not apply to territories not incorporated into the union. It originated when Jesús M. Balzac was prosecuted for criminal libel in a district court of Puerto...
" case: "Puerto Rico belongs to the United States, but is not part of the United States. Puerto Rico is an unincorporated territory and even though Puerto Ricans have American citizenship, they do not have the same rights as the common American citizen".
Both Barceló and Jose Tous Soto, the president of the pro-statehood Republican Party of Puerto Rico, understood by Taft's statement that independence nor statehood would be considered for the time being and therefore in 1924, they formed an "Alliance" between their political party's which would concentrate in Puerto Rico's economic situation instead of its status quo. All this led to some differences in ideals between Georgetti and Barceló. Georgetti believed in the original ideal of the Union Party and that the "Alliance" coalition would not work because of their ideological differences. Barceló and a group of party delegates traveled to Washington to seek changes in the Jones Act
Jones Act
The term Jones Act may refer to one of several federal laws in the United States:*The Jones Act was a 1916 statute sponsored by Representative William Atkinson Jones that provided the Philippine Islands a "more autonomous government" to prepare the territory for independence.*The Jones-Shafroth...
of 1917, by presenting their views that the economic situation in Puerto Rico was a good one and that Puerto Ricans were capable of electing their own governor. Georgetti traveled to Washington, D.C. in representation of various Puerto Rican organizations, among them the Agriculturist Association and the Association of Sugar Producers. The group which he represented became known by the press as the "Fuerzas Vivas" (Live Forces). Georgetti and the "Fuerzas Vivas" presented the Secretary of War a "Memorandum" which presented the economic situation of the island in the brink of ruins. His actions were viewed by Barceló and the "Alliance" as an attempt by Georgetti and the "Fuerzas Vivas" to discredit him and weaken the "Alliance". Georgetti denied it and quite the alliance. Barceló was also a victim of an assassination attempt, but this did not keep him from believing and pursuing his liberal ideas.
Liberal Party of Puerto Rico
Differences between Barceló and Tous Soto and Félix Córdova DávilaFélix Córdova Dávila
Félix Lope María Córdova Dávila was a political leader and judge from Puerto Rico who served as Puerto Rico's fourth Resident Commissioner in Congress.-Early years:...
, the resident commissioner of Puerto Rico in Washington, as to the goals of the alliance became apparent. Barceló requested that Herbert Hoover
Herbert Hoover
Herbert Clark Hoover was the 31st President of the United States . Hoover was originally a professional mining engineer and author. As the United States Secretary of Commerce in the 1920s under Presidents Warren Harding and Calvin Coolidge, he promoted partnerships between government and business...
, the newly elected President of the United States, retain Horace Towner temporarily as governor of the island. Hoover, however consulted Córdova Dávila, instead of Barceló, in regard to his intentions of naming Theodore Roosevelt, Jr.
Theodore Roosevelt, Jr.
Theodore D. Roosevelt, Jr. , was an American political and business leader, a Medal of Honor recipient who fought in both of the 20th century's world wars. He was the eldest son of President Theodore Roosevelt from his second wife Edith Roosevelt...
to the position. Córdova Dávila in turn notified Tous Soto, instead of Barceló, as to Hoover's decision. Barceló felt offended that he was not consulted and convinced his followers, in the Unionist sector of the alliance, to disaffiliate themselves from the "Alliance." Because of legal reasons Barceló was unable to use the name "Union Party" and in 1932, founded the "Puerto Rican Liberal Party
Liberal Party (Puerto Rico)
The Liberal Party of Puerto Rico was a pro-independence political party. The Liberal Party was founded in 1932 as a formal disaffiliation between two political parties which composed the political coalition known as the Alianza ....
." The Liberal Party's political agenda was the same as the original Union Party's agenda and urged independence as a final political solution for Puerto Rico. Among those who joined him in the "new" party were Felisa Rincón de Gautier
Felisa Rincón de Gautier
Felisa Rincón de GautierThis name uses Spanish marriage naming customs; the first is the maiden family name "Rincón" and the second or matrimonial family name is "Gautier"...
and Ernesto Ramos Antonini
Ernesto Ramos Antonini
Ernesto Ramos Antonini was the President of the House of Representatives of Puerto Rico and co-founder of the Partido Popular Democrático de Puerto Rico .-Early years:...
