The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 19, July 1915 - April, 1916 Page: 77
452 p. : maps ; 23 cm.View a full description of this periodical.
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Local Government in the Spanish Colonies
dents and oidores (judges) of the audiencia could not interfere
with the jurisdiction in first instance of the alcaldes ordinarios in
their respective districts, nor were the presidentes and oidores to
give citizens the right to complain against the alcaldes ordinarios
before the Council of the Indies.3' Suits against municipal officials
were not to go before the audiencia in first instance except in crim-
inal cases or large civil suits."5 Suits against one alcalde were
brought before the other one, when the governor was not there to
hear the case."e Suits against the other municipal officials came
before the two alcaldes ordinarios sitting together en bac.37 When
the audiencia confirmed the sentence given by the alcaldes ordi-
narios, they were returned to these alcaldes for execution.8 The
alcalde ordinario was not to liberate a prisoner if an appeal had
been made from his decision.89
The alcaldes ordinarios had a vote in the cabildo0 and in the
absence of the governor or his lieutenant the senior alcalde was
chairman of that body.41 When the governor was serving as chair-
man of the cabildo, the alcaldes ordinarios could not enter.42 Where
there was no resident governor, the alcaldes ordinarios could visit
the markets and stores and fix prices at a just rate.43 They could
not trade in those things under their control or have any interest
in them." The alcaldes ordinarios were to have nothing to do
with the bids for or sales of supplies as these were duties of the
governor and the fieles executores.45
In the absence of the governor and his tenientes (lieutenants)
from office and until such time as the office could be filled by the
viceroy, the alcalde ordinario of the capital city of the province was
to serve.46 When the office of alcalde ordinario became vacant
before election, the oldest regidor was to serve.47
THE ALGUACIL
The governor as jefe politico (political chief) of the pueblo he
lived in, appointed the alguaciles, but in the other towns the alcaldes
$42:15:70, 1570. 82:15:71, 1541. 8"2:15:71, 1541.
"'2:15:71, 1541. 885:12:21, 1552. 35:12:33, 1560.
'05:3:15, 1557 to 1627. 415:3:12, 1557 to 1627. 425:3:14, 1573.
4'5:3:17, 1538. "4:10:11, 1572. "5:3:11, 1573.
4"5:3:12, 1557 to 1627. "5:3:13, 1535 to 1590.
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Texas State Historical Association. The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 19, July 1915 - April, 1916, periodical, 1916; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth101067/m1/86/: accessed April 26, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Historical Association.