ernment sanctioned and limited by a written constitution, and established by the consent of the people governed."-Thorpe.

CHAPTER XXII.

THE LEGISLATURE.

The Legislative Department consists of two bodies called the House of Representatives, or assembly, and the Senate. They pass bills in harmony with the State and national Constitutions and by authority of the people of the State, which, when signed by the governor, become laws. The State is divided into representative and senatorial districts. The repre

sentative districts are smaller than the senatorial, hence the membership of the House of Representatives is greater than that of the Senate. The lower House represents more nearly the local interests of the people. The number of members varies in different States.

In Pennsylvania there are 204 representatives and 50 senators. The usual term of representatives is two years and senators four years. In many States they meet every year. But in Pennsylvania they meet every two years, and are subject to the call of the governor in extra session. The pay varies from $1.00 to $8.00 a day. In Pennsylvania the salary is $1,500 per session, with mileage and a certain fixed sum for stationery and postage. The elections are held in No

vember, and all the electors of the district have a voice in choosing these, their representatives. Their qualifications are fixed by the constitution of the State.

CHAPTER XXIII.

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS.

The Executive Department consists of the Governor and his secretaries, usually appointed, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of the Commonwealth, Attorney General, Auditor General, State Treasurer, Secretary of Internal Affairs, a Superintendent of Public Instruction, Adjutant General, Insurance Commissioners, and others of minor importance.

The Governor is elected by the people at general election, in November, for a term of from one to four years. In Pennsylvania the term is four years, beginning on the third Tuesday of January next succeeding the election. The governor is ineligible for re-election to succeed himself. The duties are, to see that the laws of the State are faithfully executed; he acts as commander of militia, appoints all officers not elected by the people (which appointments must be confirmed by the Senate); he fills vacancies, commissions his appointed officers, signs or vetoes * bills

*Veto-When a governor or president refuses to sign a bill that has passed both branches of the legislative body, he is said to veto it. It cannot then become a law unless passed again by a two thirds majority of each house. He usually sends a message to the house where it originated, stating his reasons for his refusal to sign.

passed by the legislature. He can pardon or reprieve criminals. In Pennsylvania a board of pardons must recommend a case to the governor before he may take such action thereon. In Pennsylvania the salary is $10,000 a year.

The Lieutenant-Governor is elected at the same time and for the same term as the governor. He presides over the Senate, and acts as governor in case of vacancy in that office, Salary, $5,000 a year.

The State Treasurer is chosen by the people at the general election, every second year, and is commissioned by the governor to serve for two years from the first Monday of May next succeeding his election. His duties are to receive and receipt for all moneys paid into the State treasury, to pay all warrants drawn by the proper officers upon appropriations made by law. His salary is $5,000 a year.

The Auditor General is chosen by the people, at the general election, every third year, and serves for three years from the first Tuesday of May next succeeding his election. The duties of the auditor general are generally to examine and settle all accounts between the Commonwealth and any person, officer, department, association, or corporation. He examines annually and reports upon the condition of the State treasury. His salary is $3,000 a year.

The Secretary of Internal Affairs is chosen by the people at the general election, every fourth year, and commissioned by the governor to serve for four years from the first Tuesday of May following his election.

It is his especial duty to exercise a watchful supervision over the railroad, banking, mining, manufacturing, and other business corporations of the State, and see that they confine themselves strictly within their corporate limits. He is a member of the board of pardons. His salary is $4,000 a year.

CHAPTER XXIV.

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS (Continued).

The Secretary of the Commonwealth is the head of the State department. He is appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Senate. He is a member of the board of pardons. His duties bring him into intimate relations with the governor, as nearly all the official transactions of the latter pass through his hands, and a record of all his official acts is kept in the State department. The secretary is the keeper of the seals of the State, and affixes them to, and countersigns such instruments as the law requires. He is paid $4,000 a year.

The Attorney General is appointed by the governor at his pleasure, with the consent of the Senate. He is the legal adviser of the governor and heads of departments. Salary, $3 500 a year.

The Superintendent of Public Instruction is appointed by the governor, with the advice and consent of the Senate, for the term of four years. He has general supervision of the schools of the Common

wealth, commissions county, city, and borough superintendents of the common schools, appoints and commissions trustees on the part of the State for State normal schools, conducts the annual examinations of students for graduation in the State normal schools, and appoints the State board of examiners. Whenever required he gives advice, explanations, instruction, or information to the district officers, and to citizens, relative to the common school law, the duties of common school officers, the rights and duties of parents, guardians, pupils, and all others, the management of the schools, and all other questions and matters calculated to promote the cause of education, and signs all orders on the State treasurer for the payment of such moneys to the treasurers of the several school districts, as they may be entitled to receive from the State, and for all other moneys to be paid out of the appropriation to the common schools. His salary was fixed by the legislature of 1893 at $4,000 a year.

The Adjutant General is appointed by the governor, with the consent of the Senate. He is chief of the governor's staff, is his military executive officer, issues all orders to the national guard of the State, and is charged with their execution by the governor.

The Insurance Commissioner is appointed by the governor, with the advice and consent of the Senate, and commissioned to serve for three years from the first Monday of May next following his confirmation.