Historical Sketch.- On June 19, 1812, the Governor of the State approved an act entitled "An Act for the Establishment of Common Schools." This act is the law which is regarded as the permanent foundation of the school system of the State. It provided for a state supervisory school officer to be known as "Superintendent of Common Schools." This was the first provision made by any state in the Union for a state supervisory school officer charged with the general administration of a state school system.

Gideon Hawley of the City of Albany was chosen by the Council of Appointment to fill this office on January 14, 1813, and served in such capacity until February 22, 1821. Superintendent Hawley during the eight years he served the State as its common school superintendent built an enduring foundation upon which the present school system of the State was established. On February 22, 1821, he was removed from office by the appointment of another person to succeed him through action of the Council of Appointment. The reason for his removal was purely political. The action of the Council of Appointment in removing the chief educational officer of the State for a purely political reason, even in that early period, caused such general indignation throughout the State and was so resented by the people that within less than two months from the date of such action the Legislature abolished the office, and the powers and duties of such office were conferred upon the Secretary of State.

The Secretary of State served ex-officio as superintendent of common schools from April 3, 1821, until April 8, 1854, when the first State Superintendent of Public Instruction assumed the duties. of his office. Chapter 97 of the Laws of 1854 created such office. The office of State Superintendent of Public Instruction was continued until April 1, 1904, when the Unification Act went into

effect. Under the provisions of that act, the office of Co of Education was created and the first Commissioner a duties of his office April 1, 1904. On July 2, 1913, by the Regents of the University, the office of Preside University and Commissioner of Education was created

It will thus be observed that the administration of pu work has been under the direction of four State supervis officers, as follows:

From January 14, 1813, to February 22, 1821, the Supe of Common Schools;

From February 22, 1821, to April 8, 1854, the Secretary who was ex-officio Superintendent of Common Schools; From April 8, 1854, to April 1, 1904, the State Superint Public Instruction;

From April 1, 1904, to July 2, 1913, the Commissioner cation;

Since July 2, 1913, the President of the University and Isioner of Education.

Mode of Election.- Under the law of 1904 the first sioner of Education was elected by joint ballot of the sen assembly. The provisions of that act have now been incor in the Education Law and under this law any vacancy in t of Commissioner of Education must be filled by appointm the Board of Regents.

Term of Office.- The term of office of the first Commi of Education was six years. Since the expiration of the f years, or since April 1, 1910, the term of office of the Commi of Education has not been a fixed period, but such commi now serves during the pleasure of the Board of Regents.

Eligibility. The public officers' law of this State pr that all State officers shall be at least twenty-one years of citizen of the United States, and a resident of the State. Education law modifies the public officers' law by providing such Commissioner of Education may or may not be a reside the State.

Removal. The Commissioner of Education may be rem at any time by the Board of Regents for cause.

Salary. The salary of the Commissioner of Education been $10,000 per year since 1911. It was fixed at this amour

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the appropriation bill of 1910 and also by actions by the Board of Regents.

Powers and Duties.— The powers and duties of the Commissioner of Education are so numerous that it is not practicable to consider them, except in a general way. For the specific duties of the commissioner in relation to any branch of work the chapter on such work should be consulted. The duties of the commissioner are executive and judicial. His more important powers and duties. are as follows:

Chief Executive Officer. He is the chief executive officer of the State system of education and is required to enforce all the general and special laws relating to the educational system of the State and to execute all educational policies determined upon by the Board of Regents.

General Supervision. He has general supervision over all the public schools, normal schools, industrial schools, training schools, teachers' training classes, and libraries in the State.

Indian Education. He is charged with the duty of providing for the education of the Indian children in the State, and is directed to apportion an equitable amount of public money to Indian schools.

Deaf and Dumb and Blind Institutions.— He also has supervision over all institutions in the State for the instruction of the deaf and dumb and blind, and is required to report annually to the State Legislature in relation thereto. He also appoints State pupils qualified under the law to all these institutions excepting the Institution for the Blind in Batavia.

