In this connection counsel say in the petition: "The point that we desire to here urge is that when the Constitution as adopted retained or continued in office all county officers under the law of the Territory for a definite fixed term, namely: for two years after the adoption of the Constitution and until the first Monday in January, 1867, that this provision of the Constitution was as much of a fixing of salaries or compensation *Page 234 of county officers as was Section 5 of the said Article XVII fixing the salaries of certain state officers."
We failed to allude to that part of the constitution, for the reason that it was not referred to in the brief filed in behalf of relators. It was alluded to on the oral argument, but unless counsel on oral argument emphasize the fact that a point is then made which is not made in the written brief we are liable to overlook it.
Counsel cite in connection with the point now made the case of State v. Tilford, 1 Nev. 240. We are heartily in accord with the conclusion reached in that opinion, but we do not see that it aids the relators. After all, the question to be determined is: What did the constitutional convention contemplate by adopting article 15, sec. 9, quoted in our former opinion, to the effect that the legislature may at any time alter the salary of any officer whose compensation is fixed in the constitution, provided such alteration shall not apply to any officer during the term for which he has been elected? Counsel now contend that the constitution (article 17, sec. 13), by continuing in office for a fixed time certain county officers, not only constituted such officers constitutional officers, but fixed the salaries of such officers, for all time, as we understand them, at the amount the officials were then receiving, unless the constitution is amended. If we were to concede the theory suggested to be correct, we are unable to see how it would help relators, since Elko County was not created until 1869 (Stats. 1869, c. 94, p. 153), several years after the constitution went into effect. How could the language quoted apply to officers of counties not in existence at the time of the adoption of the constitution, since by its very terms it applies only to county officers under the law of the territory of Nevada at the time the constitution went into effect?
We can see no merit in the petition for a rehearing; hence a rehearing is denied.