Every land grant railroad company shall keep at some public office within this state the originals, or copies, of all books, papers, and records of every description relating to lands sold, contracted, encumbered, or owned by it, so as to show clearly all material matters connected with its grant and the management of its lands. Such books and papers shall be open to inspection by the commissioner of management and budget, the commissioner of transportation, or any agent appointed by the governor for that purpose. Every such corporation failing to comply with the provisions of this section and section 222.33 shall forfeit to the state $500 for each month it shall fail to maintain the offices specified therein or either of them. Proceedings to recover such forfeiture shall be prosecuted by the attorney general in the name of the state.