USA > Michigan > Michigan official directory and legislative manual for the years 1915-1916 > Part 86
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THE AGRICULTURAL DIVISION.
The agricultural division has charge of the collection, compilation and publication of statistics upon agricultural products. The department, through this division, has a corps of crop correspondents in the various townships of the state, who make monthly reports showing the condition of the various crops in their localities. A tabulation of these reports is made here, and, after publication, distributed.
Some duties of the secretary of state not germane to the work of any one division have been assigned to the different divisions irrespective of the general scope of their work. The collection, compilation and publication of statistics relative to the insane, deaf, dumb, blind, idiotic and epileptic and the compilation and publication of the reports of superintendents of the poor and sheriffs have, for example, been placed under the supervision of the agricultural division.
MOTOR VEHICLE DIVISION.
The work of this division is the registration and licensing of automobiles, motor cycles and chauffeurs. This branch of the department work has grown very rapidly during the last few years, and is now one of the most important of divisions. It is required that a record be kept of each application for registration, showing the license number, owner's name and address, and a description of the motor vehicle. Number plates are either delivered personally to the applicant on demand, or forwarded prepaid to address stated. A branch of this division is maintained at the rooms of the Wolverine Automobile Club, 125 Woodward Ave., Detroit.
THE SHIPPING DIVISION.
The work of distributing the published laws and documents belongs to the shipping division. The preparation for shipment of all matter sent out by the department constitutes the business of the division.
The printed copies of the laws and documents and the various blank forms which the department is required to furnish are in the custody of the chief of this division. A record of all publications which the state is required to furnish to the several township, village, city and county officers is kept here.
TREASURY DEPARTMENT.
THE STATE TREASURER.
He is the receiving officer and custodian of the state funds, state taxes collected by the county treasurers, taxes upon railroad, insurance, telegraph, telephone, express and other companies, and proceeds of sales of state lands are payable to him.
Payments from the treasury, except in pursuance of appropriations made by law, are prohibited by the constitution.
He is required, before entering upon the duties of his office, to give a bond to the people of the state in the sum of three hundred thousand dollars, with three or more
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sureties, or one or more surety companies, to be approved by the attorney general and commissioner of insurance.
He is authorized, at his discretion, after receiving from banks security approved by the state treasurer, auditor general and secretary of state, to deposit in such banks the surplus funds in the treasury at such rate of interest as he may deem best for the state. All items of interest so received belong and are to be paid over to the state.
He is required to make an annual report to the governor, with a summary of the re- ceipts and payments of the treasury during the preceding year.
He is, by article VI, section 20 of the constitution, a member of the board of state auditors, board of state canvassers, board of fund commissioners, board of escheats, and by law a member of the state board of equalization, of control of state swamp lands and of claims growing out of sales of public lands.
He is also by virtue of his office a member of the Michigan securities commission created by Act No. 46, P. A. 1915.
Under the provisions of Act No. 174, P. A. 1915, the state treasurer is made ex-officio treasurer and custodian of the school teachers' retirement fund.
The deputy state treasurer has immediate charge and personal supervision of the routine work and employes of the department, and, in the absence of the treasurer, is empowered by law to transact all duties appertaining to that office.
AUDITOR GENERAL'S DEPARTMENT.
THE AUDITOR GENERAL.
It is the duty of the auditor general to keep state accounts and examine and liquidate claims against the state in statutory cases and to draw his warrant on the state treasurer in settlement therefor, and for every disbursement and all moneys drawn from the state treasury; he examines, adjusts and settles claims in favor of the state; examines state treasurer's accounts monthly and countersigns receipts of state treasurer; keeps a register of the number and amount of state bonds and the rate of interest thereon, and where payable, and files all cancelled bonds in his office; audits and files accounts of state institutions; receives and files bonds of registers in chancery, examines and ap- proves plats of towns, cities and villages before they can be recorded in the office of the register of deeds; reports of canal and plank road companies; approves bonds of county treasurers, the commissioner of insurance, and treasurers of various state institutions; prepares and furnishes blanks for the use of state institutions, county treasurers and others; makes annual report to the governor; is a member of the state board of equaliza- tion, public domain commission, the board of control of state swamp lands, state board of control and board of internal improvements. He is also a member of the board of state canvassers in case of failure of a quorum.
