ATTORNEY-GENERAL.—­The attorney-general is a lawyer who acts as attorney for the State in law cases to which the State is a party.  His duties pertain chiefly to the higher courts of the State.  He is the legal adviser of the State officers, and, when requested by them, gives opinions upon points of law.

He prosecutes persons who are indebted to the State, and assists in bringing to justice those charged with crime.  He represents the State in its legal business in the supreme court at Washington, and in the other courts of the United States.

SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION.—­The superintendent of public instruction has charge of the public school system, and thus superintends one of the largest interests of the State.  He has the general management of State teachers’ institutes, and in some States he has an official connection with the State university and the State normal schools, either as a member of the faculty or as president or secretary of the board of trustees.

He is an officer of, and usually president of, the State board of education, a body generally consisting of from three to seven members, and in most States composed, in part, of other high officers of the State.  The State board of education decides questions of school law, and performs other important duties varying in different States.

The superintendent of public instruction makes an annual or biennial report to the legislature, showing the condition of the public schools and suggesting amendments to the system.  In many States the superintendent is elected by the people; in some he is appointed by the governor; in others he is elected by the State board of education, and, as president or secretary of that board, is ex efficio superintendent of public instruction.

OTHER OFFICERS.—­The adjutant-general is the active officer of the State militia.

The commissioner of agriculture, sometimes called the secretary of the board of agriculture, looks after the agricultural interests of the State.

The commissioner of insurance oversees the insurance companies doing business in the State.

The railway commissioners assess the value of railway property, and to a limited extent regulate charges on railway lines.

The register of the land office, or land commissioner, keeps in his office the patents or title-deeds of land issued by the State in its early settlement, and furnishes copies of land patents and warrants to those who desire them.  In a few States this officer is elected by the people.

The State librarian has charge of the State library, and in some States is superintendent of the State buildings at the capital.

In a few States there are other executive officers, among whom may be named: 

A surveyor-general, who surveys the public lands, and keeps in his office maps of counties and townships;