ment of the condition of the state, together with such recommendations as the governor may see fit to make concerning matters of importance. This document corresponds to the president's annual message to congress, and is always written or printed. The first two presidents made their recommendations in person, but since their time, the present custom has prevailed.

Powers. In case both houses fail to agree upon the time of adjournment, the governor fixes the time at which that body shall stand adjourned. The power to prorogue, or forbid the assembling of the legislature, is expressly denied by the last clause of section thirteen of this article.

Same. The governor has power to grant commutations and pardons in all cases except treason and impeachment, subject to regulations provided by law. A reprieve is a temporary suspension of the death penalty that has been passed upon a person convicted of a capital crime. For a number of years, the death penalty was forbidden by the laws of the state, but it was revived in 1878, and may be applied upon conviction of murder in the first degree. A commutation of a sentence shortens the time or lessens the severity of the punishment. A pardon forgives the criminal and orders his release.

Suspension of Sentence.-After a person has been convicted of treason, the governor may suspend the execution of the sentence until the legislature can act upon the matter. That body may either grant a pardon, commute the sentence or direct its execution, or extend the time of the reprieve. The governor has the power to remit fines and forfeitures also, but, under certain restrictions made by law.

Report. Each case of reprieve, commutation, pardon, or remission of fine or forfeiture must be reported to the general assembly at its next meeting. The name of the person relieved from any of the above penalties, with the reasons for the executive action, must form a part of the report.

Lieutenant-Governor.-The lieutenant-governor is ex-officio president of the senate, but he has no vote except when that body is equally divided. In case of the absence or disability of this officer, or when he is discharging the duties of governor, it becomes necessary for the senate to choose a president pro-tem. The salary of the lieutenantgovernor is fixed at double that of members of the senate. This, according to the present law, amounts to eleven hundred dollars for the term of two years. In case of the death, impeachment, resignation, or removal of the governor, the duties of that officer devolve upon the lieutenantgovernor, and during the time he is acting in such capacity, he receives the same compensation as the governor.

President pro tem.-If the lieutenant-governor, while acting as governor, is impeached or displaced, or for any other reason becomes unable to perform the duties devolving upon him, the president pro-tem of the senate acts as governor until the vacancy is filled, or the disability removed. And in case this officer becomes disqualified from any cause, the speaker of the house of representatives acts in his stead.

Great Seal.-Motto.-The governor is the custodian of the great seal of the state, which is used by him officially in sealing all grants and commissions. All commissions granted by the governor must be signed by him and countersigned by the secretary of state. The motto of the state

is a grand one: "Our liberties we prize, and our rights we will maintain."

*

Salary. The salary of the governor is fixed at three thousand dollars a year. He is also allowed his actual expenses for visiting the different state institutions. His house rent, not to exceed six hundred dollars annually, is also paid out of the state treasury.

*The governor's salary will be five thousand dollars a year, beginning January 1, 1904.

CHAPTER XVII.

OTHER STATE OFFICERS.

Other Officers.-The constitution also provides for the election of a secretary of state, an auditor of state and a treasurer of state, to be elected by the qualified voters for a term of two years. Several other officers properly belonging to this branch of the government have been authorized by law, and the duties of all of these will now be discussed in a general way.

Secretary of State. The secretary of state has charge of all the records of the territorial government of Iowa, the enrolled copies of the constitutions of the statethe old one of 1846 and the new one of 1857—and all other records of the state not kept by the other executive officers. All commissions signed by the governor are countersigned by him, and a record of them is kept by him in a register provided for that purpose.

Report.-Salary. He is also required to make a biennial report to the governor of all criminal cases as reported to him by the clerk of the district court of each county. He also acts as register of the land office, and there are many valuable papers and records relating to the sale of public lands on file in his office. His bond is fixed at not less than five thousand dollars, but it is usually much more than that. His salary is twenty-two hundred dollars a year, and that of his deputy, fifteen hundred dollars. His election occurs in the even-numbered years.

Auditor of State.-The auditor is the general accountant of the state, and to him is entrusted the duty of keeping a correct account of all moneys belonging to the state, as well as of all moneys expended. He superintends the fiscal affairs of the state, and furnishes information and blanks in the proper form to enable county auditors and treasurers to report to him the items they are required to furnish by law.

Duties. He draws warrants on the state treasury for all appropriations authorized by law, and reports to the governor before each regular session of the general assembly, the amount of all revenue, funds, income, and taxable property of the state, together with the expenditures for all purposes since his last report.

Report.-Salary.-On the first Monday of March and September of each year, he apportions the interest on the permanent school fund among the counties in proportion to the number of persons of school age in each. The office of the auditor is at the seat of government, and everything that is necessary to enable him to discharge the duties devolving upon him is furnished at the expense of the state. His bond is fixed at not less than ten thousand dollars. His salary is twenty-two hundred dollars per year, and that of his deputy, fifteen hundred dollars.

Treasurer of State.-The treasurer receives all moneys belonging to the state and pays all warrants drawn upon the treasury by the auditor. He keeps a record of all warrants paid by him, and reports to the auditor once a week the number and amount of all warrants paid since his last report, and also the name of the payee in each case. A report of the affairs of his office must be made to the governor as 300n as practicable after the first Monday of November in