Institute of Zemstvo Chiefs in Penza province (by the materials of the Humble reports of the Governors of the Penza province for 1890–1897) 

Mariya N. Shoshkina, Assistant of the sub-department of the history of Russia, state and law, Penza State University (40 Krasnaya street, Penza, Russia) E-mail: inao-pgu@yandex.ru

Background. This article presents an analysis of the institute of zemstvo chiefs based on the annual reports of the governors of Penza province, which allows us to consider it from the point of view of the authorities and the administrative apparatus. This analysis allows us to assess the effectiveness, importance and effectiveness of the introduction of this institution into the life of the province. The purpose of the research is to study the materials of the Humble annual reports of the governors of Penza province in the period of 1890–1897, to analyze the work of the institute of zemstvo chiefs in the context of its assessment by the administrative apparatus of the province. Materials and methods. The study was conducted on the basis of the data of the Humble annual reports of the governors of Penza province, as well as the official part of the periodical “Penza Provincial Gazette”. The research methodology is based on the historical-comparative method and the method of qualitative content analysis, which allows us to get a more complete picture of the stated problems of the period of the late 19th century; using the generalization method, general trends in evaluating the work of this institute by the provincial leadership based on the given practical examples are revealed. Results. The main task has been solved – to investigate the institution of zemstvo chiefs in the context of analyzing the reports of the governors of Penza province. Conclusions. The study of the materials of the Humble reports leads to the conclusion that the zemstvo chiefs in Penza province had considerable authority and successfully carried out their duties. The governors assessed the work of these officials positively and noted their important role in the life of society. These studies confirm that the institute of zemstvo chiefs from the first years of its existence played a key role in the management structure of the province. The leadership attached special importance to the social significance of the functions performed by these zemstvo chiefs, understanding the importance of their impact on the life of peasant society.

zemstvo chief, governor, Penza province, peasant self-government, annual re-port, Regulations of zemstvo chiefs

Shoshkina M.N. Institute of Zemstvo Chiefs in Penza province (by the materials of the Humble reports of the Governors of Penza province for 1890–1897). Izvestiya vysshikh uchebnykh zavedeniy. Povolzhskiy region. Gumanitarnye nauki = University proceedings. Volga region. Humanities. 2024;(3):119–127. doi: 10.21685/2072-3024-2024-3-10