• We have updated our Community Code of Conduct. Please read through the new rules for the forum that are an integral part of Paradox Interactive’s User Agreement.
Savarin 1896-1897: The Edge of the Knife​


By 1896, Belgian politics had tired of Claude Palomer and his antics in the Finance Ministry. Palomer had unilaterally slashed taxes, as per his manifesto, at the cost of military and social programs popular with the both the left and the right. The BCU faced national criticism for the unprecedented austerity; the Portician Society publicly argued that Palomer's cuts were greatly weakening the national military in an increasingly unstable Europe, while the unions lobbied vehemently against his social spending cuts. At the end of 1895, two BSU ministers - Commerce Minister Frederick Burke and Justice Minister Christiaan Loewen - resigned from the cabinet in protest over Palomer's policy. The resignations were greeted with sympathy by much of the Belgian left and right alike. In response, Prime Minister Savarin sacked Claude Palomer and announced that the government would now include the Moderate Liberal Party under a newly negotiated coalition agreement.

Palomer called for a no confidence vote, but this - if anything - backfired on him. Savarin's sacking of Palomer proved to be so popular that the LDP - who were not in government - voted confidence in the Savarin administration and the government found it had the support of three-quarters of the chamber of deputies. Palomer and the rest of his party stormed out of the party in outrage. Most were glad to see them go. A new Savarin government put the GLP in charge of the Finance Ministry, and the Moderate Liberals largely reversed the Palomer-era cuts.

The drama in the Parliament largely masked the success of the De Leeuw Foreign Office's controversial plan to align Spain with Belgium. In January 1896, Spain signed a common market treaty with Belgium and accepted Belgian advisers into proceedings of the communist Spanish politburo.

Pce2.jpg

1. De Leeuw had sought closer ties with the Spanish communist regime, which had alarmed most of Europe​

Meanwhile, reform desire in an increasingly industrialized Belgium showed no sign of subsiding. The Ministry of Labor estimated in early 1896 that approximately 20% of the mainland Belgian population now worked in factories, and Belgium was the world's tenth largest industrial power. Another large Women's Suffrage rally in early March again brought the issue of the vote for women to the forefront and had the Savarin government considering further possible reforms, including expansion of the franchise. However, after the failure of the Monarchy Referendum and the Elected Senate initiative, the administration chose to wait to for further reform.

By 1897, the government became very grateful that it had reversed Palomer-era military cuts. In January, the Netherlands suffered a dramatic rebel uprising by the radical liberal so-called "Citizen Guard" - leading for many on the right and in the government to call for intervention. However, after consulting with the King, Georges Savarin announced there would be no Belgian military intervention in the Netherlands. The Dutch military eventually suppressed the rebellion in April - by which time, more pressing matters had grasped Belgian national attention.

In March 1897, a Romanian nationalist shot and wounded Archduke Rudolph of Austria, the aging Emperor Franz-Joseph's sole son and heir, during a visit to the eastern Hapsburg territories. Austria accused Russia of having sponsored Romanian rebels in the region; Russia countered by producing evidence of Austrian violence against ethnic Romanians and demanding the Austrians free the Romanian nation from their control. The growing international crisis demanded Belgian attention, and Belgian attendance at the 1897 Berlin Conference regarding Romania was essentially mandatory.

Rosenthal_-_Romania_rupandu-si_catusele_pe_Campia_Libertatii.jpg

2. "Romania Breaking Off Her Chains" by Constantin Daniel Rosenthal, an iconic work of Romanian nationalism​

The situation exploded in the months ahead of the crisis. In April, North Germany backed Russia's demands for a free Romania. German diplomats encouraged Belgium to do the same, but growing concern in Brussels that France would back their Austrian allies gave the government pause. On May 13th, after an emergency cabinet conference, Savarin ordered the Foreign Office to officially announce Belgium's intention to back Russia in the growing crisis, siding with Belgium's historical North German allies. Savarin hoped the move would encourage the British to join Belgium in supporting Russia's claim before France aligned with Austria. If Belgium, Russia, North Germany, and the United Kingdom stood united and Austria alone, the Hapsburgs would have no choice but to capitulate and, Savarin reasoned, the crisis would be resolved without bloodshed.

