plied to such part of this body of men as are organized, drilled, and under arms. In time of war such troops often form an important part of the volunteers mustered into the service of the United States. As at present organized, the National Guard of Pennsylvania consists of one division composed of three brigades. The commanding officers are a major general and three brigadier generals. The State has about ten thousand officers and men in the National Guard, while the militia number close to a million men. The State constitution directs that the freemen of the Commonwealth be armed, organized, and disciplined for its defense when, and in such manner as the laws may direct. The General Assembly shall provide for maintaining the militia by appropriations from the treasury, and may exempt from military service persons having conscientious scruples against bearing arms (167). State Librarian.—This official has principal charge of the State library. He must be a person of known literary and bibliographic attainments. He receives two hundred copies of each of the public documents of the Commonwealth, and is required to maintain a system of exchange with other States, and with such foreign countries as grant an international exchange to the reciprocal advantage of all concerned. The State library at present contains about 120,000 volumes divided into three classes: State papers, law, miscellaneous works. Each department is quite general and complete. Factory Inspector. The factory inspector has for his duties the enforcement of the Acts of the General Assembly relating to the health and safety of women and children employed in mercantile industries and manufacturing establishments. He sees that no minors are employed at labor in such places more than sixty hours in any week; that no child under thirteen years is employed in such establishments at all; that all machinery, belts, pulleys, and shafts are properly guarded; that all sanitary arrangements are suitable; that means of escape in case of fire are sufficient; and that overcrowding and nonventilation of workrooms are prevented. Superintendent of Public Grounds and Buildings.—This official has charge of the Capitol buildings and grounds. He sees that all repairs and improvements are properly made, and employs the laborers required. He enforces good order in the buildings and on the grounds, by means of the Capitol police, of which force he has immediate charge. He is appointed for a term of four years, and is the executive officer of the board of public grounds and buildings. Superintendent of Public Printing and Binding.—In order that the various reports and other public documents may be made serviceable, the State undertakes the printing and binding of such material. It is the duty of the superintendent to receive and take charge of all reports made to the Governor by the heads of departments, have the same printed by the State printer and delivered to the departments. He also arranges all matter ordered to be printed by the General Assembly, and supervises the printing of the same. He makes an annual report to the Governor. Commissioner of Banking.-This State officer is appointed by the Governor for a term of four years, and by the faithful discharge of his duties is able to secure the public against losses through the operations of banking institutions not under the inspection and control of the National government. He has charge of the faithful execution of all laws relating to banks, banking companies, safe deposit, trust, real estate, guarantee, and surety companies, and all other corporations receiving money on deposit, and incorporated under the laws of the State. He must not be interested as officer or stockholder in any corporation subject to his supervision; the same restriction applies to his deputy. Every corporation subject to the supervision of the commissioner of banking must make at least two reports of its financial condition during each year. A summary of each report must be published at least three times in a local newspaper. Commissioner of Insurance. It is the duty of the insurance commissioner to see that the laws relating to insurance are faithfully executed. Each insurance company doing business within the State must file with the commissioner a copy of its charter, and an annual statement of its financial condition verified by the officers of the company. In addition to the requirements named above, companies from other States and countries must obtain from the commissioner certificates granting permission to do business in the State (186). Department of Forestry.-This department was created by an Act approved February 25, 1901, and has for its purpose the purchase and care of lands constituting State forestry reservations. Some of the duties which devolve upon the commissioner of forestry and his department are the selection and purchase of suitable lands for timber culture and protection; the establishing of a scientific system of forestry upon them whenever public sentiment shall approve of the necessary expenditures; the promotion and encouragement of care in the treatment of the forests of the State; and the publishing of information regarding the extent and condition of the forest lands in the State. The commissioner is appointed by the Governor for a term of four years, and receives a salary of $3,000. Department of Mines: Mine Inspectors.-The department of mines has superseded the bureau of mines and mining of the department of internal affairs. It is charged with the supervision of the execution of the mining laws of the State, and the publication and care of the annual reports of the mine inspectors. The chief of the department of mines is appointed by the Governor for the term of four years. He must have at least ten years' practical experience as a miner and the qualifications of a mine inspector. The mine inspectors of the State are practical coal miners to whom the duty of inspecting the various mines of anthracite and bituminous coal is assigned. They must see that proper precautions are taken for the safety of the workmen, and that the laws regulating the manner of operating the mines are enforced. In the anthracite coal fields the mine inspectors are elected by the voters of each great coal district, and there are three boards charged with the duty of passing upon the qualifications of the candidates. Each board consists of two mining engineers and three coal miners, appointed for this duty in the three great districts of the anthracite region by certain judges of the courts of common pleas. In the bituminous region the Governor appoints the examining board, and selects the inspectors from certified lists presented by the examiners. Legislative Reference Bureau.-This department, having for its object the assistance of lawmakers and the public generally in the study and proper classification of all matters relating to legislation, was established by the State Legislature in 1909. The director of the bureau holds office four years, and the salary is $5,000. Commissioner of Health. The department of health takes the place of the former State board of health, but the powers are greatly increased. The management is in the hands of the commissioner of health and an advisory board. The commissioner must be a physician of at least ten years' professional experience, and a graduate of a legally constituted medical college. He is appointed by the Governor for a term of four years, and by virtue of his office is a member of several important boards. Executive Boards and Commissions.-There are many boards and commissions charged with important duties indicated sufficiently by the names given. 1. BOARD OF PARDONS Lieutenant Governor Secretary of Internal Affairs 2. BOARD OF PROPERTY Secretary of the Commonwealth 3. STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE Governor Secretary of Internal Affairs Auditor-General Secretary of Agriculture President of State College Other members are either appointed by the Governor Am. Cit.-8 |
