The Second Convocation of the Imperial Everardine College

[John Ivory 4547]

 

Amadeus Ashford d’Aryn offers his paper. Sir Terrence May rises in opposition.

 

THE SECOND CONVOCATION OF THE IMPERIAL EVERARDINE COLLEGE

13 G.T. 1763

 

IN ATTENDANCE:

His Holiness, James II M.D. SSE

HIH The Duke of Helena Chancellor SSE

Amadeus Ashford d’Aryn Ph.D SSE

Simon Basrid KCS M.D. SSE

Lauritz H. Christiansen J.D. SSE

Urrigon Drumm Ph.D SSE

Sir Veikko Harjalainen KM J.D. SSE

Sir Terrence May GCM Ph.D J.D. SSE

Edward Napier Ph.D SSE

Sir Konrad Stafyr KM J.D. SSE

Vivaca Rutledge Ph.D SSE

And many guests.

 

The Imperial Association gathered this month to deliver papers on the topic of legislative reform.

 

The Opening Remarks of HIH The Duke of Helena, Chancellor SSE

“Now then!” He claps his hands together, looking over the fraternity and guests. “Ours is a topic this evening which may lack in the loftiness of our last. Something more practical, and especially current. Governor-General Sylvester Halcourt called upon His Imperial Majesty's Government to dissolve the government and province of Curon, our furthest northeastern province. Which, all of you may know by now, was obliged.”
 

Now, there are diverse sentiments surrounding this action. I will spare no comment, given my place in the Basrid Ministry. What seems of equal or greater importance, however, is reform of the Senate, to which you all have been called to discuss. As you all know, the Edict of Establishment declares eight extant seats within that chamber, two constituted from each province. There is now one less, leaving us six. It is the belief of many, and I concur, that no national legislature should feature only six seats. To remedy this problem, we must form consensus. That is the motto of His Imperial Excellency the Archchancellor. Consensus driven government. I admire it enough. On the topic of legislative reform, we can find no greater mind that one of the Framers himself, Sir Terrence May.”
 

In respect, let he hold the first speech. Come then sir,” he offers gentle applause for the old President.

 

Opinion the First: Sir Terrence May GCM, J.D. SSE

“Fellows of the Association, I bid thee good tidings.” He clears his throat once more. “Like many of my colleagues, I was taken aback by the dissolution of the Curonian province. It gives us the opportunity to reflect on the future of our state, as the Senate is vested with the Conscience of the Collective. Representation in our government is an important facet that obliges the governing to hold true on the sacred obligation to the governed. The Senate has become a model of great deliberative governance and I am grateful to my friends from Curon throughout the nearly thirty years I have served in the legislature.

 

However, I must warn that reform is a volatile subject, taken with utmost scrutiny. I am delighted to take part in this discourse, aiming to revision political debate for the next generation. I know, and I do hold this with great conviction that the idea of the representatives as a collective body maintain a special core of the Tapestry. Within our constitution, we are the stitches, if you will, holding the fabric that makes us whole. I am eager to hear what you all have in mind for the future of this legislative body. I thank you.” He inclines his head, stepping off the platform.”

 

Opinion the Second: Senator Vivaca Rutledge, Ph.D SSE

“So… uh, thank you for the applause. I may not be as enthusiastic tonight because of recent events, but nonetheless I will deliver my opinion on the reform. My grandfather Antanios Opal Rutledge was murdered because of party politics, in the hostile environment of Pertinaxi politics. I do not want Oren to go down that route. Even with the state permitting two political parties, Conservative or Liberals… I feel that limits the freedom of the voter. Why can't they pick independent candidates on the ballot? Why must they be forced to pick between two parties? I conclude, Joseph.”

 

Opinion the Third: President Pro Tempore Lauritz H. Christiansen, J.D. SSE

“This is a crossroads for the Senate.” He said with a nod of his head, glancing around the gathered people. “With only six Senators now. Do we push for minor or major reform? It is a question that I myself have pondered deeply.

