Senate unless the Consul, who was the Principial Member, brought in the Bill: [1] For 'twas his Prerogative to make the first Proposal of the Matter. The Consuls relinquish'd this Right in favour of Augustus, and by a formal Act empower'd him to make his Report, as they call'd it, every Day in the Senate; that is to Move, or propose the passing what he had a mind to, every Day of their Sitting.
But when People have once begun to Flatter, and Complement away their Privileges, 'tis a difficult Point to make a Halt, and keep within Bounds. Thus this Privilege granted to Augustus of Moving for a new Act once a Day, was afterwards improv'd to succeeding Emperours, and mounted to the Liberty of bringing in three, four or five distinct Bills in the same compass of Time ; and Marcus Aurelius had it in the last, and largest Extent. Now this Prerogative carried such a vast weight of Power along with it; that 'twas enough of it self to make all the Sessions of the Senate insignificant.
But as it happen'd this Authority was lodg'd in the best Hands imaginable. [2] For all the use Marcus Aurelius made of it was only to maintain the Liberties, and promote the Happiness of the People.
