Friday, July 23, 2004
Constitution of the Dual Principality of Amagi
Preamble
We, Stephen and David by grace of birth sovereign, to all those who would tender us their allegiance greetings. We do proclaim that we and our heirs forever shall govern in accordance with this constitution.
Chapter 1 Rights, Citizenship, and the Federation
Art I Rights of Man
The protection of individual rights is the first duty and sole justification of all state authority.
Sec 1 The Right to LifeNo person shall be deprived of their life without due process of law upon a charge of treason, premeditated murder, murder in the commission of a crime, slave ownership, or slave trading.
Sec 2 The Right to LibertyNo person shall be deprived of their liberty without due process of law upon a charge of committing a crime which violates the right of life liberty or property of another or of attempting to committee such crime or endangering others rights by breach of the peace or attempt to commit the same.
Sec 3 The Right to PropertyNo person shall be deprived of their property without due process of law upon a charge of committing a crime which damages the person or property of another.
Sec 4 The Right to Freedom of Opinion, Expression and AssemblyThe legislature shall make no law regarding the establishment of a religion. The legislature shall make no law to restrict or prevent an individual from using his property to proselytize his views. The legislature shall make no law to restrict or prevent a peaceful assembly of people on private property.
Sec 5 The Right to Bear ArmsAn armed citizenry being the bulwark of a free state, the right of the individual to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.
Sec 6 Protection of Person and PropertyThe right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers and effects against unreasonable searches and seizures shall not violated. Warrants shall be issued only on probable cause upon oath or affirmation and particularly naming the place to be searched and persons or things to be seized. No property shall be taken for public use except in time of war or insurrection and then only after just compensation is paid.
Sec 7 Freedom of Association and Non AssociationNo person shall be deprived of their right to form associations for: the corporate or communal use of their property; forming by contract families to raise their natural and adopted children; for non treasonous and non violent political purposes; to negotiate with their employer; or for any lawful purpose. No person shall be deprived of their right to contract freely with others for any lawful purpose. No person shall be deprived of their right not to associate or contract with others.
Sec 8 Rights Not EnumeratedThe Enumeration of certain rights in this document shall not be held to disparage others, not enumerated, which are retained by the people.
Art II Citizenship
Sec 1 Requirement for citizenshipAny person resident in the principality who has reached the age of 16 years and has completed three years of active military duty or 5 years of a thirty year term of militia duty, may by paying the income tax set forth by the legislature, become a citizen of the principality. Failure to pay income tax will result in suspension of citizenship. Failure to complete the full 30 years of militia duty will result in revocation of citizenship, unless the failure to perform the militia duty is due to travel in the interests of the principality. Those who are discharged for wounds or injuries suffered in the military service of the principality shall be considered to have completed their military service. Those physically unable to perform military service may obtain citizenship by paying twice the tax set forth by parliament. Citizenship may be lost by conviction of crime as laid out in the Basic Law.
Sec 2 Non CitizensAny person who has resided with in the principality for a period of not less then two years and has renounced all allegiance to any other polity or who is a native born resident of the principality and has not taken an oath of allegiance to any other polity is a resident national of the principality. A resident national who is more than 30 years old is eligible to attend the assembly. Any person subject to the jurisdiction of the principality shall have the full protection of the law unless removed by order of competent court upon conviction of a felony after due process of law.
Sec 3 The Duties and Privileges of CitizenshipAll citizens shall have the right to vote, the right and duty to sit on juries, and the ability to hold office.
Sec 4 Oath of CitizenshipAll prospective citizens shall take the following oath at the beginning of their term of military service: I, _____, having attained my ___ year and being of sound mind and without purpose of deception or evasion, do solemnly swear on my honor to bare true faith and allegiance to the Prince Diarchs of Amagi and to their constitutionally appointed successors, to defend the constitution of the Dual Principality of Amagi from all enemies foreign or domestic, to bear arms in the service the principality for a term of ____ years, during which time I shall obey all lawful orders by those lawfully put over me and demand a like obedience from all those put lawfully under my orders, and at the end of my term of service after paying the annual tax set forth by parliament to enjoy all of the privileges of a citizen of the Dual Principality including but not limited to the sovereign franchise.No person shall take the oath until they have attained their twelfth year. No person having attained their twelfth year shall be prevented from taking the oath and paying their service and taxes and there by becoming a citizen unless they have been convicted of a felony.
Sec 5 Honors, the Gentry, and the Nobility
(a) While all citizens are equal before the law, honors and titles exist to reward service to the principality. There are four forms of titles, honorary titles, the gentry, the nobility and the high nobility. Only honorary titles can be conferred on non citizens.
(b) Honor titles confer recognition but not political privileges. Honor titles take the form of membership in an order honoring some form of achievement or contribution to the welfare of the principality. Honor titles are awarded at the sole discretion of their highnesses.
(c) Gentry titles confer political privileges pertaining to voting.
(i) Esquire: A citizen may become an Esquire by one of two methods. Any citizen who has completed twice the amount of military service required for citizenship is an Esquire. A Citizen who has paid twice the income tax he owes for the last five years shall be an Esquire as long as he continues to do so. An Esquire is allowed to vote twice in any election.
(ii) Knight : A citizen may become a knight by completing twice the amount of military service as outlined above and paying twice the tax as out lined above. A Knight is entitled to vote three times in any election.
(iii) Baronet: A citizen may become a Baronet by appointment by their Highnesses with the consent of the Senate or by appointment of a member of the nobility upon his death. Their Highnesses may appoint no more than 5 Baronets a year. A Baronet shall be entitled to vote 4 times in an election. A Baronet may pass his title to any citizen upon his death.
(d) Titles of Nobility confer the privilege of degrees of membership in the senate and usually the right to appoint a citizen baronet at the title holders death.
(i) Hereditary Councilor to the Senate: A title of nobility awarded to the 61st through 200th people to become citizens. Further Their Highnesses may appoint one citizen a Hereditary Councilor to the Senate once every other year with the consent of the House of Representatives. A Hereditary Councilor to the Senate is a non voting member of the Senate. A Hereditary Councilor to the Senate shall be entitled to vote 5 times in a general election. A Hereditary Councilor to the Senate may pass his title to any citizen upon his death and the title of Baronet to another citizen.
(ii) Senator For Life: A title of nobility awarded to citizens under the terms laid out in Art IV Sec. 4. Also one person shall be chosen Senator For Life from among the citizens by lot every year. Further Their Highnesses may appoint one citizen a Senator for Life once per year with the consent of the House of Representatives. Senators For Life are members of the Senate. A Senator For Life may will the title of Baronet to a citizen.
(iii) Hereditary Senator: A title of nobility awarded to the 21st through 60th people to become citizens. Also their Highnesses may appoint one citizen a Hereditary Senator every five years with the consent of the House of Representatives. Further a title of nobility awarded for financial support of the principality. The price for a title of shall always be one ton of gold more than the previous price. No more than one title shall be sold every year. A Hereditary Senator is a member of the Senate. A Hereditary Senator may pass his title to any citizen upon his death and the title of Baronet to another citizen.
(e) Titles of High Nobility confer the privilege of membership in the Senate, the right to appoint a citizen baronet, and the right to be a candidate for election as Prince Diarch.
(i) First Senator: A title of nobility awarded to the 1st through 20th people to become citizens and to the children of a Prince Diarch or Prince Heir Aparent on their attainment of citizenship. Also, Their Highnesses may appoint one citizen a First Senator every ten years with the consent of the House of Representatives and to a former head of state or government as part of an act of Annexation. A First Senator is a member of the Senate. A First Senator may pass his title to any citizen upon his death and the title of Baronet to another citizen.
(ii) Prince: A title of nobility held by the heirs apparent to the thrones and by former Prince Diarchs. Princes are members of the senate. A Prince may pass the title of First Senator to a citizen upon his death.
(f) All persons who recieve a title of Baronet, Hereditary Councilor to the Senate, Senator for Life, Hereditary Senator, First Senator, or Prince shall serve in the active, reserve, or militia components of the armed forces from the time they receive the title until they are sixty five years old or unfit for military duty. Before entering into their office they shall take the following oath in the presence of both prince diarchs: I, _______, do solemnly affirm my oath of citizenship and make myself a liegeman of the prince diarchs and their constitutionally appointed successors, I shall give them my allegence, good counsel, and life in their cause.” This oath shall be given to each new prince diarch upon his corination.
Art III The Federal Nature of the Principality
Sec 1 Free Federation of Free ShiresThe Principality is a free federation of free shires. It is also a creation of the citizens who sustain it. Shires may leave the federation as describe in this constitution.Sec 2 ShiresShires are sovereign states that are members of the federal principality. Shires are governed under a system of government compatible with this constitution. The points of compatibility are:
- That all persons within its jurisdiction shall receive the full protection of the law unless it is removed by order of a competent court upon conviction of a crime after due process of law,
- That all the rights enumerated in Art I and Article XIV Sec. 6, 7, and 8 of this constitution shall be respected,
- That the holding of office shall be restricted to citizens,
- That the sovereign franchise shall be restricted no further than to citizens who have resided within the shire for more than six months and extended no further than to resident nationals over forty and resident nationals serving in the armed forces of the principality and who have resided within the shire for more than six months,
- That the shire shall have a co-executive one of whom shall be the Sheriff. The Sheriff shall be a citizen. He shall have served as an elected official of the shire of which he is Sheriff. Upon the vacancy of the office of Sheriff of a shire, the legislature of that shire shall transmit to the Senate a list of twenty persons it believes to be best qualified to be sheriff. The Senate shall chose from this list the five men it considers best qualified to be sheriff and transmit the names to the Princes. From among these five the princes shall appoint the sheriff.
- The shire shall have a bicameral legislature one house of which shall be composed of representatives of the governments of the cities, towns, and villages with in the shire.
- Every shire shall pay ten percent of its revenue to the treasury of the Dual principality.
- No shire shall enter into any treaty, alliance or confederation; emit Bills of credit; make anything but gold, silver or copper coin a tender in payment of debt; pass any bill of attainder, expost facto law or law impairing the obligations of contract.
- No shire shall engage in war without the consent of the Parliament unless actually invaded or in such imminent danger of invasion as will not admit of delay.Every shire shall form at least one grand jury every year for the investigation of dishonesty or abuse of office.
- Full Faith and Credit shall be given in each Shire to the public Acts, Records, and judicial Proceedings of every other Shire. And the Parliment may by general Laws prescribe the Manner in which such Acts, Records and Proceedings shall be proved, and the Effect thereof.
- A Person charged in any Shire with Treason, Felony, or other Crime, who shall flee from Justice, and be found in another Shire, shall on Demand of the executive Authority of the Shire from which he fled, be delivered up, to be removed to the Shire having Jurisdiction of the Crime.
- New Shires may be admitted by Parliment into this Union; but no new Shire shall be formed or erected within the Jurisdiction of any other Shire; nor any Shire be formed by the Junction of two or more Shires, or Parts of Shires, without the Consent of the Legislatures of the Shires concerned as well as of the Parliment.
Sec 3 TerritoriesTerritories are partial members of the principality. While their government does not have to be fully compatible with the federal system, it must extend the protection of the law to all persons with in its jurisdiction and it must respect the rights enumerated in Art I and Article XIV Sec. 6, 7, and 8 of this constitution. Citizens of the Territories may become citizens of the Dual Principality by serving in the armed forces of the Territory or of the Dual Principality and paying the annual tax set by parliament. New Territories may be admitted by Parliment; but no new teritory shall be formed or erected within the Jurisdiction of any other Shire or teritory; nor any teritory be formed by the Junction of two or more Territories or Shires, or Parts of Territories or Shires, without the Consent of the Legislatures of the Territories or Shires concerned as well as of the Parliment. Territories may leave the federation by the vote of their legislature.
Sec 4 Powers not GrantedPowers not granted by this constitution to the princely government are reserved to the shires and the people respectively.Sec 5 Nullification and Secession
(a) A shire may nullify the operation of a law of the principality with in the territory of the shire by the vote of two thirds of both houses of its legislature with the consent of the Sheriff. It may rescind nullification by vote of the majority of both houses. A shire may not suspend the operation of more than five laws concurrently. A shire may not nullify a finance law or declarations of war or peace.
(b) A shire may secede from the principality by the following method. If three quarters of the members of both houses of the shire’s legislature agree the question of secession shall be put on the ballot at the next election. If the majority of the voters support succession then five years hence, the shire legislature shall again vote on secession. If three quarters of the legislature of the shire agree the question of secession shall again be put on the ballot. If the majority of the voters of the shire again vote for secession, then one year from the date of that vote the shire shall become an independent state. Citizens and resident nationals residing within the shire shall have to decide whether they wish to remain citizens and resident nationals of the principality or whether they wish to be citizens of the new state.
Chapter 2 Parliament, Laws and the Legislative Process
Art IV Parliament
Sec 1 Organization
(a) The Principality shall have a parliament composed of a House of the Representatives of the Citizens, and a Senate.
(b) Parliament shall convene annually on the fifteenth day of June. If parliament has been dissolved and elections held due the failure of a motion of confidence, Parliament shall convene on the 1st Monday following the election.
(c) Parliament shall not be in session for longer than 60 days in any year, unless they are called back into extraordinary session as hereinafter detailed.
(d) Each House may determine the Rules of its Proceedings, punish its Members for disorderly Behaviour, and, with the Concurrence of two thirds, expel a Member.
(e) Each House shall keep a Journal of its Proceedings, and from time to time publish the same, excepting such Parts as may in their Judgment require Secrecy; and the Yeas and Nays of the Members of either House on any question shall, at the Desire of one fifth of those Present, be entered on the Journal.
(f) Neither House, during the Session of Parliment, shall, without the Consent of the other, adjourn for more than three days, nor to any other Place than that in which the two Houses shall be sitting.
(g) Members of Parliament shall in all Cases, except Treason, Felony and Breach of the Peace, be privileged from Arrest during their Attendance at the Session of their respective Houses, and in going to and returning from the same; and for any Speech or Debate in either House, they shall not be questioned in any other Place.
Sec 2 Powers
(a) Parliament shall have the power to:
- Levy a tax upon the citizens of the principality, proportional to their income given that the said tax shall not be for more than 10% of their income except in time of declared war, and shall in no case be for more than 20% of their income. In time of declared war only parliament may create a progressive rate of income taxation but under no circumstances shall the highest rate exceed the lowest by more than 50%, and the highest rate shall, as delimited above, not exceed 20% of income.
- To borrow money upon the credit of the principality for the purpose of buying or leasing sovereign territory and to levy a property tax on territory so acquired for the propose of repaying the debt so contracted. If the money is borrowed for the purpose of leasing territory the debt shall become due before the lease on the property expires.
- To borrow money upon the credit of the principality in time of war. Such debt shall become due no later than twenty years from the time of it’s contract. And in no circumstances shall such debt be of an amount of more than 45% of the revenue of the Government in the year of it’s issue.
- To regulate commerce with foreign nations for the purposes of foreign policy only.
- To establish gold, silver, and copper only as the medium of restitution in court decisions and for the payment of taxes and governmental officials.
- To coin these metals for use as money.
- To provide for the punishment of counterfeiting the securities and current coin of banks and the principality.
- To Provide for establishment of a communications network, for state purposes only.
- To secure intellectual property.
- To define and punish piracies and felonies committed on the sea and offenses against the law of nations.
- To define and punish involvement in slavery, the slave trade, and debt peonage.
- To declare war, conclude peace, contract alliances, grant letters of marquee and reprisal and make rules concerning captures on the sea and upon land.
- To raise and support armies, but no appropriation to that use shall be for longer than two years.
- To raise and support air forces, but no appropriation to that use shall be for longer than two years.
- To pay the salaries of the other executive officers of the principality, but no appropriation for such purpose shall be for longer than one year.
- To pay the salaries of the judges and other judicial officers of the principality.
- To provide and maintain a navy and marine corps, but no appropriation for that purpose shall be for longer than 4 years.
- To raise and support foreign or expeditionary forces, but no appropriation to that use shall be for longer than one year.
- To make rules for the government and regulation of the land, air and navel forces.
- To provide for calling forth the militia to execute the laws of the principality, suppress insurrections and repel invasions.
- To provide for organizing, arming and disciplining the Militia and for governing such part of them as may be employed in the service of the principality, reserving to the shires respectively, the appointment of the officers, and the authority of training the militia according to the discipline proscribed by parliament.
- To exercise exclusive legislation over such district as may by the session of a particular shire and the acceptance of parliament become the seat of the government of the principality and to exercise like authority over all places purchased by the consent of the legislature of the shire where in the same shall be, for the erection of forts, arsenals, dockyards, and other needful buildings.
- To peacefully annex new territory into the principality.
(b) No money shall be drawn from the treasury but in consequence of appropriations made by law, and a regular statement and account of the receipts and expenditures of all public money shall be published from time to time.
(c) To make all laws which shall be necessary for carrying into execution the forgoing powers and all other powers vested by this constitution in the princely government or any Department or officer there of.
(d) No bill of attainder or expost facto law shall be passed. The Privilege of the Writ of Habeas Corpus shall not be suspended, unless when in Cases of Rebellion or Invasion the public Safety may require it.
(e) Pass a motion of no confidence in the government, but such motion must originate in the house.Sec 3 House of Representatives
(a) The house of representatives shall be composed of members chosen from districts apportioned among the several shires and territories in proportion to the number of citizens resident there in as determined by an actual enumeration which shall occur every 12 years. The number of representatives shall in no case be less than one for every ten thousand citizens.
(b) Each district shall elect three members on the same ballot for a term of one year.
(c) Each district shall also elect one representative every year for a term of three years except that should a motion of confidence fail to pass, they shall stand for reelection within four weeks. When a new district is formed, these three members will be elected on the same ballot. The candidate with the most votes shall have a term of three years, the candidate with the second largest number of votes shall have a term of two years and the candidate with the third largest number of votes shall have a term of one year.
(d) Every year each district shall also chose by lot a representative with a term of three years from among the citizens of the district. When a new district is formed, these three members will be chose by lot, the member chosen first shall have a term of three years, the member chose second a term of two years, and the member chose third a term of one year.
(e) Representatives shall be paid a salary from the treasury of the principality as determined by law.
(f) No person shall stand for election to the house who has not attained his eighteenth year.The House of Representatives shall chose their speaker and other officers, and shall have the power of impeachment.Sec 4 The Senate
(a) The senate shall be composed of members elected by the legislatures of the shires. Each shire shall be represented by six senators one chosen by the legislature of the shire each year for a term of six years. When a new shire joins the principality it shall elect six members of the Senate, one for a term of six years, one for a term of five years, one for a term of four years, one for a term of three years, one for a term of two years, and one for a term of one year.
(b) The legislature of each territory shall chose every six years one senator with a term of six years.
(c) Further 12 senators shall be elected at large by the citizens of the principality. They shall have a term of six years, but when these positions are first filled one sixth shall have a term of six years, one sixth shall have a term of five years, one sixth shall have a term of four years, one sixth shall have a term of three years, one sixth shall have a term of two years, and one sixth shall have a term of one year as determined by lot.
