Cal

Action: Secretary Ward, having garnered support from numerous other players to move the military academy to NJ, will attempt to move the Connecticut and Massachusetts delegations to support switching over from the New York proposal, citing that the risk of mismanaged funds in the states current political climate is too significant. Action: Secretary Ward will support Virginia Senator Allison’s military bill. (Though I’m curious how this would change the expected overall number of men in the army versus IRL)

With the likely approval of a bill granting a significant expansion to the military, the man who led the nation just a few short years ago in their quest for independence has a little less on his shoulders. In earnest, the outlook for our armed forces may look decent or even pretty good right now, but we must be careful not to overextend ourselves. The war in the Northwestern Territories has been moving at a good, if irregular, pace recently. For now, it looks like the U.S. will be primed to take on the most immediate concerns in our quest for expansion. Nonetheless, Secretary Benedict Ward is anxious. There is talks of men making rash decisions in the South in their own quests of territorial expansion undertaken with state militia and citizens dragged into the fight. Those damned politicians just don't care for the consequences of their actions if it gives them the spotlight in the here and now. Have they not seen that the Indians have the ability to band together, to wage war against us in sporadic and secretive attacks? A state militia, standing alone, cannot hope to achieve what the combined forces of these 13 states once did in unity, in brotherhood, facing a common foe. Worse, this is just one of two concerning developments over the past few months. This nation was founded on the principles of freedom. Of throwing away the shackles of our tyrants and establishing a society where all men can exercise their fundamental rights without fear of repercussion. The reports of some group of militant thugs causing trouble in Massachusetts and coercing politicians to do their bidding is undeniably yet another test. If we allow traitorous figures to unduly threaten our democracy now, we will have failed from the outset to establish what so many of us have shed blood and tears to carve out from the heavy-handed British oppressors. For now, while the Gold administration is more concerned with domestic issues, these situations continue to grow with the possibility to spiral out of control. All it would take is for one more front to open up for the federal government to be forced to spread itself much too thin to handle the crisis. Thus, for now, we wait. Action: Secretary Ward will write to his son, asking that he work to beef up the New Jersey state militia in anticipation for a potential outbreak of violence in the North. He will also stress that the more polished and numerous the New Jersey militia is, the greater chance that Congress will recognize our dedication and military professionalism with the granting of a military academy in the state, a monumental win for the dynasty back home. Action: Secretary Ward will publicly express his preference that the military academy be built in New Jersey once again, and particularly its importance as a compromise with the naval academy built in Maryland. He hopes to attract the support of compromise-minded individuals such as Senator Allison @matthewyoung123 and Representative Bull @10centjimmy. He will also push that given New York's mismanagement of funds and seemingly corrupt activities in expanding their infrastructure that it would be very unwise to invest in development in the state when a more suitable state, home to brilliant military minds and without significant risk to invest in, the mighty state of New Jersey. Action: Secretary Ward will send a letter to the Governor of Massachusetts, explaining that the federal government is willing and ready to step in should the situation grow out of control, though it is of course a last resort and we are for now deferring to his judgment on the situation, if one exists at all. He requests a full update of what is going on with the paramilitary forces in the state, the readiness of the state militia, and whether or not the state Attorney General is looking into this organization and determined who is responsible. We would prefer to build up a case against them then have to draw our arms. It will be known that whether they one day lie in a prison cell or a grave, if the one responsible for threatening violence and intimidating politicians continues and ramps up their violent behavior they will be apprehended and brought to justice. It is our hope that they will see that we take this seriously and continue in ordinary political discourse without resorting to authoritarian parlor tricks.

What is the status of the military academy bill, by the way? Was it settled to have it built in NJ, or are we bundling that with the naval academy?

1. (PROPOSAL) Secretary Ward will introduce the Department of War resolution & army size increase mentioned at the tail end of last turn. This bill also included the historic powers of the DoW including managing Indian Affairs. 2. (ACTION) Secretary Ward will send letters to the Governors of Virginia @Dobs, , North Carolina, and Georgia inquiring as to their position on the native encroachment issue and urging them to, at the very least, hold off on any policy of aggression while the army is tied up in the Northwest Territories. However, should any governor insist on a policy of aggression, a meeting between the members of the Department of War will be called to discuss the viability of a second front and the potential recruitment of skilled frontiersmen such as those in the western portions of North Carolina. 3. (ACTION) Secretary Ward will meet with the top general of the United States army (an NPC?) to discuss the previous developments and to inquire as to the rising talent in the military that may lead the proposed additional regiments and specifically if he is aware of anyone who may be fit and capable to serve in a Southwest Indian front. 4. (RE)ACTION: I will support Senator Allison’s bill for professional military regiments. 5. ACTION: Secretary Ward will lean on the New Jersey congressional delegates (could I know more about these, please?) to propose that the military academy be constructed instead in New Jersey, while supporting the construction of a naval academy in Virginia or Maryland as proposed by Senator Allison.

