SAMBIR LOCAL GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS IN THE PERIOD OF THE GALICIAN AUTONOMY (second half of the 19th – beginning of the 20th century)

Abstract

The article analyzes the organization of municipal self-government in Sambir in the period of Galician autonomy. The analysis of basic research papers and publications shows the extremely poor historiography concerning this Galician town in the Austrian period. Several studies of both complex and regional nature, which have appeared in recent years, could not significantly influence to resolve this scientific problem. Very few historical works reflecting the history of Sambir under the Austrian rule contain only some references to the activities of the town authorities.The process of the city management reorganization started immediately after the establishment of the Habsburg jurisdiction. Initially, the Austrian administration did not interfere in urban affairs. However, first the Magdeburg law was repealed and later in 1805 the appointment by election of the magistrate officials was also abolished. In fact, magistrates turned into government authorities for town administration.In the second half of the 19th century the city self-government was restored. The system of Sambir self-government bodies was finally determined by the Law adopted in 1889. The article examines the provisions of the existing legislation, on the basis of which the town council and the magistrate were reorganized, analyzes the ethno-confessional composition of the town council and the magistrate and ascertains the names of the Sambir burgomasters.As has been noted in the article, despite a number of shortcomings the new system of municipal self-government in Galicia in general, and in Sambir in particular, had positive consequences for the town development. The restoration of the principle establishing the town authorities՚ appointment by election allowed the Sambir inhabitants to have a certain influence on the town administration, gradually accustoming the town՚s community to more active participation in urban life. The elections of the town council and the burgomaster were always a notable event in the socio-political life of Sambir in the period of the Galician autonomy. Although the Ukrainian inhabitants of Sambir did not have their proper representation in the town council, nevertheless in the conditions of the Austrian constitutional model they got the opportunity to develop their national, cultural and political life, somewhat rivaling with the Polish and Jewish majority.