THE EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT.

In each State the people elect a governor, a lieutenant governor, a secretary, a treasurer, an auditor,1 an attor、 ney-general, and a superintendent of public instruction: These are the principal executive officers. They are usually elected at the same time, and, in most cases, hold office for two years.3

The Governor.

The supreme executive power is vested in the governor. The qualifications required by the constitutions for this office are as follows: in Indiana the governor must have been a citizen of the United States and a resident of the State for five years, and must have attained thirty years of age; in Illinois

Qualifications.

he must have been a citizen of the United States and of the State for five years, and must have attained thirty years of age; in Michigan he must have been a citizen of the United States for five years, and a resident of the State for two years, and must have attained thirty years of age; in Wisconsin he

1 In Wisconsin the secretary acts as auditor.

2 In Minnesota the superintendent of public instruction is appointed by the

governor.

3 In Indiana the governor and lieutenant-governor are chosen for four years. In Illinois all but the treasurer are chosen for four years. The treasurer is chosen for two years. In Ohio the auditor is chosen for four years, and school commissioner for three years. The governor and secretary are elected in alternate years.

must be a citizen of the United States and a legal voter in the State; in Iowa he must be a citizen of the United States, a resident of the State for two years, and must have attained thirty years of age; in Minnesota he must be a citizen of the United States, a resident of the State for one year, and must have attained thirty-five years of age; in Ohio no qualifications are stated in the constitution.

The governor, upon assuming the duties of his office, takes an oath similar to that re

quired of the members of the legislature.

Powers and
Duties.

1.-The governor is required to give information and advice to the legislature upon matters pertaining to the interests of the State, and he may call special sessions of the two houses when, in his judgment, the public interests require it.

2. He is commander-in-chief of the military forces of the State, having full power respecting their instruction and discipline. He may call out the troops and lead them in case of insurrection and invasion, and may order out such portions as may be necessary to suppress riots, and to aid in enforcing the laws.

3. He has power to pardon offences against the State after persons have been convicted of the same. This power does not usually extend to cases of impeachment, or of treason. The pardoning power includes the right to remit a portion of the punishment, and to make such conditions and restrictions as are deemed best.

4. The governor appoints notaries-public,1 and

1 A notary-public is an officer empowered to attest legal instruments, to administer oaths, and to protest promissory notes and drafts.

members of various boards and commissions when authorized to do so by the legislature.

5.-In general, it is his duty to superintend the administration of State business, and to see that the laws are executed.

The lieutenant-governor is required to have the same The Lieutenant qualifications as to citizenship, residence, Governor. and age, as the governor, and he is elected and sworn at the same time and in the same way. He is the presiding officer of the Senate. In case the chair of the governor is vacant by reason of death, or absence from the State, or otherwise, the lieutenant-governor performs the duties of the governor, and has all the powers which the constitution confers upon that officer

The chief duties of the secretary are to keep a record of the official acts of the executive and Secretary of Stats. legislative departments; to attest the signature of the governor on commissions and proclamations; to keep the laws of the State and publish them, as has been stated; to receive and keep the returns of state and national elections; to receive and keep reports of corporations organized under the general laws of the State.

State Treasurer.

This officer receives all money accruing to the State. from taxation or otherwise; keeps all notes, bonds, and other securities which are the property of the State; and pays out such sums as the auditor draws his warrant for. No money can be drawn from the treasury of the State but in consequence of some specific appropriation made by the legislature.

It is the duty of the auditor to examine all accounts and demands against the State, and to draw

his warrant upon the treasurer for the payment of such as are just. He also superintends the collection of dues to the State; examines the accounts of the treasurer; and reports to the legislature, with suggestions, the financial condition of the State. Money is paid into the treasury upon a draft drawn by the auditor1 in favor of the treasurer; money is pail out of the treasury upon a warrant drawn by the an tor upon the treasurer.

Attorney Genera

The duties of this officer are to prosecute and defezi in the Supreme Court all actions in which the State is a party; to prosecute and defend any action when directed to do so by the governor or legislature; to advise and assist the subordinate prosecuting officers of the State; to give legal information and advice, when requested to do so, to the legislature, and to any of the executive officers of the State.

Among the duties of this officer are the following: to examine into the condition of the public superintendent of schools of the State, and report thereon to Public Instruction? the legislature; to attend institutes and other meetings of teachers; to prepare blanks for, and to preserve statistics from, the local school officers; to supervise the

1 In Michigan and Wisconsin, the auditor countersigns all receipts of the treasurer for money paid to the State.

2 In Ohio, this officer is styled State Commissioner of Common Schools.

school funds; to distribute the school laws and other documents for the use of school officers.

Boards and
Commissioners.

In the administration of public business it is impossible for the governor in person to superintend all the departments. Much of the work of supervision is entrusted to boards created by acts of the legislature, and making annual reports to that body. Some of these boards consist of persons appointed by the governor or elected by the people especially for these duties. Others consist of several of the executive officers previously mentioned, to whom special duties are assigned in addition to the usual work of their departments. These boards have the care of the public works of the State, as canals; of the charitable, reformatory, and penal institutions, as prisons, reform schools, and asylums; of educational institutions, as universities and normal schools; of public industries, as agriculture and fisheries. Sometimes

these officers are called commissioners. The word "militia" means a body of armed citizens trained to military duty, who may be

The Militia.

called out in certain cases, but may not be kept in service, like standing armies, in time of peace. The Constitution of the United States forbids any State to keep troops in time of peace; but it allows the establishment of a militia. The militia of most the States is of two kinds, described as enrolled1 and active.

1 In Indiana the militia is distinguished as sedentary and active.