(d) Further any man who has served 5 years as: speaker of the house, or as tribune of the assembly, or as ephore, or as justice of the supreme court (after their retirement), or as a minister of the government shall be a Senator For Life. All members of the nobility shall be senators to the degree outline in Article II Section 4No person shall serve as a senator who has not attained his twenty first year, and been five years a citizen.
(e) Senators shall be paid a salary from the treasury of the principality which shall be equal to the salary of Representatives divided by 60 and multiplied by the number of days the Senator attends sessions of the Senate.
(f) The senate shall chose their presiding officer who shall be the Chancellor. The senate shall chose their other officers.
(g) The senate shall have the sole right to try all impeachments. When they are convened for that purpose they shall be on oath. When a prince is tried the Chief Justice shall preside. No person shall be convicted with out the concurrence of two thirds of the members. Judgment in Cases of Impeachment shall not extend further than to removal from Office, and disqualification to hold and enjoy any Office of honor, Trust or Profit under the Dual Principality: but the Party convicted shall nevertheless be liable and subject to Indictment, Trial, Judgment and Punishment, according to Law.
Art. V The Privy Council
Sec. 1 Organization
(a) The Privy Council is composed of the Prime Minister, the Chancellor, the Speaker of the House, the Ministers, the five most senior members of the Senate by time served in the Senate, the five most senior members of the House by time served in the House, five members of parliament chosen by lot, and five members of parliament chosen by their Highnesses. If there is a difficulty in determining seniority because some members have the same number of year service, then those of equal term in office shall draw lots to determine who shall serve on the council.
(b) The Council shall chose its President who shall not be the Prime Minister.
(c) The Council shall meet on the first Monday of every month and when they are convened by the Prime Minister or Their Highnesses.Sec. 2 Powers
(a) The Privy Council shall have the power with the concurrence of two thirds of its members to call Parliament into an additional ten day session after the expiration of its normal sixty day session.
(b) The Council shall have the power to call Parliament into an additional ten day session after the expiration of its normal sixty day session if the Prime Minister has been dismissed or has resigned.
(c) The Council shall have the power with the concurrence of two thirds of its members to temporarily fill vacancies in the judiciary if Their Highnesses have not done so within 60 days of the occurrence of the vacancy. If Their Highnesses have not proposed a permanent replacement fill to the vacancy within 30 days of the opening of parliament, the Council shall have the power with the concurrence of two thirds of its members to propose a replacement to the Senate.
Art. VI Types of Laws and the Legislative Process
Sec. 1. Laws of Limited Affect
(a) Joint Decree: A joint decree is a statement of the will of their Highnesses. It has advisory effect only, except for the Lord High Chamberlain and other officers of their Highnesses’ household for whom it shall be a binding instruction. A joint decree ordering the militia to muster is also binding. A joint decree must be signed by both Prince Diarchs to have effect.
(b) Executive Order: An executive order is an instruction to the members of an executive department. An Executive order is a binding instruction only for the officers of the ministry to which it is issued. An executive order must be signed by the relevant minister and the prime minister to have effect.
(c) Concurrent Resolution: A concurrent resolution is a joint decision of both houses of parliament as to the time and place of their meeting within the limits proscribed by law. A concurrent resolution must have passed both houses to have effect. Sec 2 Laws of Limited Duration
(a) Finance Law: A finance law is a law that alters the tax rate or authorizes the spending of money. It must be approved by a majority of both houses if it raises taxes and by a majority in the House and by one third of the senators if it spends money. In either case it must be signed by both Prince Diarchs to have effect.
(b) Declaration of War or Peace: A declaration of war or the rescinding of the same must be approved by both houses. A declaration of war must be signed by both prince diarchs. A declaration peace must be signed by one prince diarch.
(c) Imperitorial Order: A signed order of the Imperitor is a law for the duration of the Imperitor’s term of office unless it is not later confirmed by the security council.
(d) Temporary Law: A bill which is passed by a two thirds majority of both houses in two consecutive years and is signed by one of the princes becomes a temporary law. A bill which is passed by a majority of both houses in two consecutive years and is then signed by both prince diarchs becomes a temporary law. An Imperitorial Order, confirmed by the Security Council becomes a temporary law upon the vote of a majority of both houses and signing by both Prince Diarchs. A temporary law must be repassed by a two thirds majority in both houses and must be signed by one prince every five years to remain in effect.Sec. 3 Laws
(a) Act of Crown in Parliament: A temporary law which has been effect for more than five years which is subsequently passed by a majority of both houses and is then signed by both prince diarchs becomes a permanent law in force until it is repealed.Sec. 4 Extraordinary Laws
(a) Act of Crown in Parliament to Modify the Basic Law: A bill to amend the basic law which is passed by a two thirds majority of both houses in two consecutive years and is signed by both of the prince diarchs becomes a temporary amendment to the basic law. After being in effect for five years a bill must be introduced in parliament to make the amendment permanent. If parliament passes the bill in both houses again by a two thirds majority and it is signed by both of the prince diarchs, then the proposed change to the basic law is submitted to a plebiscite of the citizens. If the majority of the votes are for the amendment it becomes a permanent part of the basic law. If at any point in this process the bill fails the amendment is rejected.
(b) Act of Crown in Parliament to Amend the Constitution: A bill to amend this Constitution which is passed by a two thirds majority of both houses in two consecutive years and is signed by both of the prince diarchs is put to a plebiscite. If the majority of the votes are for the amendment it becomes a temporary amendment to the Constitution. After being in effect for five years a bill must be introduced to make it permanent. If parliament passes the bill in both houses again by a two thirds majority and it is signed by both of the prince diarchs, then the proposed amendment to the constitution is submitted to a plebiscite of the citizens. If the majority of the votes are for the amendment it is submitted to the shire legislatures. If two thirds of the shire legislatures vote to adopt the amendment then it becomes a permanent part of this constitution. If at any point in this process the bill fails the amendment is rejected. Articles VIII and IX cannot be amended with out the approval of two thirds of the members of the assembly. Article III and Article IV Sec. 4 Para 1 can't be amended with out the consent of all of the shire legislatures. Article I can't be amended without the approval of two thirds of the members of the assembly and the consent of all of the shire legislatures.
Article VII Acts of Annexation
Sec. 1 Definition and Legislative ProcessAn Act of Annexation is a law by which new territory is added to the principality. It must be passed by both Houses of Parliament and signed by both Princes.Sec. 2 What DoneIn addition to adding the new territory to the principality, the act shall define the borders of the new shires created by the annexation, shall state the amount of money to be paid for it, shall state the amount be borrowed in accordance with Art. IV Sec. 2 Para. 2, and shall name any new members of the nobility created by the act.Sec. 3 Types of AnnexationA minor annexation involves annexation of territory not independent prior to becoming part of the principality.
An intermediate annexation involves annexation of an independent state with 1000 square miles in area or less. Parliament may create up to 1 Hereditary Senator and 4 Senators for Life from among the people resident on the territory aquired by the act.A major annexation involves annexation of an independent state with greater than 1000 square miles in area. Parliament may create up to 1 Prince, 1 First Senator, 1 Hereditary Senator, and 5 Senators for Life from among the people resident on the territory acquired by the act.
Preamble
We, Stephen and David by grace of birth sovereign, to all those who would tender us their allegiance greetings. We do proclaim that we and our heirs forever shall govern in accordance with this constitution.
Chapter 1 Rights, Citizenship, and the Federation
Art I Rights of Man
The protection of individual rights is the first duty and sole justification of all state authority.
Sec 1 The Right to LifeNo person shall be deprived of their life without due process of law upon a charge of treason, premeditated murder, murder in the commission of a crime, slave ownership, or slave trading.
Sec 2 The Right to LibertyNo person shall be deprived of their liberty without due process of law upon a charge of committing a crime which violates the right of life liberty or property of another or of attempting to committee such crime or endangering others rights by breach of the peace or attempt to commit the same.
Sec 3 The Right to PropertyNo person shall be deprived of their property without due process of law upon a charge of committing a crime which damages the person or property of another.
Sec 4 The Right to Freedom of Opinion, Expression and AssemblyThe legislature shall make no law regarding the establishment of a religion. The legislature shall make no law to restrict or prevent an individual from using his property to proselytize his views. The legislature shall make no law to restrict or prevent a peaceful assembly of people on private property.
Sec 5 The Right to Bear ArmsAn armed citizenry being the bulwark of a free state, the right of the individual to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.
Sec 6 Protection of Person and PropertyThe right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers and effects against unreasonable searches and seizures shall not violated. Warrants shall be issued only on probable cause upon oath or affirmation and particularly naming the place to be searched and persons or things to be seized. No property shall be taken for public use except in time of war or insurrection and then only after just compensation is paid.
Sec 7 Freedom of Association and Non AssociationNo person shall be deprived of their right to form associations for: the corporate or communal use of their property; forming by contract families to raise their natural and adopted children; for non treasonous and non violent political purposes; to negotiate with their employer; or for any lawful purpose. No person shall be deprived of their right to contract freely with others for any lawful purpose. No person shall be deprived of their right not to associate or contract with others.
Sec 8 Rights Not EnumeratedThe Enumeration of certain rights in this document shall not be held to disparage others, not enumerated, which are retained by the people.
Art II Citizenship
Sec 1 Requirement for citizenshipAny person resident in the principality who has reached the age of 16 years and has completed three years of active military duty or 5 years of a thirty year term of militia duty, may by paying the income tax set forth by the legislature, become a citizen of the principality. Failure to pay income tax will result in suspension of citizenship. Failure to complete the full 30 years of militia duty will result in revocation of citizenship, unless the failure to perform the militia duty is due to travel in the interests of the principality. Those who are discharged for wounds or injuries suffered in the military service of the principality shall be considered to have completed their military service. Those physically unable to perform military service may obtain citizenship by paying twice the tax set forth by parliament. Citizenship may be lost by conviction of crime as laid out in the Basic Law.
Sec 2 Non CitizensAny person who has resided with in the principality for a period of not less then two years and has renounced all allegiance to any other polity or who is a native born resident of the principality and has not taken an oath of allegiance to any other polity is a resident national of the principality. A resident national who is more than 30 years old is eligible to attend the assembly. Any person subject to the jurisdiction of the principality shall have the full protection of the law unless removed by order of competent court upon conviction of a felony after due process of law.
Sec 3 The Duties and Privileges of CitizenshipAll citizens shall have the right to vote, the right and duty to sit on juries, and the ability to hold office.
Sec 4 Oath of CitizenshipAll prospective citizens shall take the following oath at the beginning of their term of military service: I, _____, having attained my ___ year and being of sound mind and without purpose of deception or evasion, do solemnly swear on my honor to bare true faith and allegiance to the Prince Diarchs of Amagi and to their constitutionally appointed successors, to defend the constitution of the Dual Principality of Amagi from all enemies foreign or domestic, to bear arms in the service the principality for a term of ____ years, during which time I shall obey all lawful orders by those lawfully put over me and demand a like obedience from all those put lawfully under my orders, and at the end of my term of service after paying the annual tax set forth by parliament to enjoy all of the privileges of a citizen of the Dual Principality including but not limited to the sovereign franchise.No person shall take the oath until they have attained their twelfth year. No person having attained their twelfth year shall be prevented from taking the oath and paying their service and taxes and there by becoming a citizen unless they have been convicted of a felony.
Sec 5 Honors, the Gentry, and the Nobility
(a) While all citizens are equal before the law, honors and titles exist to reward service to the principality. There are four forms of titles, honorary titles, the gentry, the nobility and the high nobility. Only honorary titles can be conferred on non citizens.
(b) Honor titles confer recognition but not political privileges. Honor titles take the form of membership in an order honoring some form of achievement or contribution to the welfare of the principality. Honor titles are awarded at the sole discretion of their highnesses.
(c) Gentry titles confer political privileges pertaining to voting.
(i) Esquire: A citizen may become an Esquire by one of two methods. Any citizen who has completed twice the amount of military service required for citizenship is an Esquire. A Citizen who has paid twice the income tax he owes for the last five years shall be an Esquire as long as he continues to do so. An Esquire is allowed to vote twice in any election.
(ii) Knight : A citizen may become a knight by completing twice the amount of military service as outlined above and paying twice the tax as out lined above. A Knight is entitled to vote three times in any election.
(iii) Baronet: A citizen may become a Baronet by appointment by their Highnesses with the consent of the Senate or by appointment of a member of the nobility upon his death. Their Highnesses may appoint no more than 5 Baronets a year. A Baronet shall be entitled to vote 4 times in an election. A Baronet may pass his title to any citizen upon his death.
(d) Titles of Nobility confer the privilege of degrees of membership in the senate and usually the right to appoint a citizen baronet at the title holders death.
(i) Hereditary Councilor to the Senate: A title of nobility awarded to the 61st through 200th people to become citizens. Further Their Highnesses may appoint one citizen a Hereditary Councilor to the Senate once every other year with the consent of the House of Representatives. A Hereditary Councilor to the Senate is a non voting member of the Senate. A Hereditary Councilor to the Senate shall be entitled to vote 5 times in a general election. A Hereditary Councilor to the Senate may pass his title to any citizen upon his death and the title of Baronet to another citizen.
(ii) Senator For Life: A title of nobility awarded to citizens under the terms laid out in Art IV Sec. 4. Also one person shall be chosen Senator For Life from among the citizens by lot every year. Further Their Highnesses may appoint one citizen a Senator for Life once per year with the consent of the House of Representatives. Senators For Life are members of the Senate. A Senator For Life may will the title of Baronet to a citizen.
(iii) Hereditary Senator: A title of nobility awarded to the 21st through 60th people to become citizens. Also their Highnesses may appoint one citizen a Hereditary Senator every five years with the consent of the House of Representatives. Further a title of nobility awarded for financial support of the principality. The price for a title of shall always be one ton of gold more than the previous price. No more than one title shall be sold every year. A Hereditary Senator is a member of the Senate. A Hereditary Senator may pass his title to any citizen upon his death and the title of Baronet to another citizen.
(e) Titles of High Nobility confer the privilege of membership in the Senate, the right to appoint a citizen baronet, and the right to be a candidate for election as Prince Diarch.
(i) First Senator: A title of nobility awarded to the 1st through 20th people to become citizens and to the children of a Prince Diarch or Prince Heir Aparent on their attainment of citizenship. Also, Their Highnesses may appoint one citizen a First Senator every ten years with the consent of the House of Representatives and to a former head of state or government as part of an act of Annexation. A First Senator is a member of the Senate. A First Senator may pass his title to any citizen upon his death and the title of Baronet to another citizen.
(ii) Prince: A title of nobility held by the heirs apparent to the thrones and by former Prince Diarchs. Princes are members of the senate. A Prince may pass the title of First Senator to a citizen upon his death.
(f) All persons who recieve a title of Baronet, Hereditary Councilor to the Senate, Senator for Life, Hereditary Senator, First Senator, or Prince shall serve in the active, reserve, or militia components of the armed forces from the time they receive the title until they are sixty five years old or unfit for military duty. Before entering into their office they shall take the following oath in the presence of both prince diarchs: I, _______, do solemnly affirm my oath of citizenship and make myself a liegeman of the prince diarchs and their constitutionally appointed successors, I shall give them my allegence, good counsel, and life in their cause.” This oath shall be given to each new prince diarch upon his corination.
Art III The Federal Nature of the Principality
Sec 1 Free Federation of Free ShiresThe Principality is a free federation of free shires. It is also a creation of the citizens who sustain it. Shires may leave the federation as describe in this constitution.Sec 2 ShiresShires are sovereign states that are members of the federal principality. Shires are governed under a system of government compatible with this constitution. The points of compatibility are:
- That all persons within its jurisdiction shall receive the full protection of the law unless it is removed by order of a competent court upon conviction of a crime after due process of law,
- That all the rights enumerated in Art I and Article XIV Sec. 6, 7, and 8 of this constitution shall be respected,
- That the holding of office shall be restricted to citizens,
- That the sovereign franchise shall be restricted no further than to citizens who have resided within the shire for more than six months and extended no further than to resident nationals over forty and resident nationals serving in the armed forces of the principality and who have resided within the shire for more than six months,
- That the shire shall have a co-executive one of whom shall be the Sheriff. The Sheriff shall be a citizen. He shall have served as an elected official of the shire of which he is Sheriff. Upon the vacancy of the office of Sheriff of a shire, the legislature of that shire shall transmit to the Senate a list of twenty persons it believes to be best qualified to be sheriff. The Senate shall chose from this list the five men it considers best qualified to be sheriff and transmit the names to the Princes. From among these five the princes shall appoint the sheriff.
- The shire shall have a bicameral legislature one house of which shall be composed of representatives of the governments of the cities, towns, and villages with in the shire.
- Every shire shall pay ten percent of its revenue to the treasury of the Dual principality.
- No shire shall enter into any treaty, alliance or confederation; emit Bills of credit; make anything but gold, silver or copper coin a tender in payment of debt; pass any bill of attainder, expost facto law or law impairing the obligations of contract.
- No shire shall engage in war without the consent of the Parliament unless actually invaded or in such imminent danger of invasion as will not admit of delay.Every shire shall form at least one grand jury every year for the investigation of dishonesty or abuse of office.
- Full Faith and Credit shall be given in each Shire to the public Acts, Records, and judicial Proceedings of every other Shire. And the Parliment may by general Laws prescribe the Manner in which such Acts, Records and Proceedings shall be proved, and the Effect thereof.
- A Person charged in any Shire with Treason, Felony, or other Crime, who shall flee from Justice, and be found in another Shire, shall on Demand of the executive Authority of the Shire from which he fled, be delivered up, to be removed to the Shire having Jurisdiction of the Crime.
- New Shires may be admitted by Parliment into this Union; but no new Shire shall be formed or erected within the Jurisdiction of any other Shire; nor any Shire be formed by the Junction of two or more Shires, or Parts of Shires, without the Consent of the Legislatures of the Shires concerned as well as of the Parliment.
Sec 3 TerritoriesTerritories are partial members of the principality. While their government does not have to be fully compatible with the federal system, it must extend the protection of the law to all persons with in its jurisdiction and it must respect the rights enumerated in Art I and Article XIV Sec. 6, 7, and 8 of this constitution. Citizens of the Territories may become citizens of the Dual Principality by serving in the armed forces of the Territory or of the Dual Principality and paying the annual tax set by parliament. New Territories may be admitted by Parliment; but no new teritory shall be formed or erected within the Jurisdiction of any other Shire or teritory; nor any teritory be formed by the Junction of two or more Territories or Shires, or Parts of Territories or Shires, without the Consent of the Legislatures of the Territories or Shires concerned as well as of the Parliment. Territories may leave the federation by the vote of their legislature.
Sec 4 Powers not GrantedPowers not granted by this constitution to the princely government are reserved to the shires and the people respectively.Sec 5 Nullification and Secession
(a) A shire may nullify the operation of a law of the principality with in the territory of the shire by the vote of two thirds of both houses of its legislature with the consent of the Sheriff. It may rescind nullification by vote of the majority of both houses. A shire may not suspend the operation of more than five laws concurrently. A shire may not nullify a finance law or declarations of war or peace.
