John Varnham

**Johnathan Michael "John" Varnham** (born 3rd April 1935) is a Crysantheum politician, lawyer, and statesman, who has served in several high profile offices in the Crysantheum Empire. He is the only individual to serve in a high office of all three branches of the government. During his career, he has served as: an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, the second Vice President of the Crysantheum Empire, the second President of the Crysantheum Empire, Secretary of Justice, and now currently serves as a Deputy Speaker of the Crysantheum Congress.

Born in New Alexandria, Acadia, Varnham gained a first class degree in Law from the Acadia Central University.

In 1961, he was appointed to the Supreme Court as a Supreme Court Justice by the Emperor on advice of the then Premier, Sue Leonard. In his position, he oversaw a large amount of changes to the Empire, including the transfer of direct power from the Monarch to the Government, and the Sue Leonard Scandal. However, he stood down from his position in 1966.

On the 17th March, 1969, Varnham was appointed Vice President, after the assassination of previous Vice President Jack Douglas. Following President Blacksmith's assassination attempt that left him in a coma, Varnham assumed the powers of the Presidency on the 11th April 1969. After it became clear Blacksmith would be in a coma for some time, the Senate invoked Article 25 of the constitution, removing Blacksmith from office due to ill health. Varnham was sworn in as the second President on the 1st June 1969. He retained Blacksmith's cabinet and continued to build upon the agenda Blacksmith had set out.

Varnham sought his party's nomination for the Presidency in the 1971 election, but he lost out to former President Blacksmith, whom had recovered from his coma in the time Varnham was President. While many had expected to name Varnham as his running mate, Blacksmith instead named Benjamin Paul instead, leaving Varnham out of political office.

In 1987, after a period of retirement, he re-entered frontline politics when President-elect Joe Cross named him as Secretary of Justice. He was approved by the senate and sworn in hours after President Cross on the 1st May 1987.

After President Cross' term came to an end, Varnham sought election to Congress as a congressman from his home state of Acadia. Due to his experience, he was named as one of the Deputy Speakers under Speaker Matthew McGarvey, an office he has held since.

## Early life and education

John Varnham was born on the 3rd of April 1935 at Noble Hospital in New Alexandria, part of the State of Acadia. Born as the third of five children to father, Leonard Varnham (1901-1981) an architect and Mary Varnham (1906-1999). Leonard Varnham moved his family from their home town of Driggs, Acadia to the state capital of New Alexandria not long after John's birth.

### Education

Varnham was educated initially at New Alexandria Private School from the age of 5 to the age of 18. His father had endevoured for all of his children to be privately educated as much as possible, due to his own impoverished upbringing limiting his educational opportunities. John had learned numerous non-academic skills during his time at NAPS, including sailing and horseback riding. John later described his time at NAPS as "another world", and often regrets the opportunity to be educated at a state school. Varnham graduated from NAPS in 1953.

Varnham attended Acadia Central University following his graduation from NAPS. Pursuing a degree in Law, which he achieved in 1956. He later went on to gain a Master's Degree in Law during his early law career.

## Lawyer

Varnham was hired by the law firm Beneke & Associates following his graduation in 1956. Varnham was a passionate lawyer who devoted himself to his cases and got his clients acquitted frequently. Varnham was noted by his fellow lawyers in the firm to put in numerous late nights in order to study up for early morning hearings. Described by former colleague Lee Barker as "a total law nerd. The guy obsessed over very minute details of a case and would point things out we didn't even consider."

Varnham was a natural lawyer and was talented in his impassioned arguements and ability to convince others.

### State of Acadia vs Hemmingway

Varnham's career reached national attention during the much covered *State of Acadia vs Hemmingway* case in 1959. Mark Hemmingway, a former lieutenant-governor of the State of Acadia, was wrongly accused of high-level government corruption by the then governor of the State of Acadia, Jack Rawlings.

Rawlings used the full force of the state's executive power to push then unknown government corruption onto Hemmingway as a scape-goat. Fabricated evidence was very well concocted in such a way that many believed Hemmingway was guilty of what he was accused of. Hemmingway was considered such a lame duck case that no firm would take the case, and Hemmingway had little choice but to get advise from a state appointed attorney, whom was biased and being goaded to make Hemmingway fail in his appeal.

Varnham caught wind of the case through his friend Lee Barker. Varnham could not resist a case like this, and despite Varnham's age and relative inexperience, Mark Hemmingway appointed Varnham as his attorney to fight his appeal. Varnham was granted access to relevant records, however beaurocratic obstruction led to many important documents being out of reach.

The trial began in March 1959. Varnham's opening arguments failed to inspire confidence, with him accusing the state of scapegoating, which he based over concrete evidence that Hemmingway was isolated as lieutenant-governor and wouldn't have had the influence nor access necessary to be responsible for what he was being accused of. This initial argument was dismissed by the Judge as a non-factor as no matter how marginalised he was, he was still the lieutenant-governor, an office which was held in great prestige in the state.

Many observers saw the case as a guaranteed loss for Hemmingway. However, in April of 1959, Varnham uncovered what he later referred as "the Holy Grail" in the landmark case.

