[30]
But remark how carefully he preserves the rights of the tribunitian power. The consuls are
often interrupted in proposing a lex curiata, by the
intercession of the tribunes of the people. Not that we complain that the tribunes should
have this power; only, if any one uses it in a random and inconsiderate manner, we form our
own opinion. But this tribune of the people, by his lex curiata,
which the praetor is to bring forward, takes away the power of intercession. And while he is
made to be blamed for causing the tribunitian power to be diminished by his instrumentality,
he is also to be laughed at, because a consul, if he be not invested with the authority by a
lex curiata, has no power to interfere in military affairs; and
yet he gives this man whom he prohibits from interceding, the very same power, even if the
veto be interposed, as if a lex curiata had been passed. So that
I am at a loss to understand either why he prohibits the intercession, or why he thinks that
any one will intercede; as the intercession will only prove the folly of the intercessor, and
will not hinder the business.
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