ARTICLE IV
Sub-domain Relations
Summary: This Article considers relations among the Sub-domains. Judicial proceedings and acts carried out in one must generally be honored by the others. Citizens are afforded the same protections throughout the Domain. If a Sub-domain becomes too large or populous, it may be subdivided to better involve its citizens in the acts of governing and gain more Senatorial representation. Sub-domains are guaranteed a Republican form of government and are entitled to protection from invasion by the Domain and help to quell domestic violence when requested.
In this and other sections, Domain is a generic term used to represent the government in point--a Nation, State, Province, County, City, or Town. Sub-domain represents a semi-autonomous region within the Domain; for example, a State is a Sub-domain of a Nation, a County or large city is a Sub-domain of a State, and so forth.
Article IV, Sections
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Section IV.1.
Inter Sub-domain Comity
Summary: All acts, records and judicial proceedings carried out in one Sub-domain must be accepted by the others. The Domain Legislature may prescribe how they are to be interpreted and enforced.
IV.1.1. Faith and Credit to other Sub-domains: Full faith and credit shall be given in each [Sub-domain] to the public acts, records, and judicial proceedings of every other [Sub-domain]. . . (U.S.C. IV.1.1.)
. . . * . . .
> Sub-domains must recognize each other's public acts, records and judicial proceedings. It creates a single Union with common procedures for relations among them.
> Decisions made on behalf of persons of one Sub-domain must be accepted in the others.
> People cannot avoid liabilities and responsibilities simply by moving to another Sub-domain.
and the Legislature may by general Laws prescribe the manner in which such acts, records and proceedings shall be proved, and the effect thereof.
. . . * . . .
> For conformity, ease of communications, and to reduce confusion and waste, the Legislature may define steps the Sub-domains must follow when they prepare official papers.
> The Legislature may also declare how laws made in one Sub-domain are interpreted or obeyed in another.
Section IV.2.
Duties of Sub-domains to Each Other
Summary: All citizens are entitled to the same privileges and protections, no matter where in the Domain they live. But, if they commit a crime in one Sub-domain and flee to another to escape prosecution, they may be forcibly returned.
IV.2.1. Equal Privileges and Immunities: The citizens of each [Sub-domain] shall be entitled to all privileges and immunities of citizens of the several [Sub-domains]. (U.S.C. IV.2.1.)
. . . * . . .
>Every citizen has all the rights and privileges of every other citizen throughout the Domain. Among these are: safety under the laws; the right to enjoy life and liberty; the right to acquire, possess and dispose of property; freedom to pursue happiness; the right to pass through and reside in any Sub-domain; to move freely among them for trade, agriculture and professional pursuits; the benefit of the writ of habeas corpus; and, freedom from unnecessary searches and seizures.
>Conflicts of privileges or immunities between Sub-domains are decided in Domain courts.
>This clause does not mean that citizens of another Sub-domain have equal access to a Sub-domain's property and institutions.
IV.2.2. Extradition: A person charged in any [Sub-domain] with treason, felony, or other crime, who shall flee from justice and be found in another [Sub-domain], shall, on demand of the executive authority of the [Sub-domain] from which he fled, be delivered up to be removed to the [Sub-domain] having jurisdiction of the crime. (U.S.C. IV.2.2.)
. . . * . . .
> Sub-domains can demand the return of a criminal, who has fled to a different Sub-domain, to be tried and punished where the crime was committed.
> The Sub-domain to which a person flees has some discretion about whether to deliver the fugitive up to the jurisdiction from which he or she fled. The demand must be for just cause and the records, regular and legal.
> In unusual circumstances, such as when a sanctuary Sub-domain is harboring a dangerous criminal, the Domain may intercede and force extradition.
Section IV.3.
New States, Territories and Sub-domains
Summary: New States may be admitted into the Nation on an equal footing with their neighbors; and large, heavily populated Domains may be subdivided for administrative effectiveness, better democracy and more representation in the Senate. However, new Sub-domains (including States) cannot be created within the jurisdiction of any other Sub-domain, or by the junction of two or more Sub-domains or parts of them, without the consent of the legislatures of the Sub-domains concerned, as well as the Legislature of the Domain.
The Legislature of any domain has power to dispose of and make rules and regulations regarding its property. The Legislature of a Nation has this power regarding its territories.
Outstanding claims against the Domain or any of its Sub-domains remain in effect.