Nicknamed 'the black spider correspondence' after the unique handwriting style, these 8 pages of correspondence between Governor Rawlings and private contractor Alex Rastiquez, owner of Sunrise Security, was discovered by Varnham after days pouring through state files. It was later revealed that Governor Rawlings had ordered the correspondence destroyed by his private secretary Edith Wilson. Wilson however, unsatisfied with her decreasing salary and increasing hours, saved a copy of the correspondence for future blackmail use. Varnham persuaded her to give him copies of the correspondence in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act.

Varnham presented the correspondence to the court on the 6th April 1959. Varnham's presentation of the evidence has been referred to as a 'Phoenix moment', which was the biggest embarassment for a high level government official in the history of the Empire. After deliberation from the Jury, the Judge took this as evidence of acquittal of the defendent and as damning evidence of corruption and perverting the course of justice on part of the Governor. Governor Rawlings resigned on the morning of the 7th of April and was sentenced to 10 years in prison. Private contractor Alex Rastiquez was forced to resign as CEO of Sunrise Security, and was sentenced to 3 years in prison.

Hemmingway, despite being acquitted, resigned as lieutenant-governor, having lost faith in the system. He publically praised Varnham for his efforts. Varnham became a national celebrity overnight, and became one of the most renown lawyers in the Empire, being the only lawyer to ever successfully defeat a state case.

### Later cases

Varnham became a highly requested lawyer, and his cases increased tenfold after 1959. While none were as high profile as the 1959 case, he still kept his reputation as a highly effective lawyer.

in May 1960, he provided insight into a constitutional oversight in the state of Acadia. This led to an amendment to the constitution of the Crysantheum Empire. It was this particular instance that he was considered for his next job.

## Appointment to the Supreme Court

On the 13th of December 1960, Premier Sue Leonard nominated Varnham to the Supreme Court to fill the vacancy left after the retirement of Justice Theodore Walker. It was the first nomination to the Supreme Court since 1952. Varnham was the youngest individual to ever be nominated to the Supreme Court, at the age of 25.

### Confirmation hearings

Despite the nomination, the constitution requires that all Supreme Court nominees be vetted by a Senate Committee before being appointed by the monarch. Varnham's confirmation lasted over a month, the longest confirmation period for a Supreme Court Justice nominee in history.

#### Political bias

One of the points of contention amongst the committee was evidence of political involvement during Varnham's youth that could comprimise the required impartiality of the Supreme Court. Varnham evidenced the fact that he has never been a member of political party nor attended a political rally. This was contested by committee chair Andrew Harriman, who noted that during his first year of University, Varnham had campaigned for increased regulation on the sale of alcohol and tabacco, an Empire Union policy that was popular at the time. Varnham countered that this was not due to partisan affiliation, and merely because he supported the issue on a personal issue due to his Uncle dying of lung cancer when he was younger. The committee eventually conceeded that despite Varnham's campaigning on particular issues in his youth, this did not constitute political bias on his part.

#### Inexperience

The committee particularly hit hard on Varnham's age and percieved inexperience. They noted that every past and current member of the Supreme Court had served in the law career for over a decade, then served as a Judge on a local or state court before even being considered for the Supreme Court. Varnham countered that him being selected was due to landmark cases and consitutional revisions he had been a part of during his time as a lawyer, and famously said "Senator I am young, but i'll be damned if I'm inexperienced." Varnham also pointed out that during his studies as a lawyer, he had shadowed many judges in district courts as he stated that it was his desire to become a judge one day. The committee concluded that despite Varnham's age, there was no constitutional stipulation that prohibited serving on the bench due to inexperience.

### Confirmation

On the 10th of January 1961, the Senate Judiciary Committee finally approved Varnham's nomination by a vote of 12-6. Varnham was confirmed by a vote of the full senate by a margin of 360-40. He recieved votes from the entirety of the governing Empire Union Party and the majority of the leading opposition party, the Democratic Republican Party. Many of the votes against came from minor parties and dissident Republicans.

## On the Supreme Court

Varnham took the oath of office and swore allegiance to the monarch on the morning of the 11th January 1961. On the 12th of January, he met with the monarch, Cindaria, to reaffirm the oath in person, as was tradition for Supreme Court Justices. Varnham took his seat on the 13th of January.

### Early cases

On the 8th of October 1961, Varnham along with three fellow Justices stood against a ruling that allowed military contractors to refuse to release details of new weapons technology even if it was a matter of national security. A subsequent review of the case, labelled as *Astrotech vs State of Olympia* brought it back to the bench, which after deliberation led to the case being dismissed as unconstitutional. This was considered Varnham's first 'triumph' on the bench.

On the 19th November 1961, Varnham ruled that state Universities are prohibited from barring political campaigners from speaking on campus, so long as the campaigners were not breaking the law.

### Role of the monarch

Following an announcement from the Royal Palace on the 3rd of January 1963 about further proposed constitutional amendments transferring more powers to the Senate, the Supreme Court was enlisted to create a rewritten article in the consitution clarifying the powers of the monarch. Until that point, Article 5 of the constitution clarified the powers of the monarch, which had been amended over the years as more power was transferred to the senate. However the amendments often constricted each other or were vague in the actual power the monarch had.

