Before any statistical or other general information is published in any official publication at state expense, the manuscript therefor shall be submitted to the secretary of state for his examination, and if he considers the same suitable material for publication in the official manual, he may prohibit the publication thereof in any other publication, or public document. If he considers the manuscript not suitable material for publication in the official manual, he shall stamp or endorse thereon, over his signature and the date of the endorsement “not suitable material for publication in the official manual” and thereafter, if there is no other legal objection thereto, and if the manuscript is not a duplication of any part of the official manual or any other official report or document, authorized to be printed at state expense, it may, if authorized by law, be printed in any official report or document published by the officer submitting same to the secretary of state for his approval or rejection.