ef duties. He represents the
state in suits at law, and may be called upon to aid county attorneys in
criminal prosecutions. When invited to do so he gives legal advice to the
legislature and to the executive officers, on matters pertaining to their
official duties.

Secretary of State and Auditor.--The county auditor, you remember, has
three general lines of duty: 1. To act as official recorder and custodian
of papers for the county board. 2. To be bookkeeper for the county, and in
connection therewith to audit all claims against the county, and issue
warrants on the county treasurer for their payment. 3. To apportion the
taxes.

The corresponding duties in the state, except recording the acts of the
legislature, which is done by legislative clerks, are in most states
divided between two officers, the secretary of state and the state auditor
or comptroller.

The secretary of state has, as his characteristic duty, the preservation
or custody of state papers, acts of the legislature, etc. He is also
keeper of the great seal of the state, and authenticates state documents,
commissions, etc. Incidentally he has other duties. In some states he
prepares the legislative manual; he sees that the halls are ready for the
sessions of the legislature, calls the house to order at its first
meeting, and presides until a speaker is chosen. He also indexes the laws
and other state documents, and superintends their printing and
distribution. [Footnote: In some states there is a superintendent of
printing.]

The auditor or comptroller is bookkeeper for the state, audits accounts
against it, and draws warrants upon the state treasurer for their payment.
[Footnote: No money can be paid out except on appropriation by the
legislature.] The state auditor, also, comparing the legislative
appropriations with the assessed value of the property of the state,
computes the rate of the state tax and reports it to county auditors.

In some states, Wisconsin, for instance, the duties of both offices are
performed by the secretary of state.

In some states the auditor is _ex officio_ land commissioner. In other
states there is a separate officer to take charge of state lands.

Superintendent of Public Instruction.--This officer has general
supervision and control of the educational interests of the state. He is
often _ex officio_ a member of the board of regents of the state
university, of the board of directors of the state normal schools, an