§ 10. Compromise of old judgments and debts. The attorney-general and comptroller, or either of them, may acknowledge satisfaction of a judgment in favor of the people of the state when the same is settled or discharged. The comptroller, with the approval of the attorney-general, may compromise, settle, release and discharge any judgment or contract debt not in judgment in favor of the state, after the lapse of ten years since the recovery of the judgment, or since the debt became due, on such terms as the comptroller and attorney-general deem for the best interest of the state.