Europe did not supply this ideal outcome. The UK remained on the fence after the Belgian commitment and the nation began to prepare for war. Savarin ordered the reserves mobilized and wartime funding supplied the army and navy. 135,000 reservists were called up in the next month and the Belgian military ordered to the French border, on the presumption that the French would back the Austrians. This presumption proved absolutely correct on July 4th, when France declared its public support for Austria's claim on Romania.

1848-revolutia-Romania.jpg

3. The French decision was prolonged by French sympathies to the Romanian revolution, which some claimed paralleled the French revolution​

With the Berlin Conference just days away, the military and the Belgium people began to grimly prepare for a war with France. The Portician Society published an editorial in the papers declaring that the coming war would not be a repeat of past conflicts and promising "two million bayonets" to defend Belgium against French invasion. In the days before the convention, concerns about insufficient medical care for soldiers and veterans and a general lack of surgeons allowed the Savarin government to push through additional healthcare reform. More than a quarter of a million Belgian troops lined the border, while at the same time, France began to mobilize its reserves.

The attitude in Europe was tense. Even in the distant United States, The New York Times would declare "Europe is sitting on the edge of a knife." In Belgium, one editorial columnist would reflect the sentiment, writing "now we are all dancing on a volcano."

As militaries readied across the continent, only one factor remained unknown. With less than a week remaining, the United Kingdom - the last undecided party - finally publicly backed the Russian claim, siding with their Belgian allies. After much soul-searching, the Hapsburgs and their French allies capitulated, surrendering some of their eastern territories to an independent Romanian state in mid-August. In Belgium and across the continent, reserves stood down - but the razor-thin margin by which Europe had escaped war reminded everyone how imminent the possibility constantly was.

Many possible flashpoints remained, most obviously the rapidly disintegrating former Ottoman Empire, which had undergone two changes in government in one year and was well on its way to suffering a third revolution in early 1898. The currently Communist Ottoman regime had lasted less than three months, and was very close to overthrow by radical liberal forces, with the ultranationalist "Young Turks" appearing close on their heels to overthrow them as soon as they took power. Turkey was looking increasingly like a failed state, ripe for land grabs from nearby Russia, Austria, and even Italy.

500px-Ottoman-Empire-Public-Demo.png

4. Pictured, the Ottoman communist revolution, the second of three revolutions in Anatolia in 1897 and 1898​

With military necessities becoming increasingly obvious, the Savarin administration released an unprecedented 12.2 million francs to the navy for the purposes of upgrading the port at Bruges to a hyper-modern level. In Africa, for Lucien van Buskirk, the war had not been averted. On the contrary, it had just started - another widespread uprising wracked former Africa, with more than a hundred thousand rebels appearing to fight to end colonial rule. And lastly, in Brussels, another suffragette march left the Savarin government reconsidering expansion of the franchise. And with the scheduled abdication of King Prosper-August now just nine months away, it might well be the last chance for radical reform.

1898SeatChart_zpsd79dc6eb.png

5. The current composition of the Belgian parliament.​


-------------------------


Player Actions Needed:
Yeah, yeah. Pictures in a minute.

The government may, if it wishes, suggest a political or a social reform. It may also pass Women's Suffrage.

Political: Upper House Two Per State, Upper House Based on Population, Proportional Representation, Non-Socialist Trade Unions

Social: Good Minimum Wage, 12 Hour Work Day, Limited Safety Regulations, Low Unemployment Subsidies, Low Pensions, Good Health Care

 
Last edited:
I am pleased to report that our industry has continued to grow without needing to call upon the State's subsidy, including the addition of two new factories. Unfortunately, I am disappointed that the new factories are in glass and cement which are not the modern industries which Belgium needs to stay ahead of its trade rivals. It is apparent to me that the capitalists of Belgium lack the vision and enterprise needed to grow our economy in the right direction. I feel vindicated in my call that only State Capitalism, with factories planned to meet critical needs and run by efficient managers, can give Belgium the industrial powerhouse which it deserves.

I propose a continuation of the existing Commerce policy of subsidies to all factories until such time as we have a government prepared to adopt the progressive philosophy of the planned economy.

Frederic Burke
Minister for Commerce
 
Order of Battle and Administrative Changes, 1897

Issued to the Prime Minister's Office, the Ministries of War and the Colonies, the Unified Command Authority and all senior officers of the Armed Forces.



