BALMACEDA, Jose Manuel (bal-mah-thay'-da), Chilian statesman, born in 1840. He received his education at the Seminario Conciliar of Santiago de Chile. and early distinguished himself as a political orator, his speeches favoring radical reforms in the constitution of 1833. He has been deputy in five consecutive legislatures, was elected senator in 1885, and was from 12 April 1882, minister of the Interior, appointed by President Santa Maria. He was in 1868 one of the founders, together with the brothers Matta, Isidoro Errazuriz, and other liberal Chilians, of the reform club, and in 1874 boldly but unsuccessfully advocated in congress the separation of Church and state. As premier, in 1884, Bahnaceda succeeded, however, in introducing civil marriage and other liberal laws. As Chilian minister at Buenos Ayres, Bahnaceda rendered his country a great service by gaining the good will of the Argentine Republic during the war between Chili and Peru. He was nominated at the convention of 18 January in Santiago, and subsequently elected president, to succeed Santa Maria at the expiration of the term, 18 September 1886.