Government of the cities and towns Politics and government of the Dutch Republic

just delegates states-general of generality not make decisions without consulting principals @ states of provinces, delegates states of provinces not make major decisions without consulting principals in various cities , towns. noted above, lack of delegation of sovereignty led fair degree of inertia , have been unworkable in larger country less connected transport (albeit waterborne canals , shipping) links. did, however, give cities , towns large amount of freedom. also, sovereignty of provincial states in practice dependent exercise on magistrates of cities.

each of towns , cities in 7 provinces had own differences , peculiarities. however, general rule, government of city of amsterdam standard. also, noted above, in 17th , 18th century, wealth amsterdam generated commerce made powerful city in province of holland, accounting half of holland s revenues , taxes , through full quarter of generality s. because of economic weight, influential voice in councils of province , generality.

the government of city time in hands of 4 burgomasters (burgemeesters in dutch, better translated english mayors ), largely same reason rome had 2 consuls: deconcentration of power. originally, burgomasters appointed lord or province, count of holland , successors, duke of burgundy. burgundian dukes tended have national interests occupy them, appointments left stadtholders. 15th century on, however, election complex system. electoral college formed yearly, made of outgoing burgomasters, alderman (city councilmen), , in past had held post of burgomaster or alderman. burgomasters chosen simple majority. in second stage of election, 3 newly elected burgomasters co-opted (chose) 1 of outgoing 4 stay on second one-year term. way, 1 of burgomasters stayed in office 2 years provide continuity. ·

the 3 newly chosen called reigning-burgomasters year. first 3 months after new election, burgomaster of year before presides. after time, supposed new ones had learned forms , duties of office , , acquainted state of city s affairs, 3 new burgomasters had privilege preside turns.

the burgomasters functioned executive of city government. in command of civic guard (the famous militia companies of dutch paintings) , troops stationed in city. appointed city functionaries such administrators in charge of welfare of orphans , of vacant succession, charitable institutions, , captains of companies of civic guard. issue out monies out of common stock or treasure, judging alone necessary safety, convenience, or dignity of city. kept key of bank of amsterdam, @ time functioned 1 of central banks of nations of europe. vaults never opened without 1 of them present. in charge of public works of city, such ramparts, public buildings (for example great amsterdam city hall, royal palace).

courtyard of amsterdam stock exchange, 1653, underpinned large part of amsterdam s wealth.

the salary of burgomaster of amsterdam 500 guilders year, though there offices worth ten times @ disposal. none of them known have taken bribes: credit integrity of system.

most cities, amsterdam being no exception, employed pensionary. leading functionary , legal adviser of principal town corporations in netherlands. received salary, or pension, hence name. office originated in flanders, , known name of clerk or advocate. earliest pensionaries in holland of dordrecht (1468) , of haarlem (1478). pensionary conducted legal business of town, , secretary of city council. 1 of city s representatives , spokesman @ meetings of provincial states. post of pensionary permanent. official kept large part of town s business in hands, , had knowledge , experience, influence great on city level corresponding office, councillor pensionary of holland, @ provincial , national level. johan de witt pensionary of dordrecht before appointed councillor pensionary of holland.

the official responsible administration of justice schout. in former times representative of count of holland. during 16th, 17th, , 18th centuries, appointed burgomasters. in other towns , cities in holland, appointment prerogative of states of holland. schout chief of police , public prosecutor ( district attorney in us, crown prosecutor in uk). schout, through colony of new netherland (the present new york , new jersey), origin of american institution of district attorney , attorney general. ·

the schout functioned president of tribunal of aldermen (schepen), sat judges in cases brought before schout. court of last appeal in criminal cases. did not pass death sentence without first advising burgomasters of possibility of decision. other that, burgomasters had no role in process. in civil cases, after value, there right of appeal court of justice of province in hague. tribunal consisted of 9 aldermen. schepen chosen annually stadtholder list of fourteen presented him vroedschap. in absence of stadtholder, in 1650–72 , 1702–48, aldermen chosen burgomasters. 7 chosen annually, 2 previous year continued in office. list compiled vroedschap.

the vroedschap, or city council senate in ancient roman republican sense. fourth branch of city government, direct backup power of burgomasters. college of 36 members, men both rich , wise task counsel burgomasters. members called vroedman, literally wise man . honorific title of vroedschap vroede vaderen, or wise fathers . practice reminiscent of ancient roman senate, modern word senate being derived latin word senātus (senate), comes senex, old man . influence of vroedschap on city government had precedence again in of roman senate.

in past, election vroedschap had been majority of citizens gathered in large assembly, @ large church, upon death of member, majority of voices present. practice discontinued in favour of co-option system around year 1500, when towns became large assemble people in 1 place without tumult. resolution of burghers, vacancies vroedschap filled co-option time forward, i.e. vote of members of vroedschap. members elected life. members of city government burgomasters, aldermen, , other city officials chosen vroedschap, , vroedemen tended choose each other these offices without intervention burghers, city governments developed oligarchy.

the members of 4 colleges above constituted city government dominated relatively small group of rich merchant, financial or land-owning families, many closely interrelated, called regents , or regenten. list of them can found here , along later ennobled, here. not impossible gain access, success in business , being co-opted vroedschap , other colleges. happen when stadtholder @ time appointed new person 1 of colleges choosing lists presented him or making own choice (the latter called changing government ). system not immune popular pressure, events of age showed, became tighter , more closed time went on until republic fell. son of family belonging regent class there opened equivalent of roman cursus honorum show talents , make connections serve him , city. these same officials appointed provincial offices (e.g. delegate states of holland, member of 1 of admiralty boards) or offices under generality (ambassadors), councils of local power perpetuated regional , national levels.