(b) A shire may secede from the principality by the following method. If three quarters of the members of both houses of the shire’s legislature agree the question of secession shall be put on the ballot at the next election. If the majority of the voters support succession then five years hence, the shire legislature shall again vote on secession. If three quarters of the legislature of the shire agree the question of secession shall again be put on the ballot. If the majority of the voters of the shire again vote for secession, then one year from the date of that vote the shire shall become an independent state. Citizens and resident nationals residing within the shire shall have to decide whether they wish to remain citizens and resident nationals of the principality or whether they wish to be citizens of the new state.
Chapter 2 Parliament, Laws and the Legislative Process
Art IV Parliament
Sec 1 Organization
(a) The Principality shall have a parliament composed of a House of the Representatives of the Citizens, and a Senate.
(b) Parliament shall convene annually on the fifteenth day of June. If parliament has been dissolved and elections held due the failure of a motion of confidence, Parliament shall convene on the 1st Monday following the election.
(c) Parliament shall not be in session for longer than 60 days in any year, unless they are called back into extraordinary session as hereinafter detailed.
(d) Each House may determine the Rules of its Proceedings, punish its Members for disorderly Behaviour, and, with the Concurrence of two thirds, expel a Member.
(e) Each House shall keep a Journal of its Proceedings, and from time to time publish the same, excepting such Parts as may in their Judgment require Secrecy; and the Yeas and Nays of the Members of either House on any question shall, at the Desire of one fifth of those Present, be entered on the Journal.
(f) Neither House, during the Session of Parliment, shall, without the Consent of the other, adjourn for more than three days, nor to any other Place than that in which the two Houses shall be sitting.
(g) Members of Parliament shall in all Cases, except Treason, Felony and Breach of the Peace, be privileged from Arrest during their Attendance at the Session of their respective Houses, and in going to and returning from the same; and for any Speech or Debate in either House, they shall not be questioned in any other Place.
Sec 2 Powers
(a) Parliament shall have the power to:
- Levy a tax upon the citizens of the principality, proportional to their income given that the said tax shall not be for more than 10% of their income except in time of declared war, and shall in no case be for more than 20% of their income. In time of declared war only parliament may create a progressive rate of income taxation but under no circumstances shall the highest rate exceed the lowest by more than 50%, and the highest rate shall, as delimited above, not exceed 20% of income.
- To borrow money upon the credit of the principality for the purpose of buying or leasing sovereign territory and to levy a property tax on territory so acquired for the propose of repaying the debt so contracted. If the money is borrowed for the purpose of leasing territory the debt shall become due before the lease on the property expires.
- To borrow money upon the credit of the principality in time of war. Such debt shall become due no later than twenty years from the time of it’s contract. And in no circumstances shall such debt be of an amount of more than 45% of the revenue of the Government in the year of it’s issue.
- To regulate commerce with foreign nations for the purposes of foreign policy only.
- To establish gold, silver, and copper only as the medium of restitution in court decisions and for the payment of taxes and governmental officials.
- To coin these metals for use as money.
- To provide for the punishment of counterfeiting the securities and current coin of banks and the principality.
- To Provide for establishment of a communications network, for state purposes only.
- To secure intellectual property.
- To define and punish piracies and felonies committed on the sea and offenses against the law of nations.
- To define and punish involvement in slavery, the slave trade, and debt peonage.
- To declare war, conclude peace, contract alliances, grant letters of marquee and reprisal and make rules concerning captures on the sea and upon land.
- To raise and support armies, but no appropriation to that use shall be for longer than two years.
- To raise and support air forces, but no appropriation to that use shall be for longer than two years.
- To pay the salaries of the other executive officers of the principality, but no appropriation for such purpose shall be for longer than one year.
- To pay the salaries of the judges and other judicial officers of the principality.
- To provide and maintain a navy and marine corps, but no appropriation for that purpose shall be for longer than 4 years.
- To raise and support foreign or expeditionary forces, but no appropriation to that use shall be for longer than one year.
- To make rules for the government and regulation of the land, air and navel forces.
- To provide for calling forth the militia to execute the laws of the principality, suppress insurrections and repel invasions.
- To provide for organizing, arming and disciplining the Militia and for governing such part of them as may be employed in the service of the principality, reserving to the shires respectively, the appointment of the officers, and the authority of training the militia according to the discipline proscribed by parliament.
- To exercise exclusive legislation over such district as may by the session of a particular shire and the acceptance of parliament become the seat of the government of the principality and to exercise like authority over all places purchased by the consent of the legislature of the shire where in the same shall be, for the erection of forts, arsenals, dockyards, and other needful buildings.
- To peacefully annex new territory into the principality.
(b) No money shall be drawn from the treasury but in consequence of appropriations made by law, and a regular statement and account of the receipts and expenditures of all public money shall be published from time to time.
(c) To make all laws which shall be necessary for carrying into execution the forgoing powers and all other powers vested by this constitution in the princely government or any Department or officer there of.
(d) No bill of attainder or expost facto law shall be passed. The Privilege of the Writ of Habeas Corpus shall not be suspended, unless when in Cases of Rebellion or Invasion the public Safety may require it.
(e) Pass a motion of no confidence in the government, but such motion must originate in the house.Sec 3 House of Representatives
(a) The house of representatives shall be composed of members chosen from districts apportioned among the several shires and territories in proportion to the number of citizens resident there in as determined by an actual enumeration which shall occur every 12 years. The number of representatives shall in no case be less than one for every ten thousand citizens.
(b) Each district shall elect three members on the same ballot for a term of one year.
(c) Each district shall also elect one representative every year for a term of three years except that should a motion of confidence fail to pass, they shall stand for reelection within four weeks. When a new district is formed, these three members will be elected on the same ballot. The candidate with the most votes shall have a term of three years, the candidate with the second largest number of votes shall have a term of two years and the candidate with the third largest number of votes shall have a term of one year.
(d) Every year each district shall also chose by lot a representative with a term of three years from among the citizens of the district. When a new district is formed, these three members will be chose by lot, the member chosen first shall have a term of three years, the member chose second a term of two years, and the member chose third a term of one year.
(e) Representatives shall be paid a salary from the treasury of the principality as determined by law.
(f) No person shall stand for election to the house who has not attained his eighteenth year.The House of Representatives shall chose their speaker and other officers, and shall have the power of impeachment.Sec 4 The Senate
(a) The senate shall be composed of members elected by the legislatures of the shires. Each shire shall be represented by six senators one chosen by the legislature of the shire each year for a term of six years. When a new shire joins the principality it shall elect six members of the Senate, one for a term of six years, one for a term of five years, one for a term of four years, one for a term of three years, one for a term of two years, and one for a term of one year.
(b) The legislature of each territory shall chose every six years one senator with a term of six years.
(c) Further 12 senators shall be elected at large by the citizens of the principality. They shall have a term of six years, but when these positions are first filled one sixth shall have a term of six years, one sixth shall have a term of five years, one sixth shall have a term of four years, one sixth shall have a term of three years, one sixth shall have a term of two years, and one sixth shall have a term of one year as determined by lot.
(d) Further any man who has served 5 years as: speaker of the house, or as tribune of the assembly, or as ephore, or as justice of the supreme court (after their retirement), or as a minister of the government shall be a Senator For Life. All members of the nobility shall be senators to the degree outline in Article II Section 4No person shall serve as a senator who has not attained his twenty first year, and been five years a citizen.
(e) Senators shall be paid a salary from the treasury of the principality which shall be equal to the salary of Representatives divided by 60 and multiplied by the number of days the Senator attends sessions of the Senate.
(f) The senate shall chose their presiding officer who shall be the Chancellor. The senate shall chose their other officers.
(g) The senate shall have the sole right to try all impeachments. When they are convened for that purpose they shall be on oath. When a prince is tried the Chief Justice shall preside. No person shall be convicted with out the concurrence of two thirds of the members. Judgment in Cases of Impeachment shall not extend further than to removal from Office, and disqualification to hold and enjoy any Office of honor, Trust or Profit under the Dual Principality: but the Party convicted shall nevertheless be liable and subject to Indictment, Trial, Judgment and Punishment, according to Law.
Art. V The Privy Council
Sec. 1 Organization
(a) The Privy Council is composed of the Prime Minister, the Chancellor, the Speaker of the House, the Ministers, the five most senior members of the Senate by time served in the Senate, the five most senior members of the House by time served in the House, five members of parliament chosen by lot, and five members of parliament chosen by their Highnesses. If there is a difficulty in determining seniority because some members have the same number of year service, then those of equal term in office shall draw lots to determine who shall serve on the council.
(b) The Council shall chose its President who shall not be the Prime Minister.
(c) The Council shall meet on the first Monday of every month and when they are convened by the Prime Minister or Their Highnesses.Sec. 2 Powers
(a) The Privy Council shall have the power with the concurrence of two thirds of its members to call Parliament into an additional ten day session after the expiration of its normal sixty day session.
(b) The Council shall have the power to call Parliament into an additional ten day session after the expiration of its normal sixty day session if the Prime Minister has been dismissed or has resigned.
(c) The Council shall have the power with the concurrence of two thirds of its members to temporarily fill vacancies in the judiciary if Their Highnesses have not done so within 60 days of the occurrence of the vacancy. If Their Highnesses have not proposed a permanent replacement fill to the vacancy within 30 days of the opening of parliament, the Council shall have the power with the concurrence of two thirds of its members to propose a replacement to the Senate.
Art. VI Types of Laws and the Legislative Process
Sec. 1. Laws of Limited Affect
(a) Joint Decree: A joint decree is a statement of the will of their Highnesses. It has advisory effect only, except for the Lord High Chamberlain and other officers of their Highnesses’ household for whom it shall be a binding instruction. A joint decree ordering the militia to muster is also binding. A joint decree must be signed by both Prince Diarchs to have effect.
(b) Executive Order: An executive order is an instruction to the members of an executive department. An Executive order is a binding instruction only for the officers of the ministry to which it is issued. An executive order must be signed by the relevant minister and the prime minister to have effect.
(c) Concurrent Resolution: A concurrent resolution is a joint decision of both houses of parliament as to the time and place of their meeting within the limits proscribed by law. A concurrent resolution must have passed both houses to have effect. Sec 2 Laws of Limited Duration
(a) Finance Law: A finance law is a law that alters the tax rate or authorizes the spending of money. It must be approved by a majority of both houses if it raises taxes and by a majority in the House and by one third of the senators if it spends money. In either case it must be signed by both Prince Diarchs to have effect.
(b) Declaration of War or Peace: A declaration of war or the rescinding of the same must be approved by both houses. A declaration of war must be signed by both prince diarchs. A declaration peace must be signed by one prince diarch.
(c) Imperitorial Order: A signed order of the Imperitor is a law for the duration of the Imperitor’s term of office unless it is not later confirmed by the security council.
(d) Temporary Law: A bill which is passed by a two thirds majority of both houses in two consecutive years and is signed by one of the princes becomes a temporary law. A bill which is passed by a majority of both houses in two consecutive years and is then signed by both prince diarchs becomes a temporary law. An Imperitorial Order, confirmed by the Security Council becomes a temporary law upon the vote of a majority of both houses and signing by both Prince Diarchs. A temporary law must be repassed by a two thirds majority in both houses and must be signed by one prince every five years to remain in effect.Sec. 3 Laws
(a) Act of Crown in Parliament: A temporary law which has been effect for more than five years which is subsequently passed by a majority of both houses and is then signed by both prince diarchs becomes a permanent law in force until it is repealed.Sec. 4 Extraordinary Laws
(a) Act of Crown in Parliament to Modify the Basic Law: A bill to amend the basic law which is passed by a two thirds majority of both houses in two consecutive years and is signed by both of the prince diarchs becomes a temporary amendment to the basic law. After being in effect for five years a bill must be introduced in parliament to make the amendment permanent. If parliament passes the bill in both houses again by a two thirds majority and it is signed by both of the prince diarchs, then the proposed change to the basic law is submitted to a plebiscite of the citizens. If the majority of the votes are for the amendment it becomes a permanent part of the basic law. If at any point in this process the bill fails the amendment is rejected.
(b) Act of Crown in Parliament to Amend the Constitution: A bill to amend this Constitution which is passed by a two thirds majority of both houses in two consecutive years and is signed by both of the prince diarchs is put to a plebiscite. If the majority of the votes are for the amendment it becomes a temporary amendment to the Constitution. After being in effect for five years a bill must be introduced to make it permanent. If parliament passes the bill in both houses again by a two thirds majority and it is signed by both of the prince diarchs, then the proposed amendment to the constitution is submitted to a plebiscite of the citizens. If the majority of the votes are for the amendment it is submitted to the shire legislatures. If two thirds of the shire legislatures vote to adopt the amendment then it becomes a permanent part of this constitution. If at any point in this process the bill fails the amendment is rejected. Articles VIII and IX cannot be amended with out the approval of two thirds of the members of the assembly. Article III and Article IV Sec. 4 Para 1 can't be amended with out the consent of all of the shire legislatures. Article I can't be amended without the approval of two thirds of the members of the assembly and the consent of all of the shire legislatures.
Article VII Acts of Annexation
Sec. 1 Definition and Legislative ProcessAn Act of Annexation is a law by which new territory is added to the principality. It must be passed by both Houses of Parliament and signed by both Princes.Sec. 2 What DoneIn addition to adding the new territory to the principality, the act shall define the borders of the new shires created by the annexation, shall state the amount of money to be paid for it, shall state the amount be borrowed in accordance with Art. IV Sec. 2 Para. 2, and shall name any new members of the nobility created by the act.Sec. 3 Types of AnnexationA minor annexation involves annexation of territory not independent prior to becoming part of the principality.
An intermediate annexation involves annexation of an independent state with 1000 square miles in area or less. Parliament may create up to 1 Hereditary Senator and 4 Senators for Life from among the people resident on the territory aquired by the act.A major annexation involves annexation of an independent state with greater than 1000 square miles in area. Parliament may create up to 1 Prince, 1 First Senator, 1 Hereditary Senator, and 5 Senators for Life from among the people resident on the territory acquired by the act.
Chapter 3 The Assembly and EphoresArt VIII The Assembly
Sec 1 Organization
(a) The assembly is composed of all resident nationals of the principality who have attained their thirtieth year and all citizens.
(b) Members may by contract choose another member of the assembly to exercise their right to speak and vote before the assembly. Such contract being lodged with the sheriff of the shire in which said member shall reside and transmitted from there to the seat of Government and entered into the written record of the assembly. Such contract may be revoked at any time.
(c) The assembly shall choose its tribune who shall be their presiding officer.Sec 2 Powers
(a) Once a year the assembly shall meet to chose an ephore. The assembly shall chose the ephore from among a list of candidates composed of citizens who have been nominated by a petition containing the signatures of at least 100 members of the assembly.
(b) Every five years the assembly shall meet to review the laws that have come in to effect in the past five years. The assembly has the power to suspend any such law with the concurrence of one third of it’s members, except the assembly shall have no power to interfere with the appropriation of money, acts of annexation, or declarations of war. At the next such meeting the assembly by the concurrence of one third of it’s members may repeal the law suspended.Art IX The Council of Ephors
Sec 1 Election of EphorsEphors are elected by the Assembly to a five-year term of office. When the assembly first convenes to elect Ephors it shall elect five Ephors the first one elected shall serve a term of five years. The second one elected shall serve a term of four years. The third elected shall serve a term of three years. The fourth elected shall serve a term of two years. The fifth elected shall serve a term of one year. Those elected to serve the four shorter terms may be reelected, as may a person elected to fill a vacancy. Other than this, no one shall be elected Ephore more than once. No one shall be elected Ephor who is not a citizen.Sec 2 Individual Powers
(a) It is the responsibility of the Ephors to investigate any charges of dishonesty or abuse of office by the executive officers of the principality.An ephor may empanel as many grand juries as needed to help him investigate such dishonesty or abuse of office and shall empanel at least one such grand jury each year.
(b) If an Ephor believes he has evidence of corruption or abuse of office he shall present the evidence to the house of representatives. Sec 3 Council PowersThe Ephors jointly compose the council of Ephors. If the majority of the council believes that an officer of the principality is guilty of corruption or abuse of office they shall indict him and he shall be tried by the senate.
Sec 4 The Ultimate DecreeIf all the members of the council believe the existence of the principality is threatened by war or insurrection, they shall order the House and Senate convened. If Parliament has not already declared war or passed a resolution that a state of insurrection exists, the council shall ask that they do so. Once a state of war or internal insurrection is declared to exist, the council may ask the Princes and Senate to issue the Ultimate decree.Art X The Ultimate DecreeSec. 1 How IssuedDuring time of declared war or insurrection, the Senate may on unanimous request of the Council of Ephors issue with the consent and in the name of the Prince Diarchs the Ultimate Decree. The Ultimate Decree shall not be issued more than three times in five years.Sec. 2 EffectThe Ultimate Decree appoints an Imperitor and calls the Security Council into continuous session.Sec. 3 The ImperitorIf the Senate shall issue the ultimate decree, it shall there in name an Imperitor who shall be one of the Prince Diarchs.The Imperitor shall have all the powers of the Princes and the Prime Minister, with the exception of the right to appoint judges.The Imperitor shall have the power to rule by decree, but every decree must be approved by the security council with in one month or it shall become void. No Decree can raise taxes which power is reserved to Parliament, but the Imperitor may spend money with out authorization by Parliament.The Imperitor’s term shall last six months. If the declaration of war or insurrection which caused the appointment of the Imperitor is repealed by Parliament, his term ends at that moment. At the completion of his term he shall make a full rendering of his actions to the House and Senate. If the Ultimate Decree is reissued, the Imperitor may not succeed him self in office, but the other prince diarch shall be named Imperitor.Sec 4 Security CouncilIf the ultimate decree be issued by the senate, the Chancellor shall immediately convene the security council. The council shall be composed of the members of the Cabinet and the Privy Council plus the Tribune of the Assembly. The Imperitor shall not be a member of the council. The council may nullify any decree of the Imperitor by refusing to affirm it. The council can revoke the ultimate decree by a vote of two thirds of its members. The Council can call Parliament back into session by the vote of one third of its members.
