|
Antonio R. Barcel (April 15, 1868 - October 15, 1938), born in the City of Fajardo, Puerto Rico, was a lawyer, businessman and the father of what was to become one of Puerto Rico's most prominent political families.
As a youngster, Barcel took an active interest in politics. He studied in the "Concillier Seminary" of San Juan where he earned a lawyers degree. He then joined the "Autonomist Party" (founded by Jos de Diego and Rom n Baldorioty de Castro in 1887) and soon became the party's Secretary.
Barcel left the Party and on October 1, 1899, together with Luis Mu oz Rivera formed the Federal Party, which believed in statehood with the U.S. as the final political solution for Puerto Rico. After this the party was dissolved, Barcel , Luis Mu oz Rivera and Jose de Diego formed the "Union Party of Puerto Rico" and was elected to the Chamber of Delegates in 1905.
In 1914, Barcel , Mu oz Rivera and de Diego were members of an executive council that atempted to form an alience between the Union and Republican Parties.
In 1917, after Luis Mu oz Rivera passed away, Barcel became the leading force behind the liberal ideas of the island. He was elected to the Senate Puerto Rico and was named President of the Senate from 1917 to 1932.
In 1924, the "Alience Party" was formed and in 1932, was renamed the "Puerto Rican Liberal Party". The Liberal Party's political agenda was a acomplete 180 degrees turn around from the Federal Party's agenda. The Liberal Party fully backed up the idea of independence as a final political solution for Puerto Rico.
By 1937, Luis Mu oz Rivera's son, Luis Mu oz Mar n had joined the Liberal Party. Barcel and Mu oz Mar n had different points of view as to how Puerto Rico should go about obtaining its independence. Barcel believed that independence should come after some reforms were met. Mu oz Mar n believed that Puerto Rico should have its independence right away. This lead to a split in the Liberal Party. Barcel was also a victim of an assination atempt, but this did not keep him from believeing and persueing his liberal ideas.
Antonio Barcel was responsible for the approval of many laws which lead to reforms and that would greatly benefit the social justice, labor and the economy of Puerto Rico. Barcel helped to establish the minimum wage rate, workers' compensation and limited working hours. Barcel , also played a principal role in the establishmnt of the "Tropical School of Medicine", "The Antituberculosis Santuary" and numerous other centers.
In 1928, Columbia University of New York, honored Barcel by bestowing upon him an Honorary Doctorate of Law.
Ironically, his grandson Carlos Romero Barcel would one day in the future become Governor of Puerto Rico under the agenda of statehood, which Antonio had grown to oppose.
Anonio R. Barcel died in the City of San Juan, Puerto Rico on October 15, 1938.
His memory has been honored by Puerto Rico by naming public buildings and schools after him.
See also
| 
Feeds |
Contact