preserves the returns of elections, and in some States has charge of
the State buildings at the capital.

AUDITOR, OR COMPTROLLER.--The auditor is the financial agent of the
State, and in some States acts as register of the land office, and in
others as commissioner of insurance. He is also the State's
bookkeeper, and attends to the collection of its revenue. He examines
and adjusts claims and accounts against the State, and orders the
payment of such as he approves. He receives moneys paid to the State,
deposits them with the treasurer, and takes receipt therefor. No funds
can be paid out of the State treasury except upon the auditor's
warrant. He makes an annual or biennial report, showing the financial
condition of the State. In some States having no auditor, these
various duties fall to other officers, chiefly to the secretary of
state.

TREASURER.--The treasurer is custodian of the funds of the State. He
receives the State's revenues from the auditor, and pays them out only
upon the auditor's warrant, keeping an accurate account of all sums
paid. The treasurer and the auditor (and also the secretary of state
when he handles State funds) give heavy bonds for the faithful
performance of their duties.

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