Chapter 4 The Princes and Executive Department
Art. XI The Princes and Heirs to the Thrones
Sec 1 Powers & OrganizationThe executive authority of the principality shall be vested in the Prince Diarchs and their ministers and secretaries.Sec. 2 The First PrincesThe first princes shall be Steven W. Houghton II and David K Rockwell.Sec. 3 Oath of OfficeBefore entering into the execution of his office a prince shall take the following oath, "I do solemnly swear upon my honor that I shall faithfully execute the office of Prince Diarch of the Dual Principality of Amagi and that I will to the best of my ability preserve, protect, and defend the constitution of the Dual Principality of Amagi against all enemies foreign or domestic."Sec. 4 SuccessionIn general the succession shall follow the principal of primogeniture, but no one shall be Prince who is not a citizen. After taking the oath of office the prince shall propose to the Senate candidates to be Prince Heir Apparent in accordance with the succession law which is part of the basic law. With the consent of a third of the members of the Senate the candidate shall be Prince Heir Apparent who shall in the event of the prince's death or incapacitation become Prince Diarch. If both the Prince Diarch and the Price Heir Apparent should die then with consent of a third of the members of the senate, the next candidate in accordance with the Succession law shall be the Prince Heir Apparent.Sec. 5 Plebiscite Each Prince Diarch shall have to face a plebiscite every ten years. Except that Prince David Rockwell shall not have to face a plebiscite for the first 15 years of his rule. If thirty percent of the votes cast in the plebiscite shall be in his favor the prince shall continue in office. But no person shall serve for more than fifty years as Prince Diarch. If the Prince Diarch dose not chose to face a plebiscite or if he must step down because he has served 50 years already then his Prince Heir Apparent shall face a plebiscite. If forty percent of the votes cast shall be in his favor the Prince Heir Apparent shall become Prince Diarch. If the Prince Diarch fails to win the plebiscite, then his Prince Heir Apparent shall face a plebiscite. If the Prince Heir Apparent fails to win the plebiscite, a new prince shall be elected.Sec. 6 Election of A Prince DiarchThe shires shall appoint, in such manor as the legislature of the shires shall direct, a number of electors equal to its number of senators and representatives. The electors shall meet at the capital and elect nine persons as candidates for prince. The senate shall like wise convene and chose nine candidates for prince. The House of representatives shall also convene and chose nine candidates for prince. Then the electors, representatives, and senators shall meet as one house. They shall consider as candidates for prince the 27 candidates above mentioned and all members of the high nobility. The electors, representatives, and senators shall by vote eliminate a third of the candidates. The remaining candidates shall then draw lots so that one third of them shall have been eliminated. The electors, representatives, and senators shall chose from among the remaining candidates the three they believe most competent to be prince. The new Prince Diarch shall be chosen by lot from among these three candidates.Sec. 7 PowersThe Princes shall as chief executive officers shall take care to see that the laws of the principality are enforced. They are joint commanders in chief of the armed forces of the principality and of the militia of the shires when called into the actual service of the principality. A prince may require in writing the opinion of the Secretary or Minister of each of the executive departments upon any subject relating to the duties of their respective offices and he shall have power to grant reprieves and pardons for offenses against the principality, except in the cases of impeachment.They shall have power with the advice and consent of the senate to make treaties provided that two thirds of the members concur.They shall have the power with the advice and consent of the Senate to appoint ambassadors.They shall have the power with the advice and consent of the Senate to appoint members of the Supreme Court and High Courts and all lesser courts unless the judges there of are chosen by lot or elected by members of lower courts. They shall have the power to fill vacancies in judicial offices on a temporary bases when Parliament is not in session but the appointments shall lapse as soon as Parliament returns to session.They shall have the power with the advice and consent one third of the members of the Senate to appoint the Secretary of State and Secretaries of departments.They shall have the power with the consent of the majority of the members of the House of Representative to appoint the Prime Minister. If they shall be unable to agree on a Prime Minister each Prince shall propose a Prime Minister who if a majority of the House of Representatives and a third of the Senate agree shall become Prime Minister. If after they having proposed 14 candidates for Prime Minister and none have been accepted, then the House may appoint a Prime Minister. If the Prime Minister chosen by the House has the approval of both Prince Diarchs then he shall only need the confidence of the majority of the members of the House. If the Prime Minister chosen by the House has the approval of one Prince Diarch then he shall only need the confidence of the majority of the members of the House and one third of the members of the Senate. If the Prime Minister chosen by the House does not have the approval of the Prince Diarchs then he shall need the confidence of two thirds of the members of the House and the majority of the members of the Senate.
They shall have the power to receive petitions and requests from the citizens and their other subjects.
They shall have the power to address parliament at its opening session and in time of crises.
Sec. 8 Salary The Prince Diarchs shall be paid a salary from the Treasury of the Principality in accordance with the following formula. (Revenue of the Principality * .01) (1/percentage rate of income taxation) /2 = salary of the prince for that year.Sec. 9 Princely CourtThe Prince Diarchs shall appoint the Lord High Chamberlain and other officers of the Princely Court and other members of the Princely Household. The salaries and operations of the court shall be paid for by Parliament but the amount appropriated for such use shall not exceed one percent of the budget of the Principality.Sec. 10 Princes Heir ApparentThe Princes Heir Apparents shall be members of the Senate and the Cabinet.Sec 11 Regent If both a Prince Diarch and his Prince Heir Apparent should die or become incapacitated, the senate shall appoint a Regent to act as Prince Diarch until the prince or their successors shall have recovered from their incapacity or a new Prince Diarch shall be chosen.Art. XII The Prime Minister and The Ministries
Sec. 1 Prime MinisterThe Prime Minister runs the executive branch of government in the name of the Prince Diarchs. He serves at the pleasure of the Prince Diarchs and the House of Representatives alike as laid out in Art XI Sec. 6. As long as he shall hold office the Prime Minister shall exercise the following powers on behalf of the princes.
As acting chief executive officer of the Principality he shall take care to see that the laws of the principality are enforced.He shall act as commander in chief of the armed forces of the principality and of the militia of the shires when called into the actual service of the principality. He shall have power with the advice and consent of the senate to make treaties provided that two thirds of the members concur.He shall have the power with the advice and consent of the Senate to appoint ambassadors.In his own right the Prime Minister shall have the power to:Appoint the Deputy Prime Minister and Ministers of the various departments with the consent of the house.Introduce legislation and attach motions of confidence to any legislation.Grant reprieves and pardons for offenses against the principality except in cases of impeachment.He may require in writing the opinion of the Secretary or Minister of each of the executive departments upon any subject relating to the duties of their respective offices.
If the Prime Minister shall loose the confidence of one or more of the Prince Diarchs who supported his appointment, he must either receive a vote of confidence from the House and Senate that would have sufficed to appoint him with out the support of the Prince Diarchs who’s support he has lost or he must resign. If the he looses the confidence of Parliament he must resign.
Sec. 2 Deputy Prime MinisterThe Deputy Prime Minister Shall Serve as Acting Prime Minister if the Prime Minister dies or becomes incapacitated or is unavailable. If the Prime Minister looses a vote of confidence, then the Deputy Prime Minister shall serve as acting Prime Minister until elections can be held and a new Prime Minister chosen. As Acting Prince Minister he shall have all the powers of the Prime Minister. If the Deputy Prime Minister shall also loose a vote of confidence then Article XIII Sec. 2 shall apply.Sec. 2 MinistersThe principality shall have a Minister for each of its four ministries. The ministers shall run their departments with the advice of the Deputy Secretary of State of their ministry and the consent of the Prime Minister.Sec. 3 Deputy MinistersThe principality shall have two Deputy Ministers for each of its four ministries. They shall assist the Minister with the running of the ministry. Their duties shall be determined by law. They shall be members of the Cabinet.Sec. 4 Assistant MinistersEach ministry shall have a number of Assistant Ministers as determined by law. Their duties shall be determined by law.Sec. 5 Foreign Ministry This ministry will handle relations with other nations. Once the principality is established on its own sovereign territory, this ministry will also handle immigration in accordance with the law. Sec. 6 Ministry of War This ministry will over see the active and reserve as well as the militia forces in carrying out its function of defending the principality from external aggression.Sec. 7 Ministry of Justice This ministry will prosecute crimes against the laws of the principality. It will also coordinate investigations of crimes that occur in more than one shire. The minister shall appoint crown attorneys to prosecute such cases. Nothing in this constitution shall be held to prevent suits or criminal prosecutions qui tam pro domino rege quam pro sic ipso in hoc parte sequitur against government officials for abuse of office. Nothing in this constitution shall be held to prevent suits by citizens Quo warranto against officials of the state acting wrongly under color of office.Sec. 8 Ministry of Finance This ministry is charged with collecting taxes, accounting for the principality's money and disbursing that money according to the law.
Art. XIII The Department of State
Sec. 1 FunctionThe Department of State is charged with running the civil service of the Principality.Sec. 2 Secretary of StateThe secretary of state is the chief administrative officer of the principality. His job is to run the civil service in accordance with the law. He appoints the Deputy Secretaries of State who head the civil service of each ministry and the Assistant and Under Secretaries of State who assist them. When there is no Prime Minister, the Secretary of State shall as acting Prime Minister have the following powers.Appoint the ministers of the various departments with the advice of the Privy Council and the consent of the House.Issue executive orders as if he were prime minister.While acting as Prime Minister, the secretary of State shall render an accounting of his performance of office to the Senate every 10 days.Sec 3 Deputy Secretaries of State The principality shall have Deputy Secretaries of State for each of it’s four ministries. The Deputy Secretary shall run the civil service of his department with the advice of the secretary of state and the consent of the departmental minister.Sec. 4 Assistant and Under Secretaries of StateThe principality shall have Assistant and Under Secretaries of State in each of it’s four ministries. Assistant and Under Secretaries of State help the Deputy Secretary of State to run his ministry under the direction of the Minister.Art XIII The CabinetThe cabinet is composed of the Ministers, the Deputy Secretaries of State, the Prime Minister, the Secretary of State, the Deputy Prime Minister, the Chancellor, The President of the Privy Council, and the Prince Diarchs. The Chancellor shall convene the Cabinet once a month to give the Prime Minister their advice. The prime minister may convene the cabinet at any time to ask for their advice.
Chapter 5 The Judiciary, The Basic Law, Amendments, and Implementation Art XIV The Judicial Department
Sec 1 Powers & OrganizationThe judicial power of the Principality shall be vested in one Supreme Court, the High Courts, Circuit Courts of Appeal and the District Courts.
Judges shall hold their office during good behavior unless their term shall be otherwise limited by this constitution and shall receive for their service a compensation that shall not diminish during their continuance in office.The Judicial Power shall extend to all cases in law and equity arising under this constitution, the laws of the Principality, and treaties made or which shall be made under its authority - to all cases affecting ambassadors and other public ministers and consuls - to all cases of admiralty or maritime jurisdiction - to controversies in which the Principality is a party - to controversies between two or more shires and to cases between citizens of different shires.
Sec. 2 Judicial Districts
Parliament shall create by law a number of Judicial Districts as necessary to carry out the judicial business of the principality. Any change in the number of Districts shall not come into effect until the end of the year in which the change is made.
When a Judicial District is first formed, five Judges shall be appointed by the Prince Diarchs with the advice and consent of the Senate for a term of one year. The five Judges shall elect from their number a Chief Judge of the district.
The Judges of the district shall form four panels of three Judges to try cases with in the District during the periods January 1 to March 31, April 1 to June 30, July 1 to September 30, and October 1 to December 31 respectively. Judges not on the panel during a period shall act as justices of the peace for the District.
At the end of the year, as their last act, the five Judges shall meet and elect from among there number a Chief Judge for the next year and a member of the Circuit Court of Appeal of their Judicial Circuit for the coming year.
After the first year four new Judges for the District Court shall be chosen by lot from among those who have: practiced law, i.e. have represented with or without compensation a third party in a criminal case as guarantied by Article XIV Sec. 6 or has represented himself or another in a civil case, before the District Court during the last five years; those persons who reside within the District who have over the last five years earned the majority of their income from the teaching of law; and former elected members of the House of Representatives and Senate who reside within the District.
Sec. 3 Judicial Circuits
Parliament shall create by law a number of Judicial Circuits. Each Circuit shall contain six to nine Judicial Districts. Any change in the number of Circuits shall not come into effect until the end of the current year.
Each Circuit Court of Appeal shall be composed of 20 judges. From 12 to 18 of the judges shall have been elected to serve a two year term on the court by their respective District Court. The other judges, including the Chief Judge, shall have been appointed by the Prince Diarchs with the advice and consent of the Senate. The appointed Judges shall serve during good behavior.
When the Circuit is first organized, the positions that would be filled by the Judges elected by the District Courts will be filled with Judges appointed by the Prince Diarchs with the advice and consent of the Senate for terms of one or two years.
If Parliament reorganizes the Circuits so that they contain different Districts the judges originally elected to serve as Judges in one Circuit Court of Appeals shall instead serve in the Circuit Court of Appeals to which the District Court that elected them now belongs.
The Chief Judge of the Circuit shall assign the Judges of the Circuit to five Judge panels to hear appeals from the District Courts with in the Circuit.
Sec 4 High CourtsThe High Courts shall have appellate jurisdiction over all cases under the principality's judicial power, except for those affecting ambassador's and other public ministers and consuls.A High Court shall be composed of four Associate Justices and a Chief Justice of the High Court. The justices, including the Chief Justice, shall be appointed by the Prince Diarchs with the advice and consent of the Senate. After the first five years of the operation of this constitution all nominees shall be chosen from among current or former judges of the Circuit Courts of Appeals and the appellate courts of the shires. The Justices shall serve during good behavior.
The number of High Courts shall be established by law and the number of them shall not be reduced once established.
Sec 5 Supreme CourtThe Supreme Court shall be composed of eight Associate Justices and the Chief Justice of the Principality. It shall have original jurisdiction in all cases affecting ambassadors and other public ministers and consuls. In all other cases under the judicial power of the Principality, the Supreme Court shall have appellate Jurisdiction to both law and fact.
The Justices, including the Chief Justice, shall be appointed by the Prince Diarchs with the advice and consent of the Senate. After the first five years of the operation of this constitution all nominees shall be chosen from among current or former justices of the High Courts, judges of the Circuit Courts of Appeals and the judges of the appellate courts of the shires. The Justices shall serve during good behavior.
Sec 6 Due Process of Law.No person shall be held to answer for a capital or otherwise infamous crime except for by indictment by a grand jury. The accused shall have the right to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation against him and to confront the witnesses against him, to have compulsory process for obtaining the witnesses in his favor, and to have council at his own expense of a friend and or person learned in the law.
The accused shall enjoy the presumption of innocence.No person shall be tried twice for the same offense unless a conviction be overturned and the case sent for retrial.No person shall be compelled in a criminal case to be a witness against himself.The accused shall enjoy the right to speedy and public trial by a jury of citizens chosen at random from the shire and district where in the crime shall have been committed.No person shall be found guilty of a crime unless all 12 jurors vote to convict him upon belief beyond a reasonable doubt that the accused is guilty.
Any Person facing trial for a criminal matter where the sentence could be in excess of a 364 days of imprisonment shall upon request be provided, at Government expense, with a person learned in the law to help in their defense. No judge shall remove for cause a potential juror unless the judge would requse himself if the same circumstances applied to him.
All persons indicted by a grand jury shall be tried by a jury, unless the prosecutor decides to drop all charges against the accused. Plea-bargaining is forbidden, but judges may take cooperation into account when passing sentence.
Sec 7 The Rights of the JuryIn any trial criminal or civil the jury shall be the judge of both the facts and of the law in controversy.In any case criminal or civil the jury shall have the right to call witnesses and though their foreman put questions to their witnesses as well as to the witnesses for the prosecution and defense.In any case criminal or civil the jury shall have the right before retiring to deliberate and at any time during their deliberations to ask the judges for his opinion on any relevant matter of law and access to the law upon which the judges opinion is based.In any criminal case if the jury is unable to unanimously conclude that the defendant has been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt they shall hand down a verdict of guilt not proven or not guilty. If the majority of the jurors conclude that the defendant is positively innocent then the jury shall hand down a verdict of innocent.The correctness of a jury verdict of guilt not proven, not guilty, or innocent shall not be questioned in any court. No juror shall be held liable for their verdict unless the juror is proved to have voted in accordance with a bribe.Sec. 8 The Grand JuryA Grand Jury shall be composed of 22 persons chosen at random from the shire and district where they are impaneled. A quorum shall consist of 17 persons. The Grand Jury shall be informed of their rights and obligations. No indictment shall be handed down without the concurrence of 12 members of the Grand Jury.In addition to hearing cases brought before it by a Crown Prosecutor, the grand jury shall hear cases brought by private prosecutors against government officials and has the power to investigate any other criminal complaints brought to their attention.In any case the grand jury shall have the right to call witnesses and though their foreman put questions to all witnesses.In any case the grand jury shall have the right before retiring to deliberate and at any time during their deliberations to ask any judge from the district from which they are impaneled for his opinion on any relevant matter of law.
All Grand Juries shall keep a record of their proceedings.
Sec. 9 Treason
Treason against the Dual Principality, shall consist only in levying war against it, or in adhering to its enemies, giving them aid and comfort.
Art XV Basic LawThe basic law appended to the this constitution is superior to any law created under Article VI Sec. 1, Sec. 2, or Sec. 3. The basic law is inferior to this constitution.
Art XVI Amendments
In addition to the method for Amending the Basic Law and this Constitution laid out in Article VI Sec. 4, they may be amended by the following process. Upon the request of three quarters of the members of both houses of all of the Shire legislatures, a bill to amend this Constitution or the Basic Law may be introduced in Parliament. If it is passed by three fourths of the members of both houses in two consecutive years it shall be put to a plebiscite. If the majority of the votes are for the amendment it becomes a temporary amendment to the Constitution or Basic Law. After being in effect for five years a bill must be introduced to make it permanent. If parliament passes the bill in both houses again by three quarters of the members, then the proposed amendment to the Constitution or Basic Law is submitted to a plebiscite of the citizens. If the majority of the votes are for the amendment it is submitted to the shire legislatures. If two thirds of the shire legislatures vote to adopt the amendment then it becomes a permanent part of this constitution or the Basic Law. If at any point in this process the bill fails the amendment is rejected. Articles VIII and IX cannot be amended with out the approval of two thirds of the members of the assembly. Article III and Article IV Sec. 4 Para 1 can't be amended with out the consent of all of the Shire legislatures. Article I can't be amended without the approval of two thirds of the members of the assembly and the consent of all of the shire legislatures.
Art XVII The Coming Into Force of This ConstitutionThis constitution shall come into effect as soon as the principality shall have obtained sovereign territory of 25 square miles or greater. Prior to that time the Principality shall be governed in accordance with the temporary constitution appended to this constitution and the charter of the Society to Establish the Dual Principality. All Debts contracted and Engagements entered into, before the coming into force of this constitution shall as valid against the Princely Government, as under the charter of the Society to Establish the Dual Principality and the temporary constitution.
Sec 1 Organization
(a) The assembly is composed of all resident nationals of the principality who have attained their thirtieth year and all citizens.
(b) Members may by contract choose another member of the assembly to exercise their right to speak and vote before the assembly. Such contract being lodged with the sheriff of the shire in which said member shall reside and transmitted from there to the seat of Government and entered into the written record of the assembly. Such contract may be revoked at any time.
(c) The assembly shall choose its tribune who shall be their presiding officer.Sec 2 Powers
(a) Once a year the assembly shall meet to chose an ephore. The assembly shall chose the ephore from among a list of candidates composed of citizens who have been nominated by a petition containing the signatures of at least 100 members of the assembly.
(b) Every five years the assembly shall meet to review the laws that have come in to effect in the past five years. The assembly has the power to suspend any such law with the concurrence of one third of it’s members, except the assembly shall have no power to interfere with the appropriation of money, acts of annexation, or declarations of war. At the next such meeting the assembly by the concurrence of one third of it’s members may repeal the law suspended.Art IX The Council of Ephors
Sec 1 Election of EphorsEphors are elected by the Assembly to a five-year term of office. When the assembly first convenes to elect Ephors it shall elect five Ephors the first one elected shall serve a term of five years. The second one elected shall serve a term of four years. The third elected shall serve a term of three years. The fourth elected shall serve a term of two years. The fifth elected shall serve a term of one year. Those elected to serve the four shorter terms may be reelected, as may a person elected to fill a vacancy. Other than this, no one shall be elected Ephore more than once. No one shall be elected Ephor who is not a citizen.Sec 2 Individual Powers
(a) It is the responsibility of the Ephors to investigate any charges of dishonesty or abuse of office by the executive officers of the principality.An ephor may empanel as many grand juries as needed to help him investigate such dishonesty or abuse of office and shall empanel at least one such grand jury each year.
