Page:Vol 3 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/542

522 also, assisted by a regidor, gave tariffs to shops and taverns in towns where no governor resided, and in such towns also he presided over the council, a privilege otherwise belonging to the governor, or alcalde mayor, or their lieutenant. None of these presidents had a vote in the assembly, or could interfere in municipal administration. Honorary regidores and communal deputies were, toward the end of the last century, given a place in councils, as in Spain, after a stubborn resistance on the part of the perpetual municipality. They could be elected, every second year, from the trading class. Other prominent officials, partly chosen from the regidores, partly elected from citizens, although not fully represented in every town, were the alférez real, who carried the banner, the procuradores and sindicos, usually lawyers, who represented the council in legal matters, and made codections, the treasury officers, and the alguacil mayor, or sheriff, who could appoint lieutenants and prison-keepers, and had to carry out the orders of governors and alcaldes without meddling with the alguaciles, or police.

At the election of alcaldes the municipality chose two alcaldes de mesta, whose duty it was to preside over the semi-annual council of live-stock holders, and to attend to regulations concerning domestic animals. Municipal funds were derived primarily from lands set aside for each town when founded, sometimes certain fines could be appropriated; and for urgent public works, suits at law, appointment of agents, and the like, contributions might be levied by the