Order of Battle

National Land Force

Chief of the Defence Staff: Supreme-General Thaddée

Deputy Chief of the Defence Staff: Colonel-General Buskirk

Metropolitan Army Group (Supreme-General Thaddée)


1st Army Corps
- 1st "Fighters" Division
- 3rd "Brussels Guard" Division

2nd Army Corps
- 2nd "Bulwark" Division
- 4th "Goes Forth" Division

3rd Army Auxiliary Corps
- 1st Auxiliaries
- 2nd Auxiliaries

1st Cavalry Corps
- 5th "Shadow Horse" Cavalry Division (Lieutenant-General Stern)​


Overseas Forces Command: Colonel-General Buskirk


Africa Corps (Colonel-General Buskirk)
- 1st African Division
- 2nd African Division

Batavia Corps
- 1st Batavian Division (Brigade-General Pilon)

Suez Canal Garrison (Colonel DeWitt)​



National Sea Force


Grand Fleet (Field Marshal Wyngaert)
- HMS Arenberg
- HMS Invincible
- New Battleship

Support Fleet (Vice-Admiral Dieric)
- HMS Benin
- HMS Royal
- HMS Prince Regent​





Administrative Changes

Divisions

All regiments in Belgium proper are to be merged into the Metropolitan Army Group. The 1st and 2nd Auxiliaries are to be merged to form the 3rd Army Auxiliary Corps. The 11th Brussels Infantry, the 1st Luxembourg Cavalry and 34th Auxiliaries are merged with the 1st Army Corps.

All regiments in Africa are to be merged into the Africa Corps. His Majesty's Guards of Benin and Congo are reclassified as the 1st and 2nd African Divisions respectively and attached to the Africa Corps. The 2nd Makurdi Cavalry, 1st Awka Artillery, 1st Buea Cavalry and 1st Calabar Engineers are to be incorporated into either divisions of the Africa Corps.

All regiments in Batavia are to be merged into the Batavia Corps. His Majesty's Java Guard is reclassified as the 1st Batavian Division and attached to the Batavia Corps. 1st Batavia Artillery, 2nd Bogor Artillery and 3rd Probolinggo Infantry are to be incorporated into the 1st Batavian Division.

Structural

His Majesty's Army and Navy are absorbed into the Unified Command Authority (UNICA) as the National Land Force and the National Sea Force respectively. The offices of Chief of Staff of the Army and Admiral of the Fleet of the Navy are abolished. The respective headquarters of the aforementioned offices, including their staff and functions, are combined with that of the General Staff to form the Defence Staff. The office of Chief of the General Staff shall become the Chief of the Defence Staff. He shall be supported by the Deputy Chief of the Defence Staff, who shall assist the incumbent in his duties and assume responsibility for them if he is rendered incapable.

In order to resolve the issue of conflicts in the chain of command caused by former Chiefs of the General Staff retaining the rank of Field Marshal, the new rank of Supreme-General is instituted. This rank shall be accorded to the Chief of the Defence Staff for the tenure of their office. The incumbent shall cease to carry this rank upon leaving office and shall revert to their rank previous to their accession.

Consequently, the rank of Field Marshal is abolished. All current holders of that rank shall retain it as a courtesy with full honours and accolades, and shall continue to draw the associated pensions as long as they live, and thereafter for their spouses. I shall not accord myself this rank, and so Jean-Camille van der Wyngaert shall be the last Field Marshal of the Kingdom of Belgium.

Personnel

Colonel-General Xavier-Pierre Florian Thaddée ((Syriana)) is elevated to the rank of Supreme-General, appointed as first Chief of the Defence Staff and assumes personal command of the Metropolitan Army Group.

In recognition of his years of dutiful service abroad, Lieutenant-General Lucien van Buskirk ((Noco19)) is elevated to the rank of Colonel-General, appointed as first Deputy Chief of the Defence Staff and assigned to Overseas Forces Command with personal command of the Africa Corps. I wish him God’s speed in his pacification of the continent.

Elsewhere in the sphere of overseas deployments, Colonel Pierre Maurice Pilon ((Riccardo93)) is elevated to the rank of Brigade-General and assumes personal command of the 1st Batavian Division.

Lieutenant Albert DeWitt ((Plutonium95)) is elevated to the rank of Colonel and assumes command of the Suez Canal Garrison, with the view of demonstrating credibility for higher command.