(b) If an Ephor believes he has evidence of corruption or abuse of office he shall present the evidence to the house of representatives. Sec 3 Council PowersThe Ephors jointly compose the council of Ephors. If the majority of the council believes that an officer of the principality is guilty of corruption or abuse of office they shall indict him and he shall be tried by the senate.
Sec 4 The Ultimate DecreeIf all the members of the council believe the existence of the principality is threatened by war or insurrection, they shall order the House and Senate convened. If Parliament has not already declared war or passed a resolution that a state of insurrection exists, the council shall ask that they do so. Once a state of war or internal insurrection is declared to exist, the council may ask the Princes and Senate to issue the Ultimate decree.Art X The Ultimate DecreeSec. 1 How IssuedDuring time of declared war or insurrection, the Senate may on unanimous request of the Council of Ephors issue with the consent and in the name of the Prince Diarchs the Ultimate Decree. The Ultimate Decree shall not be issued more than three times in five years.Sec. 2 EffectThe Ultimate Decree appoints an Imperitor and calls the Security Council into continuous session.Sec. 3 The ImperitorIf the Senate shall issue the ultimate decree, it shall there in name an Imperitor who shall be one of the Prince Diarchs.The Imperitor shall have all the powers of the Princes and the Prime Minister, with the exception of the right to appoint judges.The Imperitor shall have the power to rule by decree, but every decree must be approved by the security council with in one month or it shall become void. No Decree can raise taxes which power is reserved to Parliament, but the Imperitor may spend money with out authorization by Parliament.The Imperitor’s term shall last six months. If the declaration of war or insurrection which caused the appointment of the Imperitor is repealed by Parliament, his term ends at that moment. At the completion of his term he shall make a full rendering of his actions to the House and Senate. If the Ultimate Decree is reissued, the Imperitor may not succeed him self in office, but the other prince diarch shall be named Imperitor.Sec 4 Security CouncilIf the ultimate decree be issued by the senate, the Chancellor shall immediately convene the security council. The council shall be composed of the members of the Cabinet and the Privy Council plus the Tribune of the Assembly. The Imperitor shall not be a member of the council. The council may nullify any decree of the Imperitor by refusing to affirm it. The council can revoke the ultimate decree by a vote of two thirds of its members. The Council can call Parliament back into session by the vote of one third of its members.
Chapter 4 The Princes and Executive Department
Art. XI The Princes and Heirs to the Thrones
Sec 1 Powers & OrganizationThe executive authority of the principality shall be vested in the Prince Diarchs and their ministers and secretaries.Sec. 2 The First PrincesThe first princes shall be Steven W. Houghton II and David K Rockwell.Sec. 3 Oath of OfficeBefore entering into the execution of his office a prince shall take the following oath, "I do solemnly swear upon my honor that I shall faithfully execute the office of Prince Diarch of the Dual Principality of Amagi and that I will to the best of my ability preserve, protect, and defend the constitution of the Dual Principality of Amagi against all enemies foreign or domestic."Sec. 4 SuccessionIn general the succession shall follow the principal of primogeniture, but no one shall be Prince who is not a citizen. After taking the oath of office the prince shall propose to the Senate candidates to be Prince Heir Apparent in accordance with the succession law which is part of the basic law. With the consent of a third of the members of the Senate the candidate shall be Prince Heir Apparent who shall in the event of the prince's death or incapacitation become Prince Diarch. If both the Prince Diarch and the Price Heir Apparent should die then with consent of a third of the members of the senate, the next candidate in accordance with the Succession law shall be the Prince Heir Apparent.Sec. 5 Plebiscite Each Prince Diarch shall have to face a plebiscite every ten years. Except that Prince David Rockwell shall not have to face a plebiscite for the first 15 years of his rule. If thirty percent of the votes cast in the plebiscite shall be in his favor the prince shall continue in office. But no person shall serve for more than fifty years as Prince Diarch. If the Prince Diarch dose not chose to face a plebiscite or if he must step down because he has served 50 years already then his Prince Heir Apparent shall face a plebiscite. If forty percent of the votes cast shall be in his favor the Prince Heir Apparent shall become Prince Diarch. If the Prince Diarch fails to win the plebiscite, then his Prince Heir Apparent shall face a plebiscite. If the Prince Heir Apparent fails to win the plebiscite, a new prince shall be elected.Sec. 6 Election of A Prince DiarchThe shires shall appoint, in such manor as the legislature of the shires shall direct, a number of electors equal to its number of senators and representatives. The electors shall meet at the capital and elect nine persons as candidates for prince. The senate shall like wise convene and chose nine candidates for prince. The House of representatives shall also convene and chose nine candidates for prince. Then the electors, representatives, and senators shall meet as one house. They shall consider as candidates for prince the 27 candidates above mentioned and all members of the high nobility. The electors, representatives, and senators shall by vote eliminate a third of the candidates. The remaining candidates shall then draw lots so that one third of them shall have been eliminated. The electors, representatives, and senators shall chose from among the remaining candidates the three they believe most competent to be prince. The new Prince Diarch shall be chosen by lot from among these three candidates.Sec. 7 PowersThe Princes shall as chief executive officers shall take care to see that the laws of the principality are enforced. They are joint commanders in chief of the armed forces of the principality and of the militia of the shires when called into the actual service of the principality. A prince may require in writing the opinion of the Secretary or Minister of each of the executive departments upon any subject relating to the duties of their respective offices and he shall have power to grant reprieves and pardons for offenses against the principality, except in the cases of impeachment.They shall have power with the advice and consent of the senate to make treaties provided that two thirds of the members concur.They shall have the power with the advice and consent of the Senate to appoint ambassadors.They shall have the power with the advice and consent of the Senate to appoint members of the Supreme Court and High Courts and all lesser courts unless the judges there of are chosen by lot or elected by members of lower courts. They shall have the power to fill vacancies in judicial offices on a temporary bases when Parliament is not in session but the appointments shall lapse as soon as Parliament returns to session.They shall have the power with the advice and consent one third of the members of the Senate to appoint the Secretary of State and Secretaries of departments.They shall have the power with the consent of the majority of the members of the House of Representative to appoint the Prime Minister. If they shall be unable to agree on a Prime Minister each Prince shall propose a Prime Minister who if a majority of the House of Representatives and a third of the Senate agree shall become Prime Minister. If after they having proposed 14 candidates for Prime Minister and none have been accepted, then the House may appoint a Prime Minister. If the Prime Minister chosen by the House has the approval of both Prince Diarchs then he shall only need the confidence of the majority of the members of the House. If the Prime Minister chosen by the House has the approval of one Prince Diarch then he shall only need the confidence of the majority of the members of the House and one third of the members of the Senate. If the Prime Minister chosen by the House does not have the approval of the Prince Diarchs then he shall need the confidence of two thirds of the members of the House and the majority of the members of the Senate.
They shall have the power to receive petitions and requests from the citizens and their other subjects.
They shall have the power to address parliament at its opening session and in time of crises.
Sec. 8 Salary The Prince Diarchs shall be paid a salary from the Treasury of the Principality in accordance with the following formula. (Revenue of the Principality * .01) (1/percentage rate of income taxation) /2 = salary of the prince for that year.Sec. 9 Princely CourtThe Prince Diarchs shall appoint the Lord High Chamberlain and other officers of the Princely Court and other members of the Princely Household. The salaries and operations of the court shall be paid for by Parliament but the amount appropriated for such use shall not exceed one percent of the budget of the Principality.Sec. 10 Princes Heir ApparentThe Princes Heir Apparents shall be members of the Senate and the Cabinet.Sec 11 Regent If both a Prince Diarch and his Prince Heir Apparent should die or become incapacitated, the senate shall appoint a Regent to act as Prince Diarch until the prince or their successors shall have recovered from their incapacity or a new Prince Diarch shall be chosen.Art. XII The Prime Minister and The Ministries
Sec. 1 Prime MinisterThe Prime Minister runs the executive branch of government in the name of the Prince Diarchs. He serves at the pleasure of the Prince Diarchs and the House of Representatives alike as laid out in Art XI Sec. 6. As long as he shall hold office the Prime Minister shall exercise the following powers on behalf of the princes.
As acting chief executive officer of the Principality he shall take care to see that the laws of the principality are enforced.He shall act as commander in chief of the armed forces of the principality and of the militia of the shires when called into the actual service of the principality. He shall have power with the advice and consent of the senate to make treaties provided that two thirds of the members concur.He shall have the power with the advice and consent of the Senate to appoint ambassadors.In his own right the Prime Minister shall have the power to:Appoint the Deputy Prime Minister and Ministers of the various departments with the consent of the house.Introduce legislation and attach motions of confidence to any legislation.Grant reprieves and pardons for offenses against the principality except in cases of impeachment.He may require in writing the opinion of the Secretary or Minister of each of the executive departments upon any subject relating to the duties of their respective offices.
If the Prime Minister shall loose the confidence of one or more of the Prince Diarchs who supported his appointment, he must either receive a vote of confidence from the House and Senate that would have sufficed to appoint him with out the support of the Prince Diarchs who’s support he has lost or he must resign. If the he looses the confidence of Parliament he must resign.
Sec. 2 Deputy Prime MinisterThe Deputy Prime Minister Shall Serve as Acting Prime Minister if the Prime Minister dies or becomes incapacitated or is unavailable. If the Prime Minister looses a vote of confidence, then the Deputy Prime Minister shall serve as acting Prime Minister until elections can be held and a new Prime Minister chosen. As Acting Prince Minister he shall have all the powers of the Prime Minister. If the Deputy Prime Minister shall also loose a vote of confidence then Article XIII Sec. 2 shall apply.Sec. 2 MinistersThe principality shall have a Minister for each of its four ministries. The ministers shall run their departments with the advice of the Deputy Secretary of State of their ministry and the consent of the Prime Minister.Sec. 3 Deputy MinistersThe principality shall have two Deputy Ministers for each of its four ministries. They shall assist the Minister with the running of the ministry. Their duties shall be determined by law. They shall be members of the Cabinet.Sec. 4 Assistant MinistersEach ministry shall have a number of Assistant Ministers as determined by law. Their duties shall be determined by law.Sec. 5 Foreign Ministry This ministry will handle relations with other nations. Once the principality is established on its own sovereign territory, this ministry will also handle immigration in accordance with the law. Sec. 6 Ministry of War This ministry will over see the active and reserve as well as the militia forces in carrying out its function of defending the principality from external aggression.Sec. 7 Ministry of Justice This ministry will prosecute crimes against the laws of the principality. It will also coordinate investigations of crimes that occur in more than one shire. The minister shall appoint crown attorneys to prosecute such cases. Nothing in this constitution shall be held to prevent suits or criminal prosecutions qui tam pro domino rege quam pro sic ipso in hoc parte sequitur against government officials for abuse of office. Nothing in this constitution shall be held to prevent suits by citizens Quo warranto against officials of the state acting wrongly under color of office.Sec. 8 Ministry of Finance This ministry is charged with collecting taxes, accounting for the principality's money and disbursing that money according to the law.
Art. XIII The Department of State
Sec. 1 FunctionThe Department of State is charged with running the civil service of the Principality.Sec. 2 Secretary of StateThe secretary of state is the chief administrative officer of the principality. His job is to run the civil service in accordance with the law. He appoints the Deputy Secretaries of State who head the civil service of each ministry and the Assistant and Under Secretaries of State who assist them. When there is no Prime Minister, the Secretary of State shall as acting Prime Minister have the following powers.Appoint the ministers of the various departments with the advice of the Privy Council and the consent of the House.Issue executive orders as if he were prime minister.While acting as Prime Minister, the secretary of State shall render an accounting of his performance of office to the Senate every 10 days.Sec 3 Deputy Secretaries of State The principality shall have Deputy Secretaries of State for each of it’s four ministries. The Deputy Secretary shall run the civil service of his department with the advice of the secretary of state and the consent of the departmental minister.Sec. 4 Assistant and Under Secretaries of StateThe principality shall have Assistant and Under Secretaries of State in each of it’s four ministries. Assistant and Under Secretaries of State help the Deputy Secretary of State to run his ministry under the direction of the Minister.Art XIII The CabinetThe cabinet is composed of the Ministers, the Deputy Secretaries of State, the Prime Minister, the Secretary of State, the Deputy Prime Minister, the Chancellor, The President of the Privy Council, and the Prince Diarchs. The Chancellor shall convene the Cabinet once a month to give the Prime Minister their advice. The prime minister may convene the cabinet at any time to ask for their advice.
Chapter 5 The Judiciary, The Basic Law, Amendments, and Implementation Art XIV The Judicial Department
Sec 1 Powers & OrganizationThe judicial power of the Principality shall be vested in one Supreme Court, the High Courts, Circuit Courts of Appeal and the District Courts.
Judges shall hold their office during good behavior unless their term shall be otherwise limited by this constitution and shall receive for their service a compensation that shall not diminish during their continuance in office.The Judicial Power shall extend to all cases in law and equity arising under this constitution, the laws of the Principality, and treaties made or which shall be made under its authority - to all cases affecting ambassadors and other public ministers and consuls - to all cases of admiralty or maritime jurisdiction - to controversies in which the Principality is a party - to controversies between two or more shires and to cases between citizens of different shires.
Sec. 2 Judicial Districts
Parliament shall create by law a number of Judicial Districts as necessary to carry out the judicial business of the principality. Any change in the number of Districts shall not come into effect until the end of the year in which the change is made.
When a Judicial District is first formed, five Judges shall be appointed by the Prince Diarchs with the advice and consent of the Senate for a term of one year. The five Judges shall elect from their number a Chief Judge of the district.
The Judges of the district shall form four panels of three Judges to try cases with in the District during the periods January 1 to March 31, April 1 to June 30, July 1 to September 30, and October 1 to December 31 respectively. Judges not on the panel during a period shall act as justices of the peace for the District.
At the end of the year, as their last act, the five Judges shall meet and elect from among there number a Chief Judge for the next year and a member of the Circuit Court of Appeal of their Judicial Circuit for the coming year.
After the first year four new Judges for the District Court shall be chosen by lot from among those who have: practiced law, i.e. have represented with or without compensation a third party in a criminal case as guarantied by Article XIV Sec. 6 or has represented himself or another in a civil case, before the District Court during the last five years; those persons who reside within the District who have over the last five years earned the majority of their income from the teaching of law; and former elected members of the House of Representatives and Senate who reside within the District.
Sec. 3 Judicial Circuits
Parliament shall create by law a number of Judicial Circuits. Each Circuit shall contain six to nine Judicial Districts. Any change in the number of Circuits shall not come into effect until the end of the current year.
Each Circuit Court of Appeal shall be composed of 20 judges. From 12 to 18 of the judges shall have been elected to serve a two year term on the court by their respective District Court. The other judges, including the Chief Judge, shall have been appointed by the Prince Diarchs with the advice and consent of the Senate. The appointed Judges shall serve during good behavior.
When the Circuit is first organized, the positions that would be filled by the Judges elected by the District Courts will be filled with Judges appointed by the Prince Diarchs with the advice and consent of the Senate for terms of one or two years.
If Parliament reorganizes the Circuits so that they contain different Districts the judges originally elected to serve as Judges in one Circuit Court of Appeals shall instead serve in the Circuit Court of Appeals to which the District Court that elected them now belongs.
The Chief Judge of the Circuit shall assign the Judges of the Circuit to five Judge panels to hear appeals from the District Courts with in the Circuit.
Sec 4 High CourtsThe High Courts shall have appellate jurisdiction over all cases under the principality's judicial power, except for those affecting ambassador's and other public ministers and consuls.A High Court shall be composed of four Associate Justices and a Chief Justice of the High Court. The justices, including the Chief Justice, shall be appointed by the Prince Diarchs with the advice and consent of the Senate. After the first five years of the operation of this constitution all nominees shall be chosen from among current or former judges of the Circuit Courts of Appeals and the appellate courts of the shires. The Justices shall serve during good behavior.
The number of High Courts shall be established by law and the number of them shall not be reduced once established.
Sec 5 Supreme CourtThe Supreme Court shall be composed of eight Associate Justices and the Chief Justice of the Principality. It shall have original jurisdiction in all cases affecting ambassadors and other public ministers and consuls. In all other cases under the judicial power of the Principality, the Supreme Court shall have appellate Jurisdiction to both law and fact.
The Justices, including the Chief Justice, shall be appointed by the Prince Diarchs with the advice and consent of the Senate. After the first five years of the operation of this constitution all nominees shall be chosen from among current or former justices of the High Courts, judges of the Circuit Courts of Appeals and the judges of the appellate courts of the shires. The Justices shall serve during good behavior.
Sec 6 Due Process of Law.No person shall be held to answer for a capital or otherwise infamous crime except for by indictment by a grand jury. The accused shall have the right to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation against him and to confront the witnesses against him, to have compulsory process for obtaining the witnesses in his favor, and to have council at his own expense of a friend and or person learned in the law.
The accused shall enjoy the presumption of innocence.No person shall be tried twice for the same offense unless a conviction be overturned and the case sent for retrial.No person shall be compelled in a criminal case to be a witness against himself.The accused shall enjoy the right to speedy and public trial by a jury of citizens chosen at random from the shire and district where in the crime shall have been committed.No person shall be found guilty of a crime unless all 12 jurors vote to convict him upon belief beyond a reasonable doubt that the accused is guilty.
Any Person facing trial for a criminal matter where the sentence could be in excess of a 364 days of imprisonment shall upon request be provided, at Government expense, with a person learned in the law to help in their defense. No judge shall remove for cause a potential juror unless the judge would requse himself if the same circumstances applied to him.
All persons indicted by a grand jury shall be tried by a jury, unless the prosecutor decides to drop all charges against the accused. Plea-bargaining is forbidden, but judges may take cooperation into account when passing sentence.
Sec 7 The Rights of the JuryIn any trial criminal or civil the jury shall be the judge of both the facts and of the law in controversy.In any case criminal or civil the jury shall have the right to call witnesses and though their foreman put questions to their witnesses as well as to the witnesses for the prosecution and defense.In any case criminal or civil the jury shall have the right before retiring to deliberate and at any time during their deliberations to ask the judges for his opinion on any relevant matter of law and access to the law upon which the judges opinion is based.In any criminal case if the jury is unable to unanimously conclude that the defendant has been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt they shall hand down a verdict of guilt not proven or not guilty. If the majority of the jurors conclude that the defendant is positively innocent then the jury shall hand down a verdict of innocent.The correctness of a jury verdict of guilt not proven, not guilty, or innocent shall not be questioned in any court. No juror shall be held liable for their verdict unless the juror is proved to have voted in accordance with a bribe.Sec. 8 The Grand JuryA Grand Jury shall be composed of 22 persons chosen at random from the shire and district where they are impaneled. A quorum shall consist of 17 persons. The Grand Jury shall be informed of their rights and obligations. No indictment shall be handed down without the concurrence of 12 members of the Grand Jury.In addition to hearing cases brought before it by a Crown Prosecutor, the grand jury shall hear cases brought by private prosecutors against government officials and has the power to investigate any other criminal complaints brought to their attention.In any case the grand jury shall have the right to call witnesses and though their foreman put questions to all witnesses.In any case the grand jury shall have the right before retiring to deliberate and at any time during their deliberations to ask any judge from the district from which they are impaneled for his opinion on any relevant matter of law.
