Horváth J. András: A megigényelt világváros. Budapest hatósága és lakossága a városegyesítés éveiben - Disszertációk Budapest Főváros Levéltárából 2. (Budapest, 2010)
Summary
representatives of different artisans and of petty bourgeoisie, particularly primary producers of Buda, can be mentioned. Ties among assembly members were crucial, according prosopographical data. This is clear from several life matrixes courses: a continuously persistant, tight, blood relationship connection-system, active throughout the era. It based on old urban traditions, but it is interesting, that by new, login members of the assembly had even a tradition-building character as well. Pre-1867 conditions were characterized by a traditional, regulative oriented administration, a kind of static attitude regarding investment and a restrictive attitude toward elementary needs. Meagre income demanded considerable debts. Stress and income embarrassment were based on traditional local demands versus general social needs for a larger progress. Restoration of constitutional conditions in 1867, government developing ambitions, stress for competing with Vienna - created jointly a new situation concerning the need for larger debts. The Pest assembly adopted series of decisions as from 1867 for significant investment: waterworks, bore wells, chief medical officers at the outskirts, slaughterhouse, etc. The aldermen turned keen attention to large-scale development of Vienna. Taking into consideration the relatively weak resources, it was noticed, that in 1875 city expenses totalled to twofifths that of Vienna, but in 1890 they reached more than the half (54,95%). The unquestionable development required immense efforts. However, the budget was balanced in both cases at the end of the period, Budapest was producing deficits many times during those years. The mayor, Károly Kamermayer would have resorted willingly to debts financing, but representatives were referring frequently to the meagre wealth of the city and refused overburdening. In Vienna the debts sharing reached 14,8%, Budapest at 8,9% wanted to use this instrument of urban development. According to the proportion of regular expenses and investments, the structural modification of the expenses recorded three periods: Financing former debts between 1874 and 1879, consolidation, crisis management period, providing only for everyday administration. A renewed investment policy, based on loans raising between 1880 and 1885. A period of contradiction between administration and assembly because of shortages of investment finance. This was eased at the end by accepting a new developing programme. 466