My predecessor, Field Marshal Jean-Camille van der Wyngaert ((DensleyBlair)), retains command of the Arenberg Battleship Fleet (hereafter the Grand Fleet) with the operational rank of Admiral but the honorary rank of Field Marshal wherever applicable. He shall serve so long as he is able, and no longer than he desires. I further recommend him for the Distinguished Service Order in recognition of his great services, too numerous to mention in this dispatch.

In view of his successor, I have high hopes for his stated choice, Captain John Dieric ((Terraferma)), who, having graduated the Advanced Officer Training Course, is elevated to the rank of Vice-Admiral and assumes command of the Transport Fleet (hereafter the Support Fleet).
 
I ask Prime Minister Savarin to go ahead with the Referendum on the Monarchy, more than ever our people must be free to decide its future and its form of government. Then we should move on to other most important reforms like an elected Senate and Women's suffrage.

For too long this debate has divided the nation, let us remember how even the King supported the establishment of the Referendum, only a Referendum can put an end to it and finally pacify Belgium.

- Carl Coppens, Socialist Deputy
 
51c0c250a56894d24fead4b74054679e.jpg

Name: Supreme-General Philip Auguste Lebeau, Duke of the Congo, Count of Arlon
Date of Birth: 19 April 1850 (76)
Place of Birth: Mons
Position(s):
Officer in the 3rd "Brussels Guard" Division (1890-1898)
Commander of the 3rd Army Auxiliary Corps (1898-1899)
Commander of the 2nd Army Corps (1899-1909)
Deputy Chief of the Defence Staff (1909-1913)
Commander of the Africa Corps (1909-1924)
Chief of the Defence Staff for Fascist Government (1913-1924)
Leader of the Belgian National Front (1926- )
Nationality: Walloon
Biography: Born to Aurélien Valentin Lebeau, Philip was raised in an atmosphere of loyalty, duty and honor brought forward by his father's service in the military. From a young age he also took an interest in the military, dressing up in military uniforms and re-staging famous battles with his friends. He was also raised in luxury compared to most, being given most of the things he wanted and attending the best schools available thanks to the generosity of his great-uncle. He experienced even further luxuries when his father was named Regent in 1865, with them moving into one of the wings of the palace in Laeken. However this all changed with the death of his father the following year at the hands of General Dieric. Philip, then aged 16, along with most of the Lebeau family fled across the border to France and took up residence in one of the holiday estates. Two years later, after finishing his education in a French school in Paris, Philip was granted admission to the Royal Military Academy in Woolwich, which his father had also attended, and completed studies there four years later in 1872. That same year he returned to Belgium along with most of the family and immediately upon returning entered service in the Belgian Army. For the next two decades he served in the mainland and in Africa fighting in a majority of the wars and reaching the rank of Colonel. Currently he serves as an Officer in the 3rd "Brussels Guard" Division.

Family

Father: Aurélien Valentin Lebeau (b. 1813, d. 1866)
Mother: Catherine Lebeau (b. 1823, d. 1903)
Sister: Alice Catherine Lebeau (b. 1860)
Wife: Marie Lebeau (b. 1870, d. 1897)
Children:
Aurélien Valentin Lebeau (b. 1891)
Marie Catherine Lebeau (b. 1893)
 
Last edited:
The Ministry of the Interior will support the training of managers and professionals ((Clerks)).
 
Last edited:
The Ministry of the Interior will support the training of managers and professionals ((Clerks)), as well as training soldiers in the Benin and Congo regions of Africa. ((I believe we have four national foci, correct me if I'm wrong.

((There are, but I control the colonial ones :p))
 
I have full trust in this government, but I fear that we almost blundered into an unwinnable situation these past few months. Even if Britain backs is in a war, we know how lazy they are. By the time Britain lands troops France may have fully occupied us

That being said, I am proud that deLeeuw's policy towards Spain has been such a success. That will teach everyone to ignore the fear-mongering of the right.

For too long, the capitalists have ignored the plight of workers in their factories. It is time to pass Limited Safety Regulations. I call upon all sides of the Belgian political spectrum to do the right thing and protect the people who work so hard for this country.
 
The Prime Minister had requested a recommendation from my office on how to proceed regarding the international situation. In consultation with the Defence Staff, I have produced the following review of our current alliances, which I have passed to the relevant civilian authorities.

