Section 1. Be it enacted, &c., That no sheriff, receiver, trustee, assignee, master, or other officer shall sell the property or franchises of any corporation, limited partnership, or joint-stock association without first filing with the Auditor General a statement containing the following information:--
First. Name or names of the plaintiff or party at whose instance, or upon whose account, the sale is made.
Second. The name of the corporation, limited partnership, or joint-stock association whose property or franchise is to be sold.
Third. The time and place of sale.
Fourth. The nature of the property to be sold, and the location of the same.
It shall be the duty of the Auditor General, after receiving a notice as aforesaid, to furnish to the sheriff, receiver, trustee, assignee, master, or other officer having charge of the sale, a certified copy or copies of all tax, bonus, or other public accounts settlements, on file in his department as liens against such corporation, limited partnership, or joint-stock association, and, in the case of no liens, a certificate showing that fact, which certified copy, copies, or certificate, shall be publicly read by such officer at and immediately before the sale of the property or franchises of such corporation, limited partnership, or joint-stock association. For the services performed in accordance with the provisions hereof the officer having charge of the sale shall receive the sum of three dollars ($3.00), to be taxed and paid as part of the costs of sale.