If the state superintendent of public instruction wants information on some point of school law, to whom should he appeal?  How much would he have to pay for the advice?  What force would the opinion have?  Could he obtain a legal opinion as to a private matter on the same terms?

If you had a bill against the state, how would you get your pay?  If payment were refused what could you do? (Do not try to answer off-hand.  Ask a lawyer.)

How are the expenses of the state government met?  The amount of state expenses last year? (See report of treasurer.)

What are the sources of the school fund, of this state?  Did you ever know of school lands being sold in your county?  By whom, how, and on what terms?

Name your county superintendent of schools.  The state superintendent.  Is there a United States superintendent?  Get the report of the state superintendent and find out what it contains.  Ask your teacher to let you see the teachers’ report to the county superintendent.  How much state money did your district receive last year?

CHAPTER XIV.

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.