[XXVII-43] The chief towns have the same names as the departments to which they belong, excepting those of Sacatepéquez, Quiché, Peten, Baja Verapaz, Alta Verapaz, and Santa Rosa, whose respective names are Antigua, Santa Cruz del Quiché, Flores, Salamá, Coban, and Cuajiniquilapa. Salv., Gaceta Ofic., June 6, 1877; Guat., Mem. Sec. Gobern. y Just., 1884, 4-5, annex 4; El Guatemalteco, May 10, 1884.
[XXVII-44] Under the old system the department was under a corregidor who was not only civil governor, but also military chief, judge, revenue collector, and postmaster. Berendt, in Smithsonian Rept, 1867, 424.
[XXVII-45] Under art. 34 of this organic law the jefes were required to send the supreme gov. for approbation police regulations, under the instructions furnished them for the sake of uniformity. They did not fail to comply. Guat., Mem. Sec. Gobern. y Just., 1880, 1-2.
[XXVII-46] The law determined with precision the manner of organizing the municipalities, and the functions of the councilmen, increasing at the same time the number of committees; at that time they had committees of finance, supplies, water, police, health, ornamentation, schools, vaccination, roads, and statistics. Further information on internal administration, police, and gen. condition of the departments may be found in Guat., Recop. Ley., i. 492-512, 527-75; Barrios, Mensaje, 1876; Salv. Diario Ofic., May 13 to 16, 1875; Guat., Mem. Sec. Gobern., 1880, 1881, 1882, 1884; Batres' Sketch Guat., 23; Conkling's Guide, 341.
[XXVII-47] With only three exceptions every department had a surplus. The three excepted had deficits amounting together to $3,578.
[XXVII-48] I will name a few of the authorities: Dillon, Beautés de l'hist., 218-38; Thompson's Guat., 465-9; Stephens' Trav. Cent. Am., i. 192-4; Nuevo Viajero Univ., iii. 602-7; Baily's Cent. Am., 49-54; Valois, Mexique, 291-6; Reichardt, Cent. Am., 54; Crosby's Statem., MS., 86-90; Belly, Nic., i. 114-16; Laferrière, De Paris à Guatém., 259-60; Dicc. Univ. Hist. Geog., iii. 724-7; Dunlop's Cent. Am., 76-86; Squier's Cent. Am., 497-50; U. S. Gov. Doc., H. Ex. Doc. Cong. 43, Sess. 1, i. 444-5; Astaburuaga, Cent. Am., 78-9; Am. Cyclop., viii. 290-2; Encyclop. Brit., xi. 214.
[XXVII-49] There are two fortresses, the Matamoros and San José. Among the open places are the plaza mayor, and the recently laid out plaza de la Concordia, now the favorite resort of the inhabitants. There is another plaza containing a fine theatre.
[XXVII-50] San Francisco, La Recoleccion, La Merced, and Santo Domingo are among the notable ones.
[XXVII-51] The govt in late years has provided for an increase of the water supply to meet the future requirements of a town whose population is rapidly growing. Guat., Mem. Sec. Fomento, 1884, 43-4; 1885, 49-51, 56-8.
[XXVII-52] With government aid, a jockey club was also established in 1882. Guat., Mem. Sec. Fomento, 47-50, 75.