Reichsreform (High Offices of the Empire)

[m_1512]

Traditionally, the high offices were nominal titles granted to electors indefinitely. This however, had no merit. Therefore, the Kaiser wishes to pass this new act.

High Offices of the Empire

Under the provisions of this Act,

1. The high offices are no longer symbolic titles, but now titles with authority and responsibilities.
2. The offices are no longer restricted among Electors. They are open to all members of Reichstag to hold.
3. The offices henceforth will not be granted by the Emperor. They would be elected by the Reichstag.
4. The offices are no longer hereditary. Each office is served for a term of life, after which an election would be held.

The High Offices under this law would be,

High Chancellor

The High Chancellor shall be responsible for assisting the Kaiser in general administration of the Empire. The High Chancellor shall also act as the President of the Reichstag. The High Chancellor shall also be responsible for conducting diplomacy with all foreign rulers, and for carrying out foreign policy to the wishes of the Kaiser and to the best of his ability.

High Cupbearer

The High Cupbearer shall act as the adviser to the Kaiser. The High Cupbearer shall be responsible for the discovery and elimination of all plots and intrigues aimed at the Kaiser and his realm. He shall also be charged with safeguarding and carrying out the schemes of the Kaiser, be they noble in aim or corrupt.

High Steward

The High Steward shall be responsible for enforcing the various laws and statues that make up the Reich's legal system. In the event of untimely death of the Kaiser, the High Steward shall call for Regency and nominate a Regent. The High Steward would be responsible to conduct the imperial elections.

Grand Marshal

The Grand Marshal shall be responsible for managing and commanding the armies of the Reich, and shall have supreme military authority over all but the Kaiser. The Grand Marshal shall also be tasked to crush all rebellions towards the Empire.

High Chamberlain

The High Chamberlain shall be responsible for managing the household of the Kaiser, and also for protecting the Kaiser's person from any threat, at the cost of his own life if need be. The High Chamberlain shall also be the commander of the Kaiser's bodyguard.

High Treasurer

The High Treasurer shall be responsible for managing the finances of the imperial treasury, and for ensuring that the Kaiser has a steady reserve of currency to call upon at all times. The High Treasurer has the power to decide the imperial tax and to see that all States of the Empire pays the imperial tax.

High Bannerbearer

The High Bannerbearer shall be responsible for regulating and registering the heraldry of all the noble houses of the Reich. The High Bannerbearer shall have the power to call for and examine the parentage and family trees of any royal, and to detect and punish any forgery of such. The High Bannerbearer shall have the sole power to hold and carry the Kaiser's banner.

[m_1512]

Discussion as long as necessary. Voting for 2 days.

[General Brewster]

Count Chris for Grand Marshal

[Lucius Malfoy]

Count Magnus of Bohemia for High Chancellor

[ForteS]

Count Otto of Firenze for High Steward

[Jokern]

Count Heinrich of Frisia for High Chamberlain.

[The Stig]

"I can suffer all articles but the third. These offices service the Kaiser, who, as ruler of the Holy Roman Empire, must maintain some sembalance of authority. These men shall have little reason to even interact with the Reichstag, and electing them is utterly pointless. As for the rest of you, my fellow members of the Reichstag, can you put a hold on your ambitions for even a moment? We have not even outlined the duties and rights of these titles, yet already you clamor and strive to be granted them. Define them first, then ask for your rewards. They are nothing but names, and yet all of you demand them!"

[Jokern]

The count is right. These titles are still only symbolic and yet we jump over them like a pack of hungry wolves. So let's discuss what each title should be responsible for.

[m_1512]

Alexander smiles at Count Karl's points.
Yes and no. These will henceforth not be just mere names. I intend these offices to have real responsibilities. For instance, I intend the High Chancellor to be the President of the Reichstag. But you are right, we must first outline their duties and responsibilities first. And I feel it is best of they are elected by Reichstag.

[Lucius Malfoy]

Then let us go rank by rank and outline their responsibilities...and discuss it as well.

[m_1512]

Yes, very good. First, The High Chancellor.

[The Stig]

''I've drawn up a proposal I hope the Reichstag will approve of."

High Chancellor

The High Chancellor shall be responsible for conducting diplomacy with all foreign rulers, and for carrying out foreign policy to the wishes of the Kaiser and to the best of his ability.

High Cupbearer

The High Cupbearer shall be responsible for the discovery and elimination of all plots and intrigues aimed at the Kaiser and his realm. He shall also be charged with safeguarding and carrying out the schemes of the Kaiser, be they noble in aim or corrupt.

High Steward

The High Steward shall be responsible for enforcing the various laws and statues that make up the Reich's legal system. He shall also act as judge on all trials, and decide the fate of those found guilty.

