text:  By this wise decree which is in many respects the Magna Charta of the Prussian burghs it was provided that the burghers should enjoy councillors of their own election for regulating all local and municipal concerns: that a third of the number should go out by rotation and be renewed by an election every year; that the council thus chosen should assemble twice a-year to deliberate on the public affairs; that two burgomasters should be at the head of the magistracy one of whom should be chosen by the king from a list of three presented and the other by the councillors; and that the police of the burgh should be administered by a syndic appointed for twelve years and who should also have a seat in the municipal council