CATARGIU (or CATARGI),

See also:

• LASCAR

LASCAR (1823-1899)  , Rumanian statesman, was born in Moldavia in November 1823 . He belonged to an ancient Walachian family, one of whose members had been banished in the 17th century by Prince Matthew Bassaraba, and had settled in Moldavia . Under Prince Gregory Ghica (1849-1856), Catargiu rose to be prefect of police at Jassy . In 1857 he became a member of the Divan ad hoc of Moldavia, a commission elected in accordance with the treaty of Paris (1856) to vote on the proposed union of Moldavia and Walachia . His strongly conservative views, especially on agrarian reform, induced the Conservatives to support him as a candidate for the throne in 18J9 . During the reign of Prince Cuza (1859-1866), Catargiu was one of the Opposition leaders, and received much assistance from his kinsman, Barbu Catargiu (b . 18o7), a noted journalist and politician, who was assassinated at Bucharest on the loth of June 1862 . On the accession of Prince Charles in May 1866, Lascar Catargiu became president of the council, or prime minister; but, finding himself unable to co-operate with his Liberal colleagues, I . C . Bratianu and C . A . Rosetti, he resigned in July .

After eight more ministerial changes, culminating in the

anti-dynastic agitation of 1870-1871, Catargiu formed, for the first time in Rumanian history, a stable Conservative cabinet, which lasted until 1876 . His policy, which averted revolution and revived the popularity of the crown, was regarded as unpatriotic and reactionary by the Liberals, who resumed office in 1876; and a proposal to impeach the whole Catargiu cabinet was only withdrawn in 1878 . Catargiu remained in opposition until 1889, when he formed another cabinet, taking the portfolio of the Interior; but this administration fell after seven months . In the Florescu ministry of March 1891 he occupied the same position, and in December he again became president of the council, retaining office until 1895 . During this period he was responsible for several useful reforms, chiefly financial and commercial: He died suddenly at Bucharest on the 1rth of April 1899 .