IV.3.1. Admitting and Creating New Sub-domains: New States may be admitted by the Legislature into this union; (U.S.C. IV.3.1.) [and, whenever the population of a State or other Sub-domain exceeds the maximum (to be specified), the Legislature shall, with the approval of the legislatures of the Sub-domains, divide the Sub-domain into two or more of approximately equal size and population;] but no new [Sub-domain] shall be formed within the jurisdiction of any other [Sub-domain], nor any [Sub-domain] be formed by the junction of two or more [Sub-domains], without the consent of the legislatures of the [Sub-domains] concerned as well as of the [Legislature of the Domain.]
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> New States become part of the Nation and on an equal footing with their neighbors, including representation in the Legislature.
> Before a territory is admitted as a new State, or a new Sub-domain created within a state or other large Sub-domain, it
must meet certain criteria, including minimum population and a constitution guaranteeing a republican form of government.
> Territories have the option of remaining a territory or of being admitted as a state. If remaining a territory, it has no representation in the Legislature.
> With approval of its Legislature and the Domain's Legislature, large and heavily populated Sub-domains may be subdivided into two or more. This provision keeps decision making bodies small enough for effective discussion, debate and action, and for the people to participate in their government.
> Smaller Sub-domains have smaller bureaucracies. Their administrators are less removed from the people and can be more attentive to their needs.
> Sub-domain sizes should be uniform, at least within a population ratio of five to one. Otherwise, the larger should be subdivided.
> Dividing large Sub-domains into smaller ones increased the people's senatorial representation and allows the people to play a more active role in governing.
IV.3.2. Disposition and Control of Property: The [Legislature] shall have power to dispose of and make all needful rules and regulations respecting the territory or other property belonging to the [Domain]; and nothing in this Constitution shall be so construed as to prejudicing any claims of the [Domain], or of any particular [Sub-domain]. (U.S.C. IV.3.2.)
. . . * . . .
> This clause gives the Legislature authority to dispose of any territory or property it owns. The Executive and Judiciary have no authority to do this.
> However, in practice, the Legislature can give blanket permission for the executive or judiciary to dispose of minor holdings such as the sale or transfer of office equipment, vehicles, supplies, and documents kept longer than a certain date.
> Outstanding claims for or against the Domain or any Sub-domain will be honored by the new government after signing this Constitution.
Section IV.4.
Protections for the Sub-domains
Summary: Every Sub-domain is guaranteed a republican form of government. The Domain will protect them against invasion and, if requested, against domestic violence.
IV.4.1. Guarantees to the Several Sub-domains: The [Domain] shall guarantee to every [Sub-domain]
within its jurisdiction a republican form of government; and shall protect them against invasion; and, on the application of the Legislature, or of the Executive (when the Legislature cannot be convened), against domestic violence. (U.S.C. IV.4.1.)
. . . * . . .
> This clause protects the people from abuse and suppression by a tyrannical local government. The Domain will intervene if necessary to protect their life, liberty and property, to remove illegal barriers, and to enforce its laws.
> The Domain can also intervene to protect free trade among the Sub-domains.
> No Sub-domain can set up an aristocracy or dictatorship.
> A republican form of government, guaranteed by this constitution, is one in which the people freely elect representatives who take part in making the laws, and wherein Sub-domains are directly represented in the Senate.
> Power is strictly limited by this Constitution. It is dispersed horizontally among the several branches of government and vertically between higher and lower domains.
> The referendum, a public measure or statute put to a direct popular vote, without a concurrence by the Senate, is disallowed by this Constitution. It would invite oppression of minorities by the majority.
> Sub-domain sovereignty with respect to its internal affairs is protected by their appointment of Senators. The Domain can only intervene to guarantee the people a republican form of government or to protect their natural rights.
> The Domain has considerable power at its disposal to protect the Sub-domains, including its own security forces, advanced weaponry, and the ability to call forth the Civilian Military Corps (militia under civil control). The possibility of an invasion requires this protection.
> A Sub-domain's Legislature (or Executive) may call upon the Domain for protection against domestic violence if its' own security forces are inadequate.
> However, the Domain has no authority to use its forces to quell a Sub-domain's internal disputes unless requested. However, were a large-scale rebellion to threaten a Sub-domain's republican form of government, or one that would incite violence among its neighbors, or affect the stability of the Domain itself, the Domain could intervene.
> Even just the possibility that the Domain could intervene to quell an internal disturbance, is a warning that Sub-domain authorities should strive to settle their differences peaceably.