Bills Passed, 1848-1852 (A Federation of Equals)

Legislation Passed
The following bills were passed by the Danubian Council and Assembly between the years 1849 and 1852.

Federal Army of the Danube bill (1848)

1. A Federal Army should be formed by placing the ethnic regiments under Federal Control. The Hungarian regiments remain Hungarian, the German regiments remain German and the Slavic Regiments remain Slavic etc., but all armed forces now answer only to Federal Authorities. Every recognized People of the Federation has the right to undergo military service and training in his own language. A Unified Command Language shall be introduced to diminish the language barriers and make cooperation between regiments smooth in battle. To not give favors to any specific group I suggest French as the Unified Command Language.

2. The Federal Army answers to the elected leaders of the Federation, and especially to the President, who alone hold the authority to mobilize the reserves. The President is the Commander in Chief of the Federal Armed Forces.

3. The borders with our neighbors must be reinforced to protect the Federation from our enemies.

-Proposed by Count Gyula Bethlen, Councillor for Hungary

The Ban of Private Militias Act: (1848)

1. Armed Forces not under the control of the Federal Government or the State Legislatives are illegal, and should be considered nothing more than bandits. 2. Raising a private army mean one has made himself guilty of banditry and is punishable by the law

-Proposed by Count Gyula Bethlen, Councillor for Hungary  Act for the Protection and Preservation of the Danubian Coast and the Adriatic  (1850) This act of the Congress of the Danube, henceforth known known as the Adriatic Act is expressly designed, and by it's ratification of the Upper and Lower Houses, empowered and designed to enforce the following:

 K nowing that Danubian naval power, such as it is and may be, depends entirely on the Venetian and Croatian coasts as they currently exist and may exist;  R ecognising the vitality and importance of Venetian and Croat ports such as Venice and Ragusa to Danubian import, export, and international trade;  R ealising the comparative paucity of manpower, infrastructure, and resources within these states compared to other states of the Federation:  A cknowledging that these states would be the first point of attack for any foreign Naval force in the event of war;

The Congress of the Danube does adopt the following provisions:

I. That the entirety of the Adriatic Sea be claimed as a rightful marine territory of the Danubian Federation; with express right to regulate its waters as this Congress may from time to time see fit.

II. That the Red Star Fleet be immediately expanded by a count of three capital ships; with the funding of the Federal Government and the express assistance of the Venetian and Croatian state governments in the upkeep of said ships.

III. That the Federal Government immediately undertake an expansion programme benefiting the transformation of Ragusa, Venice, and other Dalmatian and Adriatic ports in to modern harbours from which increased trade and military fleets can operate.

IV. That this Congress shall undertake at the conclusion of the impending Russian conflict to discuss a naval transport system for Dalmatia and its associated isles similar to the rail line proposal that have been adopted throughout the Federation.

These provisions being expressly ratified and made into force of law within the Danubian Federation, so help us God.

-Proposed by Vitale Morosini, Councillor for Venezia

The Krakovian War Federal Aims Act, (1851)

1. This house demands of the Russian state that it transfer all gains made during the Franco-Prussian War to the Danubian Federation to liberate core territory of our cultural union pending a plebiscite on whether to join the Federation or be reintegrated into the Prussian state. 2. This house demands of the Russian state that it release the city of Krakow as a free and independent state. 3. This house demands of the Russian state that it extradite Franz Joseph, former Prince of the Austrian Empire, to the Danubian Federation.

-Proposed by Imre Than, Councillor for Hungary

General Mobilisation Act (1851)

I... In times of need, an General Mobilisation Order may be called for by any of the following : - The President of the Federation; - The Minister of War, in the case of a threat from without; - The Minister of Security, in the case of a threat from within; - A group of deputies representing at least a fourth of the National Assembly; - In the case of either office of the afore-mentionned ministries being vacant, any elected member of the Congress. III. The General Mobilisation Order must then be approved by either the President of the Federation or a majority of the Federal Council. IV.. Upon approval of the Order, every State of the Federation is to organize the draft of State Militias immediately. V... Every man over the age of 21 is eligible to be called into a State Militia. VI.. Refusing to be drafted into a State Militia is considered treason against the Federation. VII. The State Militias are to be equipped by their respective states, with possible help from the Federal Government.

-Proposed by Janos Papp, Councillor for Croatia

The Amended Industrial Rights Act (1851)

This Act formally recognises the following rights of Workers of Industries:

1. Craftsmen and Railworkers are entitled to two days of sick or injury pay, at quarter of the rates of normal pay. This may be requested in cases of serious physical injury or sickness, and may be requested without reprisal. This shall allow for workers to recover from such injury, and ensures a healthy work force.

