Henry Billings Brown

“ By section 2026 it is made the duty of the chief supervisor to 'prepare and furnish all necessary books, forms, blanks, and instructions for the use and direction of the supervisors of election in the several cities and towns in their respective districts;' but section 2031, prescribing the fees of the chief supervisor, makes no mention of compensation for services of this description, although an allowance of 15 cents per folio is made for a copy 'of any paper on file' in his office. ”

“ If the government requires these affidavits for its own protection, it is no more than right and just that it should pay for them. We do not wish to be understood, however, as holding that in every case the expense of verifying the accounts of persons having claims against the government is properly chargeable against it, but for the reasons stated in support of the allowance of item 1 we think it should be allowed in this case. ”

“ In respect to these accounts the attorney general wrote to the marshal under date of November 13, 1888, as follows: 'In answer to your letter of the 6th inst., you are informed that commissioners' affidavits and badges of special deputy-marshals and of supervisors of election should be affixed to the payrolls as vouchers when forwarded to the treasury for settlement.' By the commissioner's affidavit is probably understood an affidavit sworn to before a commissioner. ”