Curia Session III 196 B.C.

[admin]

I have gathered the Senators here today to discuss a few things.

First on the Agenda shall be an update from our Censor.

Second on the Agenda shall be a missive from the Governor of Hispania Citerior regarding the status of his Province.

Third on the Agenda shall be any unfinished business any senator wishes to discuss.

I invite the Censor to give his update first before we move on.

[Gaius Cassius Vecellinus]

The Censor rises up from his seat.

Conscript fathers,

I wish to provide a brief update on the issuing of contracts for the maintenance of our eternal city's infrastructure. Since the sum of 500,000d has been approved for disbursement by the Senate, I have tasked myself and a veritable centuria of clerks and servants with fulfilling the customary duties of the censorship as well as, beyond the scope of said usual duties, with going over the records of prior censorships.

In regards the latter, it was not my intent to question the reputation of prior office holders but rather to ascertain if the works commissioned by them were duly carried out by the contractors. Given that the censorship only lasts 18 months and that the nature of its work may take several years, or even decades, to be completed, it was my objective to confirm that there was no abuse.

The results of my entourage's investigation have been made known to me and it is my pleasure to share them with the Senate; when it comes to the usual public expenditures of the Republic little mismanagement has been found and few, if any, opportunities for cost saving produced. The practical conclusion is that the sum of 500,000d is far likelier to go up, as the city expand, than down.

Lastly, a Censorial Commission has been established, as promised, and a number of Senators have joined it; work is expected to begin shortly and any Senators and Magistrates who wish to partake are of course invited to do so.

I will endeavor to keep this body informed of the work of my Censorship as developments occur.

Without anything else to add,
I yield the floor

[Allectus Fabius Maximus]

Allectus would raise his hand until called upon by the Princeps Senatus to speak. He would then stand up.

Honored Censor Cassius Vecellinus,

I for one am quite happy to hear that the funds allocated for the purposes of maintaining our Great City have not been mismanaged or misappropriated by unscrupulous contractors or agents of the state. You must be commended for ensuring said funds have been well spent and put to good use.

I do however ask if you have any recommendations with regards to how much more we should allocate to the maintenance of public buildings and roads. I feel we should increase this funding every so often to keep up with the City’s growth. Perhaps 5-10% every 2-3 years would suffice. But I leave that to those more well versed in finance and the maintenance of public buildings to speak and make appropriate recommendations.

I also have one other matter to bring up. When can we expect contractors to bid for this work? I imagine there are many waiting for a public announcement to be made and with whom they should inquire about to be part of this public works project.

I yield the floor.

Allectus would sit back down

[Gaius Cassius Vecellinus]

The Censor hears the address from Senator Flavius Gallus intently and upon its conclusion rose from his seat.

Senator Flavius,

The contracts have already been posted to numerous publicani who showed themselves the most capable, and cost-efficient, to perform the required works. If, for any reason (the censor squinted his eyes at the Flavii when saying this), the Senator is interested in these contracts he is encouraged to seek them out directly with these individuals though I am, of course, available to provide any further details.

As to the idea to periodically raise the budget for the city, while I find some merit in it I must express myself against any proposal that automatically raises the expenditure of the Republic without due justification. It is preferable, in my opinion, to a adopt a zero-based budgeting approach and make those increases as required by necessities. Frugality is a great virtue and an important part of mos maiorum.

I yield the floor.

[Gaius Quinctilius Varus]

With Quinctilius Varus on campaign a junior senator known to be his proxy rises.

Conscript Father's,

I for one am eager to hear the missive from our governor of Hispania Citerior, as noted to be the 2nd part of the days agenda. I'm sure the discourse on the public works can continue after we've all heard what could potentially be important news for our Republic.

[admin]

The Consul thanks the Censor for this update.

Now, I shall read the following note from Hispania Citerior, and open the floor to debate as to what the response from the Senate should be.

News from Hispania Citerior. We have received a report that the Bergistani tribe, one of the five noted tribes openly at war with Rome, has a raised force of over 12,000 men. Furthermore, we have identified this tribe as the culprits that killed the Praetor Sempronius Tuditanus and his force of over 8,000 Latin troops. How many the other tribes have raised is unknown, estimated to be a total force of 30,000 men. Therefore I request from the Senate the raising of 2 legions of Latin Allies for immediate deployment in Hispania Citerior. With these forces, I will be able to eradicate the tribes for refusing to bow to Rome, and avenge the Praetor.

[Hostus Lucretius Tricipitinus]

Conscript fathers,

The good work of the Censor is noted and appreciated by Lucretius Tricipitinus. It is good that the finances of Rome are in order and being spent as it should be, lest misspent money result in the crumbling of our great city!

With regards to the news from Hispania, most distressing! We must not allow this rabble to defeat another one of our armies - the shame to all of Rome would be unbearable! While he was here, Lucretrius Tricipitinus was one who wanted to ensure we only spent what was needed, so that the treasury may refill. It sound necessary to raise more forces and expend more funds.

I motion that we fulfill the request to raise 2 additional legions of allies and deploy them to Hispania - the provincial revenues from Sicily will be enough to cover the expenses for raising 1.

[Allectus Fabius Maximus]

Allectus stand when called upon to speak

Conscript Fathers,

I wholeheartedly agree with Senator Lucretius Tricipitinus.

We must not allow Roman troops to be bested by painted naked barbarians.

By my calculations, we have the funds necessary to provide the Governor of Hispania Citeriror with the soldiers he’s requesting. We should do so with all haste.

The lives and property of everyday Romans depends on our ability to subdue these barbarians. The very future of the Republic is at stake if we allow recently conquered lands to fall to these barbarian hordes.

Allectus takes a seat

[Gaius Cassius Vecellinus]

The Censor rises up.

Conscript fathers,

Rome's honor must be avenged, that much is clear! However, what a disgrace it'll be if her honor is avenged only by the blood of her friends and allies! It is imperative that at least one of the two legions is composed of proper Romans lest it be thought we put our finances ahead of our dignity and manhood!

I yield the floor.

[Marcus Aurelius Cotta]

Conscript Fathers,

Has anyone actually verified this report?

Just a few months ago, the propraetor was calling for four year terms of office. Very convenient now that he requires extra men to conduct what was supposed to be the pacification of territory we already control.

The legions were deployed for the defense of Hispania Citerior and Ulterior, not an offensive campaign yet.

Let the governors, who have spent enormous sums building new mines, raise provincial auxiliaries in the form of militia to support their legions.

When the campaign against the Boii is complete, Rome and her consuls can turn their attention to Hispania.