Officers.

EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT.

By the terms of the constitution the executive power is vested in one governor, one secretary of state, one auditor, one treasurer, and one attorneygeneral. The constitution, however, makes the governor the supreme executive officer. It also empowers the General Assembly to provide for a commissioner of lands, a commissioner of mines, manufactures, and agriculture, a superintendent of public instruction, and a state geologist. Provision has been made for all, although at present we have no state geologist.

Elections. All the state officers, except the geologist, are elected by the qualified electors of the state, for two years. The election is held on the first Monday of September. The geologist is appointed by the governor.

There is a strong sentiment in favor of consolidating the state and Federal elections, by holding our general election on the next Tuesday after the first Monday of November. State what you conceive to be the advantages of such a consolidation; the disadvantages.

Offices. The state officers are required to keep their offices at the capital of the state. The state officers are all eligible to reëlection. In many of the states the treasurer cannot be reëlected. Do you think such a provision wise? Why?

Qualifications of Governor. The governor must be a citizen of the United States, seven years a resident of the state and thirty years of age. No constitutional qualifications are required of the other executive officers.

Why should certain qualifications be made a prerequisite in respect to the governor, and not as to the other executive officers?

Election Returns. The returns of the general election are addressed by the returning officer to the speaker of the House; and he, in the presence of the members of the House and of the Senate in joint session, during the first week, opens and publishes the vote cast for each officer. In case of a tie vote, one of the persons voted for is chosen by a joint vote of the two bodies, a majority of all the members elected being necessary to a choice.

of

Contest in Election.

In case of a contest in the election any executive officer, the contest is tried and determined by the General Assembly at its first session after the election.

Reports. The officers of the executive department must make reports in writing to the governor on any subject relating to their departments whenever he demands such reports.

GOVERNOR.

If

Vacancy in Office. If a vacancy occurs in the office of governor, the president of the Senate becomes governor. In case of the former's disability, the speaker of the house assumes the duties of the office. the vacancy occurs more than twelve months before the expiration of the term for which the governor was elected, it is the duty of the person succeeding him to call a special election for the selection of another governor.

Enforcement of the Laws. It is incumbent upon the governor as the supreme executive officer to see

that the laws are enforced. It is not his business to discuss the merits of the laws with either the lawmakers or the judges. It is his duty only to enforce them as they exist.

Commander in Chief.

The governor is commander in chief of the naval and military forces of the state, except when they are in the actual service of the United States.

Messages. The governor, by message, gives the General Assembly, from time to time, such information concerning the state, and such suggestions as to legislation, as he deems essential to the welfare of the people.

Pardoning Power. The governor has the power to pardon any person convicted of criminal or penal offense except in cases of treason and impeachment. By and with the advice and consent of the Senate he may pardon one convicted of treason.

Why is this pardoning power granted? Is it necessary for the attainment of justice?

Extra Sessions. The governor may convene the General Assembly on extraordinary occasions. He must, however, specify in his proclamation calling such session, the subjects of legislation at such meeting. After the legislature has disposed of the subjects designated by the call, it may by a two-thirds vote continue in session fifteen days for the consideration of any other

matters.

Adjournment.

The governor may, if the two houses fail to agree upon a time for adjournment, adjourn the General Assembly. Unless the regular session is extended by vote it expires by operation of law at the end of sixty days.

Appointive Power. The third amendment to the constitution of the state provides that in case of a vacancy in any state, district, county, or township office, by death, resignation, or otherwise, the governor shall appoint some one to serve for the unexpired term, or until after the next general election. This amendment precluded the numerous and expensive special elections which arose under Sec. 50, Art. VII of the constitution.

The governor appoints chancellors, special judges of the supreme court, and notaries public. He also appoints the members of the boards of trustees for the Arkansas Industrial University, the charitable institutions, and the board of directors of the Ex-Confederate Home, subject to confirmation by the Senate; boards of equalization in all the counties, the board of health, the board of dental examiners, the board of medical examiners, and the board of pharmacy. He may appoint one or more commissioners in any state or territory of the United States, whose powers relative to the instruments to be used in this state are the same as those of a notary public. The governor also makes a temporary appointment of a United States senator, in case of a vacancy during a recess of the legislature.

Commissioners. The county and the township officers, except the constable, all judicial officers, the circuit clerks, prosecuting attorneys, military officers, and notaries public, are commissioned by the governor.

Salary. The governor receives $3000 per annum, and the use of a mansion during his term of office. (As yet no mansion has been built, but rent is allowed.) He has a private secretary at a salary of $1600 per annum, one clerk at $900, and a janitor at $240.

SECRETARY OF STATE.

Bond. The secretary of state gives a bond to the state in the amount of $5000.

Duties. He keeps a full and accurate record of the official acts of the governor; attests all commissions issued by the governor, and all other official acts that require the seal of state; furnishes the public printer with a correct copy of the acts and resolutions of the General Assembly, with a thorough and complete index to them; cares for and sells the reports of the supreme court, and distributes them throughout the counties of the state; looks after the statehouse and the appurtenances thereto; takes care of the state library; issues charters to corporations, and performs numerous other duties.

Salary. The secretary of state is paid $1800 per annum for his labors. He has one first clerk at $1500, one second clerk at $1200, one library clerk at $1200, and a janitor at $240 per annum.

AUDITOR.

Bond. The auditor is required to give a bond to the state in the sum of $100,000 as a guaranty of the faithful discharge of his duties.

Duties. He makes a report to the governor on or before the tenth day of October preceding the meeting of the General Assembly including a full and detailed statement of the revenue and expenditures for the two previous years, and an estimate of the receipts and disbursements necessary for the two following years; he is the general accountant of the state, and keeps the accounts between the state and the United States, and those between the state and every officer or person