Matte had a lengthy parliamentary career, representing Santiago in the Chamber of Deputies for several terms before being elected senator for Atacama in 1900.
Following his graduation, Matte practiced law and represented major business interests. He later became a lawyer for Banco Matte, which was owned by his family.[citation needed]
He married Elvira Gormaz Aráoz, with whom he had twelve children, including Jorge, Eleodoro, Luis Enrique, Eduardo, Elvira, Ana, Julia, Victoria, Rosario, Tránsito and Inés Gabriela.[citation needed]
Political career
A member of the Liberal Party, Matte participated on several occasions in the party's leadership.[citation needed]
He first entered the Chamber of Deputies as a deputy for La Serena, Elqui and Coquimbo for the 1873–1876 parliamentary period. He served on the permanent committee for finance and industry.
Matte returned to the Chamber as a deputy for Santiago for the 1879–1882 term. He was subsequently reelected for the same constituency for the 1882–1885, 1885–1888 and 1888–1891 parliamentary periods.
He continued to represent Santiago during the 1891–1894 parliamentary period and was subsequently reelected for the 1894–1897 and 1897–1900 terms. Throughout his parliamentary career, he participated in several permanent committees, including those for finance and industry; constitution, legislation and justice; education and charity; government and foreign relations; and war and navy.
In 1900, Matte was elected to the Senate for Atacama Province for the 1900–1906 parliamentary period. He died before completing his term and was succeeded by Aníbal Zañartu Zañartu.
Matte died in Santiago on 3 December 1902, aged 55.
Bibliographical References
Diccionario Biográfico de Chile; Empresa Periodística "Chile"; Imprenta y Litografía Universo; Santiago, Chile, 1936; Tomo II.
Diccionario histórico, Biográfico y Bibliográfico de Chile: 1800–1928; Virgilio Figueroa; Establecimientos Gráficos "Balcells & Co."; Santiago, Chile, 1928; Tomo III.
