At the beginning of the 19th century, local government was carried out within the framework of the feudal system of management. The landlord was the key figure. Administrative-judicial, economic and political power over dependents was concentrated in his hands.
Peasant reform
It required an urgent restructuring of the local government structure. In the process of reform, the government intended to create conditions that would ensure the preservation of power by the landowners-nobles. The conservative part of the class insisted on creating significant and open privileges. Liberal-minded groups, oriented towards the capitalist path, proposed the formation of all-class organizations. The final draft of the Regulations on Zemstvo councils and temporary rules for their work were prepared only by the end of 1863
Formation of new institutions
In 1864, on January 1, the Regulations were signed, introducing district and zemstvo bodies. It was intended to spreaddocument for 33 districts. Subsequently, the government planned to put the Regulations into effect on the territory of Astrakhan, Arkhangelsk and 9 western provinces, Bessarabian, B altic regions, the Kingdom of Poland. All institutions that until 1864 managed cases of public contempt, zemstvo duties, national food, were abolished.
Structure of new organizations
Institutions included:
- Electoral conventions.
- Zemsky assemblies and councils.
The representation system was based on the principle of all estates. Elections were held at 3 congresses - from three curias:
- County landowners. It consisted mainly of noble landowners. Owners of real estate or land qualifications or a certain turnover of capital per year could vote at the congress. The latter was set at 6,000. The land qualification was determined for each province separately, based on the state of landownership. So, in Vladimir it was 250 acres, in Moscow - 200, in Vologda - 250-800. The real estate requirement was set at 15,000. Those landowners who did not have sufficient funds took part in the vote through representatives.
- City curia. It consisted of persons with merchant certificates, owners of commercial and industrial institutions, the turnover of which was not less than 6 thousand rubles. /year., and who had a certain amount of real estate.
- Rural curia. She also assumed a property qualification. However, in this curiaintroduced three-stage elections. The peasants, who gathered at the volost gathering, elected their representatives and sent them to the meeting. Voters from the district have already been selected on it.
Here it should be said what the members of the zemstvo assemblies were called. They were called vowels.
Features of the representative system
Of all the congresses, only the peasant congress had an exclusively estate character. This excluded the participation in it of persons who were not part of the rural society. First of all, representatives of the intelligentsia were not allowed. At the landowning and city congresses, the participants could elect vowels only from their own curia. At the same time, rural communities were allowed to vote for landowners who were not members of the curia, as well as local clergy. The right to vote was denied to persons under the age of 25, under trial or criminal investigation, defamed by a public verdict or a court decision. Foreigners who did not swear allegiance to the tsar did not participate in the elections either.
Creation of provincial and district zemstvo assemblies
The second component of the system was formed at the election congresses. Elections were held every three years. Zemstvo meetings were held once a year. Under extraordinary circumstances, they were convened more often. As a rule, the marshal of the nobility acted as chairman. Provincial and district zemstvo assemblies formed a certain hierarchical structure.
Functions
County and provincial zemstvo assemblies consisted of representatives chosen byfrom three curias at congresses. The former were subordinate to the latter, but they could solve a number of issues on their own. In particular, zemstvo meetings:
- Gave permission to open bazaars and trades.
- The provincial and state fees were distributed within the county. This function was assigned to institutions by decree or law.
- Provided provincial organizations with information and conclusions on household items.
- Resolved the issue of the maintenance of towpaths.
- Translated country and field roads into the category of county roads and vice versa, changed their directions.
- They issued orders and conducted supervision according to the instructions of the council on the arrangement of communication lines, mutual insurance, and provided a report on the work done.
Superior zemstvo meetings carried out:
- Division of buildings, means of communication, structures, duties, institutions of charity into categories. The classification assumed 2 groups: one belonged to the county, the other to the province.
- Dealing with the organization of new fairs, changing / postponing the deadlines in force.
- Submission through the head of petitions for the transfer of road structures to the category of state for good reasons.
- Dealing with the establishment of new marinas on the rivers and the relocation of existing ports.
- Distribution between counties of government fees.
- Dealing with property fire mutual insurance business.
- Review and resolve issues anddifficulties that could arise when approving layouts and estimates for fees.
- Dealing with complaints against government actions
List of activities
It should be noted that in the Regulations of 1864 in Art. 2 was a list of cases that Zemstvo meetings could carry out, but they were not mandatory for them. These included, in particular:
- Management of property, collections and capital, management of charitable institutions.
- Care for the development of the people's food system, industry and trade.
- Property mutual insurance management.
- Establishment of government fees.
- Participation in the development of economic support for public he alth and education.
- Collecting and spending fees.
Zemsky councils
They acted as executive bodies. Their composition was formed by zemstvo assemblies at the first meeting of the new convocation. Officials from treasuries, state chambers, and clerics were not part of the executive institutions. The provincial council had 6 members and a chairman. The body was elected for 3 years. The county government was attended by 2 members and the chairman, whose candidacy was approved by the highest local official.