The fundamental contention of this review is that Belgium is safer within the framework of her international alliances than she is alone. The consideration was therefore not isolation in extremis, but isolation by degree: the selective termination of international links in the name of national security. We proceeded to assess our standing alliances to determine the risk we receive from maintaining them versus their effectiveness in preserving our security and independence.

I. The maximum isolationist position was for Belgium to dissolve all standing security arrangements save that which it shares with the Kingdom of the Netherlands.


This would reduce opportunities for the country to become ensnared in war. But in the context of regional war, the Netherlands would provide negligible support to Belgium; should one of the warring powers choose to violate her territorial sovereignty to access their opponent's flank (which France, the Federation and even Austria would be inclined to do), Belgium would be left to fend for herself against a coalition containing multiple superior powers. We would effectively be trampled underfoot of the allied war machine. Furthermore, the Netherlands is an unreliable associated power, as it is severely vulnerable to internal disorder (as recently demonstrated) that could dissolve our alliance at any moment should they succeed and could even make enemies of both countries. While reducing opportunities for war, this option would also ensure that if Belgium became involved in the war regardless she would be doing so from a position of total insecurity.​


II. The intermediate isolationist position was for Belgium to dissolve standing security arrangements with the North German Federation while maintaining arrangements with the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, and the Netherlands.


This is based on the assumption, credited by its recent conduct in the Romanian crisis, that the United Kingdom would remain neutral in a hypothetical regional war and therefore would guarantee Belgium's security while incurring less risk. Should the United Kingdom, however, decide to become involved, perhaps to accumulate colonial possessions or to prevent the emergence of a continental hegemony (the historical pattern of British foreign policy), then Belgium would still become embroiled in war and would be entirely dependent on British reinforcement for its survival. The United Kingdom, choosing to focus on the colonial theatre, may neglect the mainland and leave Belgium to fend for herself. Even if it concentrates its deployments on the continent, there is no guarantee that they would arrive in good order to prevent this Kingdom from being overrun. This is especially the case should the United Kingdom remain neutral but Belgium come under attack, since the former would be scrambling to uphold its commitments to the latter - assuming it even chooses to do so.​


III. The minimum isolation position was for Belgium to maintain all standing security arrangements with the Federation, the United Kingdom and the Netherlands.


As the Romanian crisis demonstrated, it is the deterrence provided by our continued alliance with the aforementioned powers that prevented war from occurring. To abandon them now would be a signal of opportunity our enemies. Thus, our effort to distance ourselves from becoming involved in war could paradoxically lead to that very eventuality. Not only would maintaining this alliance provide deterrence in peace, it would also provide succour in war; Belgium would be fighting a war on a single front, with its back variously to the sea and to friendly powers. The Federation would ensure direct land reinforcement while the United Kingdom provided sea support in the continent and in the colonial theatre. This alliance would thus ensure predominance on land and at sea, at home and abroad.​


Therefore, this report concludes that it is in the best interest of national security that Belgium maintains its standing security arrangements with the Federation, the United Kingdom and the Netherlands. The risk of becoming involved in war is comparatively less than the gains reaped from these arrangements, both now and in a war situation. But above all, only by remaining in confederacy with these powers would the independence of this Kingdom be vouchsafed. Better to be a partner, through thick and thin, than to go it alone.

Supreme-General
Xavier-Pierre Florian Thaddée
GKLS DSO POM FPS
Chief of the Defence Staff
 
I wish to thank General Thaddée for his constant and unwavering defense of Belgium and the monarchy. Your service is invaluable.
 
Lieutenant Albert DeWitt ((Plutonium95)) is elevated to the rank of Colonel and assumes command of the Suez Canal Garrison, with the view of demonstrating credibility for higher command.

I wish to express my thanks to Supreme-General Thaddée for the faith he has shown in me. I understand that this is a rapid promotion and hope to prove myself worthy of such a command. I will be heading to the Canal to assume my position as soon as possible and await further orders.

