Juan Bautista Gill
Encyclopedia
Juan Bautista Gill García (October 28, 1840 – April 12, 1877) was President of Paraguay
from November 25, 1874 to April 12, 1877.
Juan Bautista Gill Garcia del Barrio was born in Asunción
. In 1854 he traveled to Buenos Aires
where he did his secondary education and medical training, which he failed to finish. His parents were Juan Andres Gill and Escolástica Garcia del Barrio y Bedoya. He was the grandson of Don Juan Miguel Gill, a founding father and member of the Cabildo, who had Celtic blood. He was married to Maria Concepcion Diaz de Bedoya.
in 1863. When war was declared in Argentina
, he enlisted in the 40th battalion, which comprised young men of high social position. Due to his knowledge in medicine, he was appointed to the military health division. According to some historians, he fell prisoner on December 30, 1868 and according to historian Juan B. Gill Aguinaga, he served in blood hospitals and was captured three days earlier in the battle of Ita Ybaté. In mid-January 1869, Gill was among those who returned to Asunción, where the allies liberated him and others under the condition that they would not join the national army again.
served as vice president
. His cabinet comprised Emilio Gill and Adolfo Saguier, who served as Secretaries of Finance; Germán Serrano and Jose Urdapilleta, Secretaries of the Interior, Bernardino Caballero
and Benjamin Aceval, secretaries in Justice, Culture and Public Instruction; Patricio Escobar
, Secretary of War and the Navy, and Facundo Machaín
and Benjamin Aceval, who served as Secretaries of Foreign Affairs.
During his government he implemented paper money, created the National College in the capital and significantly increased taxes. On February 3, 1876, the border treaty, peace, trade and navigation with Argentina was signed, through which Paraguay lost the territories of Misiones, south of Paraná River
, as well as some islands in that river and the territories situated between the Pilcomayo and Bermejo rivers, although the Chaco territory was saved.
He also adopted the Argentine Civil Code, and in order to stabilize the national economy, established the Tobacco Law of April 22, 1875. The government was granted the privilege of exporting this product for five years and individuals were prohibited from exporting or importing tobacco products. The same law was later applied on the commercial transfer of soap and salt for a period of three years.
The government of Gill, like that of his predecessors, was not spared revolutionary movements. A riot broke out in Caacupé, in December 1875, and was led by General Serrano, his former Interior Minister. The insurrection was supported by Brazilian forces, but was quelled with the death of Serrano and other rebels.
Other riots were carried out with the intention to overthrow the President, but were not effective, until an uprising which contributed to the start of a bloody civil war which began on May 27, 1922 and lasted for more than a year.
, Carlos Loizaga
, Juan A. Jara and Salvador Jovellanos
. Gill was accused of misusing funds, and the Senate dismissed him, but in response Rivarola dissolved the Congress. As the instigator of a series of turbulent situations, he accompanied a successful revolution and returned to the portfolio of Finance. In 1874, he became president of the republic.
Several conspiracies took root and flourished by loose government and general confusion that dominated. One especially devious plot was planned by Don Juan Silvano Godoi
, and which included murder. Though Godoi lay the groundwork, he moved away and left his brother Nicanor, responsible for carrying out the work of the conspiracy.
On April 12, 1877, president Gill was travelling in the company of his two "edecanes" (high-ranking officers), down the Villarrica
street (current President Franco). While crossing on National Independence, he was shot and knocked to the ground, where he died instantly. Among the criminals who fled the scene were Molas
and Goiburu
, as well as Nicanor, who immediately fled to Argentina, where he later died at age of 90. Thus Gill was assassinated in broad daylight at the city's center.
The Colombian poet Dr. Prospero Pereira Gamba (1830–1896), who lived in Argentina as an exile, reflected this tragic moment lived by the president in stanzas of his work "The Spectre", which can still be read, and through which the soul of Gill is said to rightfully torment his executioners’ consciences.
Paraguay
Paraguay , officially the Republic of Paraguay , is a landlocked country in South America. It is bordered by Argentina to the south and southwest, Brazil to the east and northeast, and Bolivia to the northwest. Paraguay lies on both banks of the Paraguay River, which runs through the center of the...
from November 25, 1874 to April 12, 1877.
