Horváth M. Ferenc (szerk.): Vác The heart of the Danube Bend. A historical guide for residents and globetrotters (Vác, 2009)
Tartalom
144 THE 1 9TH CENTURY - THE CENTURY OF GREAT CHANGES Share, depositor's book and seal of the Savings Bank of Vác several centuries serfdom was abolished as well as the tithes of the church, the landlords'authority of jurisdiction and inland duties, ex-serfs were given land, and little by little the free practice of crafts and trade was introduced. Although the landlords had ceased to have authority of jurisdiction over the town, the scope of action of the city council became even more restricted.The Austrian Government dismissed those officials who had compromised themselves during the revolution, self-governing rights were abolished and the country was ruled by decrees. The era of absolutism lasted for nearly two decades. During this time several measures were adopted that promoted civil progress, and from the mid-60s onwards new institutions were established to this end: a savings bank, a casino and the young men's association. The Habsburg Empire was weakened by attacks from abroad too. Besides, in 1860 the inner conflicts of the absolutistic regime resulted in new demonstrations in Hungary, as a result of which the parliamentary representatives of 1848 were re-elected all over the country including Vác. However, they could achieve nothing as the new corps/bodies were dissolved. Nevertheless, an Austro-Hungarian Compromise could be postponed no longer. In December 1865 parliamentary elections were held and, as a consequence of negotiations at the sessions of the new parliament, the Hungarian Government was appointed in February 1867. THE BEGINNING OF "THE PALMY DAYS OF PEACE" After the Austro-Hungarian Compromise of 1867 Vác presented a symbolic manifestation of the regained freedom of the country: it was the first town of the country to erect a monument in 1868 in memory of the revolutionary soldiers ("honvéd") of 1848. The new laws passed after 1868 promoted capitalist bourgeois development. The town's regular council did not exercise original jurisdiction any longer, thus instead of the chief justice it was headed by the mayor, and the affairs of the town were conducted by a body of representatives consisting of 120 members (half of them were elected and the other half was made up of the largest taxpayers called virilis). Eventually, after several unsuccessful attempts the two towns united in 1859.
