ИНСТИТУТ ВОЕННОГО ГУБЕРНАТОРСТВА В УПРАВЛЕНИИ ОРЕНБУРГСКОЙ ГУБЕРНИЕЙ В КОНЦЕ XVIII — ПЕРВОЙ ПОЛОВИНЕ XIX В.

Abstract

At the end of the 18th — first half of the 19th century, the Orenburg province was a vast frontier region in the southeast of the Russian Empire. The border position on the border with the Kazakh steppe, the presence of a defensive line on which irregular troops served, the motley ethno-confessional composition of the population were the differences between this territory and the “internal provinces”. The specifics of the Orenburg province led to the formation of a special regional administration. Its center was the institution of military governorship, which had the features of a special administration. The status of the military governor, as a “chief of the province”, was determined by the law of appointment; the possibility of direct appeal to the emperor; principles of selection for the position; powers for military border management, management of the Separate Orenburg Corps, management of the civilian part of the province. He had the right of administrative initiative, control and supervisory functions in relation to provincial institutions. The government showed interest in the stable functioning of the institute of military governorship. This was reflected in the expansion of the staff of the office, the adaptation of its structure to the functions performed, and the increase in the employees’ salaries. Officials on special assignments were among the most trusted persons of the military governor. They took a real part in the administration of the region. The regional model of governance of the Orenburg province at the end of the 18th — first half of the 19th century solved the problems it faced. It ensured stability and unity of government in the vast border region.