The plan here had been fairly simple. Get the committee created, wait for the first break on the floor, and vote through the most pressingly necessary proposals for the restoration of public order, so that there would be time for them to pass the convention today. It hadn't occurred to him that the radicals might rush through an ill-conceived half-measure before they even reached the break in the morning session.

But it's too late to go back and prevent that, which leaves it to him to pick up the pieces. 

"This session of the Committee on Urban Order is called to order. We may meet again this afternoon if necessary, but there are a few matters in Westcrown important enough that I'd like to settle them today, before things have a chance to get out of hand.

First of all, the matter of the Lord Mayor of Westcrown — the previous Lord Mayor has understandably fled to Almas in the wake of his mistreatment during the riots, and to my knowledge has evinced no intention to return. Normally the matter of appointing his successor would be handled by Her Majesty the Queen, but she is rather busy at the moment, so I propose that this convention appoints an interim replacement — a man of good character and judgment, with the forces necessary to maintain order, and—" (he glances at Conde Cansellarion) "—no competing responsibilities in the convention, to serve until such time as Her Majesty can select a more permanent replacement."