Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1857-12-10
Our State Government.


A knowledge Of the structure of our State
government and of the organization and du-
ties of its several departments, is what every
citizen is supposed to possess. And yet when
it comes to the test, we are surprised to find
how many are at a loss TO answer the simple
question relating to the officers in the service
of the Commonwealth, and their several fumc-
tons. For the Information of such, the Nor
rlstown Vatchmqn has taken the pains to pre-
pare brief sketch of the State government as
it is at present constituted.
The chief officer of the Commonwealth is
the Governor, who is elected every three years.
James Pollock, of Northumberland County,
holds that Office now, having been inaugurated
on the first Tuesday of January, 1888. He
receives an annual salary of So, 800. The
Legislature, last winter inserted a provision in
the General Appropriation Act, restoring the
salary Of the Governor, after the expiration OF
the term of the present Governor, to what it
was previous to the passage Of the "Retorm
Bill of lS45, to wit 81, 900 year.
Andrew G. Curtin, of Centre county, is Sec
retary Of the Commonwealth, at an annual
salary of $l,700. He is appointed by the
Governor, and holds his place during his plea
sure
The Secretary was formerly also Superin-
tendent of Common Schools, but the LcgiSla-
ture at its late session, separated the State and
School departments, and made the Superinten-
tendent of Common Schools distinct aud in
dependent officer The present Superinten-
dent is Henty G. Hickok, of Union county,
who holds his Office for three years from the
first Monday of last June. He is appointed
10y the Governor "by and with the advice and
consent of the Senate" His salary is 81, 400
per annum, and he is liable to be removed by
the Governor for mishehayor at any time.
Henry 5. Magraw, of Lancaster, is State
Treasurer at salary of 81, 700.
This officer is elected by the Senate and
House of Representatives in joint convention,
on the third Monday of January, in each and
every third year. The present incumbent is
serving his second term.
The Auditor General is the " watchdog" Of
the Treasury, and is the most important of
any to the taxpayers of the State. 1t is his
duty to keep the accounts OF the Common
wealth correct, 10 enforce the collection Of the
revenue, and to see that no plundering hand
has entrance to the Treasury. jacob Fry, of
the Trappe Montgomery county, is the pres
ent incumbent.
He was elected by the people, last fall, took
his place on the first Tuesday of May-holdS
Office three years, and has an annual salary Of
Sl,700
John Rowe, of Franklin county, is Survey
orGeneraI, having been elected last October
His term also began on the first Tuesday of
of last May, to continue three years, at sal
ary of 81 400 per annum.
Thomas T. Franklin, of Lancaster city, is
Acknowledgement He holds his Office by ap-
pointmcnt Of the Governor. An act of the
last legislature has made great change in the
powers and duties of this officer. Under the
law as it existed since the creation of the Of
flee of District Attorney, the Attorney-Gcn-
erals Office was one more Of honor than of
trust or influence. His duties were merely
nominal, and he received salary Of only $500
a year But the act of 1851 reconstructed
the Office entirely, and it is now one of the
first importance in the administration of our
public business. Under this act the Attorney
General is required to have his Office at Har-
riSburg, to prosecute all suits against all de-
fautiug public officers, to collect all debts due
to the commonwealth, to act as counsel in
all cases into the Supreme Court wherein the
commonwealth is party and to give opinions
on questions of law submitted to him by the
Governor, Auditor General, State Treasurer,
Surveyor General, or Canal Commissioners
He he must give bond in the sum of 10000
as security for the faithful performance of his
duties
He is allowed a clerk, and receives sal
ary of $4,000 year. The present Attorney
General will hold his Office until successor is
appointed.
The public works are controlled by a board,
consisting Of the three Canal Commissioners,
one of whom is elected every year, to serve
three years. The board consists of Henry S
Mott. of Pike county, Arnold Pumer, of We
mango county, and George Scott, of Columbia
county. They have the appointment of
State Engineer, whose salary is $4,000 year.
Edward f. Gay, of Philadelphia, is the pre-
sent engineer. The board had large amount
of official patronage before the disposal Of the
Main Line, &c, to the Pennsylvania Railroad
Company. Since then it has become much
curtailed.