I’ve never played, but would like to. Count me in! I’d love to see @MrPotatoTed jump in too for an old frenemy to scheme with and against 😜

Yay! I don’t think any amount of luck rolling could get a 21-year old New Jersey state representative nominated U.S. Speaker with just some elbow grease from a New Jersey political dynasty 😛

It is indeed NJ Speaker, I had thought I had made that clear but I apologize if there was any confusion. I’m just going for consolidation of power in the state.

May is fine for that proposal! I just thought that perhaps we should have a Department of War before funding a Department of War 😜

Action: Secretary Ward, a member of the powerful Ward dynasty with representation in the state house and state senate, will attempt to get garner support for his 21-year-old son, Benedict Lars Ward II, currently serving in the state house of representatives, to secure the position of Speaker of the House in the next legislative session. He will lean on his family reputation and call in as many favors as he can to make it happen, including asking for any other members of the family to influence behind the scenes as well. Action: Secretary Ward will express public support for: 1. The Defense and Naval Enhancement Act 2. Representative Bill's increased military and naval budget proposal w/tariff funding. Action: Secretary Ward will meet with the NJ delegation and additionally @10centjimmy and ask that they introduce or support a bill into Congress to formalize the creation of the Department of War and to increase the size of the First American Regiment, currently the Army's only regiment, from 1000 troops to 1250 men. This would reflect a historic expansion IRL that occurred in 1790 (to only 1219 IRL) that was instrumental in the Northwest Indian War. I will also ask that the Department of War have its historic powers, including managing Indian Affairs as did Secretary Knox, to best succeed in the war on our Western frontier.

As chaotic as this is, I do feel like it somewhat reflects the absolute clusterfuck of ideas at the start of the Union. As much as we think of that period of history as federalism being firmly entrenched out of necessity and common sense, there were a LOT of different voices and perspectives. The only thing that concerns me rn is that if one turn represents a month, then we’ve proposed enough legislation to last at least a year already!

Y’all popped off while I’m at work haha. I’ll be looking through all of this more in depth when I get off!

Chief Justice Schwarzenegger.

If no one else has done so, would it be okay for Benedict Ward to have been the senior general at the conclusion of the Revolutionary War but to have not sought office?

Just like in real life, Virginia is filled to the brim with political talent. Where we had Madison, Monroe, Jefferson, Washington, Patrick Henry, etc now we’ve got our own slate of Feds and Anti-Feds.

What positions are possible to convert between? I’d like to start QB George Shaw if that’s okay.

I’m going to go with Benedict L. Ward. He is a 39-year old New Jersey citizen born to a former colonial governor whose family is one of the more wealthy and influential in the state. He previously served in the state militia and Revolutionary War, before being tapped by (insert president here) to lead the Department of War. He is a staunch isolationist in European affairs and advocate for westward expansion, while taking no strong position on most economic and social issues yet.

Hmmm. I’ll go with an early dibs on the Department of War if that’s okay. My character will be the fictional head with details to come later tonight in that case. I’m definitely excited to give this a go — it’s always fun when these RPs have the potential to develop into backroom shenanigans so having us as potential agency heads could be really unique.

Hmmm. I'd like to do something with the potential to be pretty influential later on. Could I perhaps be an AltHist Secretary of State or Postmaster General that is trying to get power/influence to run in 1792/96?

Coach of the year material ⁉️⁉️⁉️

For being in the championship, we sure don’t have any standout stats at all! 😛

I will also try to sign free agent CFL player FB Fran Rogel, and also try for CFL player WR Harry Babcock and P Pat Brady.

@jnewt I would like to offer reserve QB Harry Gilmore for your reserve FB Fred Morrison. Having a second QB gives you a slight boost, and I need to fill the FB slot. @Willthescout7 I would like to offer reserve HB Howard Sherman for your reserve G Harley Sewell or really any of your 3 guards if you are very fond of Sewell. This would fill an empty spot in the HB for you, and an empty G spot for me.

I’ll try to sign free agent CFL player FB Fran Rogel.

Good draft picks incoming 😏

I take it Hoover’s chances are still not looking great? 😛