He must also be of a certain age, which, in a majority of the states, is at least thirty years; and in some of the states he must be a freeholder.

§ 3. The powers and duties of a governor are numerous. Some of those usually mentioned in a constitution are the following: He sends to the legislature at the beginning of every session, a message, containing a statement of the general affairs of the state, and recommending such measures as he shall judge to be expedient. It is his duty also to see that the laws are executed, and to transact all necessary business with the officers of government.

§ 4. A governor has power also to grant reprieves, and in most of the states pardons, except in cases of treason and impeachment. If a person is sentenced to suffer death, a governor may, if he thinks proper, put off the execution of the sentence to a later time than the day appointed. This is granting a reprieve. The granting of a pardon would entirely free him from punishment. In some states the pardoning power is exercised by the legislature.

In

§ 5. The governor has power also, in some states, with the consent of the senate, to appoint the higher militia officers, and certain civil officers in the executive and judicial departments. In a few of the states, there are executive councils, whose advice and consent are required in such cases. making such appointments, the governor nominates, that is, he names to the senate, in writing, the persons to be appointed. If a majority of the senators present consent, the person so nominated is appointed. Many other powers and duties are by the constitution devolved upon the governor, as will be seen hereafter.

§ 6. The duties of a lieutenant-governor are not very numerous. He is president of the senate, as has been stated, but has only a casting vote therein. The principal object in electing this officer seems to be to provide a suitable person to fill the office of governor in case the same should become vacant. In about one half of the states, the office of lieutenant-governor does not exist.

§ 7. When the lieutenant-governor acts as governor, the senate chooses from its own number a president. And if the offices of both the governor and lieutenant-governor should

become vacant, the president of the senate must act as governor. In states where there is no lieutenant-governor, the duties of the governor, in case of vacancy, devolve upon the speaker of the senate; and if the office of the speaker of the senate also becomes vacant, then the speaker of the house of representatives acts as governor.

EXERCISES.

§ 1. In whom is the chief executive power of a state vested? For what terms of office are governors chosen? At what elections? In what states is the governor not elected by the people? For what time is the governor chosen in. this state?

§ 2. What are the usual qualifications of a governor ? What are they in this state?

3. What are the principal duties of a governor?

4. By whom are reprieves and pardons granted? Define reprieve and pardon. Has the governor this power in all the states? Has he in this state?

5. What part has the governor in making appointments? 6. Are the duties of a lieutenant-governor numerous, and of great responsibility? What is his principal duty? § 7. How is the office of president of the senate supplied, when the lieutenant-governor acts as governor? Who acts as governor when the offices of both governor and lieutenant-governor become vacant? If there be no lieutenantgovernor, who then fills a vacancy in the office of governor ? Who next?

CHAPTER XIV.

Executive State Officers.

1. AMONG the executive officers who assist in the administration of the government, there are in every state either some or all of the following; a secretary of state; a comptroller, or auditor; a treasurer; an attorney-general; and a surveyor-general. The mode of appointment and the terms of office, are prescribed by the constitution or by law. In some states these officers are appointed by the governor and senate; in others by the legislature; and in others they are elected by the people. These officers keep their offices at the seat of government of the state.

§ 2. The secretary of state keeps a record of the official acts and proceedings of the legislature, and executive departments, and has care of all the books, records, deeds of the state, and parchments, and of all the laws enacted by the legislature, and all other papers and documents required by law to be kept in his office.

§ 3. It is the duty of the secretary of state to see that the laws are published. He causes accurate copies to be made of all the laws passed by the legislature, and published in one or more papers, as directed by law. And after the close of each session of the legislature, he also causes the laws to be printed and bound together in a volume, and distributed. Copies of the laws thus bound, are deposited in the public offices of the state, for the use of the officers of the government; and a copy is sent to each county clerk, and to each town clerk in the state, to be kept in their offices for the use of the people who wish to examine the laws. Copies are also sent to certain officers of the government; and one or more copies are exchanged with each of the states, for copies of their laws to be kept in the state library. Various other duties devolve upon the secretary of state, as will be seen hereafter.

§ 4. The state auditor, in some states called comptroller, manages the financial concerns of the state, that is, the busi

ness relating to the money, debts, land, and other property of the state. He examines and adjusts all accounts and claims against the state, and superintends the collection of moneys due the state. When money is to be paid out of the treasury, he draws a warrant (a written order) on the treasurer for the money, and keeps a regular account with the treasurer, charging him with all the money the treasurer receives, and giving him credit for all he pays out on the orders of the comptroller or auditor. He reports annually to the legislature a statement of the funds of the state, and of its income, and its expenditures during the preceding year.

§ 5. The treasurer has charge of all the public moneys that are paid into the treasury, and pays out the same as directed by law. And he is required to keep an accurate account of such moneys, specifying the names of the persons from whom received, to whom paid, and for what purposes. He also exhibits annually to the legislature a statement of moneys received and paid out by him during the preceding year, and of the balance in the treasury.

§ 6. Auditors and treasurers, and other public officers intrusted with the care and management of money or other property, are generally required, before they enter on the duties of their offices, to give bonds, in sums of certain amount specified in the law, with sufficient sureties, for the faithful performance of the duties of their offices. The sureties are persons who bind themselves in writing to pay the state whatever the officer fails to pay, or whatever damage shall be sustained by his neglect of duty, not exceeding the sum mentioned in the bond.

§ 7. The attorney-general is a person learned in the law, appointed to manage law-suits in which the state is interested. He prosecutes persons indebted to the state, and causes to be brought to trial persons charged with certain offences. He also gives his opinion on questions of law submitted to him by the governor, the legislature, and the heads of the departments. In some states, there is no attorney-general; suits in which the state is concerned being conducted on the part of the state by the state's attorney for each county.

§ 8. The surveyor-general superintends the surveying and selling of lands belonging to the state. He keeps in his office

maps of the state, describing the bounds of counties and towns; and when disputes arise respecting the boundaries, he causes surveys to be made, if necessary, to ascertain such bounds. These and other similar duties he is by law required to perform.

§ 9. There are sundry other officers, denominated state officers, among whom are the following: an adjutant-general; a commissary-general; a state librarian; superintendents and inspectors of state prisons or penitentiaries, lunatic asylums, and other state institutions; the duties of some of whom will be described in subsequent chapters.

EXERCISES.

§ 1. Name the principal assistant executive officers. How are they appointed? Which of these officers exist in this state? How are they chosen?

§ 2. Mention the general duties of secretary of state.

§ 3. What are his duties relative to the publishing and distributing of the laws?

§ 4. Mention the general duties of the comptroller or auditor. By which name is he called in this state?

§ 5. State the general duties of a state treasurer.

6. What officers usually give bonds for the faithful performance of their duties? Describe the nature of such bond. What is the amount of the treasurer's bond in this state?

§ 7. Mention the general duties of an attorney-general.

Is there such officer in this state?

§ 8. State the general duties of a surveyor-general. How chosen?

§ 9. Name some other state officers.