OTHER STATE OFFICERS.
Adjutant-General.—To aid the governor in the discharge of his duties as commander-in-chief, there is an officer called the adjutant-general. Through him all general orders to the state militia are issued. He also keeps the rolls and records of the militia. In some states he is required by law to act as attorney for those seeking pensions from the United States.
Railroad Commissioners.—To prevent railroads from charging extortionate rates for passengers or freight; to see that reasonable facilities are provided, such as depots, side tracks to warehouses, cars for transporting grain, etc.; to prevent discrimination for or against any person or corporation needing these cars; in other words, to secure fair play between the railroads and the people, a railroad commission consisting of from one to three members has been established in many states by the legislature.
Insurance Commissioner.—To protect the people from unreliable insurance companies, there is an officer called the insurance commissioner. No insurance company can legally transact business in the state until it has satisfied the commissioner that its methods of insurance and its financial condition are such as to give the security promised to those insured by it. The certificate of authority granted to any company may be revoked by the commissioner at any time if the company refuses or neglects to comply with the conditions established by law.
State Librarian.—Each state has a valuable library, composed chiefly of law books, but containing also many other valuable books and pamphlets. This library is open to the public. It is in charge of the state librarian, who acts under prescribed rules.
Public Examiner.—To render assurance doubly sure that public money shall be used only for the purposes for which it is designed, provision is made for the appointment of "a skillful accountant, well versed in the theory and practice of bookkeeping," to exercise constant supervision over the financial accounts of state and county officers and of banking institutions incorporated under state laws. This officer is called the public examiner.
The officers visited are required by law to furnish the public examiner facilities for his work, and to make returns to him under oath. The examiner reports to the governor, who is empowered to take action to protect the interests of the people.
Oil Inspector.—To protect the people from the danger of burning oil unfit for illuminating purposes, there is an officer called the inspector of illuminating oils. The inspector appoints a deputy for each county. It is the duty of these officers to test the illuminating oils offered for sale, and to mark the barrel or package containing it "approved" or "unsafe for illuminating purposes," as the case may be. Penalties are attached to the selling of oils not approved.
Boiler Inspector.—Steam is now used as power in threshing grain and in grinding it, in sawing lumber, in propelling boats and cars, etc. To prevent loss of life, engineers must pass an examination and secure a certificate of qualification. And boilers must be inspected at least once a year to prevent explosions. The latter duty devolves upon the state boiler inspector and his assistants. Locomotive engines on railroads are sometimes exempt from government inspection, because of the invariably high skill of the engineers and the great care of the companies.
Labor Commissioner.—Among the questions now receiving consideration from states and nations are many referring to labor—the healthfulness of factories, hours of labor, employment of children, protection against accidents, etc. In many of the states there is a commissioner of labor to make inspections and formulate statistics pertaining to labor.
Officers Peculiar to Certain States.—There are in some states other officers, necessitated by special industries. Thus, in Minnesota, where the grain, dairy and lumber interests are very important, there are inspectors of grain, a dairy commissioner, and surveyors-general of logs.
Appointment and Term.—The officers named in this chapter are elected in some states; in others they are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the senate. The term is usually two years.
All are required to give bonds for the faithful discharge of their duties. All have clerks, deputies, or assistants, appointed by themselves, for whose official acts they are responsible.