From the notes of Citizen Emilia, Voice of the People

The afternoon session started out well. Our discussion on taxes was fairly cordial. We had a variety of tax ideas, but Pepe stepped in and suggested that we just give the lower house broad taxation powers, rather than nailing down the specifics in the constitution. It would allow more flexibility to deal with changing circumstances over time. I had to admit, his argument made sense. There was just one thing I wanted to make clear, absolutely no poll taxes. They would violate the spirit of our democracy.

I looked around, daring anyone to argue. Pepe spoke up, and he actually agreed. He said universal suffrage was agreed upon as a Primary Right, and poll taxes would interfere with that right. He was perfectly happy with a ban on poll taxes for the sake of consistency. There were nods of approval and murmurs of agreement. Charles also stepped in to suggest that all taxes should be applied equally to all, continuing his theme of making sure nobles got fair treatment. Crysta softened his “equally” to “fairly” to allow some wiggle room for interpretation. We all quickly agreed to this broad taxing power with just these two restrictions.

With the taxation issue dealt with surprisingly quickly, Crysta asked for suggestions on a quick topic we could discuss before leaving. The slimy Oliphaunt had an idea, he wanted to discuss the return of land that was seized from nobles by militias. Aguilo’s main concern was that the nobles might be disloyal to the republic, so Oliphaunt offered that they swear a loyalty oath to have their land returned. With the military types reaching an agreement, the only main dissenter left was Robert.

I sympathize with him and the poor farmers, but we had to admit that the return of land was consistent with the property rights we had agreed to yesterday. Even Crysta agreed with land returns, and I could see the sadness in her eyes. She was a farmer too, but she upheld property rights. I told Robert, this was only a Secondary Right, and land reform would be possible under the constitution, even if difficult. He wanted his dissent noted in the record, but agreed to let land return pass without a vote.

Special Bulletin from Militia Captain Robert, Commander of the Northern Liberation Forces

The afternoon got off to a deceptively pleasant start. We were to decide what taxation power the national government would have, and which body would hold it. We had already decided that budgetary powers belonged to the lower house, so we quickly agreed that taxes fell under that power. As for what specific taxes could be levied, Pepe suggested keeping it broadly defined. Emilia stopped in with a proposed ban on poll taxes, which I strongly supported, and Charles wanted the taxes to apply equally to all. With just these restrictions, we came to a consensus on taxation.

We had resolved that issue with surprising speed, and Crysta wanted to make use of the remaining time to discuss another issue. That snake Oliphaunt pushed forward with his vendetta against me. He’s wanted to address land seizures from the minute he stepped into the convention hall on day 1, and now he’s got his chance. I’m not surprised he wanted poor farmers to return land to nobles, land which they only had because of generations of unearned privilege. What was surprising was how quickly the rest of the room agreed with Oliphaunt’s position, even Crysta and Emilia. They argued that it was consistent with established property rights from the previous day.

I told them, property was a Secondary Right, it can be restricted for a compelling national concern. The nobles were going to cut off food to the capital to starve the revolution, we had to act immediately for the good of the nation. Not only that, but the compelling interest of correcting a thousand year old injustice, nobles had no right to the land in the first place. My arguments did not persuade them. Emilia reassured me that as a Secondary Right, land reform could be possible if both houses approved it, and the judiciary found the reason compelling. It was still possible to redistribute land but it had to be done through the proper processes.

At the time, I felt like I had betrayed the farmers who sent me as their representative, but there’s no time for self pity. If this constitution is passed, I guarantee that we will immediately fight for land reform through the legislature. This matter is not even close to being settled. 

Memoirs of General Oliphaunt, Revolutionary Commander - Northern Front

There has been much animosity between members of the convention, and I was delightfully surprised at how quickly and amicably we resolved the power of taxation. A very broad power with a few reasonable limits. No poll taxes to maintain true democracy, and a fair application of taxes so no citizen is unjustly targeted. With a very agreeable and flexible taxation power settled, I brought up another matter of grave importance, the return of lands seized by lawless militias.

This was a matter of justice, one I had been patiently sitting on for days, but could hold back no longer. Our system of rights had guaranteed the protection of property. Robert tried to argue that land could be seized for a compelling national interest, a weak argument. I rightly pointed out that the legislature and the courts decide a compelling national interest. The militias are not a law unto themselves, and they cannot seize property on their own nonexistent authority. Despite many sympathizing with Robert, they were forced to accept my position as correct.

Robert made some noise about an upcoming fight for land reform once the constitution is passed. I told him to try his best. I doubt they will be able to succeed.

I also had a minor disagreement with Aguilo. He was concerned that the nobles might be disloyal to the new regime, and giving them back control of the farms could be a security risk. It was a bit insulting, but perhaps understandable given the political climate in the nation. I offered to have the nobles swear loyalty oaths in order to get their land back, and he agreed. We had settled it like gentlemen, something Robert might do well to imitate in the future.

From the Office of Chancellor Pepe, Acting Head of Civil Service

Day 4 - Afternoon - Taxes and Land

Our afternoon session began with a discussion of the taxation power, which we agreed belonged to the lower house. The members proposed a wide variety of different tax ideas. Finally, I suggested leaving taxation powers broadly defined, so the legislature can choose ones that suit the needs of the time. This was accepted, although Charles wanted a clear rule that taxes could not target specific individuals or groups but must be applied equally to all. He was concerned about taxes that specifically target nobles. Crysta softened this to “fairly” rather than “equally” leaving some room for judicial interpretation, but Charles accepted that change. Emilia proposed a total ban on poll taxes, which was accepted by all as being in line with our earlier agreed upon voting rights.

We had dealt with that issue so quickly, Crysta decided we could discuss another before adjourning for the night. Oliphaunt stepped in with an issue he had wanted to address since day 1, the return of land seized from nobles. Despite Robert’s objections, it was decided that nobles who had land seized by revolutionary militias could have it returned after swearing a loyalty oath. This was consistent with our agreed upon property rights, land is simply a type of property. There was very little to discuss here, and frankly it wasn’t a very important issue. It matters little who owns the farms as long as they produce food. Robert dissented but eventually relented.

Consensus reached on broad taxation powers

Taxation: Legislature (lower house) has broad authority to set taxes, applied “fairly” to all (no targeting individuals/groups). Poll taxes explicitly banned. Regional/local tax power is similar, but no tariff.

Consensus reached on land returns, Robert notes his dissent in the record but does not force a vote on the issue.

Land: Property rights upheld, seizures require compelling national interest, approved by both houses, adjudicated by courts. Militias have no right to unilaterally seize land. Nobles can reclaim land with proof of ownership and loyalty oath to the republic.