Juan Bautista Gill Garcia del Barrio was born in Asunción
Asunción
Asunción is the capital and largest city of Paraguay.The "Ciudad de Asunción" is an autonomous capital district not part of any department. The metropolitan area, called Gran Asunción, includes the cities of San Lorenzo, Fernando de la Mora, Lambaré, Luque, Mariano Roque Alonso, Ñemby, San...
. In 1854 he traveled to Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires is the capital and largest city of Argentina, and the second-largest metropolitan area in South America, after São Paulo. It is located on the western shore of the estuary of the Río de la Plata, on the southeastern coast of the South American continent...
where he did his secondary education and medical training, which he failed to finish. His parents were Juan Andres Gill and Escolástica Garcia del Barrio y Bedoya. He was the grandson of Don Juan Miguel Gill, a founding father and member of the Cabildo, who had Celtic blood. He was married to Maria Concepcion Diaz de Bedoya.
Personal life
Gill was born the member of a prominent family. He returned to ParaguayParaguay
Paraguay , officially the Republic of Paraguay , is a landlocked country in South America. It is bordered by Argentina to the south and southwest, Brazil to the east and northeast, and Bolivia to the northwest. Paraguay lies on both banks of the Paraguay River, which runs through the center of the...
in 1863. When war was declared in Argentina
Argentina
Argentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
, he enlisted in the 40th battalion, which comprised young men of high social position. Due to his knowledge in medicine, he was appointed to the military health division. According to some historians, he fell prisoner on December 30, 1868 and according to historian Juan B. Gill Aguinaga, he served in blood hospitals and was captured three days earlier in the battle of Ita Ybaté. In mid-January 1869, Gill was among those who returned to Asunción, where the allies liberated him and others under the condition that they would not join the national army again.
His Government
He was President of the Republic of Paraguay between November 25, 1874 and April 12, 1877. His cousin Higinio Uriarte Garcia del BarrioHiginio Uriarte
José Higinio Uriarte y García del Barrio was Paraguayan politician.He was Juan Bautista Gill's Vice President and after his death, he became acting President for the remainder of the four-year-term from April 12, 1877 to November 25, 1878....
served as vice president
Vice president
A vice president is an officer in government or business who is below a president in rank. The name comes from the Latin vice meaning 'in place of'. In some countries, the vice president is called the deputy president...
. His cabinet comprised Emilio Gill and Adolfo Saguier, who served as Secretaries of Finance; Germán Serrano and Jose Urdapilleta, Secretaries of the Interior, Bernardino Caballero
Bernardino Caballero
Bernardino Caballero Melgarejo was the President of Paraguay from 1881 until 1886 and founder of the Colorado Party....
and Benjamin Aceval, secretaries in Justice, Culture and Public Instruction; Patricio Escobar
Patricio Escobar
-His life:He was born in San José de los Arroyos on March 17, 1843. His parents were José Escobar and Ana Bella Cáceres. He was married first with Ignacia Garcete and later with Estalación E. The General Escobar was a hero in War of Paraguay against the Triple Alliance.He was a private in the base...
, Secretary of War and the Navy, and Facundo Machaín
Facundo Machaín
Facundo Machaín was President of Paraguay. His period of government was short but very important for the political situation of the country at the time.-His life:...
and Benjamin Aceval, who served as Secretaries of Foreign Affairs.
During his government he implemented paper money, created the National College in the capital and significantly increased taxes. On February 3, 1876, the border treaty, peace, trade and navigation with Argentina was signed, through which Paraguay lost the territories of Misiones, south of Paraná River
Paraná River
The Paraná River is a river in south Central South America, running through Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina for some . It is second in length only to the Amazon River among South American rivers. The name Paraná is an abbreviation of the phrase "para rehe onáva", which comes from the Tupi language...
, as well as some islands in that river and the territories situated between the Pilcomayo and Bermejo rivers, although the Chaco territory was saved.
