It shall be unlawful for any state, county, district, or municipal officer to appoint, employ, or retain as a deputy or assistant any person convicted of a felonious or infamous crime, unless such person has been pardoned or restored to political rights; and any public officer who shall knowingly violate the provisions of this section shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction shall be punished by fine of not less than one hundred dollars [($100)] nor more than five hundred dollars [($500)] and, in addition to such punishment, shall be removed from office in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.