. By 1932, Barceló had nvited Luis Muñoz Marín, son of Luis Muñoz Rivera, to join the Liberal Party. During the elections of 32' the Liberal Party faced the Alliance which was now a coalition of the Republican Party of Puerto Rico and Santiago Iglesias Pantin's Socialist Party. Barceló and Muñoz Marín were both elected Senators. Even though the Liberal Party received more votes then the Republican Party and the Socialist Party did individually, it received less votes then their adversaries did as a coalition. Eventually, Muñoz Marín, who had different points of view as to how Puerto Rico should go about obtaining its independence, would collide with Barceló. Barceló believed that independence should be gradual process, first heralded by autonomous insular government. In 1936, a party assembly was held in San Juan. There Muñoz Marín stated that he was not interested in being considered for the position of Resident Commissioner and that Barceló should be the Commissioner. This move would leave the presidency of the party empty and open for Muñoz Marín. Barceló refused to be named Commissioner and to relinquish his presidency. Muñoz Marín and his followers founded a group within the party called "Accion Social Puertorriqueño" (Puerto Rican Social Action) who believed in the immediate independence of Puerto Rico. After the Liberal Party was defeated in 1936 elections, an assembly was held in Naranjales on May 31, 1937, in which Muñoz Marín presented his ideas as to how the party should be run, however the majority of the party members objected and blamed him for their defeat. Muñoz Marín considered this action the same as having been expelled from the party. Muñoz Marín and his followers, held an assembly in the town of Arecibo founded the Partido Liberal, Neto, Auténtico y Completo ("Clear, Authentic and Complete Liberal Party"), claiming to be the true Liberal Party. The Partido Liberal, Neto, Auténtico y Completo, an independence political party, later became the Popular Democratic Party
Popular Democratic Party of Puerto Rico
The Popular Democratic Party of Puerto Rico is a political party that supports Puerto Rico's right to self-determination and sovereignty, through the enhancement of Puerto Rico's current status as a commonwealth....
(PPD) which would ironically end up promoting the "Estado Libre Associado" (Free Associated State) status that Barceló, as president of Union Party, had asked for in 1923 under the Campbell Bill and which Muñoz Marín had always opposed, instead of independence.
Later years
Antonio R. Barceló died in San Juan, Puerto RicoSan Juan, Puerto Rico
San Juan , officially Municipio de la Ciudad Capital San Juan Bautista , is the capital and most populous municipality in Puerto Rico, an unincorporated territory of the United States. As of the 2010 census, it had a population of 395,326 making it the 46th-largest city under the jurisdiction of...
on October 15, 1938 and was interred in Santa Maria Magdalena de Pazzis Cemetery
Santa Maria Magdalena de Pazzis Cemetery
Santa María Magdalena de Pazzis Cemetery is a colonial-era cemetery located in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico. It is the final resting place of many of Puerto Rico's most prominent natives and residents. Construction began in 1863 under the auspices of Ignacio Mascaro. The cemetery is located outside...
in Old San Juan. He was survived by his wife, Josefina Bird (1880–1940) and three children (his son Jaime died in 1928), Antonio Jr., Maria Antonia Josefina and Maria Angelica (1812–2004). With his passing, his daughter Maria Antonia Josefina, was elected president of the Liberal Party, thus becoming the first woman to preside a political party in Puerto Rico. The party ceased to exist in 1948. Ironically, his grandson Carlos Romero Barceló
Carlos Romero Barceló
Carlos Antonio Romero Barceló is a Puerto Rican politician who served as the fifth Governor of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the second governor to be elected from the New Progressive Party and also Resident Commissioner of Puerto Rico from 1993 to 2001, making him one of the more successful...
(Maria Antonia Josefina's son) on January 2, 1977, was sworn in as Governor of Puerto Rico with a pro-statehood agenda, a political status which Antonio R. Barceló had opposed, as member of the Partido Nuevo Progresista de Puerto Rico (New Progressive Party of Puerto Rico).
Legacy
Barceló was responsible for the approval of many laws which led to reforms and that would greatly benefit the social justice, labor and the economy of Puerto Rico. Barceló helped to establish the minimum wage rate, workers' compensation and limited working hours. Barceló, also played a principal role in the establishment of "The Tropical School of Medicine", "The Federal Penitentiary", "The Antituberculosis Sanctuary" and numerous other centers. He introduced the proper legislation which permitted the construction of the Puerto Rican State Capital. During his tenure as President of the Puerto Rican Senate. In 1928, Columbia University of New YorkColumbia University
Columbia University in the City of New York is a private, Ivy League university in Manhattan, New York City. Columbia is the oldest institution of higher learning in the state of New York, the fifth oldest in the United States, and one of the country's nine Colonial Colleges founded before the...
, honored Barceló by bestowing upon him an Honorary Doctorate of Law.
His memory has been honored by Puerto Rico by naming public buildings and schools after him, including the Antonio R. Barceló Legislative Building which previously housed the School of Tropical Medicine and the Department of Natural Resources. His philosophy remains relevant nearly a century later, as evidenced by references to it in contemporary political and journalistic commentary.
Further reading
- Puerto Rico Por Encima de Todo: Vida y Obra de Antonio R. Barceló, 1868-1938; by: Dr. Delma S. Arrigoitia; Publisher: Ediciones Puerto (January 2008); ISBN 978-1934461693
See also
- List of Puerto Ricans
- Senate of Puerto RicoSenate of Puerto RicoThe Senate of Puerto Rico is the upper house of the Legislative Assembly of Puerto Rico, the territorial legislature of Puerto Rico. The Senate is composed of 27 senators, representing eight constituent senatorial districts across the commonwealth, with two senators elected per district; an...