Tiu Development of Friction, I820-I835
223
Texas, a deparltment of tlu State of Coalunla and. Texas. Early in 1825 Texas was reorganized as a department of the new state and placed under a political chief appointed by and responsible to the governor of the State of Coahuila and Texas. The new administrative officer was to reside in San Antonio, and to watch over the general welfare of the department. He was entrusted with the enforcement of the law, the administration of justice, and the command of the militia. He was, furthermore, the connecting link between the governor in Saltillo and the local authorities in the department. He made periodic reports on the condition of affairs in the department. As the population grew and new towns and villages sprang up, two other departments were organized: the Department of the Brazos, with San Felipe as headquarters, and the Department of Nacogdoches, with the seat of government in the city of that name.• The most important unit of local government was the municipality. Its jurisdiction frequently extended over thousands of square miles and included several smaller towns and villages. The governing body of the municipality was the ayuntamiento, the composition, duties, and functions of which were defined by an act of the Legislature promulgated in June, 1827. Towns of less than 2,500 were to have an ayuntamiento elected by the citizens, consisting of one alcalde, two regidores (councilmen), and one nndico -procurador (city attorney}; towns of more than 2,500 but of less than 5,000 were to have two additional regidores; and towns of more than 5,000 but less than 10,000 were to have two alcaldes, six regidores, and two .rindicos. The duties and functions of the a,yrmtamiento were numerous and varied, combining those of city commissioners with some of those of modem county commissioners. The ayuntamiento was to administer municipal funds raised by taxation approved by the legislature and the governor; to take the census every six months; to promote agricul- ture, industry and commerce; to maintain roads and public buildings; to lay out the streets properly, which they were to pave and light whenever possible; to promote and administer hospitals, poorhouses, schools, and charitable institutions; to license qualified physicians and druggists; to appoint boards of health; to inspect foods, markets, and drug stores; to keep streets dean, drain lakes and stagnant pools, and safeguard against all menaces to public health; to visit prisons and punish vagrants, drunkards, idlers, and gamblers. This list is not all 1 Almonte, "Statistical Report on Texas," T/,e Q11artnly, XXVIII, 181-182.
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