A Hajdú-Bihar Megyei Levéltár évkönyve 19. 1992 (Debrecen, 1992)

Balogh István tiszteletére - Gazdag István: Debreceni polgármesterek

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Polgár Mester minden részeire nézve Hivatalának, a maga foglalatossá- * gához képest illendő jutalmát vévén annak idején. A felséges Udvari Királyi Magyar Kamara Számvevő Hivatala által. Posonban 1775-ben Febr. 16.-án. Venturini Jósef mk. Rationum Magister File János mk.24 25 26

MAYORS IN DEBRECEN

(by) István Gazdag

The position of the major first appears in Hungary in the town of Sopron.! The name of major Adorján is mentioned in a charter dated Januáry 22nd, 1321. The Hungarian Tresury intended this post of the major (magister civium) for the management of town economy. The institution of Royal Commissioners, made permanent in 1691 made ceaseless efforts to establish the position of major all over the country.

In Debrecen, legislation for the major’s position was concieved during the office of Royal Commissioner Miklós Forgách. As a result of a decree for re-election of officials, catholic councillor Lajos Fáy was elected the first Major of Debrecen. The Major, second man in the local council dealt with financial matters; his salary equalled that of the Chief Justice ..(főbíró”). During the re-election of officials between 22—27 March, 1848 Fridrik Poroszlay was elected the major took over direction of town from the Chief ustice.

Majors played an important part in the struggle for local autonomy against state authorities.

In my paper I sketched the activities of the following majors in Debrecen: Fridrik Poroszlai, Imre Simonffy, József Kovács, Endre Márk, Dr. György 'Magoss, Dr. István Vásáry, Dr. Elemér Vargha and Kálmán Szabó.

24 HBML. IV. A 1011/a 108

25 HBML IV. B. 1108/c. 1.

26 HBML. IV. A. 1011/n. 5. Források Debrecen újkori történetéből. Közreadja: Besze Tibor, Iván Orsolya, Major Tamás. Debrecen, 1992. 22—28.

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