Col. Albert DeWitt
 
To, The Prime Minister of His Majesty's Government,​

Cher Monsieur Savarin,

I write to request your suffort for the right to equal sufferage. Women are no longer just wives or pure possessions, and we too deserve the ability to forge our own destiny; I myself plan to run for political office at the next election, now that my father is no longer able to. A new century is about to dawn: I hope the government will take positive steps to mend the mistakes of the past,

Yours, in gratitude,
Duchess Adélaïde of Benin



To, The Editor, The Brussels Daily Examiner,​

Dear Sir,

I wish to correct your report ("Military advises isolationist policies", 12th Dec.) that the Belgian state would be insecure should it choose to discontinue its current alliances. The military report is quite correct that the Netherlands could supply little useful to support to our forces in the event of a war; however, the report ignores the terms of the Treaty of London, which inforces Belgian neutrality on the Great Powers of Western Europe. If we were attacked, the other states would be just as obliged to support our independence as if we held a formal alliance. I am disappointed that the military would gloss over this point when neutrality is clearly the safest option for our nation; the Romanian crisis has proved how near to war this continent is. This nation should not be fighting in the name of far flung provinces of other countries; this nation does not deserve another war.

Yours sincerely,
Duchess Adélaïde of Benin
 
portland_1755734c.jpg


Name: Adélaïde Van der Wyngaert (formerly d'Assche, nee Poisson), 3rd Duchess of Benin

Date of Birth: 31st August 1865
Place of Birth: Chateau Malou, Brussels

1892 - Joined the Liberal Democratic Party
1895 - Inherited the Dukedom of Benin and the Barony of Guma
1898 - Married Jules Van der Wyngaert
1898-Present - Secretary of State for Finance

Bio: Eldest daughter of Jean-Luc Poisson, 2nd Duke of Benin, Adélaïde recieved a Liberal education, eventually attending Newnham College, Cambridge. She is a strong proponent of women's rights, fearing the militarisation of society as a sign of too masculine a leadership leaping for war. She seeks equality for all, being a key proponent of women's sufferage and opposing colonial expoitation. The Duchess's position on the monarchy, however, airs on the side of tradition, though her opposition to many monarchical priviliges; her impression being largely influenced by having seen the benefits of Victoria's presence over the channel.

VanderWyngaert-Poisson_zpse5222cfc.png

Arms of the House Van der Wyngaert-Poisson
 
Last edited:
Bio: Eldest daughter of Jean-Luc Poisson, 2nd Duke of Benin, Adélaïde recieved a Liberal education, eventually attending Newnham College, Cambridge.

((Seems J. B. H. and Adélaïde would have (albeit briefly) been at Cambridge at the same time. Surely the fact they're both now LDP hotshots is just a coincidence? :p

Also, wouldn't she be the 1st Duchess of Benin?))
 
I for one support the suffrage of Women. They should have the right to vote, if they can run for election.

Jean di Picardie.

Precisely, Deputy Di Picardie. We should now finally close this constitutional loophole and forbid women from running for office. It is frankly ridiculous that a woman who can not and should not even work to support a family is able to govern those who do.

- Senator Sir Maximiliaan van Brabant, OPL
 
Precisely, Deputy Di Picardie. We should now finally close this constitutional loophole and forbid women from running for office. It is frankly ridiculous that a woman who can not and should not even work to support a family is able to govern those who do.

- Senator Sir Maximiliaan van Brabant, OPL
You sir are on the wrong side of the book form me, I WANT women to vote, this loop hole needs to be shut, and allow women to vote.

Jean di Picardie.
 
((Also, wouldn't she be the 1st Duchess of Benin?))

((That's what I assumed, but apparently not: see the first three holders of the Dukedom of Hamilton; James Hamilton, 1st Duke of Hamilton, 2nd Earl of Cambridge (1606–1649), William Hamilton, 2nd Duke of Hamilton, 3rd Earl of Cambridge (1616–1651), Anne Hamilton, 3rd Duchess of Hamilton.))
 
Precisely, Deputy Di Picardie. We should now finally close this constitutional loophole and forbid women from running for office. It is frankly ridiculous that a woman who can not and should not even work to support a family is able to govern those who do.

- Senator Sir Maximiliaan van Brabant, OPL

Ah, Maximiliaan. How is the hip? I heard you might take a fall and was just wondering how your 100 year old self is doing in this modern age of 1897.
 
Ah, Maximiliaan. How is the hip? I heard you might take a fall and was just wondering how your 100 year old self is doing in this modern age of 1897.

"You know what they say Andrei, only the good die young." chuckles a deputy.