SPEAKER FREDERICK MAKES NEW MOVE, KNIGHTHOOD LEGISLATION PASSED [I-PAN]

[IEC 229]

 

9th of Godfrey’s Triumph, 1690

I-PAN ISSUE EIGHT

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And now, without further ado, the news.

SPEAKER FREDERICK MAKES UNEXPECTED LEGISLATIVE MOVE

[!] Speaker of Parliament, Alexander Frederick, addressing the house; 1690

 

       Speaker of Parliament and Lord Privy Seal, Alexander Frederick, made an unprecedented legislative maneuver during the latest Parliamentary session, which was hosted last Saint’s day. Speaker Frederick has never been one to suggest his personal opinion to the Parliament when debating measures. He’s typically acted primarily as a nonpartisan legislative officer, not exercising his political abilities. Although the Statute of Carolustadt grants the Speaker of Parliament the ability to behave just as any other member of Parliament, he has never exercised this authority in Parliament – until now. On the 11^th of Horen’s Calling, Speaker Frederick cast a vote against the initiation of an investigation into former Lord Spiritual Claudius Bracchus’ finances. The measure, P.B. 008, passed by a vote of 6 - 2, with Antanios Rutledge, Ingrid Kastrovat, Bogdan Radovich, Aran Talraen, Brand Denhardt, and Alfred Rubens voting in favor, whereas Speaker Frederick and Count Edward Suffolk of Pembrokeshire voted against the measure. This marks the first time that Speaker Frederick had cast a vote on any measure proposed to the Parliament – and it doesn’t end there.

       As the session came to a close, Frederick announced that he would be proposing three bills himself. He’s addressed them using their colloquial titles; the Heresy Act, the Parliamentary Powers Act, and the Act of Fundamental Laws. The incoming legislation is assumed to be in response to the recent war waged between the Nordengradic-Arberrang armies and the Empire, with Frederick bolstering his record on national security. Although, we don’t have the exact text for any of the legislation quite yet. Frederick plans to bring his legislation to the floor for a debate in two Saint’s days.

       The precedence this sets for the position of Speaker is uncertain. It offers the Lord Privy Seal a more authoritative and opinionated role when compared to previous interpretations, which viewed the Speaker as one with the legal ability to create legislation, but never exercised that privilege. This completely changes the game. We can expect to see the Speaker play a more direct role in future Parliamentary affairs.

 

THE ARGUMENT FOR INCREASING TAXES DURING WARTIME

The following article is an opinionated editorial by I-PAN reporter, Daisy Applefoot. The opinions of this journalist do not necessarily reflect the values or positions of this publication, and are included purely for the purpose of the diversity of thought.

 

       Economics during wartime are much different than those during peacetime. During peace, the purpose of the economy is to provide for the citizenry, whereas during war, the purpose of the economy is to provide for the military. Due to this, the economy should be formatted differently when at war.

 

• Nationalization of industries relevant to war production. Doing this makes sure that all the resources needed for war are ready for military use and won't spend time lying around in markets.
• Increased taxation. While normally harmful in the long-run, taxation can be beneficial when the fate of a nation is at stake during a war when a well-funded and well-paid military is needed.
• Collaboration between the markets and the government. This is obvious, since most market owners could lose their market if the nation loses the war, it is in their interest to help the national war effort. On the flip side, since the government still needs to have it citizenry fed when at war, the government has the incentive to keep the market afloat when it is threatened by war.

 

PARLIAMENT OPENS INVESTIGATION INTO CLERGYMAN FOR MISUSED FUNDS

[!] The Cathedral of Holy Martyrs, located in Carolustadt; 1690

 

       On the 11^th of Horen’s Calling, 1690, Baron Alfred Rubens of Leeuwenhof proposed a measure to open a judicial inquiry into Lords Spiritual Claudius Bracchus, specifically regarding unpaid finances to the Church. The claims arose when clergy leadership reported that Bracchus had unpaid monetary dues from previously hosted religious events. The measure passed by a vote of 6 – 2. The Parliament will schedule a date to summon Bracchus for a judicial hearing, and the I.E.C. will also lead it’s own investigation into the potential financial misconduct, aided by the Legion. The investigation is still in it’s early phases, and we shouldn’t expect to yield results anytime soon.

