Conflict of Orders

Vote tally for the LEX DE ELIGENDIS MAGISTRATIBUS PROVINCIALIBUS

For the motion (11):
Allectus Fabius Maximus
Amulius Valerius Marius
Gaius Cassius Vecellinus
Gaius Claudius Nero
Gaius Quinctilius Varus
Gnaeus Domitius Corbulo
Hostus Lucretius Tricipitinus
Marcus Aurelius Cotta
Marcus Silvius Pastor
Postumus Caesonius Tacitus
Titus Furius Pavo

Against/Abstaining (2):
Marcus Decius Bellicus
Proculus Lucius Regulus

Absent from the Senate (1):
Gaius Porcius Cato

The measure passes

The Consul rises.

May the annals reflect as such.

Conscript fathers,

As I foresee the next point of order, on mercantile infrastructure, to be relatively uncontroversial, and given that there was no opposition to the regular maintenance of our city, I am going to merge these two points into one.

Inasmuch as it may be good and fortunate for the Roman people of the Quirites, we bring before you, conscript fathers a matter relating to the mercantile needs of our city. Specifically, it has been brought to my attention by Senator Marcus Silvius Pastor, with whom I've had the honor of working in the past as Censor, that that the docking and port facilities at the Forum Boarium in Rome itself are insufficient for current commercial traffic. This added pressure has resulted in several merchants deciding not to dock in Rome all together and raising the price of their goods in Rome.

To alleviate this situation, he has proposed the construction of new port facilities. His surveyors have come to the conclusion that the ideal spot for such facilities - an Emporium - is southwest of the Aventine Hill, as the geography would allow for future expansion at the Republic's discretion. This initial survey by his team also concluded that such facilities, at the bare minimum, would cost approximately 200,000 Denarii.

Thus, his proposal calls for the construction of said facilities at a cost of 220,000, ten percent over the projected cost to contemplate unforeseen expenditures. Moreover, recognizing that the financial strain of the Republic has been significant as of late, he has generously pledged to fund half the cost of the project from his own purse.

In his personal missive to me, which I am honored to share, he has stated as such:

Marcus Silvius Pastor wrote:(...) As I recognize that my proposal comes at a time of War, against the Graecian tyrant Nabis, I pledge - on behalf of the Roman people as my kin - 110,000 Denarii to assist with the construction of the Emporium. The Roman people deserve to have such unrestricted commercial access this Emporium would provide and I would be remiss if other financial obligations of the State were to hinder such progress - therefore, I humbly ask that my pledged donation be accepted and earmarked for this project. (...)

Clearly, an example to us all.

He has also submitted a draft bill for the consideration of the Senate, it reads as follows:

CONCERNING the mercantile infrastructure of Rome, a number of Roman citizens have aired grievances that the current mercantile infrastructure is insufficient to meet the steady growth of commercial trade being conducted in Rome;

WHEREBY a survey of the lands surrounding the Forum Boarium have deemed it virtually impossible to expand the mercantile facilities;

WHEREBY Roman surveyors have identified an ideal plot of land, southwest of the Aventine Hill and alongside the banks of the Tiber;

WHEREBY these surveyors have calculated the estimated cost of construction for an Emporium at the above location;

WHEREBY the Aediles and Quaestors of Rome have voiced their approval to the proposition set forth below and have attached their signatures of endorsement;

THEREBY the Senate, on behalf of the People of Rome, deems it necessary to begin construction on the Emporium following the conditions below:

I. A sum of 110,000 Denarii shall be allocated from the Temple of Saturn for the construction of an Emporium along the banks of the Tiber; this sum may be dispersed at once or over the period of construction;

II. The Consul, C. Cassius Vecellinus will oversee the construction process, and may delegate certain tasks or responsibilities related to the construction project accordingly;

RECOGNIZING that Rome is at War against the Graecian tyrant, Nabis, and that certain funds must be allocated to military expenditures in these times, the Senator, Propraetor for Sicily, Marcus Silvius Pastor personally donates a sum of 110,000 Denarii for the construction of the Emporium on behalf of the Senate and People of Rome.

While I am honored that Senator Marcus Silvius Pastor has elected to delegate this task on myself, it is beyond the scope of the Consular magistracy to attend to the duties of erecting and maintaining infrastructure; moreover, given the principle of shared responsibility between Consuls, it would be a breach of inter-colleague trust to unilateraly accept this task.

As such, I am going to use my prerogative as the presiding magistrate of this session to amend the proposal by Senator Marcus Silvius Pastor.

LEX DE CONSTRUENDO EMPORIUM ROMANUM (Law for the Construction of the Roman Emporium)
Sponsor: Marcus Silvius Pastor

CONCERNING the mercantile infrastructure of Rome, a number of Roman citizens have aired grievances that the current mercantile infrastructure is insufficient to meet the steady growth of commercial trade being conducted in Rome;

WHEREBY a survey of the lands surrounding the Forum Boarium have deemed it virtually impossible to expand the mercantile facilities;

WHEREBY Roman surveyors have identified an ideal plot of land, southwest of the Aventine Hill and alongside the banks of the Tiber;

WHEREBY these surveyors have calculated the estimated cost of construction for an Emporium at the above location;

WHEREBY the Aediles and Quaestors of Rome have voiced their approval to the proposition set forth below and have attached their signatures of endorsement;

THEREBY the Senate, on behalf of the People of Rome, deems it necessary to begin construction on the Emporium following the conditions below:

I. A total sum of 220,000 Denarii shall be allocated for the construction of an Emporium along the banks of the Tiber;

II. Half of the amount listed in Article I shall come from the Temple of Saturn and the other half from a donation pro bono from Senator Marcus Silvius Pastor;

III. Senator Marcus Silvius Pastor will oversee the construction process or delegate that role and/or certain tasks or responsibilities related to the construction project accordingly;

Written into the annals in the consular year 194BC of Gaius Cassius Vecellinus and Titus Furius Pavo

Given that Senator M. Silvius Pastor is currently the Propraetor of Sicily, I imagine he will make full use of Article III to delegate the oversight of the construction project on another.

