Related Papers. Download PDF. Related Papers. Download PDF. Related Papers. Download PDF. The work had long been the prerogative of the town's patrician families and was the privilege of no more than four families of landowners. In addition, property rights were strongly protected. In the provincial court system, appeals to the High Court were allowed, and all appeal cases could be heard in Paris. The law was changed in 1704 to allow the appointment of judges by the king's officials. However, municipal, not royal judges, decided the cases. The administrative functions of the commune included maintenance of roads, bridges, drainage, and public works. Over one-third of the annual revenue of the commune went for these purposes. The communal army, called the conscription, was a permanent force serving the commune, and organized according to the requirements of the law. In 1789, the commune administered seven estates called the Enumera; one of these was called the Arsa de vie, and was one of the two communes of commerce in Aix. The Arsa de vie formed the legal and administrative framework for the transactions of the small merchants of the town and surrounding countryside. It was, therefore, the center of the mercantile activity of the town. The jurisdiction of the Arsa de vie was concerned with commercial transactions as well as with material goods of all kinds, even foodstuffs and medicines. The Arsa de vie was created in 1714 and existed until 1789. Aix-en-Provence was divided into three judicial districts: the first was the Arsa de vie, the second was the Censeur, and the third the Sous-Censeur. The Censeur had jurisdiction over all cases involving material goods, such as that of a merchant charging more than the fair price for his wares, whereas the Sous-Censeur handled cases involving the nonmaterial aspects of commerce, such as trade in wine or spirits. The Arsa de vie and the Censeur were appointed by the town council, but were appointed by the king to the Sous-Censeur who was elected by the Consistory. The Consistory consisted of 22 members elected from among the nobles of the town, and one member elected by the clergy. The Consistory could not initiate any judgment, but could only reverse a verdict already rendered by the Arsa de vie. The mayor of Aix-en-
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