Alcalde

In Spanish law. A judicial officer in Spain, and in those countries which have received the body of their laws from those of Spain. His powers and duties are similar to those of a justice of the peace. ALDERMAN (equivalent to "senator" or "senior"). In English Law. An associate to the chief civil magistrate of a corporate town or city. _ The word was formerly of very extended signification. Spelman enumerates eleven classes of aldermen. Their duties among the Saxons embraced both magisterial and executive power, but would seem to have been rather an appellation of honor, originally, than a distinguishing mark of office. Aldermannus civitatis, burgi sew castellae (alderman of a city, borough, or castle).

1 Sharswood, Bl. Comm. 475, note.

Aldermannus comitatus (alderman of the county), who is thought by Spelman to have held an intermediate place between an AUermannus hundredi seu wapentachii (alderman of a hundred or wapentake).

Spelman.

Aldermannus regis (alderman of the king) was so called, either because he was appointed by the king, or because he gave the judgment of the king in the premises allotted to him. Aldermannus totius Angliae (alderman of all England). An officer of high rank, whose duties cannot be precisely determined. See Spelman. The aldermen of the city of London were probably originally the chiefs of guilds.

See 1 Spence, Eq. Jur. 54, 56. ——In American Cities.

The aldermen are generally a legislative body, having limited judicial powers as a body, as in matters of internal police regulation, laying out and repairing streets, constructing sewers, and the like; though in many cities they hold separate courts, and have magisterial powers to a considerable extent. Consult Spelman; Cowell; 1 Sharswood, Bl. Comm. 116; Reeve, Hist. Eng. Law; Spence, Eq. Jur.; Mc Quillin Mun. Corp. ALE CONNER (also called "ale taster"). An officer appointed by the^ court leet, sworn to look to the assize and goodness of ale and beer within the precincts of the leet.

Kitch. Cts. 46; Whishaw.

An officer appointed in every court leet, and sworn to look to the assize of bread, ale, or beer, within the precincts of that lordship.

Cowell.

This officer is still continued in name, though the duties are changed or given up.

1 Crabb, Real Prop. 501.

ALEATOR (Lat. alea, dice). A dice player; a gambler.