Career
The income from the nitrate fields, newly acquired from Bolivia and Peru, was so great that Balmaceda was able to spend great amounts in public works. Education, financial reforms, and labor problems occupied much of his attention, and his name is connected with many schools, hospitals, and prisons still in use today. He introduced new ideals into politics and endeavored to unite all liberals into one party. He worked to ensure independence of the judicial from the municipal authorities and to educate the army along democratic lines. Soon the parliament began to rebel against him. It forced the president to accept ministers he did not want. Finally he refused to obey and began to rule without Congress. The cleavage between the executive and legislative powers grew, and military conflict broke out in 1891, followed by eight months of fighting. The Chilean navy revolted in favor of the congressional party, and Balmaceda realized his defeat. A governing junta was appointed. Balmaceda took refuge in the Argentine embassy, where he committed suicide on Sept. 18, 1891.