BXBX NOVEL Chapter 111:
After the ceremony, William Selsey began his inaugural speech under the warm welcome of everyone.
Originally, there was no such link, but in order to ease the tension of the deprived businessmen, Edward specially set up this link, so as to reassure them.
Standing next to Edward's luxurious chair, the new Mayor of London, His Excellency William, felt his mouth was thirsty.
Subconsciously swallowed, Mayor William. Started his first inaugural speech, and the first inaugural speech in England's history.
"Honorable Majesty, ministers and guests sitting here!"
Mayor William turned his head to look at Edward, bowed, and then bowed to the ministers and guests below.
"It's an honor to have the trust of His Majesty King Edward, and let me be the mayor of London!"
"This is a trust and a heavy responsibility, so I will earnestly perform my duties as mayor in the next four years, and will never disappoint the expectations of His Majesty the King and the citizens of London!"
The term of office of the mayor of London is also stipulated by Edward. He hopes that this position will be held on a regular basis like the current Ming Dynasty, changing the traditional practice of hereditary and long-term appointments.
Four years are neither too long nor too short. There is no need for elections here. It is enough time for one person to show off his skills, and it can even highlight a person's administrative ability.
"So, with the assistance and supervision of Parliament, I will start to exercise in London the initiative for the benefit of the general public."
Yes, that's right, Edward, the self-governing parliament in London, has not been abolished. This is not only the result of a compromise, but also Edward's deep meaning.
In the past, there were only fifty or sixty people in the London Parliament. These people are all elites from all walks of life in London. It can be said that they are the public opinion in London.
As one of the compromise conditions, Edward promised that these people would serve as members of parliament for life. Without definite evidence, Edward and the Privy Council would not be able to arrest and remove them from their posts.
And they happily accepted the decision to abolish London's self-governing rights.
After that, Edward stipulated that the city council has the right to audit the city government's finances, and can impeach city government officials to the king, but officials cannot be removed. Only His Majesty the King can remove them.
The City Council has absolutely no right to appoint or remove city government officials, nor does it have legislative power.
But they can also review the cases that have been judged by the London court. However, they can only propose retrial or overturn to the king, and they cannot directly overturn.
Of course, after the city council retained these rights, Edward also got what he wanted: the number of members of the London City Council is completely nominated by the king, and these people can serve as members only with the consent of the city council.
"And, in view of the huge losses caused by the previous pirate attack in London, the London militia will be disbanded, and they will become..."
Before Mayor William could finish his sentence, there was an uproar in the audience, and immediately a businessman raised his hand to ask a question.
"Sir, do you have any questions?"
"Mr. Mayor, may I ask why the militia was disbanded, and who will be responsible for the security of London in the future!"
Seeing this gentleman who interrupted his speech, William smiled, and then said:
"What this gentleman asked is exactly what I want to say. We will set up a police department. After all the militias are disbanded, they will all become policemen and be responsible for the security of London."
"And the defense of the city of London will be in charge of His Majesty's Guards, which is the original Guards. Everyone can rest assured of the combat effectiveness of His Majesty's Guards!"
In fact, the post of police was split by Edward from the sheriff of the local county, which was the predecessor of the British police in the future.
This is a position with a long history. The United Kingdom has established the principle of security autonomy since the 9th century.
The magistrate sprouted in the period of Richard I (September 8, 1157-April 6, 1199). But Scotland has never been peaceful after Richard ascended the throne. In order to quell the rebellion and curb social unrest, Britain promulgated a decree on maintaining order in the kingdom, reiterating the ancient oath, requiring all men to abide by the "king's peace" and assist in the arrest of criminals who violated laws and disrupted order.
Enabling local knights, which became the origin of magistrates.
After the 12th century, a model gradually emerged in which the magistrate led the constable to be responsible for local security.
But the magistrate also leads the local militia and is responsible for maintaining local security. He not only has part of the judicial power, but also has military power, which is extremely powerful.
At the beginning, after the disbandment of the militia, someone proposed to set up a magistrate, but Edward vetoed it.
Therefore, the police appeared in England more than three hundred years in advance.
The defense of London, Edward, was handed over to his own guards.
Glancing at the speech in his hand, Mayor William rubbed his eyes and continued.
"And from the beginning of my tenure, I will follow His Majesty Edward's opinion and start to rectify the appearance of London!"
