If the sheriff shall levy an execution, attachment, or writ of seizure for the purchase-money on any personal property, and a doubt shall arise whether the right to the property be in the defendant or not, the sheriff may demand of the plaintiff a bond with sufficient sureties, payable to the officer, in a penalty equal to double the value of the property, conditioned that the obligors therein will indemnify and save harmless the officer against all damages which he may sustain in consequence of the seizure or sale of the property, and will pay to and satisfy any person claiming title to the property all damages which such person may sustain in consequence of the seizure or sale. If such bond be not given on or before the day of the sale or the return day of the attachment, the sheriff shall be justified in releasing the levy and delivering the property to the party from whose possession it was taken; but the plaintiff or his agent or attorney shall have reasonable notice, in writing, before the day of sale or return day of the writ, that the bond is required.

However, in instances where a warrant is issued by the Chairman of the State Tax Commission, as the commissioner, under the authority of any statute by which such commissioner is authorized to issue such warrants, and where the officer to whom such warrant is directed shall demand of the commissioner an indemnifying bond under the circumstances and conditions hereinbefore provided, the commissioner is hereby authorized to execute such indemnifying bond demanded and pay all obligations which may accrue by reason of the execution of such bond out of the funds appropriated by the Legislature to defray the expenses of the State Tax Commission.