Chap. 265.—An ACT to require quarterly reports to bé made to the
Governor by the heads of departments and other state agencies.

Approved February 27, 1886.

Whereas, the governor is vested with the executive power
of the commonwealth, and the constitution provides that ‘‘he
shall take care that the laws be faithfully executed’’; and
whereas, in order to perfectly exercise the power given, and to
discharge the duty and responsibility imposed by the constitu-
tion, it is necessary that the governor should have at his com-
mand the requisite means for the attainment of an intelligent
comprehension of the executive administration: therefore,

1. Be it enacted by the general assembly of Virginia, That
the governor shall require, and it shall be the duty of the sev-
eral heads of department, to-wit: the auditor of public accounts,
the second auditor, the treasurer of the commonwealth, the
secretary of the commonwealth, the superintendent of public
instruction, the superintendent of public printing, the superin-
tendent of the penitentiary, also, the board of commissioners
of the sinking fund, the board of public works, the several
boards of directors of the respective asylums for the insane, the
boards of visitors of the respective literary institutions receiv-
ing state aid; also, all other agencies of the state entrusted with
the collection or disbursement of public money, from whom the
governor may see proper to require reports—to make stated
reports to the governor at the end of every three months, and
special reports whenever called upon by the governor to do so,
of the transactions in the offices of said heads of department,
or performed respectively by any of said state agencies. The
said reports shall be in writing, sworn to by the head of the
department or other official making the same, and shall be in
such form, and definite and particular, to the extent that the
governor shall order and require.

2. The reports so made shall be filed in the office of the sec-
retary of the commonwealth, and under his supervision shall
be summarized and recorded in proper books kept for the pur-
pose. The record of such summary shall be detailed and par-
ticular to the extent required by the governor.

3. Whenever the governor may deem it necessary and pro-
per, he shall require the head of a department, or any of the
said state agencies, to appear before him, and require the pro-
duction of records, vouchers and other papers.
' 4. This act shall be in force from its passage.