With the pressing and growing needs of our city and the opportunity presented by the good Senator to conduct this project at half its regular cost to the public treasury, I must heartily commend and exhort the Senate to support the proposal.

Before we proceed to a vote however I wish to open a rather brief period for debate should any Senator wish to speak in favor, against or propose an amendment.

What does it please you should be done about this matter?

I yield the floor to debate.

After waiting an appropriate amount of time, the proxy for Senator M. Silvius Pastor rose to speak.

Honored Consul,

I thank you on behalf of the Senate for your detailed explanation of Rome’s current mercantile capabilities. Furthermore, I must also thank you on behalf of the Propraetor for addressing his concerns so expeditiously. Seeing as though your amendment elegantly preserves the intent of the Propraetor’s initial draft, I join you in encouraging the Senate to support the proposal.

If there are no concerns from this august body, I also support the Consul’s suggested merger of this allocation of funds with the regular allocation of funds for the maintenance of Rome - to be voted on together.

The proxy for M. Decius Bellicus rises

"Conscript Fathers,

Has Rome come into money recently that I am unaware of? We were told that Rome was too frugal to be able to spend money on bolstering our legions in Hispania, however now we want to spend large sums on a port upgrade? Has something changed so recently that we are now willing to loosen the purse strings, once as taut as a bow, and throw large expenditures at this pet project?"

The Consuls rises to address the Curia.

Conscript fathers,

The concerns raised by the Senator in representation of Decius Bellicus are valid and worthy of consideration; particularly after the audit to our state finances which I have so recently concluded and made available for all to see. However, I would like to add a few considerations in favor of the project.

Regardless of our approval of this motion today or lack there of, it is clear that the bustling movement of our city will soon necessitate the construction of a new facility for the handling our trade. The choice that is to be made today is thus, are we to spend 110,000 Denarii today or would we rather spend 220,000 Denarii tomorrow?

Moreover, I must highlight that the contigent of 4 legions which has been alloted this year to Hispania is composed not of fresh recruits, but half of it of battle-hardened veterans from which can be expected a higher level of battle proficiency. If, in previous years, the contigent of 4 legions was found sufficient to wage offensive campaigns in the two provinces, is it really too much to assume that the same contigent, composed in large part of battle hardened veterans, is at least sufficient to guarantee the security of our provinces?

Lastly, we must consider the proportionality of the two proposals. A single legion in Hispania would cost, at a minimum, circa 700,000 Denarii to be levied, 200,000 to be made ready for combat and a further 100,000 Denarii to be transported to that region. This, for the benefit of placing 5,000 men in a far away territory with no clearly defined objective.

On the contrary, the proposal put forth by Marcus Silvius Pastor, with minor edits by me, costs just over 10% the cost of a single legion, lowers the cost of everyday items for all Romans in our Eternal City and prepares our capital for the growth it is expected to have for generations to come; a benefit that would affect hundreds of thousands of Romans nearby and how many more in nearby regions.

I exhort the good Senator in representation of Decius Bellicus to reconsider his stance in light of the above.

I yield the floor.

The proxy for Lucretius Triciptinus stood up

"Conscript fathers,

As well all know, Lucretius Tricipitinus has been one to watch our expenses and figures closely, usually suggesting prudent budgetary responsibility. He finds the offering of Senator Silvius Pastor to be most generous and fortuitous, for Rome needs expansions and yet our treasury runs relatively low. However, perhaps there may be other Senators who may be able to also contribute, thus accomplishing the goal without further withering our treasury?

To put it in a short matter: Perhaps this could be privately funded, in full? Legate Lucretius Triciptinus is considering assisting with such through his own personal coin, but I would be remiss in not bringing this potential up and allowing the others opportunity before there are any commitments on the Legate's end."

The proxy for Decius Bellicus rises

"Conscript fathers,

In the interest of protecting the financial health of the Republic, Decius Bellicus can authorize a donation of 55,000 Denarii."

The proxy for Senator M. Silvius Pastor rises to speak.

Esteemed Brethren,

I thank you for your dialogue on this matter - it is encouraging to see that there is no outright opposition to such a beneficial project for the Senate and People of Rome. I echo the presiding Consul once again in discussing the financial nature of this project; while it is a price which must be paid today, it is one that will provide tangible benefits for our generation and future generations of Romans!

While I applaud the initiative of the proxy for the Legate, Senator Hostus Lucretius Tricipitinus, and the generosity offered by the proxy for the Propraetor, Senator M. Decius Bellicus, I must voice caution regarding the solicitation of private donations on the Senate floor itself. The finances of this project were carefully considered and analyzed; with the financial proposal associated with it being approved by the Aediles and Quaestors of Rome before reaching the Senate today. While personal generosity is commendable, and certainly has a place in the planning of legislation, I fear we risk undermining the role of the Government if we were to solicit, and accept, donations for public projects on the floor of this august body.

When the presiding Consul is satisfied with the contributions to this debate, I humbly ask that a vote be initiated into the allocation of funds for the maintenance of Rome - as outlined within his initial proposition.

The proxy for Lucretius Tricipitinus furrowed his brow

"Do you mean to say - only Senator Silvius Pastor can donate to the project and no one else? To reject additional donations in such a manner and for such spurious reasoning, I can tell you the Legate would not support this motion."