All Grand Juries shall keep a record of their proceedings.
Sec. 9 Treason
Treason against the Dual Principality, shall consist only in levying war against it, or in adhering to its enemies, giving them aid and comfort.
Art XV Basic LawThe basic law appended to the this constitution is superior to any law created under Article VI Sec. 1, Sec. 2, or Sec. 3. The basic law is inferior to this constitution.
Art XVI Amendments
In addition to the method for Amending the Basic Law and this Constitution laid out in Article VI Sec. 4, they may be amended by the following process. Upon the request of three quarters of the members of both houses of all of the Shire legislatures, a bill to amend this Constitution or the Basic Law may be introduced in Parliament. If it is passed by three fourths of the members of both houses in two consecutive years it shall be put to a plebiscite. If the majority of the votes are for the amendment it becomes a temporary amendment to the Constitution or Basic Law. After being in effect for five years a bill must be introduced to make it permanent. If parliament passes the bill in both houses again by three quarters of the members, then the proposed amendment to the Constitution or Basic Law is submitted to a plebiscite of the citizens. If the majority of the votes are for the amendment it is submitted to the shire legislatures. If two thirds of the shire legislatures vote to adopt the amendment then it becomes a permanent part of this constitution or the Basic Law. If at any point in this process the bill fails the amendment is rejected. Articles VIII and IX cannot be amended with out the approval of two thirds of the members of the assembly. Article III and Article IV Sec. 4 Para 1 can't be amended with out the consent of all of the Shire legislatures. Article I can't be amended without the approval of two thirds of the members of the assembly and the consent of all of the shire legislatures.
Art XVII The Coming Into Force of This ConstitutionThis constitution shall come into effect as soon as the principality shall have obtained sovereign territory of 25 square miles or greater. Prior to that time the Principality shall be governed in accordance with the temporary constitution appended to this constitution and the charter of the Society to Establish the Dual Principality. All Debts contracted and Engagements entered into, before the coming into force of this constitution shall as valid against the Princely Government, as under the charter of the Society to Establish the Dual Principality and the temporary constitution.
Saturday, May 01, 2004
Constitution of the Dual Principality of Amagi
Preamble
We, Stephen and David by grace of birth sovereign, to all those who would tender us their allegiance greetings. We do proclaim that we and our heirs forever shall govern in accordance with this constitution.
Chapter 1 Rights, Citizenship, and the Federation
Art I Rights of Man
The protection of individual rights is the first duty and sole justification of all state authority.
Sec 1 The Right to Life
No person shall be deprived of their life without due process of law upon a charge of treason, premeditated murder, murder in the commission of a crime, slave ownership, or slave trading.
Sec 2 The Right to Liberty
No person shall be deprive of their liberty without due process of law upon a charge of treason, murder, rape, slave ownership or slave trading , assault, robbery, theft, burglary, fraud, vandalism, or breach of the peace or attempt to commit the same.
Sec 3 The Right to Property
No person shall be deprived of their property with out due process of law upon a charge of slave ownership or slave trading, assault, robbery, theft, burglary, fraud or vandalism or attempt to commit the same.
Sec 4 The Right to Freedom of Opinion, Expression and Assembly
The legislature shall make no law regarding the establishment of a religion. The legislature shall make no law to restrict or prevent an individual from using his property to prostletize his views. The legislature shall make no law to restrict or prevent a peaceful assembly of people on private property.
Sec 5 The Right to Bare Arms
An armed citizenry being the bulwark of a free state, the right of the individual to keep and bare arms shall not be infringed.
Sec 6 Protection of Person and Property
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers and effects against unreasonable searches and seizures shall not violated. Warrants shall be issued only on probable cause upon oath or affirmation and particularly naming the place to be searched and persons or things to be seized. No property shall be taken for public use except in time of war or insurrection and then only after just compensation is paid.
Sec 7 Freedom of Association and Non Association
No person shall be deprived of their right to form associations for: the corporate or communal use of their property; forming by contract families to raise their natural and adopted children; for non treasonous and non violent political purposes; to negotiate with their employer; or for any lawful purpose. No person shall be deprived of their right to contract freely with others for any lawful purpose. No person shall be deprived of their right not to associate or contract with others.
Sec 8 Rights Not Enumerated
The Enumeration of certain rights in this document shall not be held to
disparage others, not enumerated, which are retained by the people.
Art II Citizenship
Sec 1 Requirement for citizenship
Any person resident in the principality who has reached the age of 16 years and has completed three years of active military duty or 5 years of a thirty year term of militia duty, may by paying the income tax set forth by the legislature, become a citizen of the principality. Failure to pay income tax will result in suspension of citizenship. Failure to complete the full 30 years of militia duty will result in revocation of citizenship, unless the failure to perform the militia duty is due to travel in the interests of the principality or active or reserve military service. Those who are discharged for wounds or injuries suffered in the military service of the principality shall be considered to have completed their military service. Those physically unable to perform military service may obtain citizenship by paying twice the tax set forth by parliament.
Sec 2 Non Citizens
Any person who has resided with in the principality for a period of not less then two years and has renounced all allegiance to any other polity or who is a native born resident of the principality and has not taken an oath of allegiance to any other polity is a resident national of the principality. A resident national who is more than 40 years old is eligible to attend the assembly. Any person with in the jurisdiction of the principality shall have the full protection of the law unless removed by order of competent court upon conviction of crime after due process of law.
Sec 3 The Duties and Privileges of Citizenship
All citizens shall have the right to vote, the right and duty to sit on juries, and the ability to hold office.
Sec 4 Oath of Citizenship
All prospective citizens shall take the following oath at the beginning of their term of military service: I, _____, having attained my ___ year and being of sound mind and without purpose of deception or evasion, do solemnly swear on my honor to bare true faith and allegiance to the Prince Diarchs of Amagi and to their constitutionally appointed successors, to defend the constitution of the Dual Principality of Amagi from all enemies foreign or domestic, to bare arms in the service the principality for a term of ____ years, during which time I shall obey all lawful orders by those lawfully put over me and demand a like obedience from all those put lawfully under my orders, and at the end of my term of service after paying the annual tax set forth by parliament to enjoy all of the privileges of a citizen of the Dual Principality including but not limited to the sovereign franchise.
No person shall take the oath until they have attained their twelfth year.
Sec 5 Honors, the Gentry, and the Nobility
(a) While all citizens are equal before the law, honors and titles exist to reward service to the principality. There are four forms of titles, honorary titles, the gentry, the nobility and the high nobility. Only honorary titles can be conferred on non citizens.
(b) Honor titles confer social recognition but not political privileges. Honor titles take the form of membership in an order honoring some form of achievement or contribution to the welfare of the principality. Honor titles are awarded at the sole discretion of their highnesses.
(c) Gentry titles confer political privileges pertaining to voting.
(i) Esquire: A citizen may become an Esquire by one of two methods. Any citizen who has completed twice the amount of military service required for citizenship (i.e. 6 years active service, or one completed 30 year term in the militia and 5 years of a second thirty year term, or 3 years active duty and 5 years of a thirty year term) is an Esquire. A Citizen who has paid twice the income tax he owes for last five years shall be an Esquire as long as he continues to do so. An Esquire is allowed to vote twice in any election.
(ii) Knight : A citizen may become a knight by completing twice the amount of military service as outlined above and paying twice the tax as out lined above. A Knight is entitled to vote three times in any election.
Baronet: A citizen may become a Baronet by appointment by their Highnesses with the consent of the Senate or by appointment of a member of the nobility upon his death. Their Highnesses may appoint no more than 5 Baronets a year. A Baronet shall be entitled to vote 4 times in an election. A Baronet may pass his title to any citizen upon his death.
(d) Titles of Nobility confer the privilege of degrees of membership in the senate and usually the right to appoint a citizen baronet at the title holders death.
(i) Hereditary Councilor to the Senate: A title of nobility awarded to the 61st through 200th people to become citizens. Further Their Highnesses may appoint one citizen a Hereditary Councilor to the Senate once every other year with the consent of the House of Representatives. A Third is a non voting member of the Senate. A third shall be entitled to vote 5 times in a general election. A Third may pass his title to any citizen upon his death and the title of Baronet to another citizen.
(ii) Senator For Life: A title of nobility awarded to citizens for political or military achievement under the terms laid out in Art IV Sec. 4. Also one person shall chosen Senator For Life from among the citizens by lot every year. Further Their Highnesses may appoint one citizen a Senator for Life once per year with the consent of the House of Representatives. Senators For Life are members of the Senate. A Senator For Life may will the title of Baronet to a citizen.
(iii) Hereditary Senator: A title of nobility awarded to the 21st through 60th people to become citizens. Also their Highnesses may appoint one citizen a Second every five years with the consent of the House of Representatives. Further a title of nobility awarded for financial support of the principality. The price for a title of shall always be one ton of gold more than the previous price. No more than one title shall be sold every year. A Hereditary Senator is a member of the Senate. A Hereditary Senator may pass his title to any citizen upon his death and the title of Baronet to another citizen.
(e) Titles of High Nobility confer the privilege of membership in the Senate, the right to appoint a citizen baronet, and the right to be a candidate for election as Prince Diarch.
(i) First Senator: A title of nobility awarded to the 1st through 20th people to become citizens and to the later born children of a Prince Diarch on their attainment of citizenship. Also, Their Highnesses may appoint one citizen a First Senator every ten years with the consent of the House of Representatives. A First is a member of the Senate. A First Senator may pass his title to any citizen upon his death and the title of Baronet to another citizen.
(ii) Baron: A title of nobility awarded for achievement and to the second born child of a Prince Diarch on his or her attainment of citizenship. In addition to their later born children, their Highnesses may appoint one citizen a Baron every twenty years with the consent of the House of Representatives. Barons are members of the senate. A Baron may pass his title to any citizen upon his death and the title of Baronet to another citizen.
(iii) Earl: A title of nobility awarded to a former head of state or government as part of an act of Annexation or to the first born child of a Prince Diarch on his or her attainment of citizenship. Earls are members of the senate. An Earl may pass his title to any citizen upon his death and the title of Baronet to another citizen.
(iv) Prince: A title of nobility held by the heirs apparent to the thrones and by former Prince Diarchs. It may be awarded to former heads of state as part of a major Act of Annexation. Princes are members of the senate. A Prince may pass the title of Earl to a citizen upon his death.
Art III The Federal Nature of the Principality
Sec 1 Free Federation of Free Shires
The Principality is a free federation of free shires. It is also a creation of the citizens who sustain it. Shires may leave the federation as describe in this constitution.
Sec 2 Shires
Shires are territories that have come under the dominion of the principality and are members of the federal principality. Shires are governed under a system of government compatible with this constitution. The points of compatibility are:
- That all persons within its jurisdiction shall receive the full protection of the law unless it is removed by order of a competent court upon conviction of crime after due process of law,
- That all the rights enumerated in Art I and Article XIV Sec. 6, 7, and 8 of this constitution shall be respected,
- That the holding of office shall be restricted to citizens,
- That the sovereign franchise shall be restricted no further than to citizens who have resided within the shire for more than six months and extended no further than to resident nationals over forty and resident nationals serving in the armed forces of the principality and who have resided within the shire for more than six months,
- That the shire shall have a co-executive one of whom shall be the Sheriff. The Sheriff shall be a citizen. He shall have served as an elected official of the shire of which he is Sheriff. Upon the vacancy of the office of Sheriff of a shire, the legislature of that shire shall transmit to the Senate a list of twenty persons it believes to be best qualified to be sheriff. The Senate shall chose from this list the five men it considers best qualified to be sheriff and transmit the names to the Princes. From among these five the princes shall appoint the sheriff.
- The shire shall have a bicameral legislature one house of which shall be composed of representatives of the governments of the cities, towns, and villages with in the shire.
- Every shire shall pay ten percent of its revenue to the treasury of the Dual principality.
- No shire shall enter into any treaty, alliance or confederation; emit Bills of credit; make anything but gold, silver or copper coin a tender in payment of debt; pass any bill of attainder, expost facto law or law impairing the obligations of contract.
- No shire shall engage in war without the consent of the Parliament unless actually invaded or in such imminent danger of invasion as will not admit of delay.
Every shire shall form at least one grand jury every year for the investigation of dishonesty or abuse of office.
Sec 3 Territories
Territories are partial members of the principality. While their government does not have to be fully compatible with the federal system, it must extend the protection of the law to all persons with in its jurisdiction and it must respect the rights enumerated in Art I and Article XIV Sec. 6, 7, and 8 of this constitution.
Sec 4 Powers not Granted
Powers not granted by this constitution to the princely government are reserved to the shires and the people respectively.
Sec 5 Nullification and Secession
(a) A shire may nullify the operation of a law of the principality with in the territory of the shire by the vote of two thirds of both houses of its legislature with the consent of the Sheriff. It may rescind nullification by vote of the majority of both houses. A shire may not suspend the operation of more than five laws concurrently. A shire may not nullify a finance law or declarations of war or peace.
(b) A shire may secede from the principality by the following method. If three quarters of the members of both houses of the shire’s legislature agree the question of secession shall be put on the ballot at the next election. If the majority of the voters support succession then five years hence, the shire legislature shall again vote on secession. If three quarters of the legislature of the shire agree the question of secession shall again be put on the ballot. If the majority of the voters of the shire again vote for secession, then one year from the date of that vote the shire shall become an independent state. Citizens and resident nationals residing within the shire shall have to decide whether they wish to remain citizens and resident nationals of the principality or whether they wish to be citizens of the new state.
Preamble
We, Stephen and David by grace of birth sovereign, to all those who would tender us their allegiance greetings. We do proclaim that we and our heirs forever shall govern in accordance with this constitution.
Chapter 1 Rights, Citizenship, and the Federation
Art I Rights of Man
The protection of individual rights is the first duty and sole justification of all state authority.
Sec 1 The Right to Life
No person shall be deprived of their life without due process of law upon a charge of treason, premeditated murder, murder in the commission of a crime, slave ownership, or slave trading.
Sec 2 The Right to Liberty
No person shall be deprive of their liberty without due process of law upon a charge of treason, murder, rape, slave ownership or slave trading , assault, robbery, theft, burglary, fraud, vandalism, or breach of the peace or attempt to commit the same.
Sec 3 The Right to Property
No person shall be deprived of their property with out due process of law upon a charge of slave ownership or slave trading, assault, robbery, theft, burglary, fraud or vandalism or attempt to commit the same.
Sec 4 The Right to Freedom of Opinion, Expression and Assembly
The legislature shall make no law regarding the establishment of a religion. The legislature shall make no law to restrict or prevent an individual from using his property to prostletize his views. The legislature shall make no law to restrict or prevent a peaceful assembly of people on private property.
Sec 5 The Right to Bare Arms
An armed citizenry being the bulwark of a free state, the right of the individual to keep and bare arms shall not be infringed.
Sec 6 Protection of Person and Property
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers and effects against unreasonable searches and seizures shall not violated. Warrants shall be issued only on probable cause upon oath or affirmation and particularly naming the place to be searched and persons or things to be seized. No property shall be taken for public use except in time of war or insurrection and then only after just compensation is paid.
Sec 7 Freedom of Association and Non Association
No person shall be deprived of their right to form associations for: the corporate or communal use of their property; forming by contract families to raise their natural and adopted children; for non treasonous and non violent political purposes; to negotiate with their employer; or for any lawful purpose. No person shall be deprived of their right to contract freely with others for any lawful purpose. No person shall be deprived of their right not to associate or contract with others.
Sec 8 Rights Not Enumerated
The Enumeration of certain rights in this document shall not be held to
disparage others, not enumerated, which are retained by the people.
Art II Citizenship
Sec 1 Requirement for citizenship
Any person resident in the principality who has reached the age of 16 years and has completed three years of active military duty or 5 years of a thirty year term of militia duty, may by paying the income tax set forth by the legislature, become a citizen of the principality. Failure to pay income tax will result in suspension of citizenship. Failure to complete the full 30 years of militia duty will result in revocation of citizenship, unless the failure to perform the militia duty is due to travel in the interests of the principality or active or reserve military service. Those who are discharged for wounds or injuries suffered in the military service of the principality shall be considered to have completed their military service. Those physically unable to perform military service may obtain citizenship by paying twice the tax set forth by parliament.
Sec 2 Non Citizens
Any person who has resided with in the principality for a period of not less then two years and has renounced all allegiance to any other polity or who is a native born resident of the principality and has not taken an oath of allegiance to any other polity is a resident national of the principality. A resident national who is more than 40 years old is eligible to attend the assembly. Any person with in the jurisdiction of the principality shall have the full protection of the law unless removed by order of competent court upon conviction of crime after due process of law.
Sec 3 The Duties and Privileges of Citizenship
All citizens shall have the right to vote, the right and duty to sit on juries, and the ability to hold office.
Sec 4 Oath of Citizenship
All prospective citizens shall take the following oath at the beginning of their term of military service: I, _____, having attained my ___ year and being of sound mind and without purpose of deception or evasion, do solemnly swear on my honor to bare true faith and allegiance to the Prince Diarchs of Amagi and to their constitutionally appointed successors, to defend the constitution of the Dual Principality of Amagi from all enemies foreign or domestic, to bare arms in the service the principality for a term of ____ years, during which time I shall obey all lawful orders by those lawfully put over me and demand a like obedience from all those put lawfully under my orders, and at the end of my term of service after paying the annual tax set forth by parliament to enjoy all of the privileges of a citizen of the Dual Principality including but not limited to the sovereign franchise.
No person shall take the oath until they have attained their twelfth year.
Sec 5 Honors, the Gentry, and the Nobility
(a) While all citizens are equal before the law, honors and titles exist to reward service to the principality. There are four forms of titles, honorary titles, the gentry, the nobility and the high nobility. Only honorary titles can be conferred on non citizens.
(b) Honor titles confer social recognition but not political privileges. Honor titles take the form of membership in an order honoring some form of achievement or contribution to the welfare of the principality. Honor titles are awarded at the sole discretion of their highnesses.
(c) Gentry titles confer political privileges pertaining to voting.
(i) Esquire: A citizen may become an Esquire by one of two methods. Any citizen who has completed twice the amount of military service required for citizenship (i.e. 6 years active service, or one completed 30 year term in the militia and 5 years of a second thirty year term, or 3 years active duty and 5 years of a thirty year term) is an Esquire. A Citizen who has paid twice the income tax he owes for last five years shall be an Esquire as long as he continues to do so. An Esquire is allowed to vote twice in any election.
(ii) Knight : A citizen may become a knight by completing twice the amount of military service as outlined above and paying twice the tax as out lined above. A Knight is entitled to vote three times in any election.
