A record is a written account or description of any business or work done.  Executive acts are official acts of the governor.  The secretary of the commonwealth must make records of such acts and preserve them in his office.  He must sign his own name after the signature of the governor on all official documents.  This is called attesting the signature.

There are two seals of the commonwealth.  One is called the great seal, and the other the lesser seal. (For form and description of seal, see under powers and duties of governor, page 28.) The great seal is much larger in size than the lesser.  It is affixed to documents signed by the governor which are to be used for purposes outside the jurisdiction of the State, or, for example, in a United States court, or in another State or foreign country.  The lesser seal is affixed to public documents signed by the governor which are issued for use within the State.

Clerical duties are the duties of writing letters, records, and other papers or documents.  A general librarian is one who has general charge or control of a library.  The library fund is the books and maps belonging to the State.  These are kept in the State library at the capital, and the secretary of the commonwealth is the librarian.

Election returns when made up by the judges of election are sent to the commissioners of elections and afterwards to the Board of State Canvassers.  The board determines and decides who have been elected, and the secretary must keep A record of the Board’s determinations.

After the election returns are examined by the State board, the secretary makes out certificates of election for certain State officers elected at the polls.  The certificate is a paper certifying or stating that the person has been elected.  There is a tax or charge on the use of the State seals on certain documents, and this tax is collected by the secretary of the commonwealth.  The secretary must keep on file—­that is, preserve—­in his office the reports of other public departments of the State, and make a summary, or sketch, of the contents of each.

A charter of incorporation is a paper or document granted by the General Assembly, and giving power to a number of persons to carry on business as a corporation, or to the people of a town or city to carry on the business of government within their own districts.

Treasurer.

Elected.  At the General Election for term of four years.  Salary, $2,000 and commissions allowed by law.

Duties.  Shall receive and disburse, only upon a warrant from the proper Auditor, all moneys paid into the Treasury of the State; shall pay interest on certain bonds as they become due and payable; shall be the custodian of bonds held by the Commissioners of the Sinking Fund, and of bonds deposited by foreign express and insurance companies doing business in the State; shall make quarterly and annual reports to the Governor.