Gorodnichii

(town chief), the representative of the local administration in the Muscovite state and later in the Russian Empire. The position of gorodnichii had its origin in the first half of the 16th century in the post of gorodovoi prikazchik (town commissioner). From 1775 to 1782 the gorodnichii was in charge of the administrative and police executive power in the district town. In the 19th century it was mainly retired officers who were appointed gorodnichiis. The post of gorodnichii was abolished in 1862.