Baronet: A citizen may become a Baronet by appointment by their Highnesses with the consent of the Senate or by appointment of a member of the nobility upon his death. Their Highnesses may appoint no more than 5 Baronets a year. A Baronet shall be entitled to vote 4 times in an election. A Baronet may pass his title to any citizen upon his death.
(d) Titles of Nobility confer the privilege of degrees of membership in the senate and usually the right to appoint a citizen baronet at the title holders death.
(i) Hereditary Councilor to the Senate: A title of nobility awarded to the 61st through 200th people to become citizens. Further Their Highnesses may appoint one citizen a Hereditary Councilor to the Senate once every other year with the consent of the House of Representatives. A Third is a non voting member of the Senate. A third shall be entitled to vote 5 times in a general election. A Third may pass his title to any citizen upon his death and the title of Baronet to another citizen.
(ii) Senator For Life: A title of nobility awarded to citizens for political or military achievement under the terms laid out in Art IV Sec. 4. Also one person shall chosen Senator For Life from among the citizens by lot every year. Further Their Highnesses may appoint one citizen a Senator for Life once per year with the consent of the House of Representatives. Senators For Life are members of the Senate. A Senator For Life may will the title of Baronet to a citizen.
(iii) Hereditary Senator: A title of nobility awarded to the 21st through 60th people to become citizens. Also their Highnesses may appoint one citizen a Second every five years with the consent of the House of Representatives. Further a title of nobility awarded for financial support of the principality. The price for a title of shall always be one ton of gold more than the previous price. No more than one title shall be sold every year. A Hereditary Senator is a member of the Senate. A Hereditary Senator may pass his title to any citizen upon his death and the title of Baronet to another citizen.
(e) Titles of High Nobility confer the privilege of membership in the Senate, the right to appoint a citizen baronet, and the right to be a candidate for election as Prince Diarch.
(i) First Senator: A title of nobility awarded to the 1st through 20th people to become citizens and to the later born children of a Prince Diarch on their attainment of citizenship. Also, Their Highnesses may appoint one citizen a First Senator every ten years with the consent of the House of Representatives. A First is a member of the Senate. A First Senator may pass his title to any citizen upon his death and the title of Baronet to another citizen.
(ii) Baron: A title of nobility awarded for achievement and to the second born child of a Prince Diarch on his or her attainment of citizenship. In addition to their later born children, their Highnesses may appoint one citizen a Baron every twenty years with the consent of the House of Representatives. Barons are members of the senate. A Baron may pass his title to any citizen upon his death and the title of Baronet to another citizen.
(iii) Earl: A title of nobility awarded to a former head of state or government as part of an act of Annexation or to the first born child of a Prince Diarch on his or her attainment of citizenship. Earls are members of the senate. An Earl may pass his title to any citizen upon his death and the title of Baronet to another citizen.
(iv) Prince: A title of nobility held by the heirs apparent to the thrones and by former Prince Diarchs. It may be awarded to former heads of state as part of a major Act of Annexation. Princes are members of the senate. A Prince may pass the title of Earl to a citizen upon his death.
Art III The Federal Nature of the Principality
Sec 1 Free Federation of Free Shires
The Principality is a free federation of free shires. It is also a creation of the citizens who sustain it. Shires may leave the federation as describe in this constitution.
Sec 2 Shires
Shires are territories that have come under the dominion of the principality and are members of the federal principality. Shires are governed under a system of government compatible with this constitution. The points of compatibility are:
- That all persons within its jurisdiction shall receive the full protection of the law unless it is removed by order of a competent court upon conviction of crime after due process of law,
- That all the rights enumerated in Art I and Article XIV Sec. 6, 7, and 8 of this constitution shall be respected,
- That the holding of office shall be restricted to citizens,
- That the sovereign franchise shall be restricted no further than to citizens who have resided within the shire for more than six months and extended no further than to resident nationals over forty and resident nationals serving in the armed forces of the principality and who have resided within the shire for more than six months,
- That the shire shall have a co-executive one of whom shall be the Sheriff. The Sheriff shall be a citizen. He shall have served as an elected official of the shire of which he is Sheriff. Upon the vacancy of the office of Sheriff of a shire, the legislature of that shire shall transmit to the Senate a list of twenty persons it believes to be best qualified to be sheriff. The Senate shall chose from this list the five men it considers best qualified to be sheriff and transmit the names to the Princes. From among these five the princes shall appoint the sheriff.
- The shire shall have a bicameral legislature one house of which shall be composed of representatives of the governments of the cities, towns, and villages with in the shire.
- Every shire shall pay ten percent of its revenue to the treasury of the Dual principality.
- No shire shall enter into any treaty, alliance or confederation; emit Bills of credit; make anything but gold, silver or copper coin a tender in payment of debt; pass any bill of attainder, expost facto law or law impairing the obligations of contract.
- No shire shall engage in war without the consent of the Parliament unless actually invaded or in such imminent danger of invasion as will not admit of delay.
Every shire shall form at least one grand jury every year for the investigation of dishonesty or abuse of office.
Sec 3 Territories
Territories are partial members of the principality. While their government does not have to be fully compatible with the federal system, it must extend the protection of the law to all persons with in its jurisdiction and it must respect the rights enumerated in Art I and Article XIV Sec. 6, 7, and 8 of this constitution.
Sec 4 Powers not Granted
Powers not granted by this constitution to the princely government are reserved to the shires and the people respectively.
Sec 5 Nullification and Secession
(a) A shire may nullify the operation of a law of the principality with in the territory of the shire by the vote of two thirds of both houses of its legislature with the consent of the Sheriff. It may rescind nullification by vote of the majority of both houses. A shire may not suspend the operation of more than five laws concurrently. A shire may not nullify a finance law or declarations of war or peace.
(b) A shire may secede from the principality by the following method. If three quarters of the members of both houses of the shire’s legislature agree the question of secession shall be put on the ballot at the next election. If the majority of the voters support succession then five years hence, the shire legislature shall again vote on secession. If three quarters of the legislature of the shire agree the question of secession shall again be put on the ballot. If the majority of the voters of the shire again vote for secession, then one year from the date of that vote the shire shall become an independent state. Citizens and resident nationals residing within the shire shall have to decide whether they wish to remain citizens and resident nationals of the principality or whether they wish to be citizens of the new state.
Chapter 2 Parliament, Laws and the Legislative Process
Art IV Parliament
Sec 1 Organization
(a) The Principality shall have a parliament composed of a House of the Representatives of the Citizens, and a Senate.
(b) Parliament shall convene annually on the fifteenth day of June. If parliament has been dissolved and elections held due the failure of a motion of confidence, Parliament shall convene on the 1st Monday following the election.
(c) Parliament shall not be in session for longer than 60 days in any year, unless they are called back into extraordinary session as here in after detailed.
Sec 2 Powers
(a) Parliament shall have the power to:
- Levy a tax upon the citizens of the principality, proportional to their income given that the said tax shall not be for more than 10% of their income except in time of declared war, and shall in no case be for more than 20% of their income. In time of declared war only parliament may create a progressive rate of income taxation but under no circumstances shall the highest rate exceed the lowest by more than 50%, and the highest rate shall, as delimited above, not exceed 20% of income.
- To borrow money upon the credit of the principality for the purpose of buying or leasing sovereign territory and to levy a property tax on territory so acquired for the propose of repaying the debt so contracted. If the money is borrowed for the purpose of leasing territory the debt shall become due before the lease on the property expires.
- To borrow money upon the credit of the principality in time of war. Such debt shall become due no later than twenty years from the time of it’s contract. And in no circumstances shall such debt be of an amount of more than 45% of the revenue of the Government in the year of it’s issue.
- To regulate commerce with foreign nations for the purposes of foreign policy only.
- To establish gold, silver, and copper only as the medium of restitution in court decisions and for the payment of taxes and governmental officials.
- To coin these metals for use as money.
- To provide for the punishment of counterfeiting the securities and current coin of banks and the principality.
- To Provide for establishment of a communications network, for state purposes only.
- To secure intellectual property.
- To define and punish piracies and felonies committed on the sea and offenses against the law of nations.
- To define and punish involvement in slavery, the slave trade, and debt peonage.
- To declare war, conclude peace, contract alliances, grant letters of marquee and reprisal and make rules concerning captures on the sea and upon land.
- To raise and support armies, but no appropriation to that use shall be for longer than two years.
- To raise and support air forces, but no appropriation to that use shall be for longer than two years.
- To pay the salaries of the other executive officers of the principality, but no appropriation for such purpose shall be for longer than one year.
- To pay the salaries of the judges and other judicial officers of the principality.
- To provide and maintain a navy and marine corps, but no appropriation for that purpose shall be for longer than 4 years.
- To raise and support foreign or expeditionary forces, but no appropriation to that use shall be for longer than one year.
- To make rules for the government and regulation of the land, air and navel forces.
- To provide for calling forth the militia to execute the laws of the principality, suppress insurrections and repel invasions.
- To provide for organizing, arming and disciplining the Militia and for governing such part of them as may be employed in the service of the principality, reserving to the shires respectively, the appointment of the officers, and the authority of training the militia according to the discipline proscribed by parliament.
- To exercise exclusive legislation over such district as may by the session of a particular shire and the acceptance of parliament become the seat of the government of the principality and to exercise like authority over all places purchased by the consent of the legislature of the shire where in the same shall be, for the erection of forts, arsenals, dockyards, and other needful buildings.
- To peacefully annex new territory into the principality.
(b) No money shall be drawn from the treasury but in consequence of appropriations made by law, and a regular statement and account of the receipts and expenditures of all public money shall be published from time to time.
(c) To make all laws which shall be necessary for carrying into execution the forgoing powers and all other powers vested by this constitution in the princely government or any Department or officer there of.
(d) No bill of attainder or expost facto law shall be passed.
Sec 3 House of Representatives
(a) The house of representatives shall be composed of members chosen from districts apportioned among the several shires in proportion to the number of citizens resident there in as determined by an actual enumeration which shall occur every 12 years. The number of representatives shall in no case be less than one for every five thousand citizens.
(b) Each district shall elect three members on the same ballot for a term of one year.
(c) Each district shall also elect one representative every year for a term of three years except that should a motion of confidence fail to pass, they shall stand for reelection within four weeks. When a new district is formed, these three members will be elected on the same ballot. The candidate with the most votes shall have a term of three years, the candidate with the second largest number of votes shall have a term of two years and the candidate with the third largest number of votes shall have a term of one year.
(d) Every year each district shall also chose by lot a representative with a term of three years from among the citizens of the district. When a new district is formed, these three members will be chose by lot, the member chosen first shall have a term of three years, the member chose second a term of two years, and the member chose third a term of one year.
(e) Representatives shall be paid a salary from the treasury of the principality as determined by law.
(f) No person shall stand for election to the house who has not attained his eighteenth year.
The House of Representatives shall chose their speaker and other officers, and shall have the power of impeachment.
Sec 4 The Senate
(a) The senate shall be composed of members elected by the legislatures of the shires. Each shire shall be represented by six senators one chosen by the legislature of the shire each year for a term of six years. When a new shire joins the principality it shall elect six members of the Senate, one for a term of six years, one for a term of five years, one for a term of four years, one for a term of three years, one for a term of two years, and one for a term of one year.
(b) Further 12 senators shall be elected at large by the citizens of the principality, and 6 senators shall be elected at large by the gentry. They shall have a term of six years, but when these positions are first filled one sixth shall have a term of six years, one sixth shall have a term of five years, one sixth shall have a term of four years, one sixth shall have a term of three years, one sixth shall have a term of two years, and one sixth shall have a term of one year as determined by lot.
(c) Further any man who has served 5 years as: speaker of the house, or as tribune of the assembly, or as ephore, or as justice of the supreme court (after their retirement), or as a minister of the government shall be a Senator For Life. All members of the nobility shall be senators to the degree outline in Article II Section 4
No person shall be senator who has not attained his twenty first year, and been five years a citizen.
(d) Senators shall be paid a salary from the treasury of the principality which shall be equal to the salary of Representatives divided by 60 and multiplied by the number of days the Senator attends sessions of the Senate.
The senate shall chose their presiding officer who shall be the Chancellor. The senate shall chose their other officers.
(e) The senate shall have the sole right to try all impeachments. When they are convened for that purpose they shall be on oath. When a prince is tried the Chief Justice shall preside. No person shall be convicted with out the concurrence of two thirds of the members. Impeachment shall extend no further than removal from office.
Art. V The Privy Council
Sec. 1 Organization
(a) The Privy Council is composed of the Prime Minister, the Chancellor, the Speaker of the House, the Ministers, the five most senior members of the Senate by time served in the Senate, the five most senior members of the House by time served in the House, five members of parliament chosen by lot, and five members of parliament chosen by their Highnesses. If there is a difficulty in determining seniority because some members have the same number of year service, then those of equal term in office shall draw lots to determine who shall serve on the council.
(b) The Council shall chose its President who shall not be the Prime Minister.
(c) The Council shall meet on the first Monday of every month and when they are convened by the Prime Minister or Their Highnesses.
Sec. 2 Powers
(a) The Privy Council shall have the power with the concurrence of two thirds of its members to call Parliament into an additional ten day session after the expiration of its normal sixty day session.
(b) The Council shall have the power to call Parliament into an additional ten day session after the expiration of its normal sixty day session if the Prime Minister has been dismissed or has resigned.
(c) The Council shall have the power with the concurrence of two thirds of its members to temporarily fill vacancies in the judiciary if Their Highnesses have not done so within 60 days of the occurrence of the vacancy. If Their Highnesses have not proposed a permanent replacement fill to the vacancy within 30 days of the opening of parliament, the Council shall have the power with the concurrence of two thirds of its members to propose a replacement to the Senate.
Art. VI Types of Laws and the Legislative Process
Sec. 1. Laws of Limited Affect
(a) Joint Decree: A joint decree is a statement of the will of their Highnesses. It has advisory effect only, except for the Lord High Chamberlain and other officers of their Highnesses’ household for whom it shall be a binding instruction. A joint decree ordering the militia to muster is also binding. A joint decree must be signed by both Prince Diarchs to have effect.
(b) Executive Order: An executive order is an instruction to the members of an executive department. An Executive order is a binding instruction only for the officers of the ministry to which it is issued. An executive order must be signed by the relevant minister and the prime minister to have effect.
(c) Concurrent Resolution: A concurrent resolution is a joint decision of both houses of parliament as to the time and place of their meeting within the limits proscribed by law. A concurrent resolution must have passed both houses to have effect.
Sec 2 Laws of Limited Duration
(a) Finance Law: A finance law is a law that alters the tax rate or authorizes the spending of money. It must be approved by a majority of both houses and must be signed by both Prince Diarchs to have effect.
(b) Declaration of War or Peace: A declaration of war or the rescinding of the same must be approved by both houses and must be signed by both prince diarchs.
(c) Imperitorial Order: A signed order of the Imperitor is a law for the duration of the Imperitor’s term of office unless it is not later confirmed by the security council.
Sec. 3 Laws
(a) Act of Parliament: A bill which is passed by a two thirds majority of both houses in two consecutive years and is signed by one of the princes becomes a temporary law. After being in effect for five years parliament must pass the law in both houses again by a two thirds majority and it must be signed by one of the prince diarchs, it remains a temporary law and must be passed by a two thirds majority of both house every five years until it is signed by both prince diarchs, concurrently, in order for it to remain law.
(b) Act of Crown in Parliament: A bill which is passed by a majority of both houses in two consecutive years and is then signed by both prince diarchs becomes a temporary law. After being in effect for five years parliament must pass the law in both houses again and it must be signed by both prince diarchs, then it becomes a permanent law in force until it is repealed.
Sec. 4 Extraordinary Laws
(a) Act of Crown in Parliament to Modify the Basic Law: A bill to amend the basic law which is passed by a two thirds majority of both houses in two consecutive years and is signed by both of the prince diarchs becomes a temporary amendment to the basic law. After being in effect for five years a bill must be introduced in parliament to make the amendment permanent. If parliament passes the bill in both houses again by a two thirds majority and it is signed by both of the prince diarchs, then the proposed change to the basic law is submitted to a plebiscite of the citizens. If the majority of the votes are for the amendment it becomes a permanent part of the basic law. If at any point in this process the bill fails the amendment is rejected.
(b) Act of Crown in Parliament to Amend the Constitution: A bill to amend this Constitution which is passed by a two thirds majority of both houses in two consecutive years and is signed by both of the prince diarchs is put to a plebiscite. . If the majority of the votes are for the amendment it becomes a temporary amendment to the Constitution. After being in effect for five years a bill must be introduced to make it permanent. If parliament passes the bill in both houses again by a two thirds majority and it is signed by both of the prince diarchs, then the proposed amendment to the constitution is submitted to a plebiscite of the citizens. If the majority of the votes are for the amendment it is submitted to the shire legislatures. If two thirds of the shire legislatures vote to adopt the amendment then it becomes a permanent part of this constitution. If at any point in this process the bill fails the amendment is rejected. Articles VIII and IX cannot be amended with out the approval of two thirds of the members of the assembly. Article III and Article IV Sec. 4 Para 1 can't be amended with out the consent of all of the shire legislatures. Article I can't be amended without the approval of two thirds of the members of the assembly and the consent of all of the shire legislatures.
Article VII Acts of Annexation
Sec. 1 Definition and Legislative Process
An Act of Annexation is a law by which new territory is added to the principality. It must be passed by both Houses of Parliament and signed by both Princes.
Sec. 2 What Done
In addition to adding the new territory to the principality, the act shall define the borders of the new shires created by the annexation, shall state the amount of money to be paid for it, shall state the amount be borrowed in accordance with Art. IV Sec. 2 Para. 2, and shall name any new members of the nobility created by the act.
Sec. 3 Types of Annexation
A minor annexation involves annexation of territory not independent prior to becoming part of the principality.
An intermediate annexation involves annexation of an independent state with 1000 square miles in area or less. Parliament may create up to 1 Earl, 1 Hereditary Senator and 4 Senators for Life from among the people resident on the territory aquired by the act.
A major annexation involves annexation of an independent state with greater than 1000 square miles in area. Parliament may create up to 1 Prince. 1 Earl, 1 First Senator, 1 Hereditary Senator, and 5 Senators for Life from among the people resident on the territory acquired by the act.
Art IV Parliament
Sec 1 Organization
(a) The Principality shall have a parliament composed of a House of the Representatives of the Citizens, and a Senate.
(b) Parliament shall convene annually on the fifteenth day of June. If parliament has been dissolved and elections held due the failure of a motion of confidence, Parliament shall convene on the 1st Monday following the election.
(c) Parliament shall not be in session for longer than 60 days in any year, unless they are called back into extraordinary session as here in after detailed.
Sec 2 Powers
(a) Parliament shall have the power to:
- Levy a tax upon the citizens of the principality, proportional to their income given that the said tax shall not be for more than 10% of their income except in time of declared war, and shall in no case be for more than 20% of their income. In time of declared war only parliament may create a progressive rate of income taxation but under no circumstances shall the highest rate exceed the lowest by more than 50%, and the highest rate shall, as delimited above, not exceed 20% of income.
- To borrow money upon the credit of the principality for the purpose of buying or leasing sovereign territory and to levy a property tax on territory so acquired for the propose of repaying the debt so contracted. If the money is borrowed for the purpose of leasing territory the debt shall become due before the lease on the property expires.