It is the duty of the auditor general to apportion state taxes and transmit such ap- portionment to the clerks of boards of supervisors; to prepare and file his petition in chancery for the sale of lands delinquent for taxes; to prepare lists of such lands and to designate the papers in the various counties of the state to publish the sale; to receive returns of sales and to execute deeds to purchaser; to render statements of accounts between the state and each county; to draw his warrant in favor of county treasurers for the amounts due their counties. He reports monthly to the county treasurers all payments, redemptions, purchases of state bids and state tax lands made in the auditor general's department during the preceding month. He receives statements from the public domain commission of taxes collected on part-paid land, and causes the tax laws to be published. He has supervision over the uniform system of accounting of the several departments of state government, state institutions, and boards.
It is also the duty of the auditor general to receive from the state board of assessors a statement of the amount assessed by such board against the various railroad, tele- phone and telegraph companies of the state, fast freight line companies and express companies and to proceed under warrant to collect taxes thus assessed; to receive from the county treasurer the state's portion of taxes collected on mortgages and bonds, and also to collect and pay over to the county treasurers the tonnage tax paid on steam vessels; and to issue licenses to non-resident wholesale liquor dealers.
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It is also his duty under the law to see that the inheritance tax law is properly and duly executed, to furnish blanks to the various judges of probate and county treasurers for making their report of inheritance taxes; to countersign and seal the receipts issued for inheritance taxes paid into the county treasurer's office; to apportion such taxes received and paid into the state treasury among the various counties of the state as a part of the primary school interest fund.
The deputy has the general supervision of the clerks and employes and of the business of the department, and in the absence of the auditor general is fully empowered by law to perform all the duties of the office.
ATTORNEY GENERAL'S DEPARTMENT. THE ATTORNEY GENERAL.
He is required to prosecute and defend all actions in the supreme court in which the state shall be interested and when requested by the governor, or any state officer, or the legislature, he is required to appear for the people in any court or tribunal in any matter, civil or criminal, in which the state or any department of the government may be interested. He is required to give opinions on questions submitted to him by the legislature, the governor, or any state officer. He is bound to consult with and advise prosecuting attorneys when requested in all matters pertaining to the duties of their offices. The attorney general is called upon to give opinions to the many state boards, prison inspectors and public institutions of all kinds and is a member of the board of control of state swamp lands. He may proceed in equity to restrain the misuse or abuse of corporate powers and has control of quo warranto proceedings on the part of the people. By virtue of his office, he is also a member of the Michigan securities com- mission created by Act No. 46, P. A. 1915.
The deputy attorney general is, in the absence or inability of the attorney general, empowered by law to perform the duties of the office.
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION.
THE SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION.
He has general supervision of the public schools and of state educational institu- tions; collects and tabulates the school statistics of the state; apportions the primary school interest fund to the counties, gives information to school officers upon construc- tion of school law; prepares and furnishes blanks for use of school officers, organizes and visits teachers' institutes and appoints instructors for them; receives reports from superintendents of schools and from all state and chartered educational institutions; makes annual report to the governor; visits all state educational institutions and meets with the governing boards of such; directs the supervision of county normal training classes; examines and audits the official records and accounts of any school district; may require all school districts to maintain school or provide educational facilities for all children resident in the district; delivers lectures on educational subjects; appoints visitors to the state university and all chartered educational institutions; is a member and secretary of the state board of education; is ex-officio a member of the board of regents and ex-officio a member of all other boards having control of public instruction, and is also a member of the state board of geological survey. On January 1, 1915, under the terms of the act abolishing the state land office the superintendent of public instruction succeeded the commissioner of the state land office as a member of the following boards: The public domain commission, board of state auditors, board of state canvassers, state board of equalization, board of fund commissioners, state board of escheats, board of control of state swamp lands, and board of auditors of claims growing out of sales of public lands.
Under the provisions of Act No. 174, P. A. 1915, the superintendent of public instruc- tion is designated as a member of the teachers' retirement fund board.
The deputy superintendent of public instruction is empowered by law to act in the absence of the superintendent or in case of a vacancy in the office.
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THE BOARD OF REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY.
The constitution provides that a board of eight persons elected at the spring elec- tion shall constitute a board of regents to control the University of Michigan. Said board is a body corporate, having power to enact ordinances, by-laws and regulations for the government of the University; they have power to elect a president and such professors and tutors as may be necessary; to appoint a secretary, librarian, treasurer, steward, and such other officers as the institution may require; to provide and arrange courses of study; to provide for the keeping of meteorological tables; receive and expend all moneys for the support of the institution, and make an exhibit of the affairs of the University each year, said exhibit to be incorporated in the report of the superintendent of public instruction.
STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION.