"According to the instructions of His Majesty the King, with the consent of the Privy Council, the London City Management Office will be established. They will be fully responsible for the management of all safety and hygiene conditions in London's streets, houses, sewers, etc. No one may resist."
Regarding the hygiene situation in London, Edward is already unable to complain, so he can only sacrifice our urban management army, which ranks first in China's combat power rankings.
The source of these urban management troops is the local disabled militiamen who came back from the expedition to Scotland. Although they are physically disabled, their murderous looks are unstoppable.
"In addition, the London Autonomous Court is retained. The judges of the court are nominated by the Privy Council, appointed and dismissed by His Majesty the King himself, and supervised by the London City Council."
After saying these words, everyone in the audience really understood that the tentacles of His Majesty the King had already surrounded London, and the more they struggled, the tighter they gathered.
However, Edward has taken back the judicial power, but taxation and finance must be taken back.
"According to the instructions of His Majesty the King and the consent of the Privy Council, under the City of London Government, the Finance Department will be set up independently!"
"The Department of Finance is only responsible to His Majesty the King and me, and no one else can govern!"
"The Treasury Department will be responsible for collecting various taxes from the City of London and its jurisdictions, and 70% of the taxes collected will be turned over to the Privy Council Treasury Department, and the remaining 30% will be obtained by the city government."
The establishment of the Ministry of Finance has been welcomed by the ministers of the Privy Council. No one will have too much money.
"Next, we will have the Department of Engineering and Construction, who will be in charge of..."
"There is also the Office of Inspectorate, who are responsible for monitoring corruption among London officials..."
"We also set up the Port and Terminal Management Office, who are responsible for the management of the London Port and various terminals..."
"We will set up a workhouse, and all the people who wander in London will be placed there..."
…………
After talking like this for more than half an hour, the London City Government has already administered eight departments, and finally, it is coming to an end.
"This is the last department, we will set up the Department of Population and Household Registration Management!"
As soon as the last two words came out, the faces of the people below suddenly became more refreshed, and the exhausted breath spreading in the air disappeared without a trace.
You must know that although England does not have household registration at this time, local control is very strict.
Due to the development of the enclosure movement, a large number of farmers began to wander to big cities such as London. Since the urban sector could not provide a large number of employment opportunities, poverty and unemployment increased sharply, and social unrest.
In order to maintain economic and social order, the British government implemented both kindness and power. On the one hand, it launched limited relief, and on the other hand, it introduced a series of severe punishment and repression measures.
The Parliament enacted the "Handicraft Law", which stipulates that people aged 12-60 must work, and magistrates can order anyone to do farm work during the busy farming season. Workers' right to move is strictly limited, and no one is allowed to leave without written permission. place of residence, otherwise they will be arrested and deported.
"The Department of Population and Household Registration Management will conduct population registration. All people who live in London and own real estate in London, whether they are nobles or poor, their names should appear in the files of the London City Government!"
"Thank you everyone, this is the end of my speech, thank you His Majesty the King and all ministers for their trust!"
After finishing speaking, William Selsey bowed to Edward and the ministers and councilors under him, and stepped back slowly.
Immediately, there was a burst of loud applause in the hall.
Just as the ministers and congressmen were about to leave, Edward, who had been sitting there, suddenly stood up and returned to William Selsey's position.
Seeing His Majesty's actions, all the people present immediately pricked up their ears, showing a listening attitude, and the expressions on their faces became serious.
"Gentlemen, the establishment of the London City Government this time is based on the expectations of me and the ministers of the Privy Council. No one should neglect it!"
After saying this, there was loud applause from the audience.
Edward waited for the round of applause to pass, and then said with a serious face.
"And in this newly established department, all official appointments will be very different from the past!"
"Except for the head of the department, we no longer use the recommended method to appoint other officials."
"Instead of holding an exam, an exam that everyone can take!"
"Whether you are from London or York, as long as you are from England, you can take this official selection test!"
"No matter which country you originally belonged to, even if your family is in France, your family is in Spain..."
"As long as your belief belongs to the Anglican sect, then you can take the London official selection exam!"
Edward held this official admission examination not only to establish a huge bureaucratic system and promote centralization.
More importantly, this wonderful move will promote the promotion of Anglicanism among the people, so that Catholicism will withdraw from England faster.
(end of this chapter)