- To borrow money upon the credit of the principality in time of war. Such debt shall become due no later than twenty years from the time of it’s contract. And in no circumstances shall such debt be of an amount of more than 45% of the revenue of the Government in the year of it’s issue.
- To regulate commerce with foreign nations for the purposes of foreign policy only.
- To establish gold, silver, and copper only as the medium of restitution in court decisions and for the payment of taxes and governmental officials.
- To coin these metals for use as money.
- To provide for the punishment of counterfeiting the securities and current coin of banks and the principality.
- To Provide for establishment of a communications network, for state purposes only.
- To secure intellectual property.
- To define and punish piracies and felonies committed on the sea and offenses against the law of nations.
- To define and punish involvement in slavery, the slave trade, and debt peonage.
- To declare war, conclude peace, contract alliances, grant letters of marquee and reprisal and make rules concerning captures on the sea and upon land.
- To raise and support armies, but no appropriation to that use shall be for longer than two years.
- To raise and support air forces, but no appropriation to that use shall be for longer than two years.
- To pay the salaries of the other executive officers of the principality, but no appropriation for such purpose shall be for longer than one year.
- To pay the salaries of the judges and other judicial officers of the principality.
- To provide and maintain a navy and marine corps, but no appropriation for that purpose shall be for longer than 4 years.
- To raise and support foreign or expeditionary forces, but no appropriation to that use shall be for longer than one year.
- To make rules for the government and regulation of the land, air and navel forces.
- To provide for calling forth the militia to execute the laws of the principality, suppress insurrections and repel invasions.
- To provide for organizing, arming and disciplining the Militia and for governing such part of them as may be employed in the service of the principality, reserving to the shires respectively, the appointment of the officers, and the authority of training the militia according to the discipline proscribed by parliament.
- To exercise exclusive legislation over such district as may by the session of a particular shire and the acceptance of parliament become the seat of the government of the principality and to exercise like authority over all places purchased by the consent of the legislature of the shire where in the same shall be, for the erection of forts, arsenals, dockyards, and other needful buildings.
- To peacefully annex new territory into the principality.
(b) No money shall be drawn from the treasury but in consequence of appropriations made by law, and a regular statement and account of the receipts and expenditures of all public money shall be published from time to time.
(c) To make all laws which shall be necessary for carrying into execution the forgoing powers and all other powers vested by this constitution in the princely government or any Department or officer there of.
(d) No bill of attainder or expost facto law shall be passed.
Sec 3 House of Representatives
(a) The house of representatives shall be composed of members chosen from districts apportioned among the several shires in proportion to the number of citizens resident there in as determined by an actual enumeration which shall occur every 12 years. The number of representatives shall in no case be less than one for every five thousand citizens.
(b) Each district shall elect three members on the same ballot for a term of one year.
(c) Each district shall also elect one representative every year for a term of three years except that should a motion of confidence fail to pass, they shall stand for reelection within four weeks. When a new district is formed, these three members will be elected on the same ballot. The candidate with the most votes shall have a term of three years, the candidate with the second largest number of votes shall have a term of two years and the candidate with the third largest number of votes shall have a term of one year.
(d) Every year each district shall also chose by lot a representative with a term of three years from among the citizens of the district. When a new district is formed, these three members will be chose by lot, the member chosen first shall have a term of three years, the member chose second a term of two years, and the member chose third a term of one year.
(e) Representatives shall be paid a salary from the treasury of the principality as determined by law.
(f) No person shall stand for election to the house who has not attained his eighteenth year.
The House of Representatives shall chose their speaker and other officers, and shall have the power of impeachment.
Sec 4 The Senate
(a) The senate shall be composed of members elected by the legislatures of the shires. Each shire shall be represented by six senators one chosen by the legislature of the shire each year for a term of six years. When a new shire joins the principality it shall elect six members of the Senate, one for a term of six years, one for a term of five years, one for a term of four years, one for a term of three years, one for a term of two years, and one for a term of one year.
(b) Further 12 senators shall be elected at large by the citizens of the principality, and 6 senators shall be elected at large by the gentry. They shall have a term of six years, but when these positions are first filled one sixth shall have a term of six years, one sixth shall have a term of five years, one sixth shall have a term of four years, one sixth shall have a term of three years, one sixth shall have a term of two years, and one sixth shall have a term of one year as determined by lot.
(c) Further any man who has served 5 years as: speaker of the house, or as tribune of the assembly, or as ephore, or as justice of the supreme court (after their retirement), or as a minister of the government shall be a Senator For Life. All members of the nobility shall be senators to the degree outline in Article II Section 4
No person shall be senator who has not attained his twenty first year, and been five years a citizen.
(d) Senators shall be paid a salary from the treasury of the principality which shall be equal to the salary of Representatives divided by 60 and multiplied by the number of days the Senator attends sessions of the Senate.
The senate shall chose their presiding officer who shall be the Chancellor. The senate shall chose their other officers.
(e) The senate shall have the sole right to try all impeachments. When they are convened for that purpose they shall be on oath. When a prince is tried the Chief Justice shall preside. No person shall be convicted with out the concurrence of two thirds of the members. Impeachment shall extend no further than removal from office.
Art. V The Privy Council
Sec. 1 Organization
(a) The Privy Council is composed of the Prime Minister, the Chancellor, the Speaker of the House, the Ministers, the five most senior members of the Senate by time served in the Senate, the five most senior members of the House by time served in the House, five members of parliament chosen by lot, and five members of parliament chosen by their Highnesses. If there is a difficulty in determining seniority because some members have the same number of year service, then those of equal term in office shall draw lots to determine who shall serve on the council.
(b) The Council shall chose its President who shall not be the Prime Minister.
(c) The Council shall meet on the first Monday of every month and when they are convened by the Prime Minister or Their Highnesses.
Sec. 2 Powers
(a) The Privy Council shall have the power with the concurrence of two thirds of its members to call Parliament into an additional ten day session after the expiration of its normal sixty day session.
(b) The Council shall have the power to call Parliament into an additional ten day session after the expiration of its normal sixty day session if the Prime Minister has been dismissed or has resigned.
(c) The Council shall have the power with the concurrence of two thirds of its members to temporarily fill vacancies in the judiciary if Their Highnesses have not done so within 60 days of the occurrence of the vacancy. If Their Highnesses have not proposed a permanent replacement fill to the vacancy within 30 days of the opening of parliament, the Council shall have the power with the concurrence of two thirds of its members to propose a replacement to the Senate.
Art. VI Types of Laws and the Legislative Process
Sec. 1. Laws of Limited Affect
(a) Joint Decree: A joint decree is a statement of the will of their Highnesses. It has advisory effect only, except for the Lord High Chamberlain and other officers of their Highnesses’ household for whom it shall be a binding instruction. A joint decree ordering the militia to muster is also binding. A joint decree must be signed by both Prince Diarchs to have effect.
(b) Executive Order: An executive order is an instruction to the members of an executive department. An Executive order is a binding instruction only for the officers of the ministry to which it is issued. An executive order must be signed by the relevant minister and the prime minister to have effect.
(c) Concurrent Resolution: A concurrent resolution is a joint decision of both houses of parliament as to the time and place of their meeting within the limits proscribed by law. A concurrent resolution must have passed both houses to have effect.
Sec 2 Laws of Limited Duration
(a) Finance Law: A finance law is a law that alters the tax rate or authorizes the spending of money. It must be approved by a majority of both houses and must be signed by both Prince Diarchs to have effect.
(b) Declaration of War or Peace: A declaration of war or the rescinding of the same must be approved by both houses and must be signed by both prince diarchs.
(c) Imperitorial Order: A signed order of the Imperitor is a law for the duration of the Imperitor’s term of office unless it is not later confirmed by the security council.
Sec. 3 Laws
(a) Act of Parliament: A bill which is passed by a two thirds majority of both houses in two consecutive years and is signed by one of the princes becomes a temporary law. After being in effect for five years parliament must pass the law in both houses again by a two thirds majority and it must be signed by one of the prince diarchs, it remains a temporary law and must be passed by a two thirds majority of both house every five years until it is signed by both prince diarchs, concurrently, in order for it to remain law.
(b) Act of Crown in Parliament: A bill which is passed by a majority of both houses in two consecutive years and is then signed by both prince diarchs becomes a temporary law. After being in effect for five years parliament must pass the law in both houses again and it must be signed by both prince diarchs, then it becomes a permanent law in force until it is repealed.
Sec. 4 Extraordinary Laws
(a) Act of Crown in Parliament to Modify the Basic Law: A bill to amend the basic law which is passed by a two thirds majority of both houses in two consecutive years and is signed by both of the prince diarchs becomes a temporary amendment to the basic law. After being in effect for five years a bill must be introduced in parliament to make the amendment permanent. If parliament passes the bill in both houses again by a two thirds majority and it is signed by both of the prince diarchs, then the proposed change to the basic law is submitted to a plebiscite of the citizens. If the majority of the votes are for the amendment it becomes a permanent part of the basic law. If at any point in this process the bill fails the amendment is rejected.
(b) Act of Crown in Parliament to Amend the Constitution: A bill to amend this Constitution which is passed by a two thirds majority of both houses in two consecutive years and is signed by both of the prince diarchs is put to a plebiscite. . If the majority of the votes are for the amendment it becomes a temporary amendment to the Constitution. After being in effect for five years a bill must be introduced to make it permanent. If parliament passes the bill in both houses again by a two thirds majority and it is signed by both of the prince diarchs, then the proposed amendment to the constitution is submitted to a plebiscite of the citizens. If the majority of the votes are for the amendment it is submitted to the shire legislatures. If two thirds of the shire legislatures vote to adopt the amendment then it becomes a permanent part of this constitution. If at any point in this process the bill fails the amendment is rejected. Articles VIII and IX cannot be amended with out the approval of two thirds of the members of the assembly. Article III and Article IV Sec. 4 Para 1 can't be amended with out the consent of all of the shire legislatures. Article I can't be amended without the approval of two thirds of the members of the assembly and the consent of all of the shire legislatures.
Article VII Acts of Annexation
Sec. 1 Definition and Legislative Process
An Act of Annexation is a law by which new territory is added to the principality. It must be passed by both Houses of Parliament and signed by both Princes.
Sec. 2 What Done
In addition to adding the new territory to the principality, the act shall define the borders of the new shires created by the annexation, shall state the amount of money to be paid for it, shall state the amount be borrowed in accordance with Art. IV Sec. 2 Para. 2, and shall name any new members of the nobility created by the act.
Sec. 3 Types of Annexation
A minor annexation involves annexation of territory not independent prior to becoming part of the principality.
An intermediate annexation involves annexation of an independent state with 1000 square miles in area or less. Parliament may create up to 1 Earl, 1 Hereditary Senator and 4 Senators for Life from among the people resident on the territory aquired by the act.
A major annexation involves annexation of an independent state with greater than 1000 square miles in area. Parliament may create up to 1 Prince. 1 Earl, 1 First Senator, 1 Hereditary Senator, and 5 Senators for Life from among the people resident on the territory acquired by the act.
Chapter 3 The Assembly and Ephores
Art VIII The Assembly
Sec 1 Organization
(a) The assembly is composed of all resident nationals of the principality who have attained their fortieth year and all citizens.
(b) Members may by contract choose another member of the assembly to exercise their right to speak and vote before the assembly. Such contract being lodged with the sheriff of the shire in which said member shall reside and transmitted from there to the seat of Government and entered into the written record of the assembly. Such contract may be revoked at any time.
(c) The assembly shall choose its tribune who shall be their presiding officer.
Sec 2 Powers
(a) Once a year the assembly shall meet to chose an ephore. The assembly shall chose the ephore from among a list of candidates composed of citizens who have been nominated by a petition containing the signatures of at least 100 members of the assembly.
(b) Every five years the assembly shall meet to review the laws that have come in to effect in the past five years. The assembly has the power to suspend any such law with the concurrence of one third of it’s members, except the assembly shall have no power to interfere with the appropriation of money, acts of annexation, or declarations of war. At the next such meeting the assembly by the concurrence of one third of it’s members may repeal the law suspended.
Art IX The Council of Ephors
Sec 1 Election of Ephors
Ephors are elected by the Assembly to a five-year term of office. When the assembly first convenes to elect Ephors it shall elect five Ephors the first one elected shall serve a term of five years. The second one elected shall serve a term of four years. The third elected shall serve a term of three years. The fourth elected shall serve a term of two years. The fifth elected shall serve a term of one year. Those elected to serve the four shorter terms may be reelected as may a person elected to fill a vacancy. Other than this, no one shall be elected Ephore more than once. No one shall be elected Ephor who is not a citizen.
Sec 2 Individual Powers
(a) It is the responsibility of the Ephors to investigate any charges of dishonesty or abuse of office by the executive officers of the principality.
An ephor may empanel as many grand juries as needed to help him investigate such dishonesty or abuse of office and shall empanel at least one such grand jury each year.
(b) If an Ephor believes he has evidence of corruption or abuse of office he shall present the evidence to the house of representatives.
Sec 3 Council Powers
The Ephors jointly compose the council of Ephors. If the majority of the council believes that an officer of the principality is guilty of corruption or abuse of office they shall indict him and he shall be tried by the senate.
Sec 4 The Ultimate Decree
If all the members of the council believe the existence of the principality is threatened by war or insurrection, they shall order the House and Senate convened. If Parliament has not already declared war or passed a resolution that a state of insurrection exists, the council shall ask that they do so. Once a state of war or internal insurrection is declared to exist, the council may ask the Princes and Senate to issue the Ultimate decree.
Art X The Ultimate Decree
Sec. 1 How Issued
During time of declared war or insurrection, the Senate may on unanimous request of the Council of Ephors issue with the consent and in the name of the Prince Diarchs the Ultimate Decree. The Ultimate Decree shall not be issued more than three times in five years.
Sec. 2 Effect
The Ultimate Decree appoints an Imperitor and calls the Security Council into continuous session.
Sec. 3 The Imperitor
If the Senate shall issue the ultimate decree, it shall there in name an Imperitor who shall be one of the Prince Diarchs.
The Imperitor shall have all the powers of the Princes and the Prime Minister, with the exception of the right to appoint judges.
The Imperitor shall have the power to rule by decree, but every decree must be approved by the security council with in one month or it shall become void. No Decree can raise taxes which power is reserved to Parliament, but the Imperitor may spend money with out authorization by Parliament.
The Imperitor’s term shall last six months. If the declaration of war or insurrection which caused the appointment of the Imperitor is repealed by Parliament, his term ends at that moment. At the completion of his term he shall make a full rendering of his actions to the House and Senate. If the Ultimate Decree is reissued, the Imperitor may not succeed him self in office, but the other prince diarch shall be named Imperitor.
Sec 4 Security Council
If the ultimate decree be issued by the senate, the Chancellor shall immediately convene the security council. The council shall be composed of the members of the Cabinet and the Privy Council plus the Tribune of the Assembly. The Imperitor shall not be a member of the council. The council may nullify any decree of the Imperitor by refusing to affirm it. The council can revoke the ultimate decree by a vote of two thirds of its members. The Council can call Parliament back into session by the vote of one third of its members.
Art VIII The Assembly
Sec 1 Organization
(a) The assembly is composed of all resident nationals of the principality who have attained their fortieth year and all citizens.
(b) Members may by contract choose another member of the assembly to exercise their right to speak and vote before the assembly. Such contract being lodged with the sheriff of the shire in which said member shall reside and transmitted from there to the seat of Government and entered into the written record of the assembly. Such contract may be revoked at any time.
(c) The assembly shall choose its tribune who shall be their presiding officer.
Sec 2 Powers
(a) Once a year the assembly shall meet to chose an ephore. The assembly shall chose the ephore from among a list of candidates composed of citizens who have been nominated by a petition containing the signatures of at least 100 members of the assembly.
(b) Every five years the assembly shall meet to review the laws that have come in to effect in the past five years. The assembly has the power to suspend any such law with the concurrence of one third of it’s members, except the assembly shall have no power to interfere with the appropriation of money, acts of annexation, or declarations of war. At the next such meeting the assembly by the concurrence of one third of it’s members may repeal the law suspended.
Art IX The Council of Ephors
Sec 1 Election of Ephors
Ephors are elected by the Assembly to a five-year term of office. When the assembly first convenes to elect Ephors it shall elect five Ephors the first one elected shall serve a term of five years. The second one elected shall serve a term of four years. The third elected shall serve a term of three years. The fourth elected shall serve a term of two years. The fifth elected shall serve a term of one year. Those elected to serve the four shorter terms may be reelected as may a person elected to fill a vacancy. Other than this, no one shall be elected Ephore more than once. No one shall be elected Ephor who is not a citizen.
Sec 2 Individual Powers
(a) It is the responsibility of the Ephors to investigate any charges of dishonesty or abuse of office by the executive officers of the principality.
An ephor may empanel as many grand juries as needed to help him investigate such dishonesty or abuse of office and shall empanel at least one such grand jury each year.
(b) If an Ephor believes he has evidence of corruption or abuse of office he shall present the evidence to the house of representatives.
Sec 3 Council Powers
The Ephors jointly compose the council of Ephors. If the majority of the council believes that an officer of the principality is guilty of corruption or abuse of office they shall indict him and he shall be tried by the senate.
Sec 4 The Ultimate Decree
If all the members of the council believe the existence of the principality is threatened by war or insurrection, they shall order the House and Senate convened. If Parliament has not already declared war or passed a resolution that a state of insurrection exists, the council shall ask that they do so. Once a state of war or internal insurrection is declared to exist, the council may ask the Princes and Senate to issue the Ultimate decree.
Art X The Ultimate Decree
Sec. 1 How Issued
During time of declared war or insurrection, the Senate may on unanimous request of the Council of Ephors issue with the consent and in the name of the Prince Diarchs the Ultimate Decree. The Ultimate Decree shall not be issued more than three times in five years.
Sec. 2 Effect
The Ultimate Decree appoints an Imperitor and calls the Security Council into continuous session.
Sec. 3 The Imperitor
If the Senate shall issue the ultimate decree, it shall there in name an Imperitor who shall be one of the Prince Diarchs.
The Imperitor shall have all the powers of the Princes and the Prime Minister, with the exception of the right to appoint judges.
The Imperitor shall have the power to rule by decree, but every decree must be approved by the security council with in one month or it shall become void. No Decree can raise taxes which power is reserved to Parliament, but the Imperitor may spend money with out authorization by Parliament.
The Imperitor’s term shall last six months. If the declaration of war or insurrection which caused the appointment of the Imperitor is repealed by Parliament, his term ends at that moment. At the completion of his term he shall make a full rendering of his actions to the House and Senate. If the Ultimate Decree is reissued, the Imperitor may not succeed him self in office, but the other prince diarch shall be named Imperitor.
Sec 4 Security Council
If the ultimate decree be issued by the senate, the Chancellor shall immediately convene the security council. The council shall be composed of the members of the Cabinet and the Privy Council plus the Tribune of the Assembly. The Imperitor shall not be a member of the council. The council may nullify any decree of the Imperitor by refusing to affirm it. The council can revoke the ultimate decree by a vote of two thirds of its members. The Council can call Parliament back into session by the vote of one third of its members.