He also adopted the Argentine Civil Code, and in order to stabilize the national economy, established the Tobacco Law of April 22, 1875. The government was granted the privilege of exporting this product for five years and individuals were prohibited from exporting or importing tobacco products. The same law was later applied on the commercial transfer of soap and salt for a period of three years.
The government of Gill, like that of his predecessors, was not spared revolutionary movements. A riot broke out in Caacupé, in December 1875, and was led by General Serrano, his former Interior Minister. The insurrection was supported by Brazilian forces, but was quelled with the death of Serrano and other rebels.
Other riots were carried out with the intention to overthrow the President, but were not effective, until an uprising which contributed to the start of a bloody civil war which began on May 27, 1922 and lasted for more than a year.
Political Biography
He was Finance Minister and Chairman of the Senate. On January 25, 1869, Gill participated in a meeting convened by Don Serapio Machain to interest the allied forces of occupation in a requested project for the establishment of a provisional government. Among those who attended that meeting were: Jose Segundo Decoud, Cayo MiltosCayo Miltos
Cayo Doroteo Miltos was a Paraguayan politician.He studied in universities in Argentina and Sorbonne. He returned to Paraguay in 1869 and was a political ally of Facundo Machaín and Juan Antonio Jara...
, Carlos Loizaga
Carlos Loizaga
Carlos Loizaga was member in Paraguayan Triumvirate following death of Francisco Solano López from 1 March 1870 to 10 December 1870....
, Juan A. Jara and Salvador Jovellanos
Salvador Jovellanos
Salvador Silvester del Rosario Jovellanos Guanes was Paraguayan politician.He served as Vice President from 1870 to 1871 and President from December 18, 1871 - November 25, 1874...
. Gill was accused of misusing funds, and the Senate dismissed him, but in response Rivarola dissolved the Congress. As the instigator of a series of turbulent situations, he accompanied a successful revolution and returned to the portfolio of Finance. In 1874, he became president of the republic.
Assassination
Gill's government was fraught with enemies. Economic failures and the non-implementation of emergency proposals aroused hatred in many who were around him.Several conspiracies took root and flourished by loose government and general confusion that dominated. One especially devious plot was planned by Don Juan Silvano Godoi
Juan Silvano Godoi
- Childhood and studies :He was born in Asuncion on November 12, 1850. He was the son of the Colonel Juan Vicente Godoy and Petrona Echagüe. Narciso Echagüe y Andía, his mother’s father, was one of the leaders of the national independence...
, and which included murder. Though Godoi lay the groundwork, he moved away and left his brother Nicanor, responsible for carrying out the work of the conspiracy.
On April 12, 1877, president Gill was travelling in the company of his two "edecanes" (high-ranking officers), down the Villarrica
Villarrica, Paraguay
Villarrica is a city located in the middle of the Oriental Region of the Paraguayan territory, is capital of the Guairá Department. It was founded by the Spanish Captain Ruy Diaz de Melgarejo on May 14, 1570 in the old Guaira, today in Brazilian territory....
street (current President Franco). While crossing on National Independence, he was shot and knocked to the ground, where he died instantly. Among the criminals who fled the scene were Molas
Felipe Molas López
Felipe Benigno Molas López was President of Paraguay from February 27, 1949 - September 10, 1949, when he resigned.- Childhood and Studies :Born in 1901. Once he completed high school, he pursued Dentistry in Paris...
and Goiburu
Agustín Goiburú
Agustín Goiburú was a politician from Paraguay. He was the leader of the movement MOPOCO that represented the strongest opposition to the dictatorship of Alfredo Stroessner. He was murdered during the Condor Operative in 1977. He was a doctor, specialized in orthopedic surgery in Brazil...
, as well as Nicanor, who immediately fled to Argentina, where he later died at age of 90. Thus Gill was assassinated in broad daylight at the city's center.
The Colombian poet Dr. Prospero Pereira Gamba (1830–1896), who lived in Argentina as an exile, reflected this tragic moment lived by the president in stanzas of his work "The Spectre", which can still be read, and through which the soul of Gill is said to rightfully torment his executioners’ consciences.