Pennsylvania Statutes Title 53 P.S. Municipal and Quasi-Municipal Corporations § 12462. First assistant;  bond and oath

(a) The city solicitor shall appoint, from the number of his assistants allowed by law or ordinance, one of said assistants as his first assistant, who shall, in the absence of the city solicitor from such city or when he shall be unable to perform the duties of his office through illness or other disability, be vested with all the duties, powers, and privileges given by law to the city solicitor.  Such first assistant city solicitor shall be removable at the pleasure of the city solicitor.

(b) Whenever the office of city solicitor shall become vacant by death, resignation, removal from office, or otherwise, such first assistant city solicitor shall discharge the duties imposed by law upon the city solicitor, until a new city solicitor is appointed and qualified:  Provided, That before assuming the duties of said office, he shall give bond as required of the city solicitor, and shall take the oath of office required of the city solicitor, and, until a new city solicitor is appointed and qualified, such first assistant city solicitor shall receive the salary provided by law or ordinance to be paid to the city solicitor.