The constitution provides for a state board of education consisting of three members who are elected at the April election. The superintendent of public instruction is a member and secretary of the board. The state board of education is a body corporate and has the control of all property belonging to the state normal schools and power to receive and expend all moneys appropriated for such institutions; to select principals and instructors, fix the salaries of the same; provide and regulate courses of study and grant diplomas, and certificates to teach in such form as they shall deem best. The state board of education makes a biennial report to the legislature giving the history of the work of the normal schools, the needs and requirements of normal schools for the ensuing period of two years, and such other matters as may be interesting to the legislature. The board is authorized to elect from its number a president and treasurer. It is also empowered to examine all text books on the subject of physiology and hygiene offered for use in the public schools of the state, and approve such as comply with the law relative to instruction, nature and effects of alcoholic drinks and narcotics; to conduct public examinations from which may be granted state life certificates, and to grant teachers' certificates to persons graduating from the literary and pedagogical courses of denominational colleges and to provide for the care, maintenance and in- struction of blind babies and children under school age.
INSURANCE DEPARTMENT.
The commissioner of insurance is required to perform the duties in regard to insur- ance companies, associations and societies and the formation thereof, which, previous to 1871, were conferred by law upon the secretary of state. These duties involve examinations to ascertain, on the formation of a new company, if all the requirements of the act under which it seeks to become a corporation have been complied with, and it is his duty to make frequent examinations into their condition, and in case of an insolvent concern to apply to the proper court for the appointment of a receiver and the winding up of its affairs.
Insurance companies of other states and countries, desiring to do business in this state, must first file in the commissioner's office due proof of corporate existence, and in the form prescribed under the law of 1873, appoint an attorney, resident in the state, to receive service of process and also stipulate for the sufficiency of the service of process, if made on the commissioner or his deputy, and then make the showing of such financial condition as the law of this state requires. Companies of this and other states and countries doing business here, are required to make annual statements preliminary to the renewal of the yearly license, and from the statements so made are compiled the tables and made up the abstracts which compose the chief part of the annual reports issued by the commissioner. The powers which a state must necessarily exercise in the case of corporations coming from without the state to do an insurance business within it are intrusted to the commissioner, who may demand information, access to books and the correction of papers, and may deny a renewal of or revoke a certificate of au -- thority, subject, however, to a review of his action by the supreme court in case it shall be arbitrary or unauthorized by law.
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The commissioner may appoint a first and second deputy and may employ a chief clerk, a chief examiner, an assistant actuary, two assistant examiners and special examiners when necessary to discharge such duties as he may assign and such other additional or extra clerks as in his discretion the work of the office may require. It is the business of this office to make valuations yearly of the policies of life insurance companies and to investigate and prosecute offenders who act within the state for out- side corporations not duly admitted and authorized to do business here. The commis- sioner is ex-officio state fire marshal and appoints an assistant fire marshal. The duties of the state fire marshal are to prevent fire waste; to make regulations for the keeping, manufacture and sale of inflammable materials, etc .; and to inspect buildings, and may order dangerous conditions remedied.
The commissioner of insurance is also, by law, designated as the official to administer what is known as the state accident fund-a mutual organization of employers carrying their workmen's compensation insurance in this fund. The state has no financial interest in the fund, and the commissioner merely, under the law, administers it for the subscribers.
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR.
The commissioner of labor is appointed under the provisions of Act No. 285 of the public acts of 1909. He holds his office for two years by appointment of the governor by and with the advice and consent of the senate, and until his successor is appointed and qualified.
The commissioner shall appoint a deputy, and may appoint such deputy factory inspectors and assistants from time to time as shall be necessary for the transaction of the business of his office.
It is the duty of the department to collect, systematize, print and present to the governor, in an annual report, all statistical details relating to all departments of labor in this state, including the penal institutions, and particularly concerning the hours of labor, the number of employes and sex thereof, the daily wages earned and savings, the number and character of accidents, the conditions of all manufacturing establish- ments, hotels, stores and workshops where labor is employed, and other matter relating to the industrial, social, educational, moral and sanitary conditions of the laboring classes and the productive industries of the state.
The commissioner of labor is the chief factory inspector, and is also charged with the inspection of coal mines. He is also empowered to organize, establish and control free employment bureaus, subject to the regulations made by statute.
The chief factory inspector may order all stationary steam boilers equipped with low water alarms.
The commissioner of labor is also charged with the inspection of steam vessels, or other vessels operated by machinery, engaged in carrying passengers for hire, directly or indirectly, except vessels which are subject to inspection under the laws of the United States, and for this purpose may employ an inspector who has had experience as the licensed master or engineer on steam vessels.
STATE BANKING DEPARTMENT.
