Same; answer day; service and return of process; costs

The summons provided for in section 2*, shall be directed to the secretary of state, and shall require the defendant to answer by a certain day, not less than forty days nor more than sixty days from its date. It shall be forthwith forwarded by the clerk of the court to the secretary of state, who shall immediately forward a copy thereof to the mayor or chief officer of the municipal corporation sued; and thereupon the secretary of state shall make return of said summons to the court whence it is issued, showing the date of its receipt by him, the date of forwarding such copy, the name and address of the person to whom he forwarded the copy, and the costs for service and return thereof, which shall be two dollars and fifty cents in each case. The return under the hand and seal of the secretary of state shall have the same force and effect as a due and sufficient return of personal service made by a sheriff on process directed to him.