       Director of the I.E.C., Fabius Bracchus, has recused himself from the investigation, on account of the fact that he happens to be the Lord Spiritual’s cousin. A private investigator will be appointed to the case.

 

PARLIAMENT INSTITUTES STRICTER STANDARDS FOR KNIGHTS

[!] The first session of the Imperial Parliament, where the Knighthood Meritocracy Act was originally proposed; 1688

 

       At the previous Parliamentary session, Priorist Party extraordinaire and Baron of Leeuwenhof, Alfred Rubens, championed his legislation aimed at promoting more transparent and merit based knighthood standards in the Empire. The proponents of the legislation, largely hailing from the Priorist Party, made the issue a central component of their campaign. Following the two year battle, however, Rubens can finally rest easy, knowing that his legislation has been passed and signed by the Emperor. Bill P.B 003 passed by a final tally of 6 – 1 at the sparsely attended session, with Edward Suffolk, Count of Pembrokeshire, being the lone “Nay” vote. Long time critics of the legislation, including Bishop Claudius Bracchus and Count Edward Suffolk, have denounced the measure as being too restrictive to local vassals in their ability to manage their own knights. In addition, Bracchus proposed an amendment to the bill, which would have granted those ranking Count or higher on the feudal scale to manage their own knights’ squires. This was the subject of the majority of the debate, but it ultimately failed by a slim, one vote margin. Here are statements from the leading voices on both sides of the aisle;

 

ALFRED RUBENS

Baron of Leeuwenhof

“Allowing knights to choose their own squires is not even a policy as of now, with a few exceptions surrounding the Royal Family. Choosing your own squire leads to naught but nepotism.”

 

Edward Suffolk

Count of Pembrokeshire

“The amendment clearly states that any squire may deemed unworthy by the Grand Knight. Suggesting that the Grand Knight’s office would act with nepotism is just insulting to this esteemed Empire.”

 

       The legislation has been signed by His Imperial Majesty, codifying it into official law. What does this mean for Knights? Those with current knighthood status will likely have little to fear, outside of an investigation lead by the Grand Knight, where unqualified individuals may be subject to reevaluation. For future candidates for knighthood, however, they’ll have to ensure that their heroic and patriotic service to the Empire is based entirely off of merit, and not their bloodline. Nobility will no longer be considered as a factor when evaluating the prospect of knighthood, and neither will legacy. Relation to former knights will not grant individuals a leg up when vying for the title.

Members of Parliament can still counter this measure with their own amendments, however, so it looks like Rubens’ work isn't quite done. Now, he’ll have to defend his legislation from future attempts to dismantle the provision.

WORLD NEWS

 

• Alyrion Laureh’onn has been crowned as the new Sohaer for the Silver Enclave of Fi’halen, a new settlement revolving around the recent influx of ‘aheral refugees from the destruction of Haelun’or. Sohaer Laureh’onn was crowned as a replacement to former Sohaer Tarlach. Laureh’onn is expected to appoint a new Silver Council in the coming days.
• Adria is to host it’s next Ducal Duma soon, to discuss government policies in the Duchy. The convention shall also be accompanied by grand festivities and events.
• Dunshire launches their sixth election’s campaigns, where three Elders and one Sheriff will be elected. Current contenders includes Harold Applefoot, current Elder seeking to continue serving the township.
• The Empire signs a non-aggression pact with the Enclave of Vira’ker, further uniting with their traditional Elven allies in battling the recent pagan rebellion. 

[NotEvilAtAll 10906]

Daisy Applefoot the halfling smiles as yet another economic opinion piece of hers appears in the newspaper “G’luck ter ye economeh managers ou’ t’ere. Ye be doin’ t’eh work o’ goodness”

[StarGazzer 287]

a kharajyr would get his hand on a paper. “verry guuud read”  the kharajyr says

[osumanduas 1442]

Moved to The Great Library. It shall be sorted into the appropriate category shortly.

 

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