The commissioner is appointed under the provisions of Act No. 205, public acts of 1887. He is appointed by the governor, by and with the advice and consent of the senate, and holds his office for the term of four years. He may appoint a deputy, who shall possess the powers and perform the duties attached by law to the office of the commissioner during a vacancy in such office, and during the absence or inability of his principal. He may also employ from time to time such clerks and examiners to assist him and his deputy in the discharge of the several duties imposed upon him as he shall deem necessary.
It is the duty of the commissioner to supervise the business of banks and trust com- panies incorporated under the state law, to examine two or more times each year the cash, bills, collaterals or securities, books of account, condition and affairs of each bank
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under the law, and also when requested by the board of directors of any bank. He shall also ascertain whether the bank transacts its business in the place designated in the articles of incorporation, and whether its business is conducted in the manner prescribed by law. He is by virtue of his office, a member of the Michigan securities commission created by Act No. 46, P. A. 1915.
LIBRARY DEPARTMENT.
STATE LIBRARIAN.
The librarian is appointed by the governor, by and with the advice and consent of the senate, for a term of four years. The librarian has the custody and charge of the library and the affairs pertaining thereto; makes a biennial report to the legislature, at the commencement of each regular session thereof, as to the condition and the number and description of the volumes contained in the library; enforces the rules and regula- tions; prepares and publishes a biennial supplement to the catalog of books in the library; is required to prepare or cause to be prepared a manuscript card catalog of all the books and pamphlets in the library; has charge of the exchanging with other libraries, societies and institutions, the judicial decisions, statutes, journals and other books placed in the library for that purpose; may sell or exchange duplicate volumes or sets of works not needed for use in the library, and apply the proceeds to the purchase of other books for the library. The librarian has charge of the traveling and associate library system in the state, and is at the head of the department of registration of granges and women's clubs.
The librarian is authorized to expend the money appropriated by the legislature for the purchase of books for the library, with the advice and consent of the governor; has the exchange and distribution of Michigan supreme court reports; and is ex-officio a member of the board of state library commissioners. The legislative reference and information department is under the supervision of the librarian. Before entering upon the duties of the office the librarian is required to give a bond of ten thousand dollars, with sureties to be approved by the secretary of state, and file the same with receipt for all property entrusted to the care of the librarian, in the office of the secretary of state.
ABSTRACT OF RULES OF STATE LIBRARY.
The Michigan state library is open every day except Sundays and legal holidays. During the sessions of the legislature and supreme court, from 8 o'clock a. m. to 9 p. m .; at other times from 8 a. m. to 12 m., and 1:30 p. m. to 5 p. m. On Saturdays to 4 p. m. The law library is open from 8 a. m. to 12 m., and from 1 p. m. to 5 p. m. from July 1 to September 10.
The library is one of reference, and under the traveling and associate library systems is a circulating one.
All persons are permitted to visit the library and consult and read the books and magazines.
Lawyers in attendance on the supreme court in the capitol will be permitted to take law books into the supreme court room.
Books from the circulating department of the library are loaned to the public.
Not more than two books can be taken by any person at one time.
Duplicate copies of laws and documents kept in the library for use of the members of the legislature can be borrowed by the members for use during the sessions.
Books must be returned within two weeks.
Books of reference, including law books, and books which are valuable for their rarity and antiquity, are kept from circulation.
No public officer or other person privileged to draw books has the right to extend the privilege to others, or draw books from the library for the purpose of loaning them to others.
Books lost or damaged must be replaced or paid for.
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Members and officers of the legislature must return all books to the library four days before adjournment.
Officers and clerks in the several state departments must return all books before leaving their positions as officers or employes of the state.
No person shall be allowed access to the library except in the presence of the librarian or assistants.
Smoking, loud talking or laughing, and all noises inappropriate to a quiet place of study, are strictly prohibited.
BOARD OF STATE AUDITORS.
The secretary of state, state treasurer and superintendent of public instruction con- stitute the board of state auditors, whose duties are both constitutional and statutory. The constitution authorizes them to adjust claims against the state not otherwise provided for by general law; by statute they are authorized to examine claims of various kinds; they are custodians of the state capitol and of other state property in Lansing not connected with any of the state institutions. The same officers also constitute the board of state canvassers, the state board of escheats and a board of fund commissioners.
HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT.
The state highway department was created by the legislature of 1905, public act No. 146. The department is in direct charge of the state highway commissioner, who is elected for a term of four years beginning July 1st.
The commissioner receives a salary of $3,500 per year and is charged with the giving of instruction in the art of building, improving and repairing public wagon roads and bridges, collecting reports from township and county highway commissioners, overseers of highways and superintendents and commissioners of streets in villages and cities, and distributes any state reward for which the legislature may provide, or any funds given to the state for such purpose by the United States government.
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