The Text

The governor shall nominate, and with the consent of the Senate, appoint a superintendent of public works, who shall hold office for five years, and whose salary shall be determined by law. He shall be required by law to give security for the faithful execution of his office before entering on the duties thereof. He shall be charged with the execution of all laws relating to the construction, repair and navigation of the canals, and of any improvement thereof which may be authorized by law ; and, subject to the control of the Legislature, he shall make the rules and regulations for the navigation or use of the canals, feeders and structures connected therewith. He may be suspended from office and removed by the governor, for incompetency, neglect of duty, or malfeasance in office ; but no such removal shall be made unless he shall have been served with a copy of the charges against him, and shall have had an opportunity of being heard in his defense. In case of a vacancy in the office of the superintendent of public works, or of his suspension, removal, or inability to serve, from any cause, during the recess of the Senate, one of the assistant superintendents of public works, to be designated by the commissioners of the canal fund, shall act in his stead, but not for a period beyond the end of the session of the Senate next after such vacancy, suspension, removal or inability. The governor, upon the recommendation of the superintendent of public works, may nominate, and with the consent of the Senate, appoint four assistant superintendents of public works, who shall hold their office for five years, at an annual salary to be determined by law. The assistant superintendents shall be subject to the control of the superintendent, and may be removed by him for cause; all other officers, except financial, and all persons employed in the care and management of the canals, shall be appointed by the superintendent, subject to be removed by him.