Lieutenant Governor.—­As may be seen by reference to the comparative table, several of the states have no such officer.  The office is designed simply to save confusion in case of a vacancy in the office of governor, in which case the lieutenant governor acts as governor during the vacancy.  To give him something to do the lieutenant governor is ex officio president of the senate. [Footnote:  In case of a vacancy in this office, the senate, in most states, chooses one of its own number to act as president pro tempore.] In most of the states, he has no voice in legislation, except a casting vote in case of a tie.  But in some states, as indicated in the comparative table on page 294, he can debate in committee of the whole.

State Treasurer.—­This officer has duties and responsibilities similar to those of a county treasurer.

Attorney General.—­This officer has two chief duties.  He represents the state in suits at law, and may be called upon to aid county attorneys in criminal prosecutions.  When invited to do so he gives legal advice to the legislature and to the executive officers, on matters pertaining to their official duties.

Secretary of State and Auditor.—­The county auditor, you remember, has three general lines of duty:  1.  To act as official recorder and custodian of papers for the county board. 2.  To be bookkeeper for the county, and in connection therewith to audit all claims against the county, and issue warrants on the county treasurer for their payment. 3.  To apportion the taxes.

The corresponding duties in the state, except recording the acts of the legislature, which is done by legislative clerks, are in most states divided between two officers, the secretary of state and the state auditor or comptroller.

The secretary of state has, as his characteristic duty, the preservation or custody of state papers, acts of the legislature, etc.  He is also keeper of the great seal of the state, and authenticates state documents, commissions, etc.  Incidentally he has other duties.  In some states he prepares the legislative manual; he sees that the halls are ready for the sessions of the legislature, calls the house to order at its first meeting, and presides until a speaker is chosen.  He also indexes the laws and other state documents, and superintends their printing and distribution. [Footnote:  In some states there is a superintendent of printing.]

The auditor or comptroller is bookkeeper for the state, audits accounts against it, and draws warrants upon the state treasurer for their payment. [Footnote:  No money can be paid out except on appropriation by the legislature.] The state auditor, also, comparing the legislative appropriations with the assessed value of the property of the state, computes the rate of the state tax and reports it to county auditors.

In some states, Wisconsin, for instance, the duties of both offices are performed by the secretary of state.