Legislative power is vested in a general assembly, consisting of a senate and house of representatives, both elected by the people. The state is divided into fifty-one senatorial districts, each of which elects a senator and three representatives. The general assembly makes laws and appropriates money for the government of the state and in general stands in the same relation to the state as congress does to all the states as a whole. The powers and duties of the chief executive officers are as follows:

Governor-The governor is vested with the chief executive power of the state. He is the commander in chief of the military and naval forces and may call out the militia to maintain the peace. He is required to inform the general assembly, by message, of the condition of affairs of the state and to recommend needed legislation. He may, by proclamation, call a special session of the assembly or adjourn it in case of disagreement between the two houses. He has the power to appoint certain officers and during a recess of the senate may fill vacancies or remove certain officers and may call special elections to fill vacancies in certain offices. He may make requisitions upon the governors of other states for the return of fugitives from justice or offer rewards for the arrest of offenders against the laws of the state. He exercises a general supervision over the penitentiaries and may grant reprieves, commutations and pardons and may restore the rights of citizenship to ex-convicts. He may approve acts of the legislature and exercise the veto power. Lieutenant-Governor-This officer is ex officio president of the senate and has the power to cast the deciding vote in case of a tie. In case of the death, conviction on impeachment, failure to qualify, resignation, absence from the state or other disability on the part of the governor, the lieutenant-governor succeeds the office to the close of the term.

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Secretary of State-The secretary of state is charged with the safekeeping of the original laws and resolutions of the general assembly; with all books, bills and documents deposited with him by either house, and with all bonds, records and papers filed in his office. He keeps a record of the official acts of the governor; furnishes certified copies of the same to the assembly on request and certified copies of any of the records of his office on the payment of the statutory fees. He countersigns and affixes the seal of the state to all proclamations and

commissions issued by the governor: issues licenses for incorporations and certificates of organization to cities and villages and incorporated towns. He has charge of most of the buildings and grounds belonging to the state in Springfield, furnishes supplies for the general assembly and supervises the printing and distribution of all the public documents of the state. He calis the house of representatives to order at the beginning of each general assembly and presides over the same until the election of a speaker. He is the keeper of the great seal of the state and is the custodian and sealer of weights and

measures.

Auditor-The auditor is required to keep all the accounts of the state; to audit the accounts of all officers or other persons authorized to receive moneys from the state treasury; to personally sign all warrants drawn on the treasury: to institute suits wherein the state is a plaintiff, and to make a biennial report of the business of his office to the governor. With the governor and treasurer he determines the state tax rate. He exercises a general supervision over state banks, building, loan and homestead associations.

State Treasurer-The state treasurer is custodian of the revenues and public moneys of the state. He must make monthly settlements with the auditor and a biennial report to the governor.

Superintendent of Public Instruction-The superintendent exercises a general supervision over all the public schools of the state. He is the general and legal adviser of the county superintendents and must report biennially to the governor the general condition of all the schools of the state, the amount raised by taxation for school purposes and the manner of its expendi ture and the general condition of all the school funds. He may grant state certificates to teachers or cause them to be withheid and must visit charitable institutions which are educational in character.

Attorney-General-It is the duty of the attorney-general to represent the state in the Supreme court in all cases in which the state is interested; to act as counsel for all state officials; to be the legal adviser of the governor and other state officers in matters relating to their official duties, and, on request, to furnish them, as well as either branch of the general assembly, with written opinions upon constitutional or legal questions.