State Ex Rel. Hughes v. McNabb

ZINN, Justice. Appellees were granted a writ of mandamus against appellant as acting state comptroller, commanding him to give appellees access to certain records in his office that they may be informed of the amounts of gasoline taxes paid by each individual, corporation, firm, or association in the state engaged in the-gasoline business. The question for decision herein is whether, pursuant to 1929 Comp. St. § 60-212, the records, books, papers, and returns of taxpayers of the gasoline excise tax, in the hands of the acting state comptroller, are public records-subject to inspection 'by any interested person. In view of the fact that no substantial rights are involved, and the appellant is no longer the incumbent in office, and that 1920-Comp. St. § 60-212 was expressly repealed by Laws 19-33, c. 176, § 26, the question is moot, and it is contrary to our policy to- decide a moot cause. Board of County Commissioners v. Coors, 30 N. M. 482, 239 P. 524; State ex rel. Mirabal v. Greer, 37 N. M. 292, 21 P.(2d) 819. The appeal will be dismissed, and the cause remanded. It is so ordered. WATSON, C. J., and SADLER, HUDS-PETH, and BICKLEY, JJ., concur.