The Constitution and Bill of Rights

The Constitution for the United States of Saxum

“It is through the collective will of the people of this great land we call Saxum, in order to form a better union, seek justice, provide common defense for domestic tranquility and promote security and liberty against external influences, establish this Constitution for the United States of Saxum.”

1. The assembly shall consist of two houses, the House of Elders and the House of Representatives

The House of Representatives:
A Representative serves a term of 2 years and can be re-elected multiple times.
They must meet the following requirements: must be a resident of the state they wish to represent; must have been a citizen for at least 10 years.
There is one representative per 30,000 people living in a State.
The head of the House of Representatives is the Speaker, chosen from amongst its members, who serves until they retire or are voted out.

The House of Elders:
An Elder serves until retirement.
They must meet the following requirements: Have the blessing of all their fellow elders from the same state, must have been born in Saxum or been a citizen at its formation, and must be a resident of the state they are representing.
There are precisely 3 Elders per state.
The head of the Elders is the Vice President and serves until retirement or they are elected President. Vice Presidents can only cast a vote in the case of a tie. They cannot serve as Elders after they retire as Vice President.

Privileges or Rights of the Assembly:
Members cannot be arrested when attending sessions or going to or returning home. Members cannot be questioned in any other place for any speech or debate in either House.

Lawmaking:
A bill can be raised in either house and must be passed by both houses by a majority vote. If it is agreed by both houses, then the bill must be approved by the President whereby it becomes law. If refused by the President, then it is sent back to the Assembly, who have two weeks to veto the President's decision. If both houses successfully vote by majority to veto, then the Bill is written into law without the President's approval.

Powers of the Assembly:
To lay and collect taxes.
To pay the debts.
To provide for the common defense and general welfare of Saxum.
To borrow money.
To regulate commerce with foreign nations and among the states.
To establish uniform rules of naturalisation (making people not born in Saxum citizens).
To coin money.
To set up lower federal courts.
To declare war.
To raise and support an army and a navy.
To provide for calling out the state militia to carry out the laws of Saxum, put down rebellion and repel invasions.
To govern an area, independent of any State, to be deemed the Capital of Saxum, and to govern forts, arsenals, dockyards, and other "needful buildings".
To admit new states into the Union.
To make rules and regulations for the territories of Saxum.
To make all laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into execution the foregoing powers.

2. The Constitution gives the executive power to the President

The term of the President is 5 years.

The Representatives vote for the President, from the Elders who nominate themselves along with the current President and Vice President. The greatest number of votes becomes the President, and the second highest becomes the Vice President. Each Representative has one single vote. Before entering office, the President is required to take an oath to "preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States of Saxum."

Powers of the President: The President is commander-in-chief of the army and navy and of the state militia when called into the service of the Union. The President may pardon persons punished for offences against the Union. The President can make treaties, but two-thirds of the Elders must agree to them. The President appoints public officials, ambassadors, Supreme Court judges, etc., with the advice and consent of the Elders. The President can call both Houses together on very special occasions. The President is to carry out the laws of Saxum faithfully.

Removal: The President and all other civil officials can be removed from office on impeachment for, and conviction of, "treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanours." The House of Representatives presents the charges against an official, who is tried in the House of Elders. In an impeachment trial of the President, the Chief Justice presides over the House of Elders, and a two-thirds vote is needed for conviction.

3. The Constitution gives "judicial power," the power for judging, to a Supreme Court and State courts

Supreme Courts shall deal with Federal level legal matters, appeals against State court judgments, and legal matters for all territories not afforded ‘State’ status. State courts will deal with State level legal matters.
Term of the Judges: They shall hold office "during good behaviour" - that is to say, they cannot be dismissed unless they do wrong.
Federal courts can hear suits between States/Territories, between a State/Territory and a Citizen of another State/Territory, between Citizens of different States/Territories, and between a State/Territory or Citizen and a Foreign State or a Foreign Citizen.
They can also try cases arising from matters on the ‘High Seas’.
Treason against Saxum shall consist of making war or joining the enemies of Saxum, or "giving them aid and comfort."
No person shall be convicted of treason unless two witnesses saw that person commit the act, or unless they confess in court.

4. The Constitution forbids the states

To make a treaty or alliance with a foreign country To issue paper money To keep contracts from being carried out To grant titles of nobility (The Assembly also is not allowed to do this) To levy taxes on imports or exports To keep troops or ships of war in times of peace To go to war without the consent of The Assembly

5. To change or amend the Constitution

The Assembly by a two-thirds vote can propose an amendment, which must be approved by both houses of the assembly.