Case Name: State, ex rel. Benjamin Axleroad, v. Fred P. Cone, as Governor
Court: Florida Supreme Court
Jurisdiction: Florida
Decision Date: 1939-02-10
Citations: 137 Fla. 496
Docket Number: 
Parties: State, ex rel. Benjamin Axleroad, v. Fred P. Cone, as Governor
Judges: Terrell, C. J., and Whitfield, Brown, Buford, Chapman, and Thomas, J. J., concur.
Reporter: Florida Reports
Volume: 137
Pages: 496–498

Head Matter:
State, ex rel. Benjamin Axleroad, v. Fred P. Cone, as Governor
188 So. 93.
Division A.
Opinion Filed February 10, 1939.
Rehearing Denied May 1, 1939.
Benjamin Axleroad and C. N. Ashmore, for Petitioner;
No Appearance Contra

Opinion:
Per Curiam.
This cause is before us on petition for
alternative writ of mandamus' to coerce the Governor of Florida to countersign a warrant drawn by the Comptroller on the State Treasurer to pay to the relator the salary due him by the State of Florida under the provisions of Chapter 13887, Acts of 1929, as amended by Chapter 16997, Acts of 1935, in the sum of $1770.80.
The validity of relator's claim was tested in mandamus proceedings in this Court, see State, ex rel. Axleroad v. Lee, 132 Fla. 512, 181 Sou. 9, and the Comptroller, as respondent therein, was ordered to draw his warrant, or warrants, for the amount due the relator at the date of institution of that suit.
The Comptroller complied with that order and drew and signed four warrants on the State Treasurer for the sum of $208.33 each and one warrant for $104.16, and presented the same to the Governor to be countersigned under the provision of Section 24, Article IV of the State Constitution. Sec. 135 R. G. S., 165 C. G. L.
The Governor declined to countersign the warrants and this petition in mandamus was filed in this Court.
The validity to the petitioner's claim, at least to the amount for which the Comptroller was required to draw his warrants and in the amount for which he has' drawn his warrants in compliance with the judgment, supra, has been finally and affirmatively adjudicated.
The Judiciary is without power to direct or coerce the Governor in the exercise of any administrative function. See State v. Drew, 17 Fla. 67.
The Supreme Court may only advise the Governor concerning his duty in regard to his executive powers and duties when requested by him so to do under the provisions of Section 13, Article IV of the Constitution.
So the petition for alternative writ of mandamus must be denied.
So ordered.
Terrell, C. J., and Whitfield, Brown, Buford, Chapman, and Thomas, J. J., concur.