Besides these numerous official duties, our State Governors are usually overwhelmed with social duties. They are constantly called upon to deliver lectures and addresses, to participate in the dedication of public buildings, to entertain prominent Federal officials and officials from other States who visit the capital, and they usually make it a point to attend the funerals of noted men in the State. It has sometimes been said that in the performance of these unofficial duties our Governors have scarcely found time to attend to the duties of their office as prescribed by law.
Other Executive Officers.The executive department is represented by other officers than the Governor. Probably the weakest feature of our State government is the lack of responsibility on the part of the leading executive officers to the chief executive; for the Governor cannot compel negligent officials to do their duty nor prevent one department from trying to secure legislation to the detriment of another. The principal executive officers are the Secretary of State, the Auditor of State, and the Treasurer of State, being named in the Constitution and elected by the people. The people also elect a Superintendent of Public Instruction.
The Secretary of State is head of the department of State. He countersigns all commissions and proclamations issued by the Governor and keeps a record of the same. He prepares the laws for publication. He must keep and preserve the original laws and resolutions of the Legislature, the original and authentic copies of the Constitution of Iowa
