chief duty is to see that the laws of the State are carried out and obeyed.

The governor must have other officers to help him. These officers are elected or appointed according to the law of the State. The secretary of state keeps the official records of the State. He helps to carry out the election laws. The attorney general is the chief law officer of the State. He advises the governor and represents the State in the courts.

The State treasurer takes care of the money that comes to the State from taxes, licenses, and fees. He pays the public bills of the State. The State auditor examines all the bills of the State and the books of the public officers.

There are special officers who carry out the labor laws. Other officers have control over companies that offer services to the public. Your own State has important boards and commissions. You will want to learn something of their work.

THE JUDICIAL BRANCH OF THE STATE GOVERNMENT

Each State has a system of law courts. It is called the State judiciary. The courts help to explain the State laws. They also help to punish those who are proved guilty of crimes.

The State courts have authority over two general classes of cases-civil and criminal. We have learned that every person has certain rights. If another person does not respect these rights, he can be sued in court by the persons whose rights are not respected. In such a case between private persons, where the wrong does not affect the general public, the court case is called a "civil suit." If a person breaks a law that protects the people, it is a crime. The State may punish him. It brings a "criminal action" against him and he is tried for the crime. If he is found to be guilty he may be punished.

The State has a large number of courts in which cases are brought and tried for the first time. There are other courts that examine the decisions of the lower courts.

They decide whether the cases were decided properly by the lower courts. Also, there are special courts that hear special matters, such as children's courts and orphans' courts. You will want to study the constitution and laws of your State and learn about the State courts. How are the judges selected? How many courts do you have?

WE MUST WORK WITH THE STATE

The State touches the life of the people every day in some way. It cannot do its work well without the help of the people. The people can help by obeying the laws and by paying their taxes. They can suggest laws that they would like to see passed. They can let the State officers know when people break the laws. The work of your State is the work of the people who live there. Can you think of better ways in which the State could do its work?

THINGS TO DO

Some questions to ask and answer in your study group: 1. What things are done by your State to protect the health of the people? Can you think of other things that the State might do to improve the health of its citizens? 2. Tell the different ways in which your State protects the lives of the people. Why is it important to every citizen that doctors, lawyers, and nurses are forced to get a license from the State before they can carry on their work? 3. In what way is the organization of the State governments like the organization of the National Government?

4. What laws are passed by the State legislatures to protect the business men? The workers? Women and children?

5. What can the governor of your State do if the officers of some local government are not able to keep peace and order in the community? Name some of the other powers of the governor.

Complete each of the following:

1. The three branches of every State government are:

a.

b.

C.

2. Three of the important executive officials in m State are:

α.

b.

C.

3. The two houses of the State legislature are, in general called:

α. b.

4. Three ways by which the States may save thei natural riches for future use are:

a. b.

C.

Choose the word or group of words that will make each of the following a correct statement:

1. Each of the forty-eight States has a

a. lawmaking body of one house.

b. constitution.

c. President.

2. The general plan of each State government is set out in

a. the National Constitution.

b. the laws of the Congress.

c. the State constitution.

3. The legislative branch of the State government

a. makes the laws for the State.

b. tries cases in the courts.

c. explains the laws.

4. The State legislature, in general, is made up of—

a. two houses.

b. one house.

c. the governor and the department heads. 5. The system of courts in the State is calleda. the executive branch of the government. b. the State judiciary.

c. the Senate.

CHAPTER XVII

The Purpose and Organization of Local Governments

"Let us hold fast the great truth that communities are responsible [have duties] as well as individuals."

-Daniel Webster.

We may well ask, what do the local governments do for the people? What are their purposes? How are they organized? Where do they get the authority to carry on their work? We shall now answer these questions.

OUR GOVERNMENTS SERVE US EVERY DAY

We need a pure water supply. Perhaps the water is brought many miles for our use by a branch of our local government. We cook our meals with gas or electricity which is supplied by the local government or by a private company that is controlled by our local government. The public officers have tested the milk and food that we use in order to make certain that they are pure. We put our waste in cans and later it is taken away by persons hired by our city government. We ride to work on a bus, streetcar, or railroad that is owned or controlled by the public. If fire should break out in the building in which we work, there are firemen who stand ready to save our lives. These firemen are also hired by the local government.

Some officer of our local government helps us in some way in almost everything that we do. The general purpose of our local government is to provide the people with safe and better living conditions. Let us study this general purpose with more care.

OUR LOCAL GOVERNMENTS GUARD THE HEALTH OF THE PEOPLE

When large numbers of people live together in one place, it is necessary to guard their health. They need plenty