must be again submitted to the people for ratification; or single amendments may be suggested by the Legislature and submitted to the people. This latter method has now come to be the more general practice.

Members of the Legislature, and executive and judicial officers, before entering on the duties of their repective offices, are required to take and subscribe the following oath or affirmation: "I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of this State, and that I will faithfully discharge the duties of the office of -according to the best of my ability."

Departments of Government.-The government of the State is divided into three departments, the legislative, the judicial, and the executive. The legislative department makes the laws, the judicial interprets them, and the executive carries them into effect. No officer belonging to one department can exercise the powers properly belonging to any other. The officer whose duty it is to execute the laws can not decide the guilt or innocence of those accused of breaking the laws, and those who make the laws are not allowed to apply or carry them into execution. The great safeguard of all free governments is to keep these three departments entirely distinct, so that they may mutually act as a check upon each other. When the legislative, judicial, and executive functions are exercised by one person, the government becomes a despotism.

State Officers.-At the general election, which occurs every two years, State officers are elected. They are called State officers, because their duties pertain to the ⚫ whole State: The executive officers of the State are,―

1. Governor,

2. Lieutenant Governor,

3. Secretary of State,

4. State Treasurer,

5. Auditor General,

6. Commissioner of the Land Office,
7. Attorney General,

8. Superintendent of Public Instruction.

Governor. The Governor is the chief executive officer of the State. It is his duty to look after the general interests of the State, and to see that the laws are faithfully executed and enforced in all parts of the State. He is required,—

I. To give to the Legislature information, by mes-
sage, of the condition of the State, call their
attention to matters of State interest, and recom-
mend such measures as he may deem expedient.
2. To convene the Legislature when matters arise
which require their immediate attention.
3. To preserve peace and good order within the
State, suppress riots, and repel invasion. To
this end the Governor is Commander-in-Chief of
all the military forces of the State.

4. To fill vacancies in State offices, and to appoint
certain State boards.

The Governor has the power to grant pardons or to lessen the severity of a sentence. He is aided in the performance of his various duties,—

I. By the State officers;

2. By boards and commissioners.

No person is eligible to the office of Governor or Lieutenant Governor who has not been a citizen of the United States for five years, and a resident of the State for two years. He must also have attained the age of thirty years.

Lieutenant Governor.-The Lieutenant Governor, by virtue of his office, is the presiding officer of the Senate. If there is a vacancy in the office of Governor, or the Governor is absent from the State, or is incapable of performing the duties of his office, the Lieutenant Governor takes his place and performs his duties.

Secretary of State.—This officer preserves all books and papers belonging to the State, and keeps a record of the official acts and proceedings of the legislative and executive departments. He is required,—

I. To countersign all commissions and proclamations issued by the Governor;

2. To publish and properly distribute the laws of the State;

3. To receive returns of State and national elections, and reports from corporations organized under the State law;

4. To perform various other duties.

State Treasurer.-The State Treasurer receives and has charge of all money belonging to the State. He is required to make an annual report to the Legislature of all money received and paid out by him during the year, and of the amount remaining in the treasury. No money can be paid out of the treasury except in pursuance of appropriations made by law.

All public officers intrusted with the care of public money are required to give bonds to an amount designated by law, for the faithful performance of their duties.

Auditor General.-The Auditor General is required to examine the State Treasurer's account of money received and paid out by him, and the money in the treasury, and he makes a complete statement to the Legislature of the funds and revenues of the State, together with such recommendations for the improvement of the financial condition of the State as he may deem expedient. He examines all claims against the State and orders the payment of those that are just; superintends the collection of money due to the State, and apportions the State tax among the several counties. He is the guardian of the public treasury. No money can be paid out of the treasury except on the warrant of the Auditor General, and all receipts for money paid to the State Treasurer must be countersigned by him.

Commissioner of the Land Office.-The Commissioner of the Land Office has the general charge and supervision of all lands belonging to the State, and he is authorized to sell or dispose of them in such a manner as may be prescribed by law.

Attorney General.—The principal duties of the Attorney General are,—

1. To give his opinion upon all questions of law submitted to him by any State officer or by the Legislature;

2. To advise with Prosecuting Attorneys in all matters pertaining to the duties of their office, when so requested by them;

3. To prosecute and defend all actions in 'the Supreme Court in which the State is interested, and appear for the people of the State in all suits, when requested by the Governor or by either branch of the Legislature.

Superintendent of Public Instruction.-The Superintendent of Public Instruction has the general supervision of the educational interests of the State. It is his duty to promote, as far as possible, the efficiency of the public school system. Institutions of learning are at any time subject to his visitation and examination, and they are annually required to report to him their condition and progress.

Boards and Commissioners.-Certain boards and commissioners are selected to assist the Governor in the performance of his duties. They have the general supervision and control of various State institutions, and they perform duties which concern the welfare of the whole State. These boards and commissioners are selected in three ways:

I. Some are appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate.

2. Others are elected by the people.

3. State officers by virtue of their office serve on certain State boards.

State Legislature.-The State Legislature is composed