Elective and Appointive Officers.—In the school district and the town all officers are elected, none being appointed except to fill vacancies. As the organizations increase in size, appointive offices increase relatively in number, until among officers of the United States only two are elected. Members of the legislative department in each of the organizations are elected.
Vacancies.—These occur usually either by death or resignation, occasionally by removal from office. To save the expense of a special election, vacancies in elective offices are filled by temporary appointment, except in the case of members of the legislature and members of the United States house of representatives.
Resignations.—These are sent as a rule: (a) by elective officers, to that officer who is authorized to make the temporary appointment or to order a new election; (b) by appointive officers, to the body, board, or officer that appointed them.
Pertinent Questions.
Who constitute the legislative department in a town? In a village? In a city? In a county? The executive in each? The judicial? Show that the county superintendent of schools is also one of the executive officers of the state. Do any local officers belong to the state legislative department? Should the judges of the circuit court be elected or appointed? Should all the county officers be elected at the same time? To whom would a member of congress send his resignation if he desired to be relieved? A judge of the state supreme court? The county auditor?
PART III.
THE NATION.
CHAPTER XVII.
HISTORICAL.
In order to understand the government of the United States, we must examine its beginnings and antecedents.