 

“I have, at the permission of his Majesty, Sigismund the Second, been present for meetings of the Duma. A must curious institution, I must say. But in truth, I find it to be rather inefficient. It is divided, something that I pride myself in the Senate never having been. The two benches of Feudalist and Centralist create much more bad than they create good. It too, is overcrowded. Too many people sit in the Duma, with little care for what actually occurs. In truth, it takes them more than a Saint's hour to pass but a single bill, while the Senate under my presidency has managed to pass five bills in fourty-five Saint's minutes. I fear that that Senate, under major reform, may take a direction towards the Duma. Towards being overcrowded and inefficient, something that I do not wish to see happen to it. The Senate has been a staple of unity within our Empire, we mustn't let it fall to feuds, inefficiency and division. The Senate, under my Presidency, has been the most efficient the Senate has ever been. It appears to me that the current system is not inherently problematic, that it actually can work quite efficiently, like a well-oiled machine. 

 

“So that leads me to the question, without major reform, how do we remedy the dissolution of Curon in the Senate? Do we simply add more Senators from the other Provinces? I know not, which is why we are all here. Minor and major reforms will have their flaws. We must simply figure out what flaws we wish to accept.

 

“With that, I think I conclude my statement.” He offered a nod, before making his way down the stage.

 

Opinion the Fourth: Amadeus Ashford d’Aryn, J.D. SSE

“My countrymen, you may not know me well.” He began, dropping his respect in due course for the audience. “I am not as famed, nor as wise as many here. But I do most humbly offer my truest of opinions to you all. I have run once for the senate, it is true.” He moved slightly on the stand, “I believe that the Senate is the finest institution this Empire, and indeed this world, has ever produced. It is my opinion that the legislature's foremost purpose is to show what unites us, rather than that which divides us – as imperials. I therefore believe that we must strive for is this sense of imperial unity. It is by this logic that I do introduce this radical idea to you all today.”

Amadeus d'Aryn paused, allowing his slightly shaking hand to retreat behind his back. With a quick glance to Joseph, he continued, “I believe that, going forward and with the dissolution of Curon in mind, the Senatorial elections should change drastically. Amadeus d'Aryn coughed, “Into national elections, where every man's vote is equal and none may pander to constituent boundaries. Where votes are tallied nationwide, directly resulting in senatorial seats given.” He said, after a long breath, “I believe that this nation has the full capacity and resources to achieve this.

 

“Ah!” He suddenly perked up, a flush of red coming to his cheeks, “Well you see, sir, the votes of all men become equal and unlimited in this proposed system. The entirety of the nation, together, as one. A beacon of national unity. To which none can boast to triumph – anywhere!”
 

This was reacted to with many rumblings among the crowd. A flurry of “hear hear,” and disgruntled grumblings.

 

“Now, the finer details of this proposal can be worked out, I am sure.” He said, with a large grin. “We can put our finest minds - all of you included - into the task of these details. But the principle is thus: A united Empire in which all participate. In which all citizens, regardless of the borders in which they reside, may exercise their civic duty. This,” he glanced up at the sky, a smile dancing across his pale face, “This is my dream.”
 

Amadeus d'Aryn gave a humble bow to the collected gathering of intellectuals, before doing the same for Joseph. “God bless.” He said, retreating from the stage and back to his seat.

 

Conclusion

Sir Terrence May rose to offer a rebuttal to d’Aryn’s proposal, but by that time many associates had retired for the evening. HIH The Duke of Helena gave concluding remarks, and officially dismissed the second annual convocation of the Imperial Everardine College.

[garentoft 9265]

Lauritz smiles as he reads the publication, satisfied with the discussion that had occured.

[Caranthir_ 2533]

Amadeus d'Aryn spins the wheel.

[Axelu 4333]

Elizaveta of Metterden remembers the discourse fondly, sat at Basrid’s flank. ”To Imperial scholarship, I’d suppose,” she mutters to herself mid departure, ever hopeful for the future of Orenian intellectual superiority. 

[Piov 2643]

Senator May wonders if the transcriber’s hand had cramped up during his final rebuttal!

[HadvarAvMitteland 557]

Hadvar picks up the missive with laughter. "I've never heard of these attendees, the unknown live sad lives...irrelevency is bliss isnt it Squire?" he says to his chamber boy before burning the paper in his fireplace.

[garentoft 9265]

55 minutes ago, HadvarAvMitteland said:

Hadvar picks up the missive with laughter. "I've never heard of these attendees, the unknown live sad lives...irrelevency is bliss isnt it Squire?" he says to his chamber boy before burning the paper in his fireplace.

“please leave us alone” comments an innocent bystander who just wants to enjoy himself without being insulted