The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-10-23
AN ACr
No. ss7)

AN ACT
 No. 237) tH. S6S. Smith of Crenshaw To require the accurate Keeping and safe preservation of all books, papers and documents of public officers and servants, and to provide the punish ment for failure to comply with the terms of this act.
 Be it enacted by the legislature of Ala bama:
 Section 1. That it is hereby made the duty of all public officers and servants
 to correctly make and accurately keep in and for their respective offices, or places of business, all of such books.
 or sets of books. documents, files, pa pers. letters and copies of letters, as at all times to afford full and detailed information in reference to the activi- ties or business required to be done or carried on by such officer or servant, and from which the actual status and condition of such activities and business can be ascertained without extraneous information; and all of the books, docu- ments, files, papers. letters and copies of letters so made and kept shall be carefully protected and safely pre- served, and guarded from mutilation. loss or destruction.
 Sec. 2. That the books. documents and files shall be uniform in size and gen
 eral style of makeup and binding throughout the several state offices and departments. and in their manufacture the best grades of paper, inks and bind ing shall be employed; and only papers, inks typewriter ribbons. carbon papers and ink pads of a permanent and nom destructible character shall be used in any of such offices or departments. In contracting for the record books, letter heads or other writing papers, follow sheets. inks, typewriter ribbons. car bon papers and stamp pads, the secre- tary of state or other officer officers or agents charged with the selection or purchase thereof. are hereby directed to require substantial uniformity as above provided, and to select only such books or other materials as conform to the requirements herein specified, to the end that all state. county and institu- tional records may be lasting and per manent.
 Sec. 8. That it is hereby made the duty of all public officers and servants of the state whenever any book, paper or document pertaining to the affairs, business or transactions of their of flee, has ceased to be current to de- liver the same together with list of such books. papers and documents to the director of the department of archives and history. receiving in re- turn therefor a receipt from such di- rector. which shall also contain a list of such books. papers and documents; and that all such books, papers and doc uments of officers and servants of coun- ties and cities shall be, when they cease to be current. in like manner delivered to the probate judge of such county, and to the mayor, president of the city commission or other executive officer of the city, and in like manner. such officers to whom such books papers and documents are delivered shall give his receipt therefor.
 Sec. 4. That all public officers and servants of this state are hereby re- quired to turn over to their successor in office, together with a list thereof, all current books, papers and docu- ments pertaining to the business af- fairs or transactions of their office, taking receipt therefor. which said re- ceipt shall also contain a list of all such books. papers and documents.