Grand Marshal

The Grand Marshal shall be responsible for managing and commanding the armies of the Reich, and shall have supreme military authority over all but the Kaiser.

High Chamberlain

The High Chamberlain shall be responsible for managing the household of the Kaiser, and also for protecting the Kaiser's person from any threat, at the cost of his own life if need be.

High Treasurer

The High Treasurer shall be responsible for managing the finances of the Reich, and for ensuring the Kaiser has a steady reserve of currency to call upon at all times.

High Bannerbearer

The High Bannerbearer shall be responsible for regulating and registering the heraldry of all the noble houses of the Reich, and for ensuring that there is no confusion between two crests, in times of both war and peace.

"Now I understand that many of my suggestions may disregard what many may believe to be the traditional roles and duties of these offices, but I maintain that it is needed to properly define their rights and role within the Reich."

[Lucius Malfoy]

I believe the High Chancellor should also be involved with the daily political affairs of the Empire, seeing as this position does include the title, President of the Reichstag.

[Gandalfus]

Robert shakes his head.
But surely there is little point in that, as the Kaiser leads the Reichstag. what point is there having an extra office when there is no need for one?

[Lucius Malfoy]

Robert shakes his head.
But surely there is little point in that, as the Kaiser leads the Reichstag. what point is there having an extra office when there is no need for one?

Magnus politely gestures in the direction of the Emperor.

If say...the Kaiser is conducting war or ill and thus unable to attend and lead the Reichstag, we will need a person to fill in his place and lead the sessions of the Reichstag temporarily. The High Chancellor would have this office in the event that the Kaiser cannot make it to the Reichstag for personal or important reasons such as the ones I stated before. That is good enough reason for the High Chancellor to also be known as the President of the Reichstag...which is what the Kaiser intended the office to have,

[Gandalfus]

Robert nodded.
But the office of "President" would be defunct normally... yes?

[m_1512]

All of you are right. But there is a small clarification. The Emperor does not lead the Reichstag, but merely oversee it. Count Karl's draft is good, but needs some changes.

High Chancellor

The High Chancellor shall be responsible for assisting the Kaiser in general administration of the Empire. The High Chancellor shall also act as the President of the Reichstag. The High Chancellor shall also be responsible for conducting diplomacy with all foreign rulers, and for carrying out foreign policy to the wishes of the Kaiser and to the best of his ability.

High Cupbearer

The High Cupbearer shall act as the adviser to the Kaiser. The High Cupbearer shall be responsible for the discovery and elimination of all plots and intrigues aimed at the Kaiser and his realm. He shall also be charged with safeguarding and carrying out the schemes of the Kaiser, be they noble in aim or corrupt.

High Steward

The High Steward shall be responsible for enforcing the various laws and statues that make up the Reich's legal system. In the event of untimely death of the Kaiser, the High Steward shall call for Regency and act as Regent. The High Steward would be responsible to conduct the imperial elections.

Grand Marshal

The Grand Marshal shall be responsible for managing and commanding the armies of the Reich, and shall have supreme military authority over all but the Kaiser. The Grand Marshal shall also be tasked to crush all rebellions towards the Empire.

High Chamberlain

The High Chamberlain shall be responsible for managing the household of the Kaiser, and also for protecting the Kaiser's person from any threat, at the cost of his own life if need be. The High Chamberlain shall also be the commander of the Kaiser's bodyguard.

High Treasurer

The High Treasurer shall be responsible for managing the finances of the imperial treasury, and for ensuring that the Kaiser has a steady reserve of currency to call upon at all times. The High Treasurer has the power to decide the imperial tax and to see that all States of the Empire pays the imperial tax.

High Bannerbearer

The High Bannerbearer shall be responsible for regulating and registering the heraldry of all the noble houses of the Reich. The High Bannerbearer shall have the power to call for and examine the parentage and family trees of any royal, and to detect and punish any forgery of such. The High Bannerbearer shall have the sole power to hold and carry the Kaiser's banner.

[Jokern]

I think that these suggestions are perfect for each title. I support them.

[Rhapture]

"If we have all these positions.. What is the role of the Emperor? Should not he be controlling all diplomatic talks? Now certainly, the Emperor can not do everything on this list.. but all these offices make him a mere puppet. While I am not in favor of a tyrant, I certainly believe the Emperor needs to be more involved with the decisions of the Empire. How else can he portray a strong position when it comes time to deal with foreign kings and princes.. they will laugh at him and make our confederation of states more open to attack. We will not always have the backing of a powerful pope either, so let us make sure that our Emperor also has a chance to be strong to deal with those times."
concluded Friedrich.

[Gandalfus]

Robert nodded in agreement.
These positions should only fill out there duties when the emperor is absent or unable to attend to them. Save for banner bearer and cupbearer, of course.