The governor of the state of Kansas, is hereby authorized and empowered to employ special attorneys with the powers of assistant attorneys general and such other persons as may be deemed necessary, to fix and determine the compensations of all such persons, to make investigations and to secure evidence relative to violations of the liquor and other criminal laws of the state, and assist in the prosecution thereof, to cause to be made a complete and thorough investigation, in a way and manner and at such times as the governor may deem advisable concerning such violations; a record of the name and post-office address of each person so employed, and the nature and character of his or her employment to be kept by the governor; and each such special attorney so employed is hereby authorized and empowered, as is now provided by law, to summon witnesses, take testimony and perform all acts as may be deemed necessary and advisable in order that a complete and thorough investigation and prosecution may be made.