Whoever makes an appointment to office, or selects a person for employment contrary to the provisions of the rules and regulations as adopted under the authority of this act, or wilfully refuses or neglects otherwise to comply with or conform to any of the provisions of this act, or violates any of such provisions, shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor. Misdemeanors under the provisions of this act shall be punishable by a fine of not less $100.00 nor more than $1,000.00, or by imprisonment in a state prison for a term not exceeding 2 years, or by both fine and imprisonment in the discretion of the court.