Salary. The salary attached to each office is usually fixed by law, subject to the constitutional limitation that it shall not be increased nor diminished during the term of the incumbent.

THE DUTIES OF THE OFFICERS.

Governor.-The great, the characteristic duty of the governor is to see that the laws are faithfully executed. Since this may sometimes require force, he is made by the constitution commander-in-chief of the military and naval forces of the state, and may call out these forces to execute the laws, suppress insurrection, or repel invasion.

He appoints, "by and with the advice and consent of the senate," notaries public, and such other officers as may be provided for by law. The advice of the senate is rarely if ever asked. But its consent must be obtained to make any such appointment valid. As his duties continue through the year and have to do with the whole state, and as he may require the opinion, in writing, of the principal officer in each of the executive departments upon any subject pertaining to the duties of their respective offices, he is supposed to know more than any other person about the situation and needs of the state as a whole; and it is, therefore, made his duty to communicate by message to each session of the legislature such information touching the affairs of the state as he deems expedient. The regular message is sent at the opening of the legislative session, and special messages at any time during the session as they seem to be needed. On extraordinary occasions he may convene the legislature in extra session.

To place another obstruction in the way of hasty legislation, the governor has a limited veto on all legislation.*

In the administration of justice mistakes are sometimes made. An innocent person may be found guilty, or a guilty person may be sentenced too severely, mitigating circumstances appearing after sentence is passed. For these and other reasons, there should be power somewhere to grant reprieves, commutations, and pardons. In most of the states this power is vested in the governor. It does not, for obvious reasons, extend to cases of impeachment. Many thoughtful people, including some governors and exgovernors, question very seriously the wisdom of this absolute assignment of the pardoning power. One suggestion by way of limitation is that no pardon issue except upon recommendation of the judge of the court in which conviction was wrought.

Lieutenant Governor.-As may be seen by reference to the comparative table, several of the states have no such officer. The office is designed simply to save confusion in case of a vacancy in the office of governor, in which case the lieutenant governor acts as governor during the vacancy. To give him something to do the lieutenant governor is ex officio president of the senate. In most of the states, he has no voice in legislation, except a casting vote in case of a tie. But in some states, as indicated in the comparative table, he can debate in committee of the whole.

State Treasurer.-This officer has duties and responsibilities similar to those of a county treasurer.

See comments on the president's veto.

In case of a vacancy in the office of lieutenant governor, the senate chooses one of its own number to act as president pro tempore.

Attorney General.-This officer has two chief duties. He represents the state in suits at law, and may be called upon to aid county attorneys in criminal prosecutions. When invited to do so he gives legal advice to the legislature and to the executive officers, on matters pertaining to their official duties.

Secretary of State and Auditor.-The county auditor, you remember, has three general lines of duty: 1. To act as official recorder and preserver of papers for the county board. 2. To be bookkeeper for the county, and in connection therewith to audit all claims. against the county, and issue warrants on the county treasurer for their payment. 3. To apportion the taxes.

The corresponding duties in the state, except recording the acts of the legislature, which is done by legislative clerks, are in most states divided between two officers, the secretary of state and the state auditor or comptroller.

The secretary of state has, as his characteristic duty, the preservation or custody of state papers, acts of the legislature, etc. Incidentally he has other duties. In most states he is keeper of the great seal of the state, and authenticates state documents, commissions, etc.; he prepares the legislative manual; he sees that the halls are ready for the sessions of the legislature, calls the house to order at its first meeting, and presides until a speaker is chosen. He also indexes the laws and other state documents, and superintends their printing and distribution.*

The auditor or comptroller is bookkeeper for the state, audits accounts against it, and draws warrants upon the state treasurer for their payment.† The

* In some states there is a superintendent of printing.

No money can be paid out except on appropriation by the legislature.

state auditor, also, comparing the legislative appropriations with the assessed value of the property of the state, computes the rate of the state tax and reports it to county auditors.

In some states, Wisconsin, for instance, the duties of both offices are performed by the secretary of state.

In some states the auditor is ex officio land commissioner. In other states there is a separate officer to take charge of state lands.

Superintendent of Public Instruction.-This officer has general supervision and control of the educational interests of the state. He is ex officio secretary of the board of regents of the state university, of the board of directors of the state normal schools, and of the state high school board. He has the appointment and general management of state teachers' institutes. He meets and counsels with county and city superintendents. Thus an active, earnest, competent man may influence for good the schools of all grades throughout the state. Biennially he reports to the legislature, through the governor, the condition and needs of the schools of the state. In this report he recommends such measures for the improvement of the educational system of the state as he deems advisable. By means of the reports of the county superintendents he apportions twice a year the state school money.

Assistants. All of the above officers have assistants appointed by themselves.

OTHER STATE OFFICERS.

The officers given above are the typical state officers. But every state has others. Of these the most important are shown in the comparative tabulation.

Some states provide the governor with a council.

This is in most cases simply an advisory, not an administrative or executive body.

Some Pertinent Questions.

What are the qualifications required in the governor of this state? The lieutenant governor? The other officers? The names of the state officers? The length of their terms? The officers not mentioned in the text, and their duties? Name the state officers whom you have seen.

Which states require the highest qualifications in the governor? The lowest? Which give the longest term? The shortest? The highest salary? The lowest? Which states limit the number of terms? Which have no lieutenant governor? In which states is a majority vote required? Does there seem to be any sectional law as to these things; that is, is there anything peculiar to New England, or to the south, or to the northwest? What seems to be the general law of succession to the governorship? What exceptions?

What is meant by saying that the governor executes the law? Is this saying strictly true? Is a sheriff an executive or a judicial officer? The constable? The mayor of a city? Can an executive officer be sued? A judicial officer?

How many senators and representatives would it take to pass a bill over the governor's veto? Have you ever known of its being done? If the governor should go to Washington on business of the state or on private business, who would act as governor? How long would he so act? Could he pardon convicts at that time? Have you ever read a message of the gov

ernor?

If the state superintendent of public instruction wants information on some point of school law, to whom should he appeal? How much would he have to pay for the advice? What force would the opinion have? Could he obtain a legal opinion as to a private matter on the same terms?

If you had a bill against the state, how would you get your pay? If payment were refused what could you do? (Do not try to answer off-hand. Ask a lawyer.)

How are the expenses of the state government met? The amount of state expenses last year? (See report of treasurer) What are the sources of the school fund of this state? Did you ever know of school lands being sold in your county? By whom, how, and on what terms?

Name your county superintendent of schools. The state superintendent. Is there a United States superintendent? Get the report of the state superintendent and find out what it contains. Ask your teacher to let you see the teachers' report to the county superintendent. How much state money did your district receive last year?