356

STATE OF MARYLAND.

CHAP. 267.

report in writing to the Board of Public Works of the result
of his examinations of the books and accounts of the officer so
examined by him. It shall be his duty in such annual reports
to make suggestions as to changes in the conduct of such offices
and in the method of keeping the books and accounts in the
offices examined by him, and also as to changes in the form of
the reports made by said officers to the Comptroller. It shall
also be the duty of the said State Auditor to report all viola-
tions of the law in the conduct of such offices and in the
keeping of the books and accounts of the officers examined by
him to the Board of Public Works, and to make such sugges-
tions as to amendments of the laws of the State as he may
deem advisable to protect the interests of the State. If the
suggestions of the State Auditor as to the changes in the con-
duct of such offices or in the method of keeping the
books and accounts of any office, or as to the form of the
report to the Comptroller, are approved by the Board of
Public Works, such board shall forthwith pass an order
directing all officers accounting to the Comptroller to adopt
and follow such method of conducting their offices, or of keep-
ing their books and accounts, or making such form as report,
as the case may be. And in case it shall appear from the
report of the State Auditor that any officer whose accounts

Action to be
brought
against
officer and
his bond.

shall have been examined by him is in default to the State for
any sum or sums of money, it shall be the duty of the Board
of Public Works forthwith to direct the State's Attorney of
the county or of Baltimore city, to bring action in the name
of the State against such officer and his bond, if any, to
recover said money so due to the State as aforesaid ; or the
Board of Public Works may, in their discretion, direct such
suit to be brought by the Attorney General of the State.

Books
and accounts
to be
produced.

219. The State Auditor is hereby authorized and empowered
to require the production before him of the books and accounts
of the said officers and to examine upon oath any officer whose
office he is hereby authorized to examine touching the affairs
thereof, or to examine upon oath any other person as a wit-
ness who he may be advised has important information in
regard to the conduct of such office. He shall have authority
to issue process compelling such witness to attend before him,
which shall be directed to the sheriff of the county or Balti-
more city, where such witness resides, and it shall be the duty
of such sheriff to serve such process promptly, and the cost of
the same shall be paid by the State. Any such officers who
shall refuse to allow an examination of all the books and
accounts of their offices, and any witness duly served with
process as aforesaid, who shall refuse or neglect to appear