Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1911-03-11
NEW OFFICIAL
TO Be VOTED FOR
At Next State Election to Be Known
As The Commissioner Of
Agriculture.

| or some trouble but which mas become
a law without his signature. If its
constitutionality Is not questioned and
IL Is declared not invalid ore more
state official will be voted fer at the
next general election, whose salary is
fixed at $4,000 per annum. The bill
| gives the commissioner of agriculture
| almost unlimited powers and in addi-
ton makes him member Of the yard
of public works. The present board
of agriculture is to be abolished af-
ter March 3, 1913, and all the duties
| now performed by that beard will
then come under the supervision Of
the commissioner CT agriculture. In
many respects his work is that Of
TIE state geologist, whose office an
effort was made to abolish at the
session just ended.
The bill as it passed the legisla-
| tGre, is as follows:
An Act creating the office OF com
missioner of agriculture, prescribing
his duties and apprcpriating money
for the maintenance of the office.
Be it enacted by the Legislature Of
the State of West Virginia
Sec. /. There is hereby created
AID established a department of the
state government to be hereafter
known as the Department of Agri-
culture" which shall be constituted
as provided in this act and shall
have the powers and perform the
duties as are herein set forth and
such other duties as may hereafter
be prescribed by law.
Sec. q The chief officer of said
department shall be denominated
the commissioner of agriculture.
Re shall be elected by the qualified
voters of the state at the general
election to be held on the first Tues
day after the first Monday in. No
vember, nineteen hundred and
twelve, and every four years there
after on the same ballot and in the
same manner as other state officials
ere elected, and he shall be provided
with an Office at the seat of govern
ment.
Sec. g. He shall be a practical
farmer, and learned in the science
Of agriculture. having made prac-
teal agriculture. his chief business
for term of ten G0) years imme-
diately preceding his election to said
office.
Sec. A. He shall take and pre-
e,rriha N tho ootl, oe ofRoo yracnt-;bad
by section five of article four of the
constitution of this state and such
cath shall be certified by the person
who administers the same and shall
be filed in the office of the secretary
CT state.
Sec. 5. His term of office shall
begin on the fourth day # March
Dineteen hundren and thirteen and
continue for a term of four years or
Until his successor is elected and quail
flied.
Vacancies in the office of commits
aioner of agriculture shall be filled
by appointment by the governor
such appointee to hold office for the
unexpired term, or until his sue
cessor is elected and qualified,
Sec. g. He shall be a member
Of the Board of Public Works, and
shall have all the power and pre-
form all duties as are now. or may
hereafter be prescribed by law for
members of the said board.
Sec. 7. His salary shall be four
thousand (s4,O00O0) dollars per
apnum and it shall be paid out of
the appropriations made for the
payment of salaries of state Of
fcials He shall give bond with
good security to be approved by the
attorney general in the penalty OF
five thousand ($5,0d000l dollars
for the faithful performance of the
duties Of his Office as they are, or
may from time to time be prescribed
| by law
He shall at the expiration of each
month pay to the state treasurer all
the moneys received by him during
| that month and shall at the same
| time transmit to the treasurer and
I HbuilOf OF lut hlOles an lL9ullH6u
statement of all moneys so received
ny him during that month. which
statement shall be duly verified by
| his affidavit.
He may employ such clerks,
stenographers, chemists, analists,
institute instructors. pomologist
etomologist and veterinarians. and
such other employees as may be nee
essary in carrying out the duties Of
| lus office, as many from time to time
be prescribed by law.
1t shall be the duty of the auditor
Of the state, upon the presentation
OF properly certified accounts by
said commissioner to draw his war
rants for the payment thereof upon
! the treasurer of the state, not to
exceed any amount appropriated by
the legislature for this department.
! Sec. s, 1t shall be the duty OF
the commissioner Of agriculture TO