Tacitus, Annals, 15.20­-23, 33­-45. Latin Text, Study Aids with Vocabulary, and Commentary, 2013a

A suffragium
is a vote cast in an assembly (for a candidate, resolution, or such like),
and the phrase suffragia conquirere refers to the canvassing of votes – a
common occurrence before elections. In the context of provincial
administration, however, Thrasea presents the practice as demeaning and
distinctly undesirable: governors ought not to behave like candidates for
political office chasing the popular vote. By using the first person plural
(conquirimus) Thrasea suggests that it is not just the reputation of the
individual miscreant that is at issue here but that of the entire senate
(with one implication being: we, sc. you, have all done it!): governors
represent Rome’s ruling élite as a whole, and the behaviour of one reflects
on everyone else.
quae is a connecting relative (= ea) and refers back to the practice of
courting favour with provincials to receive a vote of thanks. Thrasea here
switches from moral indictment to asserting the tangible benefits of his
proposed measure: if governors refrain from canvassing or buying votes,
the provinces will be run better and more consistently. Note the use of
moods: we get a potential subjunctive in the protasis (arceantur), and a
future indicative in the apodosis (regentur: the provinces will be run...). If
the appropriate measures are taken, so Thrasea seems to suggest, then the
desired outcome is not in doubt: it will not just kick in potentially, but with
certainty. (In other words, it should be a no-brainer.)
The phrase is strongly reminiscent of a
passage in Sallust. See Bellum Catilinae 2.3–4:
Quodsi regum atque imperatorum animi virtus in pace ita ut in bello
valeret, aequabilius atque constantius sese res humanae haberent, neque
aliud alio ferri neque mutari ac misceri omnia cerneres. Nam imperium
facile eis artibus retinetur quibus initio partum est.
[Now if the mental excellence with which kings and rulers are endowed
were as potent in peace as in war, human affairs would run an evener and
steadier course, and you would not see power passing from hand to hand
and everything in turmoil and confusion; for empire is easily retained by
the qualities by which it was first won.]
The two passages share a number of parallels: in each case, the matter
at issue is the mental disposition of those in power in a time of peace.