The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 19, July 1915 - April, 1916 Page: 82

The Southwestern Historical Quarterly

oficial real, however, could not hold any municipal office, nor could
any of his near relatives.s Also, the oficiales reales could not
appoint a lawyer or procurador to defend the claims of the real
hacienda at a regular salary. If such services were needed in a
given case, a procurador was to be secured, and when the case was
finished he was to be paid for his services in connection with that
case." In certain instances to be mentioned later the oficiales reales
did handle the finances of the civil government of a district,10 and
they did make an annual report to the governor or viceroy on the
financial condition of their respective municipalities."
REVENUE AND EXPENSES
The chief source of revenue was the lands (propios) of the
pueblo, mentioned in connection with the partition of land in the
four league grant.l2 These lands were rented out at auction for
given periods and had to be knocked down to the highest bidder,
regardless of whether he was the last tenant or not." The cities
were not to spend the propios or appropriate money for salaries
without a license to do so.14 Warrants for extraordinary expenses
of the regidores were not to be paid until they were approved by
the audiencia real or the special land officer, except where these
warrants were for less than five dollars.'5 The propios were not
to be spent in receptions for prelates, presidents or other high func-
tionaries who might visit the city.'"
Some towns had a public granary where all grain for sale had
to be stored.' Even where a farmer owned a bakery, he had to
declare how much grain he had on hand for use in his bakery.'8
One law provided that no produce could be taken from this public
granary for the use of oficiales reales or higher officials except in
case of urgent' necessity, and in the latter case, the amount used
was to be scrupulously returned as soon as possible."
The issuing of warrants upon and appropriation of the income
from the lands for the uses allowed, was in the hands of the cabildo
88:4:53, 1622. '8:26:9, 1565 to 1619. 105:15:9, 1638.
114:13:6, 1573. 124:13:1, 1523. 134:13:3, 1568, 1581.
"4:13:2, 1564 to Carlos II. "4:13:2, 1564 to Carlos II.
1e4:13:4, 1574 to 1627. 14:14:1-6, 1583; 4:14:19, Carlos II.
1'4:14:13, 1583. "4:13:11, 1614.