The auditor general of this Commonwealth is hereby authorized and required to take all such legal measures as may be by him deemed expedient, to recover all moneys due to the Commonwealth from any and every person or persons or their sureties or legal representatives, as may be necessary, who shall or may appear upon a settlement of their accounts respectively, to be indebted to the Commonwealth, and for this purpose, and to enable him the better to enforce the collection of all or any such claims, he is hereby authorized to employ any attorney or counsel which he may deem necessary, who shall receive such compensation as may be reasonable and just, to be paid upon the settlement of the account of such attorney or counsel as in other cases.