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 bookkeper 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 often ex officio a member 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. He reports to the legislature at each session, 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. In many states he apportions the state school money.

Assistants. Usually 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 governor?

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?

CHAPTER XIV.

OTHER STATE OFFICERS.

Railroad Commissioners.-To prevent railroads from charging extortionate rates for passengers or freight; to see that reasonable facilities are provided, such as depots, side tracks to warehouses, cars for transporting grain, etc.; to prevent discrimination for or agains any person or corporation needing these cars; in other words, to secure fair play between the railroads and the people, a railroad commission consisting of from one to three members has been established in many states by the legislature.

The railroad commissioners have authority to establish a maximum rate for passengers and freight, to regulate the building of warehouses and the handling of grain. They visit the different parts of the state to see that reasonable facilities are afforded, to hear complaints, and to adjust differences. They also appoint and supervise the work of the chief grain inspector. The railroad companies are required to report annually such facts as the commissioners call for.

Insurance Commissioner. To protect the people from unreliable insurance companies, there is an officer called the insurance commissioner. No insurance company can legally transact business in the state until it has satisfied the commissioner that its methods of insurance and its financial condition are such as to give the security promised to those insured by it. The certifi cate of authority granted to any company may be revoked by the commissioner at any time if the company refuses or neglects to comply with the conditions established by law.

State Librarian.-Each state has a valuable library for the use of the members of the state departments. It is in charge of the state librarian, who acts under prescribed rules.

Officers Peculiar to Certain States.-There are in some states other officers, necessitated by special industries. Thus, in Minnesota, where the grain, dairy and lumber interests are very important, there are inspectors of grain, a dairy commissioner, and surveyors-general of logs.

Minnesota has two other state officers. The first should receive especial attention.

Public Examiner.-To render assurance doubly sure that public money shall be used only for the purposes for which it is designed, provision is made for the appointment of "a skillful accountant, well versed in the theory and practice of bookkeeping," to exercise constant supervision over the financial accounts of state and county officers and of banking institution incorporated under state laws. This officer is called the

public examiner.

For obvious reasons, he cannot hold any other office under the state, or any county, municipality, or institution therein, or in any bank created under state law.

Among his duties are the following:

1. To visit the several public, educational, charitable, penal, and reformatory institutions of the state at least twice a year, at irregular periods and without notice to the officers thereof, and make an exhaustive examination of the books and accounts thereof, including the purposes and items of expenditure and the vouchers therefor.

2. To visit for similar purposes at least once a year, without notice, the offices of state and county treasurers and auditors; to investigate the character and financial