Executive Department.
The executive department of state government is the law enforcing power.
The governor of a state is the chief executive. His duty is to see that the laws of his state are executed, to study the conditions and needs of the state, and to prepare a message to the legislature setting forth these needs and conditions. He is commander in chief of the state militia.
He should fill all vacancies that come under his appointing power, appoint certain state officers and boards, grant pardon to convicted criminals when right, call a special session of the legislature when necessary.
The governor represents his state in its relation to the federal government and to other states.
The Governor of Kentucky receives a salary of six thousand and five hundred dollars per year, all expenses when on duty for the State, and in addition, a mansion lighted, heated, and furnished, and three thousand dollars per year for public entertaining. He is elected for four years and cannot succeed himself for re-election.
Most of the states have the following state officials elected by the voters of the state: Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State, Treasurer, Auditor, Attorney General, Commissioner of Agriculture and Superintendent of Public Instruction.
The Superintendent of Public Instruction, the Attorney General and the Secretary of State compose the Board of Education.