The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1908-07-17
ARTICLE vi
Executive Department

section l. Ihere shall be elected at
each general biennial election a gov
ernor, lieutenant governor, a secre-
tary of state, state treasurer, a COM
missioner of the state land office, an
auditor general and an attorney gen.
eral, for the term of two years. They
shall keep their offices at the seat of
government, superintend them in per-
son and perform such duties as may be
prescribed by law The office of COM
missioner of the state land office may
be abolished by law.
Portions OF this section are found in the
present constitution, in Secs. and OF Art.
V. and Secs. l and of Art. VIII. The
struction, omitted from this section, is pro-
vided for In Sec. of Art. XII. The language
shall superintend them in person" is new
and imperative. This language renders 1t
mandatory that the officers chosen by the
people for a particular office shall personally
superintend the duties OF such office. This
requirement is dictated by sound business
principles and the growing Importance of the
Offices specified.
Sec. 2. The CHIEF executive power is
vested in the governor.
The word chief is inserted in Sec. /, Art.
v of the present constitution. The remainder
OF the section is found in Sec. of this ar
tcle.
Sec. 8. The governor shall take care
that the laws be faithfully executed;
shall transact all necessary business
with the officers of government; and
may require information in writing
from all executive and administrative
officers, elective and appointive, upon
any subject relating to the duties of
their respective offices.
Secs and 6, Art. V of the present con-
sttuton are here combined in one section,
which enlarges the power of the governor so
that he may require information in writing
from 'all executive and administrative state
officers, elective and appointve," instead OF
merely Officers OF the executive depart
ment." The purpose Of the change is to
make it clear that the governor may, while
being excluded from interference with the
judicial and legislative departments, exercise
the fullest power of inquiry as to all other
state officers.
Sec. 4. He shall be commander-in-
chief of the military and naval forces
and may call out such forces TO execute
the laws, to suppress Instruction and
to repel invasion.
No change is made from Sec. 4, Art. Of
the present constitution except for the pur-
pose of improving the phraseology
Sec. 5. He shall communicate by mes
sage to the legislature, and at the close
of his official term to the incoming leg
islature, the condition of the state, and
recommend such measures as he may
deem eXpedent
No change is made from Sec. 8, Art. v
OF the present constitution except for the
purpose of improving the phraseology.
Sec. 6. He shall issue wrts of election
to fill such vacancies as occur in the
senate or house of representatives
No change is made from Sec. 10. Art. v
of the present constitution.
Sec. 7. He may convene the legisla-
ture on extraordinary occasions.
No, change is made from Sec. Z, Art. Of
the present constitution.
Sec. s. He may convene the legisla-
ture at some other place when the seat
of government becomes dangerous from
disease or common enemy.
No change is made from Sec 8, Art. v OF
the present constitution.
Sec. 9. He may grant reprieves, COM
mutations and pardons after convic-
tions for all offenses, except treason
and cases of impeachment upon such
conditions and with such restrictions
and limitations as he may think proper,
subject to regulations provided by law
relative to the manner of applying for
pardons. Upon conviction for treason,
he may suspend the execution of the
sentence until the case shall be reported
to the legislature at its next session,
when the legislature shall either par
don or commute the sentence, direct the
execution of the sentence or grant
further reprieve. He shall communicate
to the legislature at each session in
formation of each case of reprieve.
communication or pardon granted and
the reasons therefor.
No change is made from Sec. IL, Art. OF
the present constitution.
Sec. 10. Whenever a vacancy shall
occur in any of the state Offices the
governor shall ill the same by appoint
ment, by and with the advice and con-
sent of the senate, If in session.
No change is made from Sec. g. Art. VIII
of the present constitution.
Sec. IL. All official acts of the gov
ernor except his approval OF the laws,
shall be authenticated by the great seal
OF the state, which shall be kept by the
secretary of state.
No change Is made from Sec is, Art. Of
the present constitution except for the pur-
pose of improving the phraseology.
Sec. IL. All commissions issued to per-
sons holding office under the provisions
of this constitution shall be in the name
and by the authority of the people OF
the state of Michigan, sealed with the
great seal of the state, signed by the
governor and countersigned by the sec
rotary of state.
No change is made from Sec. 10, Art v
Of the present constitution.
Spp "a No nprsOn shall he p1iDihla 10