CHAP. 18.—HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION to make it the duty of the attorney-
general to procure copies of the official bonds of treasurers and clerks of courts
and other papers, and ascertain if they contain inaccuracies or defects, and to
take action to protect the commonwealth if such defects or inaccuracies exist,
and to prescribe a penalty for the failure or refusal of any clerk to furnish
information to the attorney-general when called upon.

Approved December 22, 1897.

Whereas judgments have been rendered against the commonwealth of
Virginia in suits, motions and actions brought by her against defaulting
officers and their sureties on official bonds because of defects and tech-
nical inaccuracies in taking and executing said bonds;

And whereas such defects and technical inaccuracies may exist in
other official bonds on which lability to the commonwealth may arise:

Resolved (the senate concurring), That it shall be the duty of the
attorney-general to procure at once copies of the official bonds of all
county and city treasurers and clerks of courts, together with all orders
of court, powers of attorney, and all other papers connected with the
taking or executing said bonds, examine the same, and if any such
defects or inaccuracies be found to exist, he shall take such immediate
action as may be necessary to protect the interest of the commonwealth.

2. And it shall be the duty of the attorney-general to report his action
under this resolution to the present session of the general assembly, and
if any clerk of any court fail or refuse to furnish such information to
the attorney-general when called upon by him such clerk shall be sub-
ject to a fine of not less than fifty dollars nor more than five hundred
dollars.

3. This resolution shall take effect from its passage.