The Text

A superintendent of public works shall be appointed by the Governor, by and with the advice and consent of the senate, and hold his office until the end of the term of the Governor by whom he was nominated, and until his successor is appointed and qualified. He shall receive a compensation to be fixed by law. He shall be required by law to give security for the faithful execution of his office before entering upon the duties thereof. He shall be charged with the execution of all laws relating to the repair and navigation of the canals, and also of those relating to the construction and improvement of the canals, except so far as the execution of the laws relating to such construction or improvement shall be confided to the State engineer and surveyor; subject to the control of the Legislature, he shall make the rules and regulations for the navigation or use of the canals. He may be suspended or removed from office by the Governor whenever, in his judgment, the public interest shall so require; but in case of the removal of such superintendent of public works from office, the Governor shall file with the secretary of State a Statement of the cause of such removal, and shall report such removal and the cause thereof to the Legislature at its next session. The superintendent of public works shall appoint not more than three assistant superintendents, whose duties shall be prescribed by him, subject to modification by the Legislature, and who shall receive for their services a compensation to be fixed by law. They shall hold their office for three years, subject to suspension or removal by the superintendent of public works, whenever, in his judgment, the public interest shall so require. Any vacancy in the office of any such assistant superintendent shall be filled, for the remainder of the term for which he was appointed, by the superintendent of public works; but in case of the suspension or removal of any such assistant superintendent by him, he shall at once report to the Governor, in writing, the cause of such removal. All other persons employed in the care and management of the canals, except collectors of tolls, and those in the department of the State engineer and surveyor, shall be appointed by the superintendent of public works, and be subject to suspension or removal by him. The superintendent of public works shall perform all the duties of the former canal commissioners and board of canal commissioners, as now declared by law, until otherwise provided by the Legislature. The Governor, by and with the advice and consent of the senate, shall have power to fill vacancies in the office of superintendent of public works; if the senate be not in session, he may grant commissions which shall expire at the end of the next succeeding session of the senate.