2. Craftsmen, Railworkers and other vocations of serious physical danger shall be paid a minimum wage, decided by the regional legislatures. The minimum wage is to cover the basic needs of the workers, such as food and housing, based on regional prices. It must be reviewed by said legislatures every two years at least.

3. Craftsmen and Railworkers have the right to strike should the conditions of work be unreasonable.

4. Craftsmen and Railworkers have the right to demonstrate peacefully, with the authorization of local authorities, should the conditions of work be unreasonsable.

5. These rights may be suspended during times of Emergency, War or other such National Strife as declared by a majority of both houses of the Congress. -Proposed by Janos Papp, Councillor for Croatia The Sanctity of Congress Act, (1851)

1. No firearms of any sort or sharpened blades shall be allowed within the grounds of the Hofburg Palace. Any weapons found shall be confiscated until the owner leaves the premises. 2. Sentries shall be posted on all gates of the Hofburg Palace to uphold clause 1 and to protect Congress from external threats. 3. Any person found using violence within the Hofburg Palace shall be escorted from the premises. 4. Repeated breach of clause 1 or clause 3 shall result in a temporary or permanent ban on entry to the Hofburg Palace (dependent on severity) 5. Any Councillor or Deputy in breach of clause 1 or clause 3 shall be removed from office pending a review of their position by the Congressional Committee for Parliamentary Affairs, which shall be a non-partisan committee with representatives from each state.

-Proposed by Imre Than, Councillor of Hungary

Galician Reconstruction Plan

I). Following the cessation of hostilies with Russia and the resumption of Krakow into Galicia, the Congress of the Danube will put into motion the Galician Reconstruction Plan. II). A Federal Reconstruction Tax will be raised from every resident of the Federation, at an amount proportional to his income to be set by the Congress. III). The Federal Government is to use this tax as help for helping the state of Galicia in : a. The reconstruction of its coal and iron mines. b. The rebuilding of the cities of Krakow, Bielsko, and Lemberg (Lviv). c. The construction of a rail line or lines running through the Sudets and linking Krakow, Lemberg and Bielsko with the rest of the railway network of the Federation. IV). A series of fortifications shall be built in the Galician Carpathians to protect Galicia from future military aggression. V). A comission will be set up in partnership with the Galician state to help spread more advanced agricultural techniques throughout the state

Proposed by Ion Horsa Codrinaru, Councillor for Transylvania

National Defense and Military Preparedness Bill (1852) 1. Establishing of defensive fortifications along our borders and in strategic locations 2. States must establish procedures to efficiently mobilize upon the event of a mobilization 3. Modern country-wide infrastructure must be established to allow for easier movement of troops over long distances

-Wolfgang Kaufmann, Councillor for Austria

Distinctions Act (1852)

The Congress of the Danube mandates the creation of the following two disctinctions, to be bestowed by the President or the Vice-President in recognition of great services to the Federation : I. The Medal of Merit. Along with is to be granted a medal crafted according to the follwing specifications : a. The medal must be of circular shape, and have a diameter of 5cm, or two inches. b. Within the medal should be an engraving of the Danubian Star, covering most of its surface on one side (hereafter referred to as "star side"). c. On the other side of the medal (hereafter referred to as "federal side") should be an outline of the lands of the Federation and its constituent states. d. Along the edge of the medal, on the star side, should be inscribed the words "Medal of Merit of the Danubian Federation" in any language of the Federation. e. Along the edge of the medal, on the federal side, should be isncribed the federal motto.II. The Silver Eagle of the Danube, to be bestowed only on those who have done greater service to the Federation. Along with it is to be granted a medal crafted according to the following specifications : a. The medal is to be made out of silver or an alloy of silver. b. The medal is to represent the Danubian dual-head eagle, with an approximate height of 8cm and a an approximate length of 5cm. c. Within the eagle's claws is to be held a parchment, with on it the words "In honour of services to the Federation" in latin.III. Altered versions of the Medal of Merit may be mandated by the President, in which case articles I.b, I.c and I.d may be disregarded. However, the Danubian Star, as well as the words "Medal" and "Merit", must always figure on the star side in one way or another. IV. The Silver Eagle of the Danube medal may not be altered. V. Recipients of the Silver Eagle of the Danube, are also entitled to the following: a. A reserved burial spot near St Stephens Cathedral for the recipient and his spouse. If the Cathedral is deemed full, then a special burial spot shall be created. b. Should the recipient find himself unable to work, he or his spouse will receive a pension from the Federal Government. c. All direct male descendants shall have access to a scholarship in the Officer Academy, Trade School or University of their choice, paid for by the Federal Government. Proposed by Janos Papp, Councillor for Croatia