The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1893-02-12

pointmsne, blennlAlly by tho governor, OF q
state railroad commission. to consist Of
three persons. Ut q salary Of ST. 500 each.
One II 10 be from the eastern part, one
from the central and ono from the western
part of the state. No person holding the
bonds or stocks Of a railroad, OF otherwise
interested in such company. 10 eligible to
serve 90 commissioners The railroad COM
mission 10 to supervise tho business OF
transportation companies In the state so
far a. refers to the safety and oonvenience
OF the public. The commission must in
vsstiRate all complaints OF persons or cor
poretions against transportation com pa.
mics. and bring suits In cases OF violation
Of law. The attorney general ia TO be she
counsel OF the commission, who are have
a secretary also. County attorneys of
counties whore oRensss Are alleged may BE-
required to conduct prosecutions.
One of the bills introduced In the house
this week will be Of great interest TO cities
the size of Helena. Butte, Great Falls and
others. II was proposed by Representative
g ayes. of Butte. the city which has a
standing example of It's need. The bill
creates the office of city superintendent Of
public schools and prescribes his quAliica-
tions and duties. 1t provides that the trua-
tees OF school districts containing 1000
children OF school age can elect such an
officer. who il to have a state or life diploma
from the state board OF eduostion and must
have taught in the public schools at least
five years. The duties of the superintend-
emf are to visit each department once a
month while they are in session, to hold
monthly district teachers meetings for the
purpose OF discussing methods and instruct
ing teachers in pedagogical duties; 10 pre-
pare the questions for the examination of
the pupils, and to see that all rules are
properly enforced; to keep certain office
hours for the convenience of the teachers
who may want to consult him on questions
pertaining to their duties; and to perform
such other duties as may be required, in
Guiding the filling Of temporary vacancies
among teachers. II will be remembered
that some months ago Attorney General
Haskell gave an opinion to the effect that
there was no law authorizing the employ
ment OF oity superintendents of schools.
In those places where there were such Off
GERS they were Immediately dropped, or the
law-or lack of l%aw-gotten around by en-
pAoyAhE tucul UnuoT hOMS Otn0r tltle. l1el-
ena had a contract with the then superin-
tendent and 80 he was simply retained
under the title of principal teacher. but
who performs the same work as he did be-
fore. Butte dropped their superintendent
and put q teacher to perform his duties.
He refused to stay discharged. however,
and being also under contract, he has ever
since held himself in readiness to perform
his duties, and ia asking the courts to make
the trustees pay him his salary. 10 is to
meet such cases and provide for a very
necessary officer, that the bill was intro
duced.
The house has a bill on the calendar, In
troduced by Judge Bach, providing for the
appointment of u state examiner by tho
governor, and his confirmation by the SEN
ate. His term Of off s ia to be four years.
and his duties are to examine every six
months the books and accounts OF the Sec
rotary of state, the state auditor, state
treasurer, attorney general. superintendent
of public instruction, clerk of the supreme
coutt, district court clerks. county attor-
neya. treasurers. assessors, cleIk ks. auditors,
school superintendents. sheriHs, public ad-
uIAins' otOIe, CoioueEb, surveyors ana
boards OF county commissioners the books
and accounts OF all public institutions I'M
der the control of the state. and all private
institutions with which the state has any
dealings; to examine every six months
the accounts and ansactions of
every state and county Officer with any bank
or banking institution where state or coun-
~ deposlta are made; to prescribe the gen.
eral methods n details of the receipt and
disbursement of public money. He 10 to
examine and pass upon the character and
amount of any commission, percentages,
or charges for services exaoted by any officer,
and Of all claims allowed by boards OF
county commissioners without authority of
law. Another OF his duties Ia to visit,
without previous notice, each Of the banks.
banking corporations and savings banks
incorporated under the laws of the state,
and private banks. investments and loan
companies, and building and loans ~associa-
tions carried on BY persons or associations.
and to examine into their affairs aud asceg-
thin their financial conditions; to inspect
and verify the value and amount of their
securities and assets, and TO inquire into
any violation of laws governing such banks
and institutions. He is TO report to the
governor the result of his examinations
twice q year, and upon any particular mat
ter at any time whom required by the gov
ernor. The examiner must. at any time,
Immediately investigate the books and ao-
counts Of any county officers if required by
the county commissioners. and must OK
| anime the books and accounts Of any state
officer, board or institution, or board of
county commissioners. il directed by tho
governor, and report within ten days after
the completion of the examination. II the
examination shows any violation Of law or
non-performsnce Of duty on the
part of any officer, tho attorney
general is TO proceed against him.
il a state officer, or the county attorney, il
a county officer. All state and county off,
cets, and all officers of banks or other in
stitutions affected bv the act. are TO fur
nish the examiner every facility for his
work, on penalty Of imprisonment In the
county Jail for not over six months, or n
fine NOT exoeedinR $500. or both. The an
nual salary OF tho examiner. 10 TO be 81. 900.
The office Of state examiner IL provided for
in article seven. section eight of the oonsti-
tuition, which says: "Ths legislative as
sembly she'll provide for a state examiner,
who shall DO appointed by the governor aud
confirmed by the senate" That tho Office