Walthère Frère-Orban

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Hubert Joseph Walther Frère-Orban (1812-96) was a Belgian statesman. He was born at Liège, received his education at home and in Paris, and began the practice of law in his native town. He identified himself with the Liberal party, and was conspicuous in the controversy with the Catholic clergy. In 1847 he was elected to the Belgian Chamber and appointed Minister of Public Works. and from 1848 to 1852 he held the portfolio of Finance. He founded the national bank of Belgium, reduced postage, and was a strong advocate of free trade. His work, La mainmorte et la charité (1854-57), directed against the Conservatives, produced a great effect on the position of parties in Belgium. As a result, in 1857 the Liberals returned to power and Frère-Orban became once more Minister of Finance in the cabinet of Rogier, whom he succeeded as Prime Minister in 1868. In 1870 the Catholics regained their supremacy and forced him to retire, but from 1878 to 1884 he was again at the head of the cabinet. His liberalism consisted in the assertion of the authority of the state over the church and the defense of the system of secular public instruction against the clergy. He was at all times opposed to the undue extension of the suffrage. Among other works he wrote Le question monétaire.