Chap. XTIT. 



JUNTAS MUNTCIPALES. 



223 



into so many small depopulated districts, as in Mexico, Central 

 America, New Granada, and the Argentine Republic, intro- 

 ducing civil war, anarchy-j and dissolution. The writer might 

 now add the dis-United States of North America also.'' 



But the institutions to which I before alluded, as having 

 had a beneficial effect, are the Juntas Municipalesi" whicli 

 were to be established in every district where materials 

 existed to form them, and to liave the regulation of the local 

 funds and improvements. They were to consist of the most 

 influential citizens, elected by tlieir fellow townsmen, and 

 were to attend to local interests, have charge of the civic 

 registers, take the census, &c. The same writer speaks of 

 these municipalities in terms of unqualified praise, and says 

 that theu' establishment is a j)Ositive good, without in any 

 way promoting a federation which would be ruinous to 

 Peruvian nationality.^ They will give young men the oppor- 

 tunity of becoming acquainted with public affiiirs, teach them 

 habits of business, and gradually train them for more impor- 

 tant political duties. I look upon these institutions as one of 

 the sources of hope for a brighter future for' Peru ; and as 

 long as they show activity, Avhether in a right or wrong 

 direction, they must be productive of good. The habit of 

 taking an active part in public affairs must be better than 

 the torpor and indifference which formerly prevailed. I saw 

 several signs of activity in these Juntas Municiixiles during 

 my journey from Puno. At Lampa they were actively 

 engaged in an endeavour to re-establisli a manufoctory of 

 glazed tiles in that town ; in Azangaro they were collecting 

 subscriptions for a bridge across the river, to which one of 

 their body had contributed half the required sum ; and in 



" The Juntas Departmentales have 

 since been abolished by the Reformed 

 Constitution, promulgated in Nov. 

 1860. Up to May, 1860, Gen. Castilla, 

 the President, had never penuitted 



them to meet. 



* Titulo 15, s. 114. 



'• La Revista de Lima, torn. i. ji. 

 150-60. Nov. 15, 1850. An article 

 bv G. A. Florcs. 



