Véri Dániel (szerk.): A Ferenczy Múzeumi Centrum Évkönyve - Studia Comitatensia 35. (Szentendre, 2017)
Történelem - Schramek László Péter: Pest-Pilis-Solt megye közigazgatása II. József uralkodása idején
STUDIA COMITATENSIA 35. - A FERENCZY MÚZEUMI CENTRUM ÉVKÖNYVE László Péter Schramek PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION OF PEST-PI- LIS-SOLT COUNTY DURING THE RULE OF JOSEPH II Hungarian historiography has long been dealing with the reform package of Joseph II - this study examines its elements regarding Pest county. Firstly, it focuses on the territorial changes of the municipality. Besides dividing the country into ten districts, there were also other significant changes. The restructuring has eliminated the autonomy of the privileged districts and of the free royal cities. As a result of the reforms, the Jász- Kun districts and the cities of Pest and Buda became parts of Pest County. Consequently, the area of the municipality increased by almost 40%. The autonomy of the merging territories was reinstated by the decree issued before the death of Joseph II - it restored the public administration conditions wich were in force at the beginning of his reign. The scope of duties of the Lord Lieutenant’s office changed substantially during the reign of Joseph II. A significant element of the changes was the 1785 decree of the ruler, which dismissed the heads of counties in office. The ruler appointed Lord Lieutenants to lead the ten districts existing from 1 June 1785. The capital of one of the districts was moved to Pest. The work of executive county officials received special attention. Thus, it became obvious that the Lord Lieutenants, besides their public administration duties, also played important roles in shaping the political atmosphere. This was particularly important as the general assembly of Pest in Pest district was decisively influencing the atmosphere of the councils of other municipalities. The role of other public officials (deputy lieutenant, general judges etc.) was modified by the separation of justice and public administration. As a result, county officials did not perform juridical duties between 1787 and 1790. Local administration became also more organized. In this framework, the area of townships was made proportionate and the formation of a fifth township started. As far as public administration is concerned, during the reign of Joseph II a registrator (later an archivist) was appointed as a new official. As for the previously existing administration, the number of tax collectors was increased. The changes in the administration offices remained in force even after the death of Joseph II. 179