This took over a year to finalise, and was left to Varnham and Justices Alexis Boeman and Robert Bayman to carry out. The new article 5 set out the role of the modern constitutional monarch. The new article proved popular with the public who were becoming increasingly disenfranchised with the monarchy.

### Right to die cases

The Euthanisia movement gained national attention when Judy Foster, the wife of Paul Foster, a patient with locked in syndrome, campaigned for her husband to be allowed to die. The case was so high profile that it was referred to the Supreme Court to give a decision on euthanisia, as the issue had been morally taboo to discuss before this point. Varnham precided over cases delivered on the issue. The case spanned a period between the 5th of December 1963 to the 4th of February 1964.

Varnham gave the ruling that assisted suicide should remain illegal in the Empire. He delivered an empassioned 20 minute speech, the longest ever given by a Supreme Court Justice, where he sympathised with the cause but ultimately feared a snow ball effect should euthanisia be legalised. Despite attempts at appeal, the Supreme Court reaffirmed Varnham's ruling in 1965.

### Republic referendum

On the 1st of May 1966, after Premier Charles Blacksmith won a landslide election. He announced that his plan to hold a referendum on the nation becoming a Presidential Republic would be held, as he had promised during his campaign. The Supreme Court became responsible for drawing up the referendum and making it constitutionally legal. Varnham and the other Justices created the legal basis for what became the *Republic Referendum Act 1966* allowing for the referendum to be held.

Premier Blacksmith requested that the Court review a draft of an emergency constitution that would come into effect should the referendum end in favour of a republic. Varnham began a review of the emergency constitution, notably changing some aspects to be brought in line with the bill of rights and that of the powers of the modern Senate. Notably, Varnham set out the proceedures for the appointment of a Head of State.

On the morning of the 4th of June 1966, all votes had been counted and the Empire had voted in favour of becoming a Presidential Republic, and therefore the emergency constitution came into effect. The day became known as 'Typhoon Tuesday' due to the sheer amount of changes that the referendum brought about. Notably, for Varnham and his fellow Justices, they would all have to be re-sworn in to bring themselves in line with the new Supreme Court of the Republic.

### New consitutional rulings

During President Blacksmith's first term, which officially began when he was elected by a Senate vote on the 1st of May 1967, Varnham and other Justices were responsible for liasing with the Senate to create a permanent new Consititution to replace the emergency constitution. Varnham began work bringing the new constitution in line with the old, making sure crucial points such as the bill of rights were word for word the same (although all references to the monarchy were removed).

Varnham personally presided over a case for the inclusion of the 15th amendment to the new constitution which stipulated the new independence of the legislature. Varnham ruled that the legislature was now it's own seperate branch of government independent of the executive branch headed by President Blacksmith.

### Resignation

Although Varnham was politically neutral, he maintained a close friendship with President Blacksmith that had formed when Blacksmith was Vice Premier. On the 1st of February, when Vice President Douglas was assassinated, Justice Varnham called Blacksmith to offer condolences.

Blacksmith had to consider a replacement to ensure the integrity of the line of succession. Varnham was Blacksmith's first choice, despite Varnham's political neutrality. Blacksmith offered Varnham the Vice Presidency on three seperate occasions. Each time, Varnham refused on the grounds of him being a politically neutral Supreme Court Justice. Blacksmith petitioned Varnham to reconsider, and made a personal plea that he needed an ally to help him through the remainder of his first term as President.

Varnham resigned from his position on the Supreme Court on the 13th of February 1968 in order to assume the role of Vice President.

## Vice Presidency

Despite Blacksmith's pleas, Varnham, sympathetic to the President, told him he would only agree to become Vice President on a number of conditions. Notably, that he would only have to serve as Vice President for Blacksmith's first term and would not be co-opted into serving in a second, that Varnham would not have to involve himself in any political campaigning that could be seen as 'partisan' and lastly, that Varnham would be renominated to the Supreme Court as soon as a position opened up. Blacksmith reluctantly agreed to these terms, against the advice of his senior staff.

### Confirmation vote

Varnham's appointment as Vice President had to be confirmed by a vote in the Senate, as the office was directly in the line of succession. The Senate was weary about appointing Varnham as Vice President due to his status as an independent and a former Supreme Court Justice. Varnham affirmed that he was becoming Vice President out of duty, and had no desire to politicise his tenure.

The Senate voted for Varnham to become Vice President by a margin of 237-163, with dissent from members of each party voting against him. Varnham became Vice President-elect on the 13th March 1968. He was formally sworn in four days later on the 17th of March 1967 by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.

## References

1. ↑ Varnham was Vice President under Charles Blacksmith, when he became acting President, he still held the office of Vice President de-facto and article 25 does not stipulate succession to the Vice Presidency.
2. ↑ Varnham was sworn in as President, and due to the vacancy of the Vice Presidency, the Senate was empowered to appoint a new Vice President on the advise of the President
3. ↑ Varnham has supported Empire Union policy, and stood on an "independent but sympathetic" platform.