ATTORNEYS-GENERAL.

The office of Attorney-General was created by the General Assembly of 1897. The incumbent is elected by the people, in the same manner as the other State officers, and must be an attorney-at-law of at least ten years' active practice at the bar of this State.

* Resigned to become a Judge of the Superior Court.

+ Appointed September 15, 1910, by Governor Weeks, to fill unexpired term of Marcus H. Holcomb. Elected for full term of four years in November, 1910.

REPORT OF THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL.

To His Excellency,

HARTFORD, CONN., January 8, 1913.

SIMEON E. BALDWIN, Governor.

SIR In accordance with the requirements of the statute, I herewith submit a report of the business transacted by this department during the years 1911 and 1912.

From the organization of the department down to the present time, the business of the office has more than doubled during each successive term. This is due largely to the growth of the State, the enactment of new laws, and the increasing practice of executive officers, commissioners, and State institutions, to seek advice from this department on all sorts of administrative affairs.

There is a marked tendency among officials to respect the law, and to make their actions square with its provisions. This wholesome respect for the law has been very largely inspired by the present Chief Executive of the State.

Very much of the work of the office is of a character which cannot be reported. A great deal of time is taken up in rendering verbal opinions to executive officers of the State and State institutions, and in discussing with them from day to day various questions which constantly arise in the performance of public business. During sessions of the General Assembly the AttorneyGeneral is called upon to give much time to committee hearings and consultations with members of the legislature on the legal aspect of matters and measures of a public nature.

Many communications are received from officials and individuals from other States requesting information concerning our laws and State business, and, as a rule, the information sought is furnished as promptly as possible. And requests are constantly coming to the office from individuals and local officials asking for the proper construction to be placed upon various statutes. These requests, doubtless, grow out of the general impression

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that the Attorney-General is in duty bound to advise any citizen of the State who may desire information. But, aside from the questions of general public interest, it has been the practice of the office to decline to give advice to such persons.

Considerable time has been given to the Tax Commissioner and the Treasurer in connection with the collection of the inheritance tax. It has been necessary from time to time to appear before Probate Courts and make arguments in favor of tax claims on behalf of the State. It has been a real pleasure to work with the Tax Commissioner and the Deputy Treasurer, because of the expert knowledge which they have acquired through long experience in the administration of the department of taxes.

The Attorney-General has been required to prepare charges and prosecute but one case before the Governor under Chapter 197 of the Public Acts of 1907, namely, that of the Commissioner on Domestic Animals. After a long and careful investigation and trial, the Governor found the Commissioner not guilty, and dismissed the charges.

The General Assembly of 1911 passed several laws affecting the duties of the Attorney-General.

Section 146 of the General Statutes, which defines his duties, was amended by Chapter 179 of the Public Acts of 1911, by inserting the words, "He shall advise and give his opinion to the head of any executive department, or any State board or commission, upon any question of law submitted to him." This amendment simply made the established practice of the office a legal requirement.

And under Chapter 257 of the Public Acts of 1911, he was authorized, when directed by the Governor, to institute legal proceedings in any court in any State, or of the United States, to prevent the diminution of flow of water from any other State into water courses of this State, where such diminution would, in the judgment of the Governor, be prejudicial to the interests of this State or its people, or to property interests in this State.

Section 5 of the Act establishing a Utilities Commission provides that, in his discretion, the Attorney-General may file a complaint before the Superior Court for the removal of any commissioner who shall be guilty of misconduct or material neglect of duty, incompetency in the conduct of his office, or active