Page images
PDF
EPUB

Helps to Study of State Government

1. The State is one of the forty-eight parts which constitute the United States, and is organized with certain powers of selfgovernment.

2. Every State has a written constitution of its own, which is the highest law within that State, excepting, of course, the Constitution of the United States.

3. The State Government is divided into three branches the same as the Federal Government.

(a) Legislative

(b) Executive

(c) Judicial

LEGISLATIVE OR LAW MAKING BRANCH.

1. The legislative, or law making, branch for the State is called the State Legislature.

2. The State Legislature consists of a Senate and an Assembly.

3. The members of the Senate and of the Assembly are elected by the people, and their number is dependent upon the population, the State being divided into Senatorial and Assembly districts.

4. Senators are elected for two years, and Assemblymen for one year.

5. The Legislature meets at the capital city of the State.

6. The power of the State Legislature to make laws is absolute and unlimited, except as restrained by the Constitution of the State. The State Legislature cannot, however, enact any laws on those subjects which the Constitution of the United States expressly delegates to the Congress of the United States.

EXECUTIVE BRANCH.

1. The Governor is the Chief Executive of the State and is elected by the people thereof for a term of two years.

2. It is the Governor's duty to see that all laws are faithfully enforced.

3. Every bill which shall be passed by the Senate and Assembly must, before it becomes a law, be presented to the Governor. If he approves, he shall sign it; but if not, he shall return it with his objection to the house in which it originated. If after a reconsideration by both the Senate and the Assembly, two-thirds of the members of each house shall agree to pass the bill, it shall become a law notwithstanding the objections of the Governor.

4. The Governor is the Commander-in-Chief of the naval and military forces of the State.

He has power to convene the Legislature, or the Senate only, on extraordinary occasions.

He communicates by message to the Legislature at every session the condition of the State, and recommends such matters to it as he shall judge necessary.

He transacts all necessary business with the officers of government, civil and military.

He has power to grant pardons after convictions for all offenses, except treason and cases of impeachment.

5. The second highest officer in the State is the Lieutenant Governor, who presides over the Senate. In case of the im

peachment of the Governor, or his removal from office, death, inability to discharge the powers and duties of the said office, resignation, or absence from the State, the powers and duties of the office devolve upon the Lieutenant Governor. The Lieutenant Governor is elected at the same time and for the same term of office as the Governor,

6. The following is a list of some of the other State officials:

Attorney-General
Comptroller

Secretary of State
Treasurer

State Engineer and Surveyor

JUDICIAL BRANCH.

1. The judicial branch of the State Government comprises the various courts, which interpret and apply the law.

2. The highest court in the State is the Court of Appeals, which meets in Albany and consists of a Chief Justice and Associate Justices, who are elected for a term of fourteen years.

The Supreme Court for the State of New York, holds sessions in and for each of the various counties in the State. Supreme Court Justices are elected by the people for a term of fourteen years.

Helps to Study of County Government

(Note) It is recommended that the reader consult the Municipal Year Book of the City of New York, which may be purchased for 15 cents at the Municipal Reference Library, Municipal Building, Manhattan.

1. The County is one of the parts into which a State is divided for the purpose of local self-government.

2. New York State is composed of sixty-two counties.

3. There were nine original counties created November 1, 1683. The last county created is the Bronx-on November 5, 1912.

4. The sheriff is the chief executive officer of the county, and is elected by the voters thereof.

5. Other county officials are:

County Judges

District Attorney
County Clerk

County Register (in some counties)

Helps to Study of City Government

(Note) It is recommended that the reader consult the Municipal Year Book of the City of New York, which may be purchased for 15 cents at the Municipal Reference Library, Municipal Building, Manhattan.

1. The City of Greater New York is divided into five boroughs Manhattan, Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, Richmond.

2. The chief executive officer of the city is the Mayor.

3. The chief financial officer of the city is the Comptroller. 4. The Board of Aldermen is the local law making body, and its presiding officer is called the President of the Board of Alder

men.

5. The chief executive officer of each borough is the Borough President.

6. All of the above officers are elected by the people for a term of four years, except the Aldermen who are elected every two years.

7. The mayor is supported in the administration of the city's affairs by twenty-nine departments, some of which follow, the heads of which are appointed by him.

Building

Charities

Correction

Fire

Health

Parks

Police

Street Cleaning

Water Supply, Gas and Electricity.

« PreviousContinue »