Trustee, etc.- He is ex-officio a trustee of Cornell University, and upon the results of competitive examinations appoints annually 150 State scholars to that institution, who are entitled to free tuition. He also annually appoints 750 State scholars in the several colleges and universities in the State, and awards the scholarships. recently provided for soldiers, sailors and marines. (See L. 1919, ch. 606.)

Visual Instruction. He is authorized to collect material and make all necessary arrangements and contracts to provide instruction by means of pictorial or graphic representation in geography, history, science or kindred subjects. This instruction may be given in the schools, institutions and organizations under the supervision of the Regents. This material may also be loaned to artisans, mechanics and other citizens of the several communities of the State.

Inspection of Schools. He shall cause all schools and institu

tions under the statutes relating to education to be exa inspected and to advise and guide all school officers in their duties and the management of such institutions. inspectors is employed for this purpose.

Annual Reports. He is to prepare an annual report w be submitted over the signatures of the chancellor of the U and the Commissioner of Education to the State Legislatu ing the condition of the common schools in the State a other schools and institutions under their supervision and s their visitation, and to include in such report those reco tions upon school work, which in their opinion, will pro advancement of public education.

Supervision of Examination and Certification of Teache is to prescribe the regulations under which district superin may issue teachers' certificates; to issue life State certific those who have passed the examination required by law; college graduates' certificates to those who meet the requi for such certificates; to issue such other certificates as th require; to endorse under such regulations as he may adop certificates and normal-school diplomas issued in other State. to issue temporary licenses for a period not to exceed one y any supervisory district or city or any school district in the St

Revocation of Certificates.- For sufficient cause, he may any State normal-school diploma, State certificate, college-grad certificate, school commissioners' certificate or other cert issued in this State. He may also revoke his indorsement o normal-school diploma or State certificate issued in another St

Prepare List of Normal Graduates. He is required unde to keep in his office an alphabetical list of all persons who re normal-school diplomas from the normal schools of the State Remove School Officers.-- He may, for valid reasons, re from office any district superintendent, member of a board of cation, or other school officer. He may also withhold the salar a district superintendent and may remit it at his pleasure.

Administer Affidavits.- He may take affidavits and admini oaths in any matter relative to school affairs.

Prepare Registers, Blanks, etc.- He is charged with the duty preparing such registers, blanks, forms, regulations, etc., as may needed in transacting all business relating to the public-sch

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Enforcement of Compulsory Education Law.— He is also charged with the duty of enforcing the provisions of the compulsory education law.

Physical Education. He is charged with the duty of supervising the enforcement of the physical education law.

Arbor Day. He has authority to provide for the proper observance of Arbor Day and Flag Day by the public schools of the State and is required to designate Arbor Day by proclamation.

Apportionment of School Moneys.- He must apportion as directed by law the State school moneys, and may withhold for just cause part or all of the money due any school district, town, or city in the State.

Decide Appeals.— He must hear and decide all cases of appeal, when properly brought before him by aggrieved parties, from the action of school officers or school meetings.

Issue Stays, Orders, etc.- He may, upon application in due form, issue an order restraining school officers from performing any of the duties conferred upon them. He may also issue orders directing school officers to perform any of their duties which they may have refused to perform.

School Libraries. He has general supervision of all the school district libraries in the State, and approves the books which are purchased with public money to be placed in such libraries. He also apportions library money to school districts as directed by law and prescribes regulations under which the books of school libraries may be loaned.

Hold Property in Trust.- He may hold in trust for the benefit of the common schools of the State, or for the schools of any portion of the State, real or personal estate which may be granted in any manner for such purpose. He also has supervision of any trust fund held by trustees for school purposes, and must require them to report regarding its condition and income at such times and. in such form as he deems advisable. (Article 19.)

Normal Schools.— He appoints members of local boards of nɔrmal schools, appoints pupils to such schools and determines the requirements for admission. He determines the number of teachers to be employed in such schools, and approves their appointment and the amount of their salary. He is also authorized to establish courses of instruction for the preparation of teachers to instruct illiterate minors. (See L. 1918, ch. 412.)

May Appoint Teachers and Open Schools in a City or School District.— When the local authorities of any city or school district