State Ex Rel. Swope v. Mechem

SEYMOUR, Justice.

The question for decision arises in an original proceeding in mandamus against respondent, the Governor of New Mexico. Petitioners are three district judges appointed by respondent or his predecessors; petitioners Swope and Harris were appointed pursuant to 1949 legislative act increasing by one the number of judges in the second and fifth judicial districts respectively, and petitioner Bonem was appointed pursuant to a 1951 statute providing for an additional judicial district and judge, i. e., the tenth judicial district. 1941 Comp. § 16-304.

All ran and were elected in the…