The Path to the Promotion to the Senator’s Office of Adam Chmara, Leonard Świeykowski and Gedeon Jeleński in the Stanislavian Times: The Contribution to the Discussion

Abstract

The text shows the changes occurring in the way of promotion to the senatorial dignity in the Commonwealth of Stanislavian times (1764–1795) and the criteria adopted in this process. It shows the thinking of the elites about the state or about the concept of “citizenship” in it. These examples of careers suggest, despite any doubts, that a political career should be developed by those who showed interest in the good of the country and the voivodship as well as those who, at the same time, ideologically supported King Stanislaw August’s programme concerning the repair of the state. The criteria for promotion became the skills and talents of particular individuals and not client service or membership in a prominent family. These were difficult alliances, but at their core there lay concern for the state, where the King’s and the citizens’ thoughts converged. It was a way to build a modern society, where character and ability, rather than “blue” blood or clientelistic relations, would determine a career.