Arizona republican., 1915-03-22
But Attorney General De cides Land ComnissiOn- CTS and Chief Clerk Have No Pay Checks Coming at Present
MONEY FOR HELP
 AND OFFICE WORK
Assistants Still Provided
 for-Full Text of Opinion
 Sent to the Governor on Land Commission s, Status

That the members and the chief clerk of the state land commission may con- ,inue to draw the necessary travelling and other expenses incurred when travelling in the discharge of their duties. although the appropriations for the payment of their salaries are eN- hal,sted Is the answer of Attorney General Wiley r.. Jones to Gov Hunt request fol an opinion on the status of the commission. The commission may also continue to draw warrants for the payment of clerical and other expenses incurred in the maintenance of the office. books and other records. according to the opinion
 The full text of the attorney sener- ars opinion. which was made public last night foilcWs:
 March 1s, 19i3, Honorable George ". r. Hunt. Governor of Arizona.
 Phoenix Arizona.
 Dear Sir.
 Your letter of yesterday. calling at tention to the serious situation touch ing the public lands of the state and the interests of the state involved in the matter, hasi been received.
 You ask me to give careful atten- ton to the situation in it's legal aspect. with the view to determining the status CT the appropriations for the niainte- nance of the state land commission, and to ascertain what if any emer- gency provisions may be invoked in view of the existing necessites.'' | realize that there are serious legal considerations involved in the inqury made by you. and l further realize that the serious conditions confronting the interests of the state at this time call for reply from me at as early time as possible
 Paragraph 49 of Chapter V of the Revised Statutes of Arizona 1913. page 254, enumerates and designates the civil officers of the state of Arizona and therein names and desgnates the governor, attorney general and all oth- CT state officers named in the state constitution. and also various other of 1icers by subdivisions. and ill subdivi- sion ot said Paragraph. names the state land commission. consisting of three members All such offices there in designated are permanent civil of fees of the state of Arizona until changed or abolished by statute, which statute. changing or abolishing such of fees does not apply of course ro con stitutional offices. but only to those created by statute.
 Chapter I Of Title XLIII Revised Statutes 1913. creates a Board of Land Commissioners which board iS com posed of the three members of the ! State Land Commission and the gov Crnor, the attorney general. and the state engineer, the three last named being made ex officio members of said board of land commissioners, without compensation other than the salaries attached to their offices. Paragraph 4563 of said Chapter |. Title XLHI reads:
 There is hereby created commis- sion to be known as the State Land Commission which shall consist of three members appointed by the gov ernor. and they shall hold office until the adjournment of the next regular session of the legislature.
 It will he seen from the law quoted that the board of land commissioners therein mentioned consisting of the six officials above named-the eover- nor. attorney general. the state engi neer and the state land commission of three members, is permanent board with the duties imposed upon them as specified in said chapter; also that the
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