Cabildos in Puerto Rico
In around 1515, Juan Ponce de Leon established two Cabildos: Cabildo of San Juan and Cabildo of San German. The "Cabildos" were the local representative assemblies; they served strictly under Governors appointed by the Crown and at their pleasure. In the last moments of the colonial era, Cuba and Puerto Rico managed - after much struggle - to win representation in the Spanish courts. However, these Cabildos played an important role in the community life of Puerto Rico at the time. They provided the aid and representation that the people needed, regardless of economic struggles. Cabildos were essential to community life because of their help in eclectic problems and the representation they gave to the people. An oligarchic structure of the Cabildos, although made up of relatives and friends from the elite, was rather successful, and played an important part in the Cabildos success in community life. The Cabildos were not a democratic
Regarding health, Cabildos held a health inspection, and built sheds to house lepers, and those who suffered from smallpox. Even if there was no money to pay for the activities, Cabildos found a way to meet these expenses, sometimes borrowing money from its own members or from wealthy merchants. However, these ordinances had to be approved by the Audience of Sto. Besides from these regular meetings, they held Cabildos Abiertos, or open meetings, when they had urgent municipal problems. Sugar mill owners, also known as hacenderos, and ganaderos were also part of the economic oligarchy of the Cabildos. Even though it was not a democratic institution, the Cabildos met their responsibilities towards the community. Even so, that the governor, Jueces de Residencia, and Oficiales Reales had to present their titles to the Cabildo of San Juan, to be officially named. They maintained streets, repaired bridges, took care of slaughterhouses, meat shops, cemeteries, fountains, and wells, among other things. Cabildos as well gave the people representation. Cabildos took care of almost every problem or dilemma in the community. Cabildos also, illegally granted land to anyone who asked for it for agricultural and cattle raising purposes. institution; they were organized and controlled by the laws of the Indies. Domingo and then confirmed by the Council of the Indies. The Father of the Republic, or the Cabildo, met weekly o monthly to discuss community matters. In terms of function, the Cabildos dealt with many major and minor problems in the community.
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