ARCHIVIST OF THE HALL OF RECORDS 53

of such indexing of the records resulting from
the current volume of business of his office. The
total cost of the work of indexing said records as
aforesaid, and the cost of the necessary books,
racks, shelves, supplies, and equipment therefor,
and the additions thereto made necessary from
time to time by the current business of his office,
shall be paid out of the excess fees of the office of
the said Clerk of the Court."

It is our opinion that the statute expresses the will of
the Legislature to be that you install a modern index
system provided you have the approval of the Cir-
cuit Court for Cecil County. Since the Court has
passed an Order, directing you to carry out the re-
quirements as set out in the statute by the Legislature,
we do not think that you are required to secure the
approval of the Comptroller's office before making
immediate expenditure. We believe that you should
comply with the Court Order at your earliest conven-
ience. This is one case where the Legislature has seen
fit to direct an expenditure and certainly the Comp-
troller is not in a position to veto the legislative will.

Very truly yours,

STEDMAN PRESCOTT, JR.
Deputy Attorney General
SP:Amr