Namiestnictwo galicyjskie (1854–1914). Organizacja i zadania
Government of Galicia (1854–1914). Organization and Tasks

Summary/Abstract: The aim of this article is to present the framework and scope of activities of the Government of Galicia during the period of constitutional rule in Austria (1867–1914). The changes introduced then are shown on the background of the fundamental constitutional reforms, especially to be seen in the fluctuations between centralism and federalism. At first, attention is paid to adjusting the Galician administration to the requirements of the December Constitution (of December 21, 1867). Secondly, the tasks of the Governorship are outlined, among others, matters of political and police administration, denominations and education, commercial and industrial affairs, „national culture”, and construction. Moreover, separation of the decision-making process between the Governor, with his prerogatives, and the Council of the Governorship is considered, as well as the responsibility of the former for the manner of executing Government orders, e. g. in the field of the supervision of Governorship officials. Finally, the article examines how the responsibilities of all departments of the Governorship are also restored (nine from 1868, thirteen from 1890 and over thirty in 1914), along with the reforms carried out by Michał Bobrzyński from 1908 to 1914, in order to improve the functioning of the Galician administration.

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