Local Officers as State Officers.—­The governor is the chief executive officer of the state, but not the only one.  There are others enumerated on pages 90-99.  But besides these, the state uses local officers in part to carry into execution the acts of the legislature.  For instance, when the legislature has appropriated a certain sum for a specific purpose, the executive department raises and applies the money.  To this end, the taxable property of the state is “valued” by the assessors; these estimates are reviewed by the boards of equalization; the county auditors make up the tax lists; the county treasurers collect the money and transmit it to the state treasurer, from whom it goes to the institution for whose benefit it was appropriated.

All writs issued by justices of the peace run in the name of the state, showing that these are in a certain sense state judicial officers.

State Officers as United States Officers.—­As a rule the United States appoints its own officers, and stations them where they are needed.  But in a very few cases, state officers are used.  For instance, in order that persons accused of crime against the United States may be promptly apprehended, commissioners of the United States circuit court are appointed in every state with power to issue warrants of arrest and take testimony.  But in the absence of a commissioner, the warrant may be issued and testimony taken by any judicial officer of the state.  In such a case, a justice of the peace may act temporarily as a United States officer.  The best interests of society are served thereby.

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?