The secretary of state may appoint a deputy, and revoke such appointment at pleasure; and whenever the secretary of state shall, by reason of sickness, absence, or other cause, be disabled from executing the duties of his office, his deputy, duly appointed, shall execute the duties thereof until such disability be removed or until a secretary shall be appointed, and such deputy shall receive such salary as the secretary of state shall recommend, and as the legislature shall appropriate, payable monthly from the general fund in the state treasury, in the same manner that the salaries of other state officers are paid.