Case Name: State of Nebraska, ex rel. Franklin County, v. William A. Cole
Court: Nebraska Supreme Court
Jurisdiction: Nebraska
Decision Date: 1889-01
Citations: 25 Neb. 342
Docket Number: 
Parties: State of Nebraska, ex rel. Franklin County, v. William A. Cole.
Judges: The other judges concur.
Reporter: Nebraska Reports
Volume: 25
Pages: 342–343

Head Matter:
State of Nebraska, ex rel. Franklin County, v. William A. Cole.
County Clerk: fees: mandamus. Defendant was the duly elected and qualified county clerk of Franklin county. During his term of office an application was made to the supreme court for a peremptory writ of, mandamus, requiring him to Certify and report the collection of certain lees, which it is alleged that he has failed to report. To this relation he filed his answer, controverting, its principal allegations. Subsequent to that time he filed a supplemental answ;er, alleging that since the filing of his original answer his term of office liad expired. To this a general demurrer was interposed by the relator. It was Held, That the facts stated did not constitute a defense, aud the demurrer was sustained.
Original application for mandamus.
E. A. Fletcher, for relator.
James McNeny, for respondent.

Opinion:
Reese, Ch. J.
This is an application for a peremptory writ of mandamus to compel the counter clerk of Franklin county to report the fees collected by him during the term of his office, in accordance with the provisions of section 43 of chapter 28 of Compiled Statutes of 1887.
The relation was filed in this court on the 18th day of October, 1887.
The answer was filed November 29, 1887, in which the essential averments of the relation are denied.
On the 15th day of November, 1888, a supplemental answer was filed, alleging that since the commencement of the action, and since the filing of the former answer, the term of office of the defendant as clerk of Franklin count}'had expired, and that another person is now the incumbent of said office, having been elected thereto as the successor of defendant, and having had exclusive charge and control of the office and the books thereof since the 7th day of January, 1888. To this supplemental answer a general demurrer has been filed.
It is insisted by defendant that the expiration of his term of office and the election of a successor, who has qualified and entered upon the discharge of the duties thereof, must abate this action.
In The State, ex rel. Willard, v. Stearns, 11 Neb., 104, the contrary rule was adopted by this court. '
In The State, ex rel. Reed, v. Ramsey, 8 Neb., 286, it is said: " The issues in the case must be made upon the facts, rights, and duties of the parties as they existed at the time of the commencement of the suit, or, at the latest, at the time that they are actually joined; and it is apparent that if the foregoing views are correct, that the issue presented by the alternative writ, tried in view of the duties of the respondents as they existed at the date of its issuance, or at this time, would have to be decided in favor of respondents." See also 9 Wall., 298. 7 Id., 604.
The demurrer to the supplemental answer is therefore sustained.
Judgment accordingly.
The other judges concur.