116 So. 239 | Fla. | 1928
An alternative writ of mandamus issued by the Circuit Judge in substance alleges that Indian River County was created by Chapter 10148, Acts of 1925; that relator was on July 1, 1925, appointed and commissioned by the Governor as Sheriff of Indian River County to serve till the next ensuing general election and until his successor be elected and qualified; that relator was at the general election in November, 1926, elected sheriff of said county and by inadvertence relator was commissioned to serve as such sheriff until the first Tuesday after the first Monday in January, 1929; that the official bond of relator will expire in January, 1929, at the expiration of the commission under which relator is now serving as such sheriff; that relator has been advised that upon the execution and due approval of a new bond, a new commission will be issued to relator to serve as sheriff of said county, under his election in November, 1926, for the term of four years, which term will expire on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in January, 1931; that relator avers that by virtue of his election in 1926, he is entitled to a commission for a term of four years ending on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in January, 1931; that the relator has tendered a duly executed bond to the respondents as county commissioners, and they have refused to approve the said official bond because they aver the relator was elected in 1926 for two years and not for four years. The respondents in effect admitted the allegations of the alternative writ and asked to be dismissed from the cause on the ground that it is not their duty to approve a bond for a term extending to January, 1931. The court dismissed the alternative writ, and the relator took writ of error. *528
The Constitution provides that "the first election for County Judge, Clerk of the Circuit Court, Sheriffs, Tax Assessor, Tax Collector * * * County Superintendent of Public Instruction, County Surveyor, Justices of the Peace, constables and all other elective county officers shall be at the general election in 1888," Section 10, Article XVIII; and that "the terms of office of all county officers, unless otherwise provided, shall commence on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in January next after their election." Sec. 14, Art. XVIII.
In an advisory opinion to the Governor,
In the advisory opinion to the Governor,
Affirmed.
TERRELL AND BUFORD, J. J., concur.
ELLIS, C. J., AND STRUM AND BROWN, J. J., concur in the opinion and judgment.