Administrative procedures for dealing with theft, loss, abuse or forgery of seals in the interwar period

Abstract

Correct and transparent operation of the state administrative apparatus is essential for its general functioning. One of the elements of state administration is the system of seals it uses. The following article is devoted to the phenomena that disrupt the proper functioning of the state sphragistic system. It addresses the issues of loss, theft and forgery of official seals in the interwar period. The attention of the text focuses on the administrative procedures to be followed in these situations. The first part of the text presents the norms regulating criminal sanctions against persons committing crimes with regard to official seals and the norms regulating the issues of the state's sphragistic system. The law of the Second Republic of Poland, analyzed in this respect, did not, however, define the procedures for actions at the administrative and office level in cases of detection of abuse of seals. The shape of such procedures is illustrated by archival materials depicting cases of loss, theft and forgery of official seals. These procedures are outlined in the second part of the text, primarily on the basis of archival materials from holdings of state archives in Bydgoszcz and Toruń. The description of the discussed administrative procedures was supplemented by information from voivodship official journals